Capitol Calling

U.S. Senate candidate Sarah Steelman released a Web video yesterday criticizing elements of the U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan to reconfigure Medicare.

Steelman, a Republican from Rolla, said in the video that while the Wisconsin Republican’s plan is a good start, she doesn’t agree with certain elements of the plan - such as providing people who are currently under 55 with a voucher of sorts to purchase private health insurance.

This puts Steelman at odds with U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, R-Wildwood, who supported Ryan’s budget plan.

It will be interesting to see if there is any political windfall or backlash for Steelman based off this video. On the one hand, Democrats have used the proposed changes to Medicare to bludgeon Republicans. But Republicans who have spoken out against the plan - like presidential aspirant Newt Gingrich - have faced a backlash within their own party.