Bernie Sanders struggles to win over older voters

[crazytown]

The Hill, September 6, 2019
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/460161-bernie-sanders-struggles-to-win-over-older-voters

Bernie Sanders struggles to win over older voters

Bernie Sanders has a major problem on his hands as the Democratic primary unfolds: He lacks support from older voters, a major and loyal voting bloc in the party.

While Sanders (I-Vt.) has been successful in winning over young voters, both in 2016 and in this year’s primary contest, recent polls show he’s in desperate need of courting seniors.

A Quinnipiac University poll out late last month highlights the conundrum for Sanders, who is 77. Only four percent of likely voters over 65 — those in the senator’s age group — support him.

The poll and others like it show the stark contrast between Sanders and his main rivals for the Democratic nomination — former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) — when it comes to older voters.

In the Quinnipiac poll, Biden wins 48 percent from voters over 65 years old, while Warren wins 20 percent.

[still_one]

1. Sanders has a problem going beyond his base, and it isn't just with older voters, just looking

at the Warren momentumtells the story

[Tarheel_Dem]

2. I'm desperately trying to understand your post. Could you clarify? n/t

[still_one]

3. Perhaps that is because of auto correct, which I just corrected. What I am saying is Sanders has

not moved beyond his base, and his problem isn't just older voters, he is losing voters to Warren

I also do not agree with the assessment just basing it on age demographics. Lines are crossed when dealing with other demographics that cross the age barrier, and I am not sure the polls accurately reflect that.

I also believe that the assumption that if Sanders fails to secure enough votes in the primary, his votes will automatically go to Warren.

I think there is still a lot of undecided voters out there

[Tarheel_Dem]

4. Got ya! Makes sense.

[DownriverDem]

15. Many Dems

only support true members of the Democratic Party. Attack me all you want, but that is the truth.

[still_one]

17. why would I attack you? I agree with you

[floppyboo]

23. I've never understood this. If you don't agree with Sanders running are you not an ex-dem?

The DNC acknowledges Sanders as a Dem candidate.
The DNC decides the rules.
You don't agree with the rules, so - are you in the club or not?

[onetexan]

5. Please correct your subject line from "Biden" to "Sanders"

Had to work late yesterday & early this morning so i had a movie on youtube on for background noise. Lo & behold Bernie's ad with him talking about something about an unprecedented election, and the optics of him (unkempt and grumpy uncle-like) just churned my stomach. Of course i skipped the annoying ad every time. I was never impressed by Bernie & never will be.

[still_one]

6. I am sooooo screwed up this morning Thank-you. That was a MAJOR mistake on my part

and I really appreciate you pointing out what I did


Thanks

[onetexan]

7. no worries. I'm screwed up this morning as well given i'm sleep-deprived :)

Thank u for updating!

[still_one]

8. me too, in regard to sleep deprived

[DownriverDem]

16. For many Dems

Their support goes to a true member of the Democratic Party. That's a fact that some folks don't seem to get.

[onetexan]

21. that has been what i've been saying all along. I don't get Bernie's appeal. The promises of

socialized this & that was how he hooked millenials. I'm not opposed to some form of socialism but most of what he says are pie-in-the-sky things that would bankrupt our economy.

[DownriverDem]

14. Biden

Seniors have moved to Biden. They have finally woke up. It's a numbers game which is why Biden's numbers run deep.

[still_one]

19. Biden's numbers run deeper than just the older demographic also.

[Cha]

24. I would think so.

[Act_of_Reparation]

9. My anecdotal experiences at certain web forums confirms this is the case.

[NurseJackie]

10. Yep... not surprising. It'll be a cold day in hell for me.

[Cha]

25. ..

[honest.abe]

11. I would add "older wiser voters".

[Cha]

26. ..

[ehrnst]

12. College educated women in particular are supporting Warren (nt)

[JI7]

18. and they WILL VOTE for sure

[ehrnst]

22. There will be no whining about not being able to find out when the deadlines

to register are....

[betsuni]

27. Ugh, the whining about being "disenfranchised."

[TreasonousBastard]

13. Well. he ain't won over this older voter.

[Gothmog]

20. K&R

[betsuni]

28. K&R

[emmaverybo]

29. Older voters consider job-specific qualifications, experience, knowledge over sweeping, new policies

Another area older voters are going to be concerned about is healthcare. We talk a lot about Union
members not wanting to part with the good employer-provided coverage they have. Many, granted not enough, seniors have excellent retirement benefits-provided coverage to supplement Medicare.

For some this means Medicare fee is paid back to pension, fully paid premiums for the supplement, adding up to 100 percent coverage, medications for mere dollars. In other cases the group plan seniors had while working carries over at a quite affordable premium, again with Medicare, giving
total coverage, inexpensive prescriptions, no deductibles.

So it is not only Union members that will take a hard look at M4All against keeping a good plan, improving Obamacare as intended, and adding a public option.

Older voters also know that a lot of political and financial capital goes into implementing any new policies. We aren’t as easily dazzled by promises. We are focused on preserving social programs currently under threat. Social Security for one.

We need young voters to continue to build our party and ensure its future. But in planning for a win in 2020, we need to count on older voters showing up in the numbers they represent.