Does Barack Obama Have What Seniors Want in a Candidate?

Having been raised partly by his grandparents, Barack Obama states that he understands the needs of senior citizens. But, to date, the senior votes have eluded him in the primaries. Does Obama have the ability to change the minds of older Americans to move away from Hillary Clinton and vote for him?

Obama has been popular with younger voters age 17-44 but has not been able to obtain the majority of voters age 45-65+. Because the older population is considered to be the most reliable voters to go to the polls it is important for Obama to sway the senior vote his way.

Obama understands the significance of capturing older America and has been fastidious in outlining his plans for helping senior citizens. The two most important issues that seniors are concerned with are the economy and health care. Obama has outlined on his website what his plans are to improve health care and to protect social security. But, even with the specifics in hand, many seniors are still more comfortable backing Clinton or John McCain.

In an AARP poll of senior citizens age 55+, the majority responded that they felt Clinton was better prepared to achieve success with a new health care program. Obama has outlined in detail that he plans to work on providing seniors with more affordable prescription drugs, to fix the Medicare prescription drug program, and to try to increase access to health care while lowering the cost. Even with these specifics he has been unable to reach seniors.

Obama has also provided specific plans to help keep Social Security secure in the future. Some of his plans are to work to protect Social Security so older Americans feel secure that it will be there for them in the future, to eliminate income taxes for senior citizens who make less than $50,000 a year, and to work to secure pensions so employees aren't left behind if a business goes bankrupt. He is adamant about protecting seniors who have worked hard in their lifetime to be financially secure in their retirement. But with Clinton as the frontrunner with older Americans it is difficult for Obama to get his message across to them.

Because Obama and Clinton have a tight race when all ages are considered together it is imperative that Obama continue his lead with younger voters while reaching out to connect with the senior population. If he can relay his message to older Americans that he understands their needs and has a workable plan to help them, he may just be able to sway their votes his way.