A survey commissioned by the A-A-R-P indicates that undecided voters in Iowa don’t believe the presidential candidates are adequately addressing the issues that concern them most – the economy and health care. The poll found that three-quarters of the so-called swing voters in the state are older than 50, and 70% of them say both candidates are not talking enough about the things that matter most to older citizens.
But political consultant and Iowa native, Terry Nelson, says the Iowa voters who are still on the fence this year think highly of both presidential contenders. "Both of these candidates are in a pretty good position to put forward these ideas. Fifty-nine percent of these voters have a favorable impression of Senator McCain. Sixty-one percent have a favorable impression of Senator Obama, " Nelson says,"those are the kind of numbers that I think many politicians would be happy with, especially at this point of the campaign."
After months of campaigning, neither candidate has been able to nudge out the other. Nelson says: "They have fairly high favorable ratings for this time in a presidential campaign. And both of them get credit for having a bipartisan approach. So, they’re credible messengers with we think credible policies that they should put forward in this campaign." Nelson says the candidate that can show and edge in bringing everyone together on the key issues will likley come out on top.
"Ninety-four percent of these voters believe that Social Security can be strengthened with both parties working together. Ninety-five percent believe that our healthcare system can be improved by both parties working together," Nelson says, "and so, part of this survey shows that putting forward bipartisan, centrist solutions is a winner for both of these candidates."
A-A-R-P asked the same questions in surveys conducted in five other states that are considered battlegrounds in this election — New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania — and the results were similar.