Biden Takes Campaign To Tamarac, Boca Raton Friday
TAMARAC (CBSMiami) — Vice President Biden Joe Biden kicked off a two day Florida campaign swing appearing Friday in Boca Raton and Tamarac.
In Boca, Mr. Biden told the crowd that Mitt Romney's tax plan could raise taxes on Social Security benfits by $460 dollars per year to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy.
"Governor Romney proposes significant changes, that would result in beneficiaries getting considerably less in their Social Security check in the future.
"And, as the President pointed out, their plan could also mean new taxes on your Social Security.
"Right now, the majority of seniors don't have to pay taxes on their Social Security benefits. Millions more pay taxes on no more than half of their benefits. And even the most fortunate pay no taxes on 15% of their benefits.
"But if Governor Romney's tax plan goes into effect, it could mean everyone, everyone, would have to pay more taxes on the Social Security benefits they now receive. The average senior would have to pay $460 more in taxes on their benefits."
Later appearing at the Palace theatre within the vast King's Point retirement community in Tamarac, the vice president promised seniors that he and President Obama will protect Social Security and Medicare.
"Very wealthy people are just as patriotic and they know we do not need another tax cut," Biden told the crowd of more than 800.
The bulk of the audience were Obama/Biden supporters and they waited in a long line hours before the doors opened Friday afternoon.
"I'm happy he's here, and if he wins I'll be even more excited," remarked one senior waiting in line.
Another woman boasted she was part of the 'redheads for Obama' group.
Near the line a table was set up where volunteers were busy dispersing information about signing up to vote and voting by mail.
This is the eighth time this year the vice president has travelled to Florida.
He continues his campaign swing on Florida's west coast on Saturday.
One issue that's likely to come up in Biden's visit to Century Village and Kings Point retirees is Medicare. It's been at the center of the debate between Obama and Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney.
Romney has accused Obama of robbing Medicare of $700 billion to help pay for the Affordable Care Act. Romney's running mate, Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, recommended the exact same cuts in the budget the House of Representatives passed.
Florida has the highest population of people 65 and older than any other state and more than two-thirds of those residents voted in the 2008 election.
(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
