AARP members: health care, financial issues are crucial

The AARP South Carolina survey showed most Democratic voters think Sen. Hillary Clinton can best address health care issues.

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) - The AARP released a poll of their South Carolina members Monday, finding that health care and financial security are the top two domestic issues for Democratic and Republican voters over the age of 50.

Iraq was the single most important issue for voters over the age of 50 in both parties.

The poll is notable because older voters are more likely to turn out for primaries than voters in other age groups.

When asked which candidates best address the issue of health care, a vast majority of Republican AARP members, 69 percent, did not know enough about candidate positions to answer. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former New York City mayor came in at 12 percent and six percent, respectively.

As for Democrats, it appears Sen. Hillary Clinton's legacy on health care may be serving her well. Among Democratic AARP members, 45 percent said Clinton best addresses the health care issue. John Edwards came in second at five percent.

Ultimately the poll showed that, among seniors, the race is nowhere near settled. Six in ten Democrats and seven in ten Republicans surveyed said they are at least somewhat likely to change their presidential preferences before January.

The survey was done as part of the "Divided We Fail" campaign, which is aimed at keeping health care and financial security in the spotlight during the presidential race.

- CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby