Press Release - Where's Pombo? In San Diego, Not Stockton. With Donors, Not Seniors

WHERE'S POMBO? IN SAN DIEGO, NOT STOCKTON. WITH DONORS, NOT SENIORS.

Alliance for Retired Americans endorses McNerney; Pombo to skip AARP Forum

Jerry McNerney today accepted the endorsement of the Alliance for Retired Americans and criticized Richard Pombo for selling out seniors. Pombo supports privatizing Social Security and opposes enabling the government to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices in the new Medicare prescription drug program. Afraid of answering questions about his anti-senior agenda, Pombo is expected to skip tonight's AARP candidates' forum in Stockton. However, Pombo will appear at a fundraiser tomorrow night with Congressman turned corporate lobbyist turned Congressman Brian Bilbray in San Diego.

"Richard Pombo always makes time for out-of-town lobbyists looking for legislative favors," said Jerry McNerney, nominee for Congress from California's 11th Congressional District. "But Pombo routinely votes against improving the quality of life of older Americans. Pombo's radical plan to privatize Social Security will eliminate the guaranteed retirement benefits on which millions of California's seniors depend. In Congress, I will fight to protect and preserve Social Security for future generations."

Said Nan Brasmer, Manteca resident and Alliance for Retired Americans Board Member, "Richard Pombo's opposition to allowing the government to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices is as callous as it is corrupt. Rather than vote to save seniors thousands of dollars, Pombo is helping the pharmaceutical industry to billions of dollars in taxpayer money. Jerry McNerney is an advocate for seniors who recognizes the need for a comprehensive prescription drug program under Medicare that benefits seniors - not insurance and drug companies."

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/press_story.asp?id=31