Photo by Ryan Ottney | Daily Times

Greg Schultz (left), state director for Ohio Obama campaign, met with supporters at the Scioto County Democratic Party headquarters, on Chillicothe Street, Saturday before volunteers went out to knock on doors.

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RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY

PDT Staff Writer

The director for President Barack Obama’s Ohio re-election campaign Greg Schultz made a special visit to the Scioto County Democratic Party headquarters on Chillicothe Street Saturday to meet with volunteers.

After speaking with local supporters, volunteers left to canvas the community with door-to-door campaigning while others went to work on the telephone banks calling local voters to fight back against what they say are untruths being spread about the president and his policies.

“We’re out here with some of the neighbors here in Portsmouth and Scioto County, out telling neighbors about the important issues of the coming election and a lot about the clear choice we have in this election. Whether it’s Medicare, and that the (Mitt) Romney/(Paul) Ryan campaign wants to voucherize it, which would take away thousands of dollars of coverage for many seniors.; or whether it be the tax cuts they want to give to the rich at the expense of the middle class,” Schultz said.

Charlie Neal, of the Scioto County Democratic Party, said it’s important to spread the word about Obama’s programs and head off the misinformation being fed by opposition.

“Such as information that Obama is raiding the Medicare system and taking money. That’s one of the false things people come up with, and it’s ridiculous,” Neal said.

He said thanks to ObamaCare he received a refund check from his insurance company last year, in the amount $257.

“In there was a letter that said, ‘According to the Obama law that was passed, we have to work on an 80-20 rule. Eighty percent of all of your premiums have to go for health care. We did not spend all of the money on health care, so we have to refund to all of our people who have health care with us that balance.’ That check was something that has never happened before, and I certainly hope will continue to happen,” Neal said.

Schultz said the American Association of Retired People (AARP) have also endorsed ObamaCare and believe the president’s plan will extend the life of Medicare.

“That’s something that Paul Ryan thought was a good idea until last week when he became running mates, and now no longer is that a good idea. One thing that is true about the Ryan and Romney budget is that its long-term plans to voucherize Medicare would hurt seniors across the state,” Schultz said.

Local volunteer Becky Ratliff is permanently disabled, but she has still been donating her energy to the Democratic Party since 2006.

“I’m part of the 99 percent. I am 100 percent disabled. I am dependent on Medicare. I know what ObamaCare means to so many people in this country. If they voucherize Medicare, then we’ll be back to depending on the insurance company. We’ll no longer have protections against pre-existing conditions. If they give me a voucher and tell me to go get my insurance, where am I going to get it at? Who is going to insure me?” she said.

Neal said the Scioto County Democratic Party is having a picnic fundraiser for judiciary candidates, Thursday, Aug. 22, at the American Legion Post 23 on Court Street, beginning at 5 p.m.

Ryan Scott Ottney can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 235, or rottney@heartlandpublications.com.