Poll: Romney's advantage among older Americans is crumbling

[WI_DEM]

(Reuters) - Even before his running mate was booed by a lobbying group for older Americans on Friday, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney was losing support among such voters, whose backing is crucial to his hopes of winning the November 6 election.

New polling by Reuters/Ipsos indicates that during the past two weeks - since just after the Democratic National Convention - support for Romney among Americans age 60 and older has crumbled, from a 20-point lead over Democratic President Barack Obama to less than 4 points.

Romney's double-digit advantages among older voters on the issues of healthcare and Medicare - the nation's health insurance program for those over 65 and the disabled - also have evaporated, and Obama has begun to build an advantage in both areas.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/24/us-usa-campaign-medicare-idUSBRE88N04Z20120924?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&dlvrit=574655

[liberal N proud]

1. Why does he have an advantage with older Americans at all?

They must not realize what he will do to their benefits.

[TroyD]

2. Older voters usually vote Republican

It's hard to change those demographics overnight.

[liberal N proud]

12. I don't buy that

I have heard it before that as you get older you will become conservative. It always comes form a conservative.

[Jackpine Radical]

14. It's an old Churchillesque thing…

Something like "A young man who is not a liberal shows he has no heart. An old man who is not a conservative shows he has no brain."

Always said by an old conservative, of course. Somehow I suspect Noam Chomsky, or even Jimmy Carter, wouldn't sign on to this one.

[spiderpig]

36. I've heard this horse-hockey all my life.

My late-60s war-protesting self has nothing on my 2012 liberal. socially-conscious self.

[kenfrequed]

41. Indeed

Though I am barely cresting 40 I would say that, if anything, I am more strident and radical than I was at 20.

[davidn3600]

37. It shows in polls though

Look at the breakdown of polls by age groups and you will definitely see a correlation with age and conservative support. And we are not the only country that shows this correlation. And it's even WITHIN the GOP. Republicans that are under age 40 are far more likely to support Ron Paul. Republicans over 60 are far more likely to support a more social conservative dinosaur.

There is also a marriage gap, especially with women. Nearly 70% of single women will support liberal candidates. That number plummets to 50% when you ask the same question to married women.

When we get older and married, and have kids, something seems to happen in some of us. Not all of us, not most of us, but some of us. My personal theory is I think some people suddenly start to worry about stability, national security, and accumulating wealth because they believe these things are the best way to protect their children.

And again, Im speaking on very broad and generalized terms here. Im not saying you will become conservative in 30 years. Im just saying the statistics show a few of us will.

[Thrill]

38. Its been that way though. Based on election results

Isn't it something though. Democrats gave them Medicare and SS. yet they support the pukes.

[mwb970]

48. I became a liberal in the 60s and I stayed that way.

Just because someone is older and wiser doesn't mean they become a right-winger! In fact the opposite is true.

[dixiegrrrrl]

35. The economy, medical care and high cost of living are getting more senior's attention

and MitTwit is NOT helping his cause at all.

[lunatica]

50. The older I get the more progressive I get

But rather than think of myself as something special I choose to believe that it's a trend among aging people. I'm 64.

[WI_DEM]

3. Given the GOP stance on issues like Social Security and Medicare it is odd

but I think too many seniors buy into the GOP crap that nothing will happen to THEM--and enough don't care about younger folks who changes/cuts will affect. Also, generationally many older people are not as comfortable--to be blunt--with a black man as president, unlike many younger people. But I'm glad movement is in the right direction.

[bluemarkers]

7. If I understand the ER for poor people

as mentioned yesterday on 60 minutes ...

One of the biggest complaints of the ER is the people who use the ER for non emergency complaints - if only they had been able to treat symptoms earlier with a regular doctor's visit.....

I'm thinking that will tick off a lot of people

[magical thyme]

16. also if they could get time off from work without fear of losing their jobs

We get an ER rush on Sunday nights from people with minor ailments who don't want to lose time at work.

[AAO]

29. And they actually care about their kids and grandkids health too. I'm sure Mitt is SHOCKED! n/t

[oldbanjo]

10. Good question, I'm 67 and I am with Obama,

I have a retirement, good ins and Medicare, I do not get SS, I worked for DOD and we did not pay in SS but we did pay into Medicare. Older people should know that Obama is the only person that will help them. Romney is for himself and the rich.

[elleng]

27. Hey oldbanjo,

we're not 'older Americans!'
P.S., I'm in very similar situation to you, retired from a Fed. job.

[magical thyme]

17. I think older Repubs are "Eisenhower repubs"

Even Nixon was to the left of Obama. It's not total selfishness, as some as suggested.

They don't realize how batshit crazy and corrupted the GOP has become in the last couple decades.

And if they don't follow politics closely, they don't realize what the current GOP intends to do with their benefits.

[pscot]

33. The fact that he was booed at the AARP meeting

will resonate. Even older folks who don't do much of their own thinking will hear that and think, gee, there must be something wrong with the guy for that to happen.

[get the red out]

18. Religion

People voting as they are told to in Church.

[SWTORFanatic]

21. Religion, racism, sexism, homophobia is why. In addition to "I got mine, screw you"

Older folks are more likely to not be ok with a black president. If you're 70+ you remember segregation and the ideal woman staying at home to raise the kids. If you're under 35, you grew up learning that yes one day in your lifetime you will probably have a black president and/or a female president. Homophobia - to someone 70+ the idea of two men or two women getting married or openly gay (let alone gay) soldiers would have sounded as foreign as space aliens. Members of generation Y and generation X don't really give a crap about whether or not someone is gay. Also older folks are more likely to have money, power, and privilege. They are more likely to want to protect their money "low taxes" and "don't touch my medicare/social security, but take it away from them young whippersnappers!"

Of course this all applies in generalities. There are younger folks that are extremely bigotted and older people who are extremely open minded, but in general...

[Vietnameravet]

26. You are very right..

or should I say "very correct" instead of "right!"

[AAO]

30. Of course this all applies in generalities.

Yes, my 88 yo father and 82 yo mother are complete leftists. Our whole family would be shot as communists (we're not) if the teabaggers get control of the White House.

[LongTomH]

32. I really have to take issue with your comments that....

...."older folks are more likely to have money, power, and privilege." Over the last three decades, companies have been working to shed old workers, especially those 'grandfathered' in to pensions and retirement health plans; that's especially true over the last decade. A lot of those older workers have been unemployed for years; some of them will never work again.

Believe me, I know. Our CEO froze pension plans, eliminated retirement health insurance and began massive layoffs. I was laid off in 2005. I managed to hang on with low-paying jobs, a year as a contractor, and a year on my savings until I could collect full SS. At that, I'm better off than most. I actually get a pension, although it's far less than it would have been if I could have been allowed to work and accrue benefits a few more years.

[pscot]

34. Truth!

[Larkspur]

31. Because Obama is black...

Conscious and unconscious racism exists among the senior citizen class right now, but Romney is doing a better job than any Democrat could ever do in pushing them back to the Democratic Party, or at least away from him.

Note: not all seniors are racists, but many are, even if they won't admit it. That will change over the next 10-20 years.

[johnlucas]

43. Yeah it's really that simple. People don't like to believe it's like that but it is

Why does ANYBODY vote for the backwards regressive causes the Republican Party stands for?
Because they're scared little bigots in one way or another.

Bigots against Blacks, against Mexicans & other Hispanics, against Women exercising Rights, against Gays & other Intersexuals, against Muslims, against Asians, you name it.

So they vote for people who are gonna "Get" the hated group of their choice ("Get the N*ggers!" "Get the W*tbacks!" "Get the Queers!&quot
OR they vote for people who are gonna "Keep Away" the hated group of their choice from getting advantages of society ("Keep the N*ggers Away from!" "Keep the W*tbacks Away from! Keep the Queers Away from!&quot .

That's what One Man, One Woman gay marriage paranoia is all about.
That's what the Protect Our Borders immigrant insanity is all about.
That's what Stand Your Ground & other gun nut craziness is all about.
That's what Pro-Life abortion paranoia is all about.
That's what endless "War On Terror" against Muslims in the Middle East is all about.

It all comes down to scared bigots playing "Get 'Em!" or "Keep Away!"
The Rich Elite use this energy of these bigots to push measures that reduce their reciprocations to society.
They get more tax loopholes & tax breaks & more deregulation over commerce & industries.
Since the word Elite means Few, they need the numbers in the electorate to get the votes out they desire.

Older people were raised up in a time when bigotry went more unchallenged.
It's challenged now & younger generations grow up with people who force it to be challenged.
Old people can hang on to old habits just because it's familiar & gives them comfort in a world that has changed too much for their liking.
Old people who know how to adapt don't have these problems but unadaptable ones will struggle.

Romney's helping them adapt to CHANGE a lot better than he realizes.
Hopefully he'll do enough of it that we can finally move this country FORWARD.
I totally understand Obama's campaign themes. It's brilliant.
John Lucas

[mimi85]

44. Agreed!

I'm in my early 60s (never thought I'd say that - from the don't trust anyone over 30 generation), a middle class white woman living in a horribly conservative area of California with little (and big) pink houses for all. My husband, while still liberal, has gotten more conservative in other areas (think Mr. Wilson), while I'm still the girl with flowers and beads inside.

My oldest grandchild was born when I was 35 - friends were still having babies! The bio dad has never been in the picture - my daughter had this Prince thing going on.

Well, my GS is biracial AND gay (we just learned that part a couple of years ago, wish he'd told us sooner, he knew it wouldn't mean shit to us, so not sure why he didn't tell his mom or us earlier). Anyway he got the hell out of here after being harassed at school and in public, now his friends outside of work and at his job (has a great job) don't give a rat's ass about his color or his sexuality. He's in San Diego, which is still fairly conservative, but at least there are things to do after 7pm and there is some diversity! And the beach.....sigh. Too much dinero for us, sadly enough.

I witnessed what my daughter went through when he was little as they lived with us until he was 4 - the ignorant comments/questions like "is he adopted" or "gee he has a great tan, did you go to Hawaii", etc. Then when he got his DL (I taught him how to drive a stick). he was stopped far too many times for bogus reasons. DWB was the real reason as the cops here are known for that.

He was here with my husband and I on election night 2008. I was a sobbing wreck (from joy and disbelief) and he was def happy, but it wasn't as huge of a deal to him since his generation is so much more tolerant - generalizing, but overall.

Sure, some oldsters just can't handle voting D, but I also firmly believe a majority of it is purely racist sentiment. My father must be spinning. He even wrote on my 21st bday card (voting age in the early 70s) "good, now you can vote Republican." He died during the early Clinton years and would give me grief constantly about my Dem support. He was a good man though and truly judged people by their character, the baggers would have shocked him. My grandmother, who died a couple years before my dad, decided that our GS must be part Mexican - that was more acceptable than black to her. We didn't even try to convince her otherwise - she was in her 90s, figured why bother? A super sweet (and strong) lady though. I miss her and my folks every day.

Sorry about the long post - just really wanted to say that not all "older" people can be lumped together. But in general it's true, I suppose. Take care all, it's past this ole hippie's bedtime!

[johnlucas]

51. Oh I would never lump you in with those fogeys

See I made the point that some older people could adapt to the changing society.
You in your youth adapted as society changed so it wasn't hard for you.
It was no big deal to you partly BECAUSE of your flowers & beads inside. (I love the hippies)
You welcomed the change in society & were active in bringing it about.

So when you got older these things weren't challenges for you at all unlike others who resented the changes.
And it gets harder & harder for those who resent the changes as time goes on so they get more resistant.
Some may only be able to deal with a few changes but when too much goes on they draw back.

But in generations to come this won't exist nearly as much.
The flowers & beads people will be the norm & we can finally make progress in this society.

Look at how much has changed between your grandparents' generation & your grandson's generation.
5 generations & the whole view of the world is different.

I wonder what the old folks of the future will be like.
Probably be just like young folks only with a few extra wrinkles.
None of that "Get off my lawn" kind of stuff. I hope anyway.
John Lucas

[NCLefty]

45. That sounds like my parents :/

I think that includes my parents (sadly) and they're in FL too. They watch FOX (etc.) too. I have tried, but showing them CNN video debunking "Obama takes 40 747's to India on taxpayer dime!" feels like a lost cause lol. You would think having 2 gay kids would shake up their politics a bit but it's so hard to get through :/

[Laurajr]

4. Well I'm happy

About this news but still I can't wrap my mind around the fact that Romney's numbers are as high as they are. do his numbers correlate to the number of people that watch only Fox news?

My sister and brother in law have fox news on all day every day. They have a gay son they love who's partner has cancer and struggled with health insurance coverage. Our entire family is a poster child of why someone would vote Dem. But Fox is All they watch and they support Romney.

[WI_DEM]

5. In a way yes, I believe many surveys have shown that Fox News viewers is stronger among older people

[KurtNYC]

11. the demo for Fox News is the oldest audience in cable TV

The network's average viewer last season (2009) was 65 years old, according to Nielsen. Heck, it's viewers are even older than viewers of Hallmark Channel, Military Channel and Golf Channel.
...
CNN wasn't far behind, though -- its average audience was 63. MSNBC was a perky 59. CNBC is the young turk at 52.

The youngest fully distributed cable channel? Oxygen. Followed by Bravo and, weirdly, VH1 Classic, then Travel and TLC -- all averaging about 42 years old.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/fox-news-oldest-cable-audience-54230

[LiberalFighter]

13. They just love watching those douchbags that moderate the shows.

What we need is a device that can be attached to the tv or somehow able to program them so it will shoot a message when they are lying or showing their racist twist.

[Cosmocat]

6. it is poison for sure

my mom was a rock JFK democrat.

She got into CNN in the late 80s/early 90s, then moved to Faux in the late 90s. By the early 2000s they had her sucked in completely.

Just sad, and nothing I could do.

[TroyD]

8. Is your Mom a Republican, then?

[Laurajr]

9. My mom

Is gone, my sister is 72....that's why I posted under this thread about seniors moving away from Romney....I was hoping....maybe just maybe but I think until she learns how to change the channel from fox she will continue to have her mind altered. Btw she does not fit the profile of a republican other than fox

[Cosmocat]

25. She passed

in 2007 from lung cancer.

She was fringy alzeimers in the 90s and pretty deep into it by the time she died.

I remember going to visit during the time of run up to the 2004 election and taking her out to lunch.

We started talking politics and she says how embarrased she was of Howard Dean over "the scream" and democrats in general.

She liked Clinton a lot, and I think Howard Dean would have been her kind of democrat before her illness and Faux got her.

I talked her back and suggested she go back to CNN, but she just sort of gave in the moment to her son. Still kept watching Faux.

I don't think she ever really was "republican," still hated Reagen, still pro choice, still progressive in taxes and the such. Just got sucked into the whole evil liberal thing.

[NCLefty]

47. Ugh that's horrible!

I saw this study yesterday. It basically says that the more politically "active" you are as a conservative, the less empathy you have for others! Liberals showed more empathy. I don't know if it's a crap study but it's either that or people are just *really* hard to change.

http://www.polipsych.com/2010/02/12/a-difference-between-democrats-and-republicans-the-effects-of-empathy-on-political-interest/

[Jennicut]

15. My 65 year old father voted for Carter in '76 but then voted Reagan in '80.

He has been extremely conservative since then. My mother always voted Republican. Reagan pulled the wool over the eyes of that generation, the baby boomers and they have been moving right ever since.
Obama does very well in all the polling with voters under 45, with many in Gen X and he totally has Gen Y. But if he can chip away at the older voter demo then that is great news.

[Botany]

19. Mitt is losing the NACAR fans too.

http://www.politicususa.com/wheels-fall-romney-obama-leads-nascar-fans-48-41.html

The Wheels Fall Off for Romney as Obama Leads with NASCAR Fans, 48%-41%

[progressivebydesign]

40. Did u see the article which casually mentioned Obama's 14 point lead (!!!) with military families???

That deserved its own article, but it was buried in a yahoo story I just read about nascar

[jillan]

22. As an elder progressive, I don't find what either of them posted to be offensive.

One saying her grandfather had the wool pulled over his eyes by Reagan - so what?

You know how many times I have been told that I have my head up my arse because I'm vote for democrats????

And yes, David Gregory IS a douchebag. The people who host the Sunday shows do not know how to ask follow up questions.


Don't be so sensitive.

[antiquie]

23. My apologies at having offended you.

I unfortunately missed that these two posts were directed at specific people and not general if-you-are-old-you-are-dumb postings.

"Reagan pulled the wool over the eyes of that generation, the baby boomers and they have been moving right ever since."

"They just love watching those douchbags that moderate the shows.
What we need is a device that can be attached to the tv or somehow able to program them so it will shoot a message when they are lying or showing their racist twist."

[bucolic_frolic]

24. I used to tell my

local Democratic county operatives that we didn't fight on ideology well

this was in 1993

They said, "This is a problem? We must be centrist to win elections,
even sound like Republicans sometimes."

Now we're winning on ideology. Finally.

[DCBob]

28. Old folks watch alot of news..

They have finally wised up. On the surface, from a distance, Rpmney looks good to most seniors but over time they have come to realize the truth about this weasly man.. and they dont like it.

[progressivebydesign]

39. buried in another article, is Romney's polling with Military families... not GOOD!

"The online poll of 860 likely voters conducted on Sept. 21 and 22 also found that Obama leads Romney 54 to 40 percent among military families." This is the same pollster that released the Nascar crowd favoring the President. The Military family thing was totally an aside in the article, but I think it's rather NOTABLE!!

[Kolesar]

49. I searched the web for that poll and could not find it

I would like to post that on some GOP-politicians' Facebook page(s) in Ohio.
Can U help me? thx brb

[cheezmaka]

42. seniors will usually vote "Republican"...

until you "mess" with their Medicare....

[TeamPooka]

46. "Since the DNC"...Thank you Bill Clinton. nt

[Duval]

52. Does over 70 qualify

for being elderly? It sure does in my book! My husband is my age. WE are voting for Obama. I've been a Democrat since I was eligible to vote. Just because we are older, doesn't mean we can't read the truth. It's the ones who listen to our Corporate Media (except 3 or 4 hours on MSNBC) and Fox Nonsense who are brainwashed. I have a sister older than I. She and her husband are also voting for Obama. And, hey, we live in NC!!

[hifiguy]

53. This will be what eventually buries Willard for good.

Seniors trust the AARP and it is clear that they increasingly distrust Rmoney, and for very good reason.