Quote of note:

Nobody knows how popular the drug benefit will ultimately be with the nation's retirees, who are a critical voting bloc. But Congressional Republicans, who pushed through the Medicare drug law in 2003, have clear political ownership of it, and whatever credit or blame it brings, strategists say.

Glen Bolger, a Republican pollster, said his advice was simple: "It's going to be associated with Republicans, so you better make sure it's something they understand and take advantage of."

Too late...it is what it is, now. And what it is, is confusing as fuck.

Republicans Find They Have to Sell Drug Benefit Plan
By ROBIN TONER and ROBERT PEAR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 - Under the normal rules of politics, Congressional Republicans ought to be doing victory laps these days because of the new Medicare drug benefit, accepting the gratitude of the nation's retirees.

Instead, at meetings around the country, they are trying to ease widespread confusion and apprehension about a program that strikes many retirees as dauntingly complex. At a forum in Louisville, Ky., last week, Representative Anne M. Northup, a Republican, tried to reassure about 300 intensely attentive retirees. "I encourage you not to be discouraged," Ms. Northup said, soothingly. "If you feel like you don't know where to go, please call my office."

Beyond altruistic concerns, Congressional Republicans have a keen political interest in ensuring an orderly, successful rollout of the program, which happens to begin in a highly competitive midterm election year. The drug benefits are available for the first time beginning Jan. 1, and the initial sign-up period, which began Nov. 15, lasts until May 15.

Nobody knows how popular the drug benefit will ultimately be with the nation's retirees, who are a critical voting bloc. But Congressional Republicans, who pushed through the Medicare drug law in 2003, have clear political ownership of it, and whatever credit or blame it brings, strategists say.

Glen Bolger, a Republican pollster, said his advice was simple: "It's going to be associated with Republicans, so you better make sure it's something they understand and take advantage of."

Already, many Democratic strategists argue that the new program - because of its complicated structure and gaps in coverage - could be much more of a problem than an asset for Republicans next year. Some Democratic challengers are already using the issue on the campaign trail, like Christopher S. Murphy, who hopes to unseat Representative Nancy L. Johnson of Connecticut, a senior Republican who played an important role in writing the law.

"Seniors, frustrated with the complexity of the drug benefit, are realizing that it was constructed to help the insurance industry and the drug industry," said Mr. Murphy, a state senator, in a common Democratic refrain. "It's more helpful to those industries than to a lot of seniors."