Republicans are losing one of their most reliable voting demographics over health care

[babylonsister]

Republicans are losing one of their most reliable voting demographics over health care
Joan McCarter
Daily Kos Staff
Monday November 05, 2018 · 4:32 PM EST


The one demographic that can always be relied upon to vote in midterms and presidential years and in state and local elections, always, are seniors. They've also always voted more for Republicans than Democrats, but 2018 could change that. The issue of health care is dominating with them this year, and is giving Democrats an edge, even on issues not directly related to Medicare.

On each of Medicaid expansion, access to reproductive care, and protecting people with pre-existing conditions, Democrats have a more than 20 point advantage. They have double digit advantages on protecting the health of minority populations and maintaining the Affordable Care Act, and single digit leads on strengthening rural health care and fighting the opioid epidemic. That's all according to the gold standard for polling health issues, the Kaiser Family Foundation. This doesn't necessarily mean that health care is going to be the number one thing seniors vote on this year, KFF's Drew Altman points out. They tend to be more concerned about which party controls Congress (77 percent to 63 percent of younger voters) this year, but could still give Democrats a boost tomorrow.

Arguing in favor of that potential boost, retirees have been giving Democrats a fundraising advantage this cycle. The Wall Street Journal reports, "Donors who identify their occupation as “retired” gave 52% of the $326 million they contributed through Oct. 17 to Democrats, compared with 48% to Republicans, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics." That's a direct reversal from the 2014 midterm. Again, it's a relative modest advantage, but one that could be decisive because they vote. The 65 and older turnout in 2014 was 55 percent.

They're also not terribly fond of the Republicans right now.

more...

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/11/5/1810179/-Republicans-are-losing-their-most-reliable-voters-over-health-care

[Blue_true]

1. We don't have to win this group, although that would be good and mean a repub washout.

But, if we do lose it, losing it close should mean a really good night for us.

[Honeycombe8]

9. It would be a great group to win, if we could keep them. They are reliable voters.

And although I don't know for sure, I would guess that they are more informed than the 20-somethings, since they spend more time reading & watching the news. As long as they stay away from Fox.

I wonder if any have started watched Rachel Maddow?

[SimpleC]

2. I've been seeing it for awhile...

trump's tariffs are just now starting to hit our everyday items... the retired seniors have their budgets counted down to the penny... they have to, they are on a fixed income and don't get extra cash.

I've talked to many seniors that are upset that medical is going up and also everyday grocery items are going up...

If any group has their finger on the pulse of inflation, it's the seniors...

We in the working age might not notice or even blink at a $.10 cent or .50 cent increase in everyday items... Seniors notice it in real time...

[Honeycombe8]

12. I'm retired. And you are correct.

I know what the bread & milk I buy costs, down to the penny...at two different stores. I would notice any increase. I have a budget where I write down what I spend every month on groceries & household & pet supplies.

I'll tell you what will really get to seniors. Messing with their Medicare. It is literally a lifeline to a senior. Any cut in benefit or increase in cost could mean they wouldn't be able to afford treatment.

[BigmanPigman]

3. I have been seeing as many, if not more, seniors at the

events I have attended. Especially older women...they are fighting for women's rights and that goes hand in hand with health care.

[pnwmom]

7. And the ones that have grandchildren love them and want them to have healthcare

and a planet to live on when they're grown.

[Iliyah]

4. And they voted them in to destroy it (2014)

[Cha]

5. 'Bout time the majority of Seniors got WOKE.

Last edited Tue Nov 6, 2018, 12:29 AM - Edit history (1)

trump and his doormats literally don't care if you die.. they're going to TAKE AWAY your ability to get it with pre-existing conditions.

President Obama implemented that.. they're insanely jealous

[whathehell]

10. This senior has been "woke" her entire life

and my concerns about the Affordable Care Act & pre-existing conditions are mainly for younger people since most seniors (like myself) have Medicare -- Of course, I don't trust Repukes with Medicare or Social Security either.

[Honeycombe8]

13. They're on Medicare. Medicare has its own rules.

You can get covered for pre-existing conditions, but it might cost you more, depending on the supplemental ins. you buy.

[Awsi Dooger]

6. Different seniors than 2016

That needs to be taken into account. If we reverted to 2016 and all the senior voters who have died subsequently were still here and planning to vote, and all the newly turned seniors were still pre-seniors, then this finding would not hold up to the same degree. Not close.

Ideology and partisanship are shaped at an early age, basically 18ish. I predicted immediately after 2016 that 2018 seniors would be less favorable to the GOP, simply due to mortality of the heavily pro-red Silent Generation born 1928-1945 dying out and partially replaced by younger seniors who are from a pro-blue generation.

The same trend will attach to 2020 in even greater percentage, yet goofball analysts will totally ignore the big picture and default to some day to day explanation that means far less than they think it does.

I loved wagering on politics pre-Nate Silver partially because I understood trends like this. Silver has kind of screwed up political wagering. Not as many bargains or false favorites anymore.

[Honeycombe8]

8. I hope I hope I hope I hope. We'll see. nt

[Prof.Higgins]

11. DaiyKos chart is mislabeled. Shows opposite trend. DK comments folks fail to get DK staff to fix it.

NT