Poll: Seniors view Ryan favorably

An ABC News/Washington Post poll released early Wednesday found that 50 percent of senior citizens 65 years and older have a favorable view of Paul Ryan, the GOP vice presidential pick, while 35 percent hold an unfavorable view. Fifteen percent, the poll found, don’t have an opinion.

Democrats had expected Rep. Ryan (R-Wis.) to be especially unpopular with older Americans because of his budget proposal, which shifts Medicare into a subsidized private insurance model system for those currently under the age of 55. President Obama’s campaign has hit Ryan hard for his Medicare plans, saying they would raise healthcare costs for seniors.

{mosads}But Ryan, since presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney tapped him for the ticket, has not shied away from his budget plan. He has countered with attacks on Obama, claiming he weakened Medicare by cutting funds to pay for his healthcare reform bill.

The poll also found that 41 percent of seniors over 65 have a favorable view of Vice President Biden, while 52 percent have an unfavorable view and 7 percent have no opinion. 

Overall, Americans are split on both Ryan and Biden. According to the poll, 41 percent of all registered voters have a favorable view of Ryan, while 37 percent have an unfavorable view. Twenty-two percent have no opinion. Meanwhile, 43 percent have a favorable view of Biden while 43 percent have an unfavorable view and 14 percent have no opinion.

Ryan’s unfavorable numbers are virtually unchanged since his selection for the Romney ticket, while more Americans have a favorable view of Ryan than earlier this month, according to the poll. The favorable numbers are an increase for Ryan compared to the poll’s findings on Aug. 10, where 23 percent had a favorable view of Ryan while 45 percent did not have any opinion at all and 32 percent had an unfavorable view.
 
The poll was conducted between Aug. 15 and 19 among 1,020 adults around the country. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 points.  

Read the poll’s findings here.