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shAARP Talk: Observations from AARP

(Category: Election)

Alejandra Owens | August 6, 2008 | 11:10 AM
Alejandra Owens

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As the saying goes, "The proof is in the pudding." But when it comes to elections the proof might actually be in the swing voter.

AARP surveyed true swing voters - those of you know who you are, you undecided centrists - to find out what they looked like and what issues are paramount. Interestingly enough, your average swing voter is: white, lower-to-middle income, and an older woman and she probably lives in one of six key states: Florida, Iowa, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio or Pennsylvania. Swing voters in these states are focused on domestic issues, namely the economy and health care...but 72% believe the candidates are doing a poor or fair job of addressing these important issues.

What I think is the best stat from the survey: 94% of swing voters in the six key states agree that health care and financial security are too big for any one candidate or party to fix. If that doesn't scream, "We're tired of partisan temper tantrums!!" I don't know what does.

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