Thread: SENIORS & HISPANICS BOOST JOHN

SENIORS & HISPANICS BOOST JOHN

By KENNETH LOVETT

January 30, 2008 -- John McCain won over moderates, seniors and Hispanics in grabbing the Florida Republican primary last night, exit polls revealed.

McCain also won big - 42 percent to 28 percent - over Mitt Romney among voters who said a candidate's leadership and personal qualities are more important than his position on the issues.

The voter surveys showed that the economy was overwhelmingly the No. 1 issue among Republican primary voters. Of the nearly half who listed that as their top concern, 38 percent voted for McCain, while Romney took 32 percent.

Romney had sought to use the economy to get a leg up on McCain, talking up his own experience as a business consultant and venture capitalist while accusing McCain of a lack of understanding on the issue.

Voters over the age of 65, who made up more than 40 percent of the turnout yesterday, supported the 71-year-old Arizona senator by a 38-32 percent over Romney.

Rudy Giuliani picked up 18 percent of the senior vote.

Long considered a GOP maverick, McCain lost to Romney among party conservatives, anti-abortionists and those who consider illegal immigration and terrorism the biggest problems facing the nation.

But McCain trounced Romney, 41-22 percent, among Republicans who consider themselves moderates, and also won big among voters who labeled themselves independent and those who say the Iraq war is the top issue facing the country.

McCain, who co-sponsored a failed bipartisan immigration bill and won the endorsement of Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) and three Cuban- American members of Congress, also did well among Florida's influential Cuban and Hispanic communities, picking up 50 percent of each of their vote.

Giuliani was second among Cuban voters, at 34 percent, with Romney had 10 percent.

The exit polls also showed that McCain was helped by a late endorsement from Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, with four in 10 voters saying it was an important factor in their vote.

Despite his war record, McCain beat Romney among veterans by only 40-35 percent.

McCain also won among those who want a candidate who says what he believes, has the right experience or has the best chance to win in November, but lost badly to Romney among voters who want a candidate who shares their values.

McCain also did well among those who were disappointed or angry with the Bush administration, but lost to Romney among those who are satisfied or enthusiastic about the president.

kenneth.lovett@nypost.com

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01302008/ne ... 554536.htm

This "old person" wanted Romney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This "old person" wanted Romney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes... but you are not down here in Florida where the vote took place