Candidates’ Positions on Health Care and Finances Will Sway AARP Voters, Survey Shows |
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Written by U.S. Insurance News
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Thursday, 30 August 2007 |
AARP members are waiting for presidential candidates to disclose their positions on health care and financial issues. Once they do, that’s when America’s seniors will likely make up their mind about whom they will vote for in the 2008 election, according to a Divided We Fail survey.
AARP members are waiting for presidential candidates to disclose their positions on health care and financial issues. Once they do, that’s when America’s seniors will likely make up their mind about whom they will vote for in the 2008 election, according to a Divided We Fail survey.
Given that about 25 percent of voters in the 2006 election were AARP members, according to exit polls, these two key issues could determine who becomes the 44th president of the United States.
The first Election Issue Survey polled 5,000 AARP members who are likely to attend the Republican or Democratic caucuses or primaries in Iowa, South Carolina, Florida, Nevada, and New Hampshire, all of which are early caucus and primary states. The poll found that 65–77 percent of potential Democratic participants and 78–84 percent of potential Republican participants are likely to change their preference among the candidates once they learn more about their positions on health and financial security.
“Clearly, candidates must do a better job of discussing health care and financial security with voters,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP group executive officer. “With a majority of AARP members polled saying they are likely to change who they vote for, this election could hinge on how candidates address these issues.”
Financial security trumped all other topics as the most critical issue for voters. More than 90 percent of AARP potential caucus participants or primary voters from each party say that issues related to financial security, such as Social Security, incentives for savings and investment, and pension protection, will be important to their vote. This issue is very important to 66–75 percent of potential Democratic participants and to 51–68 percent of potential Republican participants in primaries and caucuses.
Health care also will be a key concern, especially among those planning to attend Democratic caucuses or vote in Democratic primaries. Virtually all of the Democratic participants say it is at least a somewhat important issue, and 75–83 percent say it is very important. Between 42–56 percent of Republicans say the issue will be very important to determining their vote.
“Clearly AARP members are ready to hear from the candidates on these issues,” LeaMond said. “Our members vote and they are looking for information to make their decisions.”
Over the next quarter, Divided We Fail will conduct simultaneous polls leading up to the first primary, with the next poll expected in October. The polls will enable Divided We Fail to track the opinions of AARP members as debates are held and candidates articulate their issue positions.
Results of the polls are available at the Divided We Fail Web site.
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