U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor’s
careful defense of the growing evidence of positive benefits from the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) has prompted a great deal of national commentary on the Republican Party’s move away nationally from the all-Obamacare-all-the-time messaging. Republican states are increasingly considering the Obamacare Medicaid expansion approved in Arkansas. Millions have new health insurance. The medical cost growth curve has been arrested. Disability applications are down.

But here’s another message: The Republican Party thinks Arkansas voters are dumb or clueless or so infected by Obama hatred that facts don’t matter. Here’s Roll Call with a report on a $2.5 million Republican ad buy to emphasize that Mark Pryor is talking about Obamacare when he talks about the many benefits realized by people in Arkansas, such as insurance coverage for previously sick people. 

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To paraphrase Dean Wormer: Stupid or clueless is no way to go through an election. But Republicans are counting on it.

PS — The ad is misleading in a number of ways, including this artfully snipped Pryor quote. Also, nobody’s insurance has been cancelled. And the Medicare stuff? Don’t get me started.

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