AARP: Not backing any presidential candidates

WASHINGTON (AP) - AARP is reminding voters that it's not endorsing any candidates after President Barack Obama cited the group in the first presidential debate.

Obama mentioned the lobbying organization for seniors twice Wednesday in discussing Medicare and Social Security. He noted that AARP supports his health care law and opposes the voucher-like program Republican Mitt Romney has proposed for Medicare in the future.

AARP's senior vice president, John Hishta, says AARP is nonpartisan and has never consented to the use of its name by any campaign or political group and doesn't take sides in political races.

Hishta said in a statement released after the debate in Denver that voters deserve more than sound bites about Medicare, Social Security and other programs for seniors.