Senior citizens will play a major role in the 2010 elections

Voters over 65 years old consistently vote in presidential and midterm elections. They have more influence in the midterms because most other main voting blocs don't vote in the same numbers when there is no presidential race at the top of the ticket. This year, the GOP is running about 25 points ahead with senior citizens and that will have a major impact on House and Senate elections across the country. Usually the GOP leads in this cohort by 5-7 points but this year it is clear that older voters are ready to vote Republican in large numbers. Along with the loss of independent voters and a generic ballot strongly favoring the GOP this year will be quite the wave. Again, I will say that 55 House seats (at a minimum) will flip.