Romney in danger of losing senior support

(CBS News) Mitt Romney has 39 days to turn his presidential campaign into a winner, but the support of a key voting group is in jeopardy.

Seniors, aged 65 and older, tend to vote Republican, but many are concerned about what a "President" Romney might do with Medicare.

A poll of key swing state by the Washington Post shows Governor Romney trailing in Ohio, Virginia, and Florida.

In Florida, where nearly 1 in 3 voters is over 65, Romney trails President Obama by 4 points, 51 percent to 47 percent.

In both Virginia and Ohio, Mitt Romney is trailing by 8 points, 52 percent to 44 percent.

In those 3 states, voters who said Medicare is extremely important to how they will vote: 59 percent are going with President Obama; 36 percent are with Mitt Romney.

• Biden: Romney will tax Social Security benefits
• Ann Romney: Mitt's challenge will be emotional

A week ago at an AARP convention in New Orleans, Vice Presidential candidate, Paul Ryan spoke to a group of seniors about Medicare.

"The first step to a stronger Medicare is to repeal Obamacare because it represents the worst of both worlds," Ryan told the audience.

What he wasn't prepared for were the audible 'boos' that were heard as he made his remarks.

The frosty reaction is borne out in new polling data by both CBS News and others which found more people believed the president would do a better job handling Medicare than Governor Romney.

In a Washington Post survey with the Kaiser Foundation of the three battleground states of Ohio, Virginia, and Florida, broad majorities opposed far reaching changes to the president's healthcare plan.

Walt Mazie of Flagler Beach, Fla., has serious questions for the candidates.

"I think Romney will turn the economy around but it's the other issues that we don't know about. Like the Medicare, Healthcare issues," Mazie said.

In Haymarket, Va., lifelong Republican Dan Stapleton echoes fears about the Romney-Ryan ticket.

"I think they want to change it so dramatically we won't recognize it quite as Medicare once they're done," Stapleton said.

By putting Paul Ryan, an advocate to major changes in entitlement program, on the ticket, Mitt Romney has prompted questions on what he would do about Medicare. He's also opened the door to an avalanche of Democratic attack ads.

Analysts say Romney's plans could raise seniors' costs up to $6,400 per year.

On Friday, a spokesman for Governor Romney said the latest polling on Medicare is "irrelevant," because his plan was not accurately explained in the questions. But, the responses are relevant to Romney's hopes.

[Conan1100]

If "Seniors, aged 65 and older, [who] tend to vote Republican, ... are concerned about what a 'President' Romney might do with Medicare" then they haven't been paying attention and/or have been influenced by lying liberals, because his plans would have NO IMPACT WHATSOEVER on the current and future benefits that those who are currently 65 and older are getting uncer Medicare.

[sloan5]

Go Obama/Biden2012. Mitt Romney does not have a chance. He is a flip flopper, Ryan lies, lies, lies. Can not explain his policies becuase it will take too much time? What kind of a candidate is that. Romney is for the rich .It shows with him and his wife Ann( You people?) How condesending!.His own wife is worried about his mental status ifhe happens to be the President. Dont worry Miss Ann, becuase he wont be the Pres.Sleep well at night.

Oh by the way what happened with his taxes for other years? Does America wants a president who does not want transparency and he is soppuse to run the country? Romney and Ryan are dangerous!. We seniors better re elect Pres Obama- he cares for everybody- not only the rich, poor, seniors,students,welfare people etc-He and Michell and Mrs Biden have a special place in their hearts for our military- God bless them., I guess Vice Pres Biden too.
GO Obama/Biden 2012!!! WE will win in Nov.

[johnpatrick1]

I am White, a Male and a Veteran and Romney sure as hell will not recieve my vote for he is part of the corrupt American Plutocracy which has brought our Republic to ruin. And proudly an initial Baby Boomer who has seen America go downhill due to the rotten Military-Industrial-Corporate complex initiated after WW2...WE SHOT OURSELVES IN THE FOOT A LONG TIME AGO.

[w_roos]

Awww to heck with all them old fogies -- all they do now is sponge off of the bankrupt federal entitlement programs. Romney will do just fine if he can win all of the 53%'ers.

[johnpatrick1]

Punk..and one day if your smart enough you two will be an old fogey but you sound like a dumb ass so I doubt you'll make it.

[AOCGUY]

Romney is not endanger of losing this senior's support as he never had it.

[crashdummy38]

Medicare in whatever form it takes will not be available to many that have paid into it since it's conception as well as monthly payments for part b from age 65 on. The problem that no one wants to address is the low payment to medical providers. Many are not accepting any new medicare patients or denyiny care to all medicare patients. This will get much worse! The Veterans Administration is already rationing meds and care for older patients. If the doctor prescribed med cannot be filled from generic stocks, the prescription has to be approved by a "crisis board", otherwise known as the death panel. Word has it that all care will be suspended at age 75, so I have a year left to live. no big deal for me, but what a mess to leave for my kids, grandkids and great grandkids.

[democracy8]

Your post is grossly misinformed and misleading. Try again.

[hypocrisycentral]

Perhaps if the government did not allow such insane tax breaks as $77,000 for a certain wealthy candidates horse we would still have some cash in the coffer. Thanks to thirty or so years of tax breaks for the wealthy and job killing free trade deals we have made a giant hole for our 99% to deal with. The others will merely go where they hid their money and enjoy the ocean or mountain views.

[cntrygirl3]

There is very little point here. Obama has a medicare plan in Affordable care. You can agree or disagree on whether or not it will work but it is there. Mr. Ryan has apparently not informed Rometoo of what plan he is supposed to be pushing other than it has something to do with vouchers and a vague promise of those with less will get more in vouchers. And the health insurance companies will run it. As I get older I am unfortunately getting more familiar with health insurance, as in what is charged and what is paid. I see a "statement of benefits" where the hospital supposedly charged $7,000 for a cat scan of which the insurance paid a little less than a $1,000 and then the hospital goes "we'll take that and call it good" and I am supposed to be happy I don't owe $6,000 which admittedly I am. However what about the guy who needed a cat scan and DIDN'T have health insurance, is he expected to subsidize my insurance company to the tune of $6,000 apparently he is. I am left to wonder how much did the cat scan actually cost and why do the people who don't have health insurance being asked to subsidize those who do. It is time for a total reset on health costs and health insurance. Let us start out with what something actually cost and make sure everyone pays the same and please do not say "it is too complicated" hospitals and doctors have to know exactly how much anything cost from a tongue depressor to 10 minutes in a cat scan machine. Let us do something novel demand to know actual costs and why insurance companies are being subsidized by poor people (read the government ie tax payers) because that is what it comes down to.

[newseer]

ROMNEY ALREADY LOST SUPPORT NOT ONLY FROM THE SENIOR CITIZENS BUT ALL AMERICANS AS WELL. HE INSISTS ON SUPPORTING HALF OF THE POPULATION, INCLUDING HIS "LOVED" RICH AND FAMOUS, EVADING TAXES BY HIDING HIS HUGE FORTUNE IN OVERSEAS ACCOUNTS, AND STICKING HIS FOOT IN HIS MOUTH EVERY TIME HE SPEAKS, HERE AND ABROAD. WHAT A POOR CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT!

[JosephRobert1]

Bottomline, Romney is the poster-boy of the 1 percent. He is chiefly concerned about that segment's well-being and keeping their taxes low. Meantime, he will rip-off seniors, the poor, middle class and the rest of the 99 percent and force them to pay big-time taxes to finance his programs.

That is NOT the kind of leadership that our GREAT COUNTRY needs!

Romney = Extremist = Loser