Pre-Presidential Debate Activities at Lynn University to Focus on AARP Priorities

AARP has announced it will sponsor a series of activities in Florida prior to the Oct. 22 presidential debate at Lynn University. The idea is to bring attention to the critical concerns of 50-plus voters, specifically Social Security, Medicare and financial security.

This is part of AARP's presence as a prime sponsor of the Lynn University Presidential Debate Festival and Watch Party, along with a series of on-campus, intergenerational conversations on the future of the popular, institutionalized entitlement programs.

As part of our longstanding history of providing our 37 million members and the general public basic, nonpartisan information about where the candidates stand on issues important to the 50-plus population, AARP is proud to join Lynn University in sponsoring the On-Campus Debate Festival and Viewing Party as part of our 2012 voter engagement efforts. Our members tell us that they want Social Security and Medicare to be there for their kids and grandkids because they know just how critical these programs are to retirement security, said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond. These are important issues to voters of all ages, and AARP encourages everyone to make their voice heard about what they think should be done to strengthen Medicare and Social Security.

Said Lynn University President Kevin Ross, "We are excited about this partnership between Lynn University and AARP to sponsor the 2012 Debate Festival. With Florida being one of the country's top retirement locations, the Lynn University Debate Festival provides an appropriate venue for AARP to engage issues of retirement security, allowing our campus community to see firsthand how such issues become a part of the national conversation."

In August, AARP released a series of surveys on the opinions of voters ages 50 and over, which found that these voters overwhelmingly think the candidates have not done a good job of explaining their plans on Social Security (67 percent) and Medicare (63 percent). Voters 50-plus across party lines say that getting more information on the candidates plans on Social Security (72 percent) and Medicare (70 percent) will help them determine their vote on Election Day.

AARP is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates.