With regard to elections and public policy debates, the elderly tend

With regard to elections and public policy debates, the elderly tend to identify with a political party.
So they won't really care much about what the candidates have to say, but will only think of them as part of their political party, not an individual. Thus, they tend to vote for the party, not for the candidate, which may be wrong in the long run.

It is state and federali really hope this  

Absolute !