Despite DCSpectator’s prior skepticism that the GOP in general and the Romney campaign in particular could achieve a level of parity with the Democrats on the issue of protecting Medicare, Kaiser data suggests the Romney campaign has largely succeeded.
Even though seniors reject the Medicare-reform proposal Romney has endorsed, Kaiser finds, they trust him more than they do President Obama when it comes to the future of the program. Forty-eight percent of seniors trust Romney, compared with 43 percent who trust Obama.
Compare that to the numbers on policy: 72 percent of seniors think Medicare should stay as it is, while only 18 percent would prefer the Romney system.
Seniors are a key part of Romney’s coalition, and Democrats had hoped they could use Romney’s Medicare positions to their advantage with that segment of the electorate.
It remains to be seen, however, how the issue plays in the toss-up Senate and House contests.