Romney, Ryan to discuss Medicare with NH voters

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are ready to face New Hampshire voters and answer their questions, especially about the Republican plan for Medicare that has left some seniors skittish. Romney and Ryan on Monday will try to explain to voters - particularly seniors, who reliably cast ballots - that their proposal to offer a private alternative to Medicare would not affect anyone over age 55. Some 14 percent of New Hampshire residents are over the age of 65, and this state, which holds the nation's first presidential primary, is known for its voters' sharp questioning of candidates during such town hall-style events. President Barack Obama spent Saturday in New Hampshire, casting doubts on what the GOP ticket would do for older voters. "You would think they would avoid talking about Medicare, given the fact that both of them have proposed to voucherize the Medicare system," he said Saturday in Windham. "But I guess they figure the best defense is to try to go on offense. "So, New Hampshire, here is what you need to know: Since I have been in office, I have strengthened Medicare." Obama's top aides spent Sunday repeating the claim in television interviews that the GOP would gut Medicare, while Romney's aides spent their day trying to convince voters of the opposite. "None of the changes would affect current beneficiaries.