AARP Presidential Forum 9/20/07: To Go or Not To Go?

[Alamom]

http://campaignsandelections.com/IA/articles/?ID=634



AARP Presidential Forum: To Go or Not To Go?

By - Justin Schardin
(September 2007)
Presidential campaigns face tough decisions in selecting the events they will attend, and given comments by 2004 candidates that there were far too many debates and forums, those opportunities are being limited. But what if the sponsor of a forum is one of the largest special interest groups in the country?

The AARP's "Divided We Fail" is sponsoring presidential forums to discuss financial security and health care issues for Democrats in Davenport on Sept. 20, and for Republicans in Sioux City on Oct. 25.

All of the major Democratic candidates with organized Iowa campaigns are scheduled to attend except for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.
So far, only former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona have committed to the Republican event.

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"By and large these forums aren't particularly good vehicles for any of the candidates," said Peverill Squire, professor of political science at the University of Iowa, because there tend not to be many differences between the candidates.

Even if candidates may not get much of a boost out of the event, Squire said a segment of voters could be very interested. "I think given the population in Iowa, which tilts toward the older end of the spectrum those are significant issues."


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About 63% of Iowa caucus voters are seniors.


In 2004, 64 percent of the people who participated in the Democratic presidential caucuses were 50 or older. In 2000, the figure was 63 percent.

[William769]

1. With what Obama and Obama supporters think of old people

I wonder if he will have the nerve to show up?

[DURHAM D]

2. I thought he announced a long time ago he was going. n/t

[William769]

3. Thanks, I didn,t know that.

[Alamom]

4. As of today, no he isn't. (link 9/19/07)

http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2007/09/19/news/local/doc46f0acd2a980d995333099.txt

Quad-City Times
Crews setting stage for presidential forum
By Ed Tibbetts | Wednesday, September 19, 2007



Five presidential candidates — U.S. Sens. Joe Biden of Delaware, Hillary Clinton of New York, Chris Dodd of Connecticut, former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson — are taking part. Only U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois has said he won’t attend.

Two candidates who have been included in other debates, former U.S. Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska and U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, were invited to the forum but didn't respond, according to AARP. However, they fail to meet the criteria set for participation, which includes having a campaign office in the state. Neither has an office in Iowa.

[DURHAM D]

5. I don't know why Barak Obama doesn't like old people. n/t