Worried Florida Seniors Waver on McCain

Key voting bloc, once reliably red, could sink GOP in state
By Gabriel Winant,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 15, 2008 8:13 AM CDT
Worried Florida Seniors Waver on McCain
John McCain greets an elderly man that was seated on the stage behind him, Friday, July 25, 2008, during a campaign stop at the American GI Forum Convention in Denver.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Florida's seniors aren’t looking like such a sure thing for John McCain, the Washington Post reports, casting a big shadow for the GOP over the Sunshine State. Blocks of retirees once solidly behind the GOP are now wavering, fraught with worry about disappearing pensions and climbing health care prices. “Who isn't afraid of getting a 'Dear John' letter from GM saying your pension is in danger?” asks one senior.

Because of Barack Obama’s expected strength among new registrants and young voters, McCain can’t just match previous Republican performance with older voters—he has to exceed it. And even some McCain supporters among Florida's oldsters seem to have given up on him. Says one, “I'm for these guys, but I don't think they'll win.”
(More Election 2008 stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X