AARP not on board with Obama

By DONOVAN SLACK |
10/4/12 10:46 AM EDT

President Obama invoked the support of the AARP for his health care law during the debate, but the senior advocacy group doesn't seem too happy about it.

“While we respect the rights of each campaign to make its case to voters, AARP has never consented to the use of its name by any candidate or political campaign," John Hishta, AARP senior vice president, said in a statement Thursday. "AARP is a nonpartisan organization and we do not endorse political candidates nor coordinate with any candidate or political party."

Hishta also admonished both Obama and Romney for not offering more specifics on their plans to shore up entitlement programs.

“We’re grateful that this evening the candidates engaged in a more robust conversation with regard to Medicare. We’re also pleased Social Security was included in tonight’s debate. But America’s voters deserve more than talking points and 30-second sound bites," he said. "Our members and older Americans want to hear how the candidates would strengthen Social Security, Medicare, and financial security, and we encourage the candidates to offer more specifics about their plans before Election Day."

Obama said that Social Security would "have to be tweaked," but that "the basic structure is sound." He said Medicare could be strengthened by reducing the cost of health care. Romney said he would maintain traditional Medicare but also create a government-subsidized voucher program for future retirees that would allow them to buy private insurance.

The president did not say that AARP had endorsed his bid for a second term, but he invoked the group's name twice -- correctly stating its support for Obamacare and opposition to a voucher program.

This post has been updated.

When President Obama mentioned the AARP, he did not say that he had the AARP's endorsement. Instead, he stated that the AARP had supported the passage of the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. Obamacare), which is true. The AARP did support the passage of Obamacare. So, why would the AARP be opposed to that fact being mentioned during a debate or a speech?

Here is one possible reason: Obamacare is so unpopular that the AARP no longer wants to be associated with it. The AARP might lose potential members if they were to learn that the AARP had supported the passage of Obamacare.

Obama probably felt safe using AARP since they are a liberal organization that has pushed it's members to liberal dance. They use fear mongering to accuse the Republicans of killing all retirement benefits. I was a member briefly until I saw the slanted literature.

I think it is more likely because AARP is a non political entity with members from all different political affiliations,, and the appearance of lending support to one party over the other would be controversial for them


its on record, what they support and what they dont, so it would be foolish to backpeddle from it,, I think they are just avoiding the misperception that they endorse any political platform, party, or candidate.

However, to Hussein's credit, AARP did endorse o'Bommercare.

I drooped my membership the same day I read that.