Steve Forbes, a former presidential candidate and chairman of Forbes media, had some post-election advice for the failed 2012 Republican presidential ticket: Be more like Ronald Reagan.
“I think there’s a feeling—although, they won’t say it too publicly—on the part of Republicans that the standard bearer, Governor Romney, in the last election did not put these proposals out there in a [former president Ronald] Reaganesque way, in a consistent way, that you need to do if you’re going to persuade public opinion,” Forbes said on Jansing & Co. Tuesday. ” So, I think they’re setting the groundwork in 2014.”
Former GOP vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan unveiled his budget Tuesday, which proposes balancing the federal budget over 10 years with $4.6 trillion dollars in cuts over the same period. By 2024, it would give seniors on Medicare the option to access a private insurer (vouchers) or chose regular Medicare. The Ryan budget would also institute means testing for wealthy seniors, meaning wealthy seniors may see benefits cut.
“Republicans think this can be not portrayed just as cutting, but actually giving people more choices like federal workers do,” Forbes said.
Kristin Donnelly