Tim Pawlenty's paid speech today at a health insurance industry conference in San Francisco has become fodder for a Democratic counterattack against his criticism of President Obama's health care overhaul. "Perhaps pocketing thousands of dollars in cash to give a speech outlining his plan to repeal health reform is a plus for Tim Pawlenty, but it won't help seniors afford their prescription drugs or preventive care, it won't help young people access health insurance and it won't help people being denied coverage based on a pre-existing condition," said Democratic National Committee (DNC) spokesman Brad Woodhouse. Pawlenty's camp shrugged it off. "This lame attack is just more evidence that President Obama has a campaign plan, not an economic plan," said Pawlenty spokesman Alex Conant. "Given the inordinate amount of attention the DNC spends on Governor Pawlenty, it's clear they recognize that Pawlenty's record of results is a stark contrast to Obama's empty rhetoric. We're not going to be lectured by Democrats who have failed to address out-of-control health care costs, deficits and unemployment." All that said, it is neither new nor unusual for candidates to accept paid speaking engagements. Pawlenty was reportedly booked at the America's Health Insurance Plans' (AHIP) annual conference before he launched is campaign for the presidency.
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