PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 6 AARP-PA-swing-voters
New AARP Pennsylvania State Poll Reveals the Makeup of Keystone Swing Voters and How They View Policy Positions Held by Senator McCain and Senator Obama
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AARP today released new research that defines critical, undecided "swing voters" in Pennsylvania surrounding the Presidential race this fall, as well as the specific policy options that motivate them.
The research identifies who undecided, swing voters are in Pennsylvania-white, lower-to-middle income, older women. Similar results were found in five other key battleground states: Florida, Iowa, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Ohio.
Swing voters in Pennsylvania revealed their concern about the economy, financial security and health care. Among those surveyed, the economy was the number one most important issue in the state with healthcare following closely behind. An astounding 70 percent of swing voters believe the candidates are doing a poor or fair job of addressing these key issues.
"Pennsylvania swing voters want more information on these issues from the candidates," said Pennsylvania State Director Dick Chevrefils. "At a time when the economy is struggling, our voters are expressing their concern that neither Senator Obama nor Senator McCain has adequately addressed the issues of economic security or affordable healthcare, and these issues are likely to have a significant impact on voters' decisions in November."
How do Senators McCain and Obama unlock the swing voter? The research demonstrated wide consensus among swing voters on ways to approach health care and financial security, however specific proposals resonated most:
-- 94 percent favor requiring clear explanations of healthcare costs so patients know how much they will be charged up front
-- 91 percent favor making healthcare affordable for small businesses by allowing them to band together for lower rates, providing tax credits to offset employee premium contributions and protecting them from large rate increases simply because one employee gets sick
-- 91 percent favor requiring schools to teach financial literacy to all children
-- 90 percent favor controlling costs of prescription drugs
Among all respondents in this survey, Senator McCain is viewed favorably by 64 percent, and Senator Obama is viewed favorably by 60 percent.
On important candidate attributes, Pennsylvania swing voters have an interesting perspective. Senator McCain leads on is a strong leader, and has the experience to be president, while Senator Obama leads on will bring change, understands people like me, and will reduce the influence of special interests. The candidates are essentially tied on will work in a bipartisan fashion.
"Clearly swing voters are ready to hear form the candidates on these issues," concluded Chevrefils. "AARP looks forward to being there, every day from now until Election Day, ensuring that the candidates do just that."
The survey demonstrates that both candidates can reach the key swing voters this year and win their support - if they reach out to them by making lifetime financial security and healthcare a central element to their campaigns.
The AARP Battleground States survey obtained telephone interviews with a random sample of 400 likely voters who are undecided or not strongly committed to a candidate in each of 6 states (Florida, Iowa, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, and Pennsylvania) aged 18 and older. The interviews were conducted in English by Woelfel Research, Inc. from June 27 to July 20, 2008. The results from the study were not weighted. The margin of sampling error for each state sample of approximately 400 is +/-4.9%.
For the complete study, visit http://www.aarp.org or Divided We Fail at http://www.dividedwefail.org.
AARP
AARP has 1.9 million members in Pennsylvania. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, http://www.aarp.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
SOURCE AARP Pennsylvania
