Horserace
By

Brian Montopoli /

CNET/ May 2, 2008, 11:04 AM

Obama Ad: Clinton "Pandering" On Gas Tax

In a story out this morning, we detail how Barack Obama is looking to position himself as the anti-panderer in the presidential race. Obama has staked out a position opposing the suspension of the gas tax this summer, a move that John McCain and Hillary Clinton favor.

Now Obama's campaign has released an ad in Indiana, "Pennies," explicitly suggesting that Clinton is engaged in "political pandering" on the issue.

"Another negative ad from Hillary Clinton," an announcer says as the 30-second spot opens. "But here's what she's not saying. USA Today calls her three-month gas tax holiday 'political pandering.' It's an election year-gimmick, saving Hoosiers just pennies a day."

The announcer goes on to detail Obama's plan: "Take on price-gouging by oil companies. Tax their windfall profits. Invest in alternative energy. Give working families a permanent, thousand-dollar tax cut to help with rising costs."

Watch it:

© 2008 CBS Interactive Inc.. All Rights Reserved.
22 Comments Add a Comment
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mattcat25 says:
If the United States were to pull back away from its imperialistic military offensive tactics the price per barrel of oil should drop. But, that would be an opposing strategy of the Republican Party and Oil Company Profit.

Vote GOP is a vote for higher (and, higher) fuel costs.
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petronew says:
Intelligent voters would likely agree with the concensus that this option provides no real relief just more disbelief in Mrs. C''s thought process. Folks will not buy this bulloney, they want real resolve on the issue of energy, they do want innovative ways to reduce the pricing and the demand....gee wonders who is advocating this type of thought process.....O let me guess....
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yngmillerj says:
all i know is who ever gets in i hope they do a better job than the last one. the gas prices, the war, the food prices, medicien, ect... things have gotten so screwed up who ever wins is going to have a hell of a mess to deal with. GOD help who ever. and we need help like right now.
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sanfelz says:
The gas tax, like taxes on tobacco, should be increased along with road tolls to discourage the use of inefficient motor vehicles and to pay for infrastructure repair and damage to health from pollution.
Gas taxes and tolls are user fees that should be increased to pay for the societal harms that are increasing while benfits decline.
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truthyness says:
Many Obama supporters have turned to Lies, Slander, Insults, Fabricating Stories, Ethnic Slurs, Vulgarity and even Threats. These are the people who Obama represents.
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racampbell-2009 says:
Looking at a study from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (.pdf), a three month suspension of the federal gasoline tax would cost roughly $12 billion in revenue for infrastructure but would also cause the loss of over 300,000 jobs. This would include $96 million and 3,351 jobs for Colorado. For reference, it would also cost Indiana $183,722,596 in transportation money, as well as 6,390 highway-related jobs, and cost North Carolina $203,319,748 in federal highway funds and 7,071 jobs. All of this for a plan that would likely do more to pad the profits of big oil companies than it would to lower the actual price at the pump, while at the same time potentially increasing gasoline usage, thus detrimentally affecting the environment.

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truthyness says:
OBAMA/WRIGHT ''08
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realpatriot1 says:
Dave_1958,

Another soul lost to the Clinton cult.

Hillary will balance the budget with unfunded tax Holidays? That will give the economy a jolt?

You must e really excited about getting your rebate check from Uncle George too!
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nancy00-2009 says:
tcart12....get your facts straight. It wasn''t the American Flag, it was the Nat''l Anthem...and you don''t have to hold your hand over your heart. Ever watch our Olympians? They don''t always do it either. If you can''t post the facts straight, go back to the nursery and take a nap.
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DCropp says:
Obama
"Give working families a permanent, thousand-dollar tax cut to help with rising costs."

Hillary
$28 gas tax holiday.

Obama $1000 permanent tax cut from = $19.23 per week.

Hillary $28 summer gas tax holiday = $2 per week (18 cents per gallon of gas).
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