Bernie Sanders is losing the senior vote [View all]

[riversedge]

Interesting article I think.-even if we know the main thesis

Bernie Sanders is losing the senior vote
http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/22/politics/bernie-sanders-seniors/


By Dan Merica and Tom LoBianco, CNN

Updated 7:30 AM ET, Tue December 22, 2015

Story highlights

Bernie Sanders, the oldest person in the presidential race, is struggling to win over seniors
"We are doing very badly among older people and I want to change that," he said

Davenport, Iowa ..........................

Sanders' campaign, at the spurring of the candidate, plans to tackle its age gap in the coming weeks by courting older voters and focusing on issues like Social Security and Medicare.

Jeff Weaver, Sanders' campaign manager, told CNN the campaign will use "every tool of modern campaigning to reach out to older voters." That includes TV and radio advertising aimed squarely at seniors, as well as direct mail campaigns that will largely focus on Sanders' record on prescription drug costs and protecting Medicare.

"It is obvious that older voters need more information about Bernie Sanders, his record and his agenda," Weaver said. "While it is true that many seniors are online, many seniors are also not and this campaign a lot of younger voters have learned about Bernie's campaign on social media and online, so I think it is fair to say that younger voters are more familiar with him."

There is an irony to this, one that at times baffles Sanders' longtime aides: The Vermont senator, the oldest person in either party running for president, has a reputation in his home state for dropping by retirement homes and community healthcare centers because of his interest in healthcare and he has long talked about Social Security and Medicare, two issues important to seniors.

None of this, however, is winning needed senior support.

Although Sanders' aides feel his problem with older voters is familiarity, conversations with seniors backing Clinton show it is actually her electability and their loyalty to the Clinton family that put the former secretary of state over the edge.

"For me, it is like in my lifetime I would like to see a woman that I agree with in the White House," said Nancy Sweetman, a 71-year old from Mason City............................



"People our age are tired of all the flash in the pan stuff and we would like to see something get done that we agree with. And in that regard I think Hillary is a much stronger candidate than Bernie," said Chuck Sweetman, "I don't think his is electable and I don't want the White House to go to a Republican."

Clinton's agenda.............