Obama's AARP gaffe

Washington Times:

If there is anyone or anything President Obama cannot afford to offend in his battle to overhaul the nation's health care system, it is the powerful seniors lobby, AARP.

Perhaps that is why the White House was so quick to backpedal Wednesday after Mr. Obama mistakenly claimed that the organization, with its tens of millions of politically active members, had already signed on to his plan.

Mr. Obama drew a forceful rejoinder from the group, the nation's largest organization for retirees, when he said during a town-hall meeting Tuesday in New Hampshire that it was endorsing his health care reform proposal.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs acknowledged the error Wednesday but said Mr. Obama was not trying to mislead anyone.

That the AARP so forcefully knocked down the claim of support shows the group is wary of being used as a political football. Leaders on both sides of the debate are well aware that seniors have the power to help push through a health care bill or block it entirely.

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I think the leadership of AARP does support the President's policy, but their rank and file vigorously oppose it. I suspect they are already getting membership cancellations as a result of the perception of support for the Democrat health care plan, and their hostile meetings with members. There is a growing feeling among many seniors that AARP supports liberalism more than it support their interests. I know I dropped my membership several years ago because of that. I have no interest in rejoining them as long as they act like a wing of the Democrat party.