Seniors, once reliable Republicans, are becoming Democrats

This is a trend that was developing while Biden was still a candidate, but it has continued since the Harris candidacy.  This is an updated earlier version of several prior posts:

Updating three earlier posts: 9 4 2024

Kamala Harris Could Land Key Group of Voters, Polls Show (msn.com)   Per this recent Newsweek article 9/4/24,  the switch is continuing with Harris per an August 10 poll:" According to the most recent New York Times/Siena Poll on August 10, Harris is polling at 55 percent compared to Trump's 42 percent among voters age 65 and up. That advantage only slightly dips for Harris, 53-41, with third-party candidates included in the poll.

Sixty-seven percent of the 65-plus voters in the poll say they are "almost certain" to vote. In the last presidential election, roughly 52 percent of voters over 65 backed Trump."

 Let me add one more reason seniors are switching to Biden. It is a generational change, per this piece in the New York Times. My silent generation has died off, with only 20 percent of us still living (the good news, bad news for me). Instead, it has been replaced by the All in the Family generation, disillusioned with the lies told us about Vietnam and the bigotry and xenophobia exposed in this classic TV sitcom. 

My thoughts: The silent generation grew up with radio; the one now coming of old age had the visuals of TV with an impact much more visceral than movie newsreels, photos, and just voices. Once upon a time seniors were dependable GOP voters, but not any more

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/04/06/upshot/older-voters.html

FYI for political junkies concerned about voter/suppression "integrity" laws making it harder for minorities and seniors to vote. https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/16-states-made-it-harder-to-vote-this-year-but-26-made-it-easier/

When, under the guise of combatting non-existent election fraud because mail-in ballots per Trump are corrupt, some states have made it harder to vote by mail, requiring documentation hard to get by older voters, including driver's licenses, and then restricting access to drop boxes. These suppression measures will hurt seniors the most.   Traditionally, Republicans have benefitted from absentee and mail-in voters because seniors were their traditional, dependable base, but this may change.  The impact of such voter suppression measures will be fodder for political scientists'  analysis post-November 2024. 

From my March 12 post this year:

 Trump seems determined to turn off older voters.   The demographic of voters over 65 is the second largest group of those who vote. " Cutting Medicare and Social Security" is not a phrase that will win friends and influence older voters.  He immediately backtracked, saying he would just cut waste. However, his GOP MAGA party is serious about cutting Medicare and Social Security, and the question becomes, if President, would he sign such legislation.  House Republicans float changes to Social Security in budget proposal (axios.com)

Trump had been losing them, and now he is actively turning them off of his MAGA world.  Vintage Trump.   Instead of trying to bring more into his base, he is committing political malpractice because now he is saying he is open to cutting Medicare and Social Security without saying how. https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/11/politics/trump-entitlements-social-security-medicare/index.html#:~:text=Former%20President%20Donald%20Trump%20on,primary%20rivals%20over%20the%20issue.

Biden responded: “If anyone tries to cut Social Security or Medicare, or raise the retirement age again, I will stop them,” Biden said during a speech in New Hampshire. “This morning, Donald Trump said cuts to Social Security and Medicare are on the table again.”  https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/biden-pounces-trump-eyes-cuts-social-security-medicare-rcna142920

 That there needs to be financial shoring up, who does it,  and who gets hurt just leaves the threat out there.  Do you really trust the GOP to do the best for Social Security and Medicare if they get their hands on Congress or the Oval Office? The GOP has had to destroy Medicare and Social Security on their radar, ideologically motivated since the day they were created. They seem to think turning it over to the Wall Street casino and letting for-profit insurers with their fancy advertising and high overhead run and ruin the programs. * 

Why older voters have stuck with Biden more than younger generations | CNN Politics

Older voters flee Trump, solidifying Biden's advantage in the 2020 race (nbcnews.com)

Biden's old guy advantage with older voters - POLITICO

Forgotten Purpose: Civics Education in Public Schools | NEA

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/americans-oppose-most-trump-policies/ar-AA1mPgWu?ocid=socialshare&pc=DCTS&cvid=b1985bfa8fa14970849a5b58c9d57617&ei=18

https://www.newsweek.com/social-security-changes-planned-if-nikki-haley-wins-election-1859696 

Number of Voters as a Share of the Voter Population, by Age | KFF

        This demographic of voters over 65 is the second largest group of those who vote.