Staff Reports
In recent polls, former President Donald Trump has seen a 5% decrease in support from senior voters, prompting concern among Republicans that President Joe Biden may have an opportunity to gain ground with this traditionally Republican voting bloc. The Wall Street Journal's national and swing-state polls show Trump's support among seniors dropping from 51% in 2020 to 46%. This trend comes as the Biden campaign ramps up efforts to connect with older voters, including organizing bingo games pickleball events, and running ads during programs popular among the elderly.
Some experts have suggested that Biden's success with older voters may be due to their decreased concern about his age, as Biden is 81 years old, and there have been increasing concerns about his cognitive health. A report from special counsel Robert Hur found that Biden's memory was described as "fuzzy," "hazy," and "poor," and he struggled to remember basic life events. Despite these concerns, the White House has declined to release a cognitive health summary, insisting that the president is "active" and "robust."
Washington Examiner: Biden homes in on one group that is less worried about how old he is https://t.co/mvMn7vQHPg
— Ian Hansen 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHansenFeed) June 17, 2024
Historically, Republicans have consistently won the senior vote in presidential elections since 2000. However, Democrats are hopeful that even minor shifts in senior voter support could make a difference in swing states like Wisconsin, where the elderly population makes up nearly 20% of the residents. In the 2020 election, Biden flipped Wisconsin by a margin of just 20,000 votes. A recent Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll shows that Trump leads Biden 47% to 46% in the state.
Trump's performance among seniors may be influenced by his mixed messaging on important issues like Social Security and Medicare. In March, he sparked controversy when he mentioned the possibility of cutting entitlements and later clarified his commitment to protecting Social Security and Medicare. At recent rallies, Trump reassured seniors by vowing to safeguard their Social Security and Medicare while also criticizing Biden's immigration policies for supposedly putting these programs at risk.
As senior voter support for Trump shows a decline, there is speculation about the potential impact on the 2024 election and the strategies both parties will employ to appeal to this crucial voting demographic.
