Tucson, Ariz. -- Today, Giffords for Congress released its new television ad that shows Jesse Kelly wants to eliminate Medicare and – in his own words captured on videotape – calls Medicare “the biggest Ponzi scheme in history.” Kelly also labels seniors who receive Medicare benefits as being on “the public dole.”

The ad, “Public,” will begin airing in the Tucson media market today.

In an ad released August 24th, Southern Arizonans learned that Kelly wants to “privatize,” “phase out” and “eliminate” Social Security. Now Arizona will learn of his support for “eliminating Medicare.” Kelly has declared war on the middle class, the reason why elite special interests and corporations that ship American jobs overseas have stepped in to support his flailing campaign. Kelly is a risk Southern Arizona can’t afford.

“Jesse Kelly is running from his words as fast as he can, but Southern Arizonans are too smart to fall for his flip-flopping, “ said Giffords for Congress campaign manager Rodd McLeod. “What kind of guy says that Medicare is a scam, or a Ponzi scheme? His ideas are dangerous.”

Gabrielle Giffords is a third generation Southern Arizonan and the only person in Congress with an active duty military spouse. Gabrielle is not like other politicians. She takes an independent view on the issues and was rated Arizona’s most moderate member of Congress by the National Journal in 2009. She’s voted against a Congressional pay raise every time one has come up, and she doesn’t make earmark requests for campaign contributors. Most importantly, Gabrielle stands up for Southern Arizona by working across the aisle to secure the border, protect our military and veterans and create jobs by investing in solar energy.

TRANSCRIPT of “Public”

[Voice Over]
First we learned Jesse Kelly wants to phase out Social Security.

[Text Graphic]
Jesse Kelly: “phase out” Social Security -KUAT Debate, 7/30/10

[Jesse Kelly]
Privatize it… to phase it out.

[Voice Over]
Risking your retirement in the stock market.

[Voice Over]
Now Kelly says he’d like to eliminate Medicare too.

[Text Graphic]
Jesse Kelly supports “eliminating Medicare” – Tucson Weekly, 12/2/09

[Voice Over]
Kelly says seniors on Medicare are on “the public dole”

[Text Graphic]
Kelly says seniors on “public dole” – Tucson Weekly, 12/2/09

[Jesse Kelly]
Social Security… Medicare, it’s the biggest Ponzi scheme in history.

[Voice Over]
Jesse Kelly has dangerous ideas. And he’s a risk we can’t afford.

[Text Graphic]
Jesse Kelly
Dangerous ideas
A risk we can’t afford

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