Organizing for America | citizensforbarackobama: The Senior Citizen - Powerful voting block

The Senior Citizen - Powerful voting block - A survey

By citizenforbarackobama - Feb 15th, 2007 at 12:45 pm EST

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Tags: issues, senior citizen, Survey, voting

Well, here in New York, finally got all the snow off my car and moved it so the plow could come through. Down the road a short distance from me is a Senior Citizen HUD housing complex. Not too big, 4 2 story buildings. They have a community room where they gather after moving their cars while they wait for the plow. I figure it was a good time to go chat with them and get an understanding of what they were thinking about with the next Presidential Election.

Understand, the Senior Citizen, most of them, are a powerful and consistent voting block. They all vote, all are registered and vote in every election, whether a local one or National one. So, I thought I would get an idea what their issues were.

After a few pleasantries I asked if I could do a survey and ask some questions. They were eager to give their opinions.

First Question:

Of the following Democratic candiates, who are you most interested in hearing from:

Clinton 10%
Obama 60%
Edwards 15%
Other/don't know 15%

What issues are most important to you when making your choice on who to vote for in the next election for President?

Iraq 90%
Honesty/Interity in Office - 70%
Social Security -- no concerns
Medicare -- Issues related to part D - Perscription Drug Coverage, expressed the need to have it fixed.
Global Warming - (I was shocked on this one) 75%
Experience - 80%

Which Republican candiate are you most interested in?

Guiliani 95%
Mitt Romney 5%
Cain - not interested

Who are you most interested in learning more about?

Obama 95%
Edwards 5%
Clinton -- expressed dislike, won't vote for her, don't like her

What is your major issue regarding Senator Obama:

Lack of experience

When asked if they would be open to hearing from him, received the following response:

Although they expressed trust and admiration for him, they are concerned that even if they vote for a trustworthy candidate, he would have problems cleaning up the corruption in Congress. They repeatedly expressed issues regarding government corruption and being lied to by President Bush and Congress. Dislike special interest groups though this diverged into backing the powerful AARP lobby as they feel AARP works FOR them and their isssues. They did say, if AARP endorses Obama, they will follow that lead.

Also, they expressed the need for Senator Obama to put forth a good arguement regarding his experience and ability to deal with World Issues.

COMMENT: While they stated emphatically they would not vote for Hillary Clinton, it is unclear to me who they WOULD consider, but expressed their willingness to learn more about Senator Obama but want him to be more SPECIFIC on issues. They stated that so far he has not stated SPECIFICALLY his stance on many issues and are waiting to learn more from him but did not rule out a vote for Obama.

I realize most on this site are younger voters and that many Colleges are ready to work on supporting Senator Obama. But the issue for the students is that they need to ensure voter registration in the college community, and on election day,getting them to actually vote.

But it is unwise to discount the powerful, regular voter, in the Senior Citizen category. They vote and they are increasing in numbers every year. This is a powerful voting block and one Senator Obama needs to respond to to sway them to his side.

I intend to visit other Senior Citizen Housing units in the Hudson Valley in New York, because getting the pulse of the thinking of this Voter base is extremely important. They vote in large numbers. So to discount them would be very unwise.

I would like to make the suggestion that everyone try to engage one Senior Citizen in conversation as often as they can. They made be old, but they vote.

INTERESTING TO NOTE: Not one single Senior Citizen, all of them white, ever once mentioned Senator Obama's race. This was never mentioned one time, and was not even a consideration on their part.

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Hey!! | Report to Admin

By Sally Feb 15th 2007 at 4:26 pm EST

I'm a senior citizen and I am supporting Obama!! :-)

There are two huge senior centers just down the road from me. What a great idea. I will follow your model and go down there and speak to them.

Thanks,

Sally

Probably should write a letter to the AARP, too. Since I am one.

Re: Hey!! | Report to Admin

By citizenforbarackobama Feb 15th 2007 at 6:50 pm EST

I think a concentrated effort to write to AARP encouraging their endorsement of Senator Obama would be a great idea. Many seniors seem to follow AARP activity closely and their endorsement would go a long way in encouraging them to vote for Senator Obama.

I am happy to see you post, but people fail at their own peril in their activities if they ignore the "senior vote" block. They vote, regularly, often,in every single election. I share a polling place with this very same Senior Complex, and you can look at the line of people waiting to vote and see a ton of people over 55 in that line, so to ignore this block vote with a lot of power would be folly.

Great idea | Report to Admin

By Tygoblue Feb 15th 2007 at 10:11 pm EST

When I go to the first Obama meeting in Ann Arbor I will suggest we do the same polling here and post the results. I have been trying to get the word out to the young I know, asking if they vote, and if so, to encourage their friends to register and to tell them about Senator Obama. We have to get those who do not vote educated and those who always vote committed. I will try to visit as many senior related places I can think of, as you are so right they always vote and talk "amongst themselves" - maybe senior supporters could have some "coffee talks". When it ever gets warm enough I think golf courses would be a great place to fundraise and spread the word. I was thinking about having pitch and putt contests before or after leagues. The sme for bowling leagues, softball, any sporting events. We have to get South Carolina rolling and ready and their weather may be warm enough to get some golf events going.

Re: Great idea | Report to Admin

By citizenforbarackobama Feb 16th 2007 at 3:59 pm EST

If an endorsement by the powerful AARP lobby could be achieved for Obama, he will gain huge strides with the Senior vote. Hmmmmmm,wonder if their are any Senior groups on this site that could get a letter writing campaign going to AARP regarding endorsing Obama? Interesting thought to ponder.

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