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Marino says Social Security cuts needed; Carney pounces
Republican congressional candidate Tom Marino said Tuesday that some Americans will need to “step up and take the hit by saying no to Social Security”—drawing a swift and biting rebuke from his Democratic opponent and leading the GOP challenger to quickly retreat from the statement.
Marino made his comments during an extended radio interview that touched on a wide swath of policy issues. They came as Democrats have been eager to paint Republicans as the party of Social Security cuts and privatization, and as the contest in the 10th District has become increasingly heated.
Asked where he would cut government spending, Marino highlighted Social Security.
“Every generation has paid for the Social Security of the generation that came before it,” Marino said. “Somewhere down the line, one generation is going to have to pay in and not get it back if we want to get this debacle squared away. … We can’t take it away from people who are dependent on it now, but it will have to be cut for my generation. … My generation will take the hit.”
Congressman Chris Carney’s (D-10) campaign quickly pounced on Marino’s comments.
“Tom Marino has made clear that as a congressman he would cut Social Security to such an extent that those on the cusp of receiving Social Security benefits would get nothing,” Carney campaign spokesman Josh Drobnyk said. “He wants to eliminate Social Security for families that have been paying into the program for decades and have been counting on it to help pay the bills. Well, it’s easy for Tom Marino to say, considering he earned $281,000 last year and owns two vacation homes in Florida.”
Marino, for his part, was soon walking back his comments, reiterating his commitment to protecting current retirees. In the initial interview, he did indeed voice his determination that protect current retiree benefits.
“My generation is probably going to have to work longer,” said the 58-year-old former U.S. Attorney. “If we get anything it is going to be less. But I will certainly protect with every fiber in my body what the seniors are on now and my generation is going to take the hit.”
However, the Carney campaign was hardly “misleading” in its response, as Marino’s campaign alleged. Marino said he would soon introduce a plan to “make Social Security solvent.”
“Yet again, Chris Carney has decided to resort to personal attacks and innuendo rather than talking straight about the issues that are important to the people of the 10th Congressional District,” Marino said in an afternoon statement. “I was commenting on what may happen to Social Security if nothing is done to fix it. I made it very clear that I will never support any reduction in benefits for people currently on Social Security and am fully committed to making Social Security solvent for future generations.”
August 24, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Tags: Chris Carney, PA-10, Tom Marino













John
Aug 24th, 2010
Again Chris Carney has to misconstrue words that Tom Marino Says to try too make him look bad. The Fact is Chris Carney has voted For the Health Care bill that will create so much debt, your Childrens Children will end up paying for it.
Chris Carney and Nancy Pelosi is the same person. They are both Liberal and Socialist thinking. They want entitlement after entitlement being given without proper funding. The time has come for him to be thrown out of office. Vote this socialist out office.
KG
Aug 25th, 2010
Preach it John. Hey, you should send your resume in to the Marino camp, maybe they’re looking to expand their communications team. Your writing is at least on par with what I’ve seen from them so far this year.
Maybe you could help, because so far its like every other week I read about some silly distraction coming out of their camp. Like when they hit Carney for tending to his ill wife. Or for being a reservist. Or for being a leftie (so far left that the GOP attempted to recruit him to switch parties).
Malcolm Derk must feel sick when he thinks about it.
Reality Bites
Aug 25th, 2010
C’mon John,
Go to the WKOK web site and listen to the interview. Nobody is taking anything out of context. Marino was clear on his belief that he and others his age and younger would have to give up their Social Security. Hey, at least he is taking a position on something.
Nonetheless he still found a way to blame Pelosi. I guess the Marino campaign strategy is make a stupid comment then respond to the criticism with talking points. The ship is sinking fast Tom.
Keep it up Tom
Aug 25th, 2010
I would like to congratulate Tom Marino and his media team for continuing to demonstrate why the National Party has taken little to no interest his candidacy. It seems he has been able to string together a series of stellar media moves…lets re-cap: 1. Attack Carney on spending time with his wife undergoing Breast Cancer surgery 2. Attack Carney’s service in the Naval Reserves 3. Proudly proclaim that he is willing to cut Social Security at a moments notice and deny all of the working families of the 10th district who have worked hard paying into the pot for just their fair share.
I don’t know about everyone else, but as Republican there is no way I can even consider supporting a guy like this. I hope his team continues their strategy of mishaps…Keep it up Tom.
Concerned PA-10 Voter
Aug 25th, 2010
Tom Marino blatantly stated that he would cut Social Security look at the transcript. It just shows how out of touch Tom Marino is with the everyday working man and woman living in the 10th District.I guess on a lawyers salary you don’t have to worry about Social Security but most people in this District depend on it each and everyday. Tom Marino NO FAMILY VALUES AND NO COMMON SENSE.
Ada
Aug 25th, 2010
Tom is PRO-LIFE & HAS FAMILY VALUES. Carney is NOT pro-life. He still has not signed on to sponsor H.R. 5939 which would prevent federal tax dollars from being used for elective abortions. How come he has not signed it yet????HE is not Pro-life even if he has 5 children. Tom will win in Nov. I promise you that.
Concerned PA-10 Voter
Aug 25th, 2010
Simple answer to why Congressman Carney has not co-signed H.R. 5939 yet because Congress is still on recess.
Keep it up Tom
Aug 25th, 2010
Ada, Not sure if Tom has his supporters follow the news cycle, but CONGRESSMAN CARNEY (it seems you people forget he is your Congressman, and holds an office that deserves respect) has pledged publicly that he WILL sign the petition when Congress resumes session. Read the News.
Marlene Kulesa
Aug 25th, 2010
I would like to comment on one of the most frightening comments I have ever heard! Tom Marino wants to cut social security!!!! Well, he just lost tons of votes!!! LOL Marino will never know what it is like to live on social security, many will be hurt by this! It is my understanding that Tom is pro life. What is the difference between abortion and cutting off the social security benefits on living human beings??? Nothing!!!! You should be looking into other sources for those depending on social security to live. Shame on you Tom Marino with 2 homes in Florida and and a paycheck like your –you should be donating thousands of dollars to those in need. Glad you’ll never be my Congressman!! Chris Carney is FOR THE PEOPLE!!!!
Straight Truth
Aug 25th, 2010
“Hey Tom what will you do for me and my family if we vote for you in November?” – Voter of the 10th District.
“I’m cutting social security! How about that?” – Tom Marino.
“Oh you mean deny me the benefits I’ve been paying for throughout all my working days?” – Voter
“Yeah that. Someone needs to lose all of that stuff, why not you?” – Marino
“Good point. I’m just going to go now and add another reason to my list of reasons why I’m not voting for you. Thanks.” – Voter
Ada
Aug 26th, 2010
For Keep it up Tom.
Doubt it if Chris Carney will sign on to HR 5939 when he gets back from recess. He is 100% in bed with Planned Parenthood. See http://www.pppavotes.org/voters.php. That is a fact. GO TOM.
Straight Truth
Aug 27th, 2010
Good afternoon Ada,
This is commentary on Marino’s terrible “solution” for Social Security, not ill-informed talking points from Marino’s campaign.
Thanks,
Straight Truth
Bill Steib
Sep 19th, 2010
Carney actually voted to cut medicare benefits by 500 million dollars, but is scaring seniors by what Marino could do? I am tired of this “Republicans will cut social security” attack every two years, when the only ones that actually cut benefits for seniors and tax social security and cut medicare are the Democrats. Sure sophistry.
Ed
Sep 19th, 2010
The Health care bill passed by Carney has destroyed our future. Health care is rising more than if nothing was done (as now admitted by the administration), businesses are not hiring because of this bill, our debt is astronomical (thanks Carney), and medicare has been cut. Enough of this constant attacks from Carney (received a phone call last night from Carney’s camp). Carney is just another tax, tax, tax and spend liberal who has taken taxpayer money and given it to the unions, who then go out and support him. Real ruling class stuff.
Peter Karwowski
Oct 3rd, 2010
I really think it’s time for blue collar people to be elected to congress
Bill Ronchi
Oct 5th, 2010
I am just glad I am not in the 10th district. Both of these candidate are sleezeballs and if I had the unfortunate experience of residing in the 10th, I would probably write in Mickey Mouse, which is a repetitive vote for either candidate.