Democrats Give Republicans a Fight for the Elderly
N.Y.Times headline: "Democrats Give Republicans a Fight for the Elderly"
When President Bush signed a Medicare bill into law in December, Republicans thought it would allow them to make sharp inroads into elderly voters.
But Democrats say the elderly are proving an unexpectedly fertile voting bloc for their party this year because of dissatisfaction with the new Medicare prescription drug benefit, disproportionate opposition to the war in Iraq, worries about mounting deficits and wariness over talk ofaltering Social Security.
Aides said that within several weeks, Mr. Kerry would roll out plans to help the elderly with Election Day transportation, as well as with signing up for absentee ballots, at which Republicans have long excelled.
"Suffice it to say that we will have a major, concerted effort to ensure that seniors across the country cast their votes, whether by absentee ballot or on Election Day," said Stephanie Cutter, Mr. Kerry's spokeswoman.
In 2000, voters older than 60 supported Al Gore over George Bush 51 percent to 47 percent, but among whites, the largest component of that group, the breakdown was 52 percent for Mr. Bush and 46 percent for Mr. Gore. Kerry aides say they are confident they can do better this year.
Perhaps the biggest single reason Democrats are sanguine about their chances with elderly white voters - a factor that is causing considerable consternation among Republicans - is public sentiment against the Medicare prescription drug legislation.
When President Bush signed a Medicare bill into law in December, Republicans thought it would allow them to make sharp inroads into elderly voters.
But Democrats say the elderly are proving an unexpectedly fertile voting bloc for their party this year because of dissatisfaction with the new Medicare prescription drug benefit, disproportionate opposition to the war in Iraq, worries about mounting deficits and wariness over talk ofaltering Social Security.
Aides said that within several weeks, Mr. Kerry would roll out plans to help the elderly with Election Day transportation, as well as with signing up for absentee ballots, at which Republicans have long excelled.
"Suffice it to say that we will have a major, concerted effort to ensure that seniors across the country cast their votes, whether by absentee ballot or on Election Day," said Stephanie Cutter, Mr. Kerry's spokeswoman.
In 2000, voters older than 60 supported Al Gore over George Bush 51 percent to 47 percent, but among whites, the largest component of that group, the breakdown was 52 percent for Mr. Bush and 46 percent for Mr. Gore. Kerry aides say they are confident they can do better this year.
Perhaps the biggest single reason Democrats are sanguine about their chances with elderly white voters - a factor that is causing considerable consternation among Republicans - is public sentiment against the Medicare prescription drug legislation.
posted by Sid Cottingham | 7:08 AM
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