Conservative group’s TV ads attack Rep. Nolan over health care law
WASHINGTON - A conservative group is spending $225,000 on television ads to attack 8th District Rep. Rick Nolan over the Affordable Care Act.
The Minnesota affiliate of Americans for Prosperity says Nolan should vote to repeal the health care law -- something the Democrat has voted against so far in Congress.
In a likely preview of the tenor of conservative ads against the law next year, North Branch, Minn., resident Randy Westby is filmed explaining that his insurance policy has been canceled because of the Affordable Care Act. Westby said he had suffered three heart attacks, and he cannot go without insurance.
Westby did not respond to interview requests to confirm details about his health record and whether he had been able to sign up for insurance via MNsure, Minneosta's health insurance market.
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Still, with the Democrats in control of the White House and Senate, the law isn't likely to be repealed any time soon.
"We don't want to let go of the issue just because of a current political reality because that could change dramatically over the next one to three years," said AFP Minnesota spokesman John Cooney, referring to elections in 2014 and 2016.
The ad is part of nationwide campaign to target potentially vulnerable Democrats ahead of next year's mid-term elections. Nolan, who also served in Congress from 1975 to 1981, was elected in 2012 defeating one-term Republican Rep. Chip Cravaack by a wide margin. But Republicans see Cravaack's 2010 victory as a sign the 8th district is competitive and have recruited local businessman Stewart Mills to run against Nolan in 2014.
Here's the ad AFP is running: