AARP CEO Bill Novelli released the following
statement after the election results were in:
“Today marks the beginning of a new era in Washington. The people spoke
clearly at the polls, and the one message we can take away from the
results is that the country is looking for leadership to break through
partisan gridlock and get things done. This country’s problems,
especially with regard to health and financial security, are far too
big for one party to handle on its own – they require the ideas and
support of both sides of the aisle.
“We always knew that whoever was elected would enter office with a
mandate for change and a window of opportunity to propose and urge
Congress to enact legislation to bring about that change. That mandate
has now been delivered to President-Elect Obama, and he must seize the
opportunity before him.
“Since 1900, only two presidents, Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan,
have entered office facing anything resembling the dire economic
circumstances we face today. Each spent their first year focused not
just on solving the current crisis, but on changing government and
society to move the nation forward. And each called upon the American
people to do their part to help solve the crises and change America.
“It is not by coincidence, for example, that Social Security was born
out of the Great Depression under FDR, or that it was fixed for a
generation amid economic turmoil – and near insolvency – under
President Reagan.
“As the new Obama Administration transitions into the White House, and
the new Congress convenes, AARP will be there to ensure that the
lifetime economic security and health care needs of all Americans are
being dealt with in a fair and appropriate manner. As that process
begins, however, we must realize the potential of this country and the
new government the people have elected is great, but will only be
realized with the leadership America desperately needs.
“These are difficult times with huge challenges. But they also present
us with an extraordinary opportunity to change America for a generation
and beyond. AARP and its 40 million members stand ready to do our
part.”
ABOUT AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan
membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice
and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and
society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office
or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We
produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and
the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million
readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million
members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual
U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community;
and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity
that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in
need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors.
We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.