David Axelrod: Republican candidates are "pledging allegiance to the Tea Party"

Top Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod on Friday accused the Republican presidential contenders of "pledging allegiance to the Tea Party" at the Republican debate last night rather than the country, and said their lack of attention to the middle class was "stunning."

Axelrod, in an appearance on CBS' "The Early Show," blasted the candidates' performances in Thursday night's Republican debate, and took particular aim on the eight Republicans' unanimously expressed opposition to accepting tax increases as part of a deal to reduce the deficit.

"What was stunning was when they were asked, 'when you look at the problem of the debt of this country, would you accept any more revenues, any higher taxes, even if it were ten parts cut and one part taxes?' and they all raised their hand and said no, essentially pledging allegiance to the Tea Party, instead of resolving the problems of this country," Axelrod said.

During the closely-watched Thursday night event, debate moderators asked the Republican contenders to raise their hands if they would reject a deal that reduced $10 from the deficit for every $1 in tax increases. All of the candidates raised their hands.

"What was also stunning was, an entire debate, two hours, the two words you never heard from one Republican candidate for president was 'middle class,'" he added. "They didn't address the problems facing people in their lives in this country, and that is what this election is going to be about, who has a vision that's going to move this country forward and restore security for the middle class?"

Axelrod also took aim at Texas Governor Rick Perry, who is expected to make clear his intention to run for president in a South Carolina speech on Saturday. Perry was not present at the Thursday debate - nor is he on the ballot for Saturday's straw poll - but he is likely to emerge as an immediate frontrunner if and when he does get into the race.

When asked to comment on Perry's criticism of President Obama's jobs record, Axelrod noted that "he's also called for secession from the United States of America and all kinds of other things."

"I'm not going to respond specifically to things that Rick Perry has to say," Axelrod continued. "We'll see when he becomes a candidate what specifically he has to propose, what he has to say. His record will get scrutinized - his record on things like education and health care and some key issues in Texas."

[Harden_Tar]

What a tool. Don't you all know the liberal elite is smarter than you and only they know what is right and good for America. Middle America is just a bratty 4 year old in their eyes. They want to pat you on the head and tell you that you will get over your tantrum soon.

[slatep]

"lack of attention to middle class STUNNING".!

It should come as no surprise to anyone that the Republicans are out to destroy the middle class.

This has been their objective for years.

When the Tea Party first started demonstrating several years ago their goals were smaller government and a return to following the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

The Republicans are now using the Tea Party as a scapegoat to blame absolutely everything wrong with the government on them.

Boehner's attempt to blackmail the entire country into accepting the Republican solution to the deficit crisis was disgusting and despicable, and it only proves how far the Republicans are willing to go to eliminate the middle class.

As for the eight out of ten who raised their hands; the solution is simple.

DO NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR CAMPAIGNS AND DEFINITELY DO NOT VOTE FOR THEM IF THEY WIN THE NOMINATION.!!

When the Republicans gained control of the House in the 2008 election; they took this as a sign that they could now do anything they want and get away with it.

They are not even smart enough to recognize this for what it actually was; which was a backlash against Democrats.

The Republicans are in for a tremendous shock in 2012 if they don't wake up to this fact.

I did not watch the debate, it was available in my area; and won't watch any others that come up, because I have heard all the BS coming out of Washington and the candidates that I can stand.

Enough is enough.!!

On the Democratic side we have Obama whose sole aim since he started campaigning was to tell as many lies and make many promises he had no intention of keeping once he was elected. in an attempt to bring the United States to its knees.

Obama is a nice guy and he reads very well from a teleprompter, but that's all he is.

In 2012 use your right to write in the name of the person/s you wish to see in Office.

If we all do this, it might take six months to figure out who actually won, but it would most likely be worth it.

The only way to STOP RE-OFFENDERS is DON'T VOTE FOR THEM.

[McJen50]

Why ever would we be out to destroy the middle class? Most of us ARE middle class.

[lol_wat]

@McJen50

Because you watch nothing but Faux News and listen to nothing but talk radio and so you are utterly misinformed. It's funny how nobody cared about spending during 2001-2009. Suddenly Democrat is president you throw a temper tantrum.

What will destroy the middle class? Removal of regulations of the financial sector, banks, and corporations. Corporate personhood. Free trade agreements. Refusal to close tax loopholes to help raise revenue. Removal of minimum wage law and other labor laws. Laws against unions. Removal of the social safety net. Removal of investments in America's future through subsidized student loans and grants. Tax cuts for giant corporations that then turn around and pocket the money rather than creating jobs. Need I go on?

[Jaylah54]

I don't have cable TV (can't afford it), so I ended up watching it over foxnew's "live" feed (it was actually delayed quite a bit from live), and I thought there were a few other notable things about this "debate."

First: The Republican Party staged a major Presidential candidate debate and made it unavailable to anyone either not able to afford cable television or else broadband internet. But then, the GOP is the party of the rich, so what would they care?

Second: Foxnews had little opinion questions going at the bottom of the video feed and viewers could "vote" on the questions with results available in live-time. At the time they were talking about that "10-1" deal, the question at the bottom of the feed was whether viewers favored increased tax revenue IN ADDITION TO spending, and over 70% of the folks that voted said they did. Yet all 8 candidates said they'd vote against any such measure.

Third: I'm no expert on the rules of debate, but I do know enough to know the moderators of last night's freak show broke every single one. That wasn't a "debate." It was "Meet The Press" with 8 guests.

[jgg000101]

actually, more people are cancelling their cable tv subscriptions than anytime in cable tv history. It tells me alot of people, like you, cannot afford it. And on the flip side, prisoners get cable.

[nosocialists]

HEY CBS. How come, your network, unlike all the others, doesn't have the story on Obama's billionaire friend, Soros, being sued by his girlfriend in your headlines?

[cl_theman]

Umm... because that's not news? That's a civil disagreement between two private individuals.

[luadda22]

retm, Living wage?? The factory workers in Mexico went on strike a year ago and dumped their union because their year end bonus was $50. They also wanted a 6% increase in wages. Their average wage? $70 for a 48 hour work week.

They received $300 million in stimulus. I thought Democrats didn't want to support companies that "sent jobs over-seas"?

Get your head out of Obamas butt. The stimulus was passed by the Democrats, no Republicans in the House voted for it and only 3 Rinos in the Senate voted for it (and one of them changed his party to Democrat when seeking re-election).

Blame who you want or lie about it, but the rest of us know the truth

[jgg000101]

funny how axelrod is back on the scene after leaving washington to head up obama's re-election team in chicago.
David Plouffe took over axelrod's former job and he is bombing, as is jay carney in robert gibbs' former position.
When you see gibb's re-emerge you'll know they are truly desperate and feel the need to call in the calvary. Now, clearly, axelrod has been assigned to disparage and discredit the tea party and align gop candidates to what axelrod hopes, if he's successful, will be a sinking ship. Truth be known, axelrod is scared to death of the tea party. Obama's poll numbers are what's sinking and the only reliable support obama currently has is from blacks and unions who's ranks are finite and represent a relatively small percentage of voters. Independents are leaving obama in droves. The tea party on the other hand is incalculable and represents a voting block that cannot be estimated. Their numbers can grow or shrink. At the very least they offset obama's reliable base and represent a threat to garner more independents who share their beliefs. As such, Axelrod's role is an attack dog on a mission, and every word out of his mouth is said with an agenda. He will not be commenting "objectively" and instead will be trying to tip the see-saw in his favor by avoiding topics like the economy, the wars, libya, iran, etc and shift the focus to demonizing the tea party. And if the tea party for some reason gets bigger and stronger, he'll blame them even more. It's funny that not long ago the tea party was dismissed as inconsequential, and now they are being blamed for everything. Somebody should play those early nancy pelosi, harry reid and obama quotes next time axelrod makes an appearance and question him about them.

[49KC]

So who cares if the GOP is backing the tea baggers? Doesn't worry me as much as Obama's lack of a backbone. Axelrod is 3 years too late. So Axelrod is saying, "It's Obama or the tea baggers?" Who cares! I'll vote for the Democratic candidate running against Obama in the primary, and not for Obama during the general. Even though the GOP is pure hype and baloney.

[jgg000101]

obviously axelrod wants you to care if the gop is backing the tea partiers because if he didn't this wouldn't be a story.

[tsigili]

Hi Axelrod.......the most dishonest political spin doctor, ever!!!!

[retm-w]

Right there with armey and rove actually they are worse.

[wardove]

i will be voting Obama again!! god protect obama and cast this snakes and their forked tongue out of D.C

[wfw3536]

Like why would I listen to this dope, when the president he advises set a historic first by have our countries debt downgraded, this administration now gives out 45 million food stamps(an increase of of over 33%), this is the administration that has added over 4 trillion to our debt, this is the administration where just a few months ago the president present his budget to congress that added over another trillion to the debt and not one member of the senate voted for it, oh and don't forget the 800 billion of wasted stimulus money for shovel ready jobs that Obama later admitted that he was wrong, so why would I listen to this failed administration.

[Patty1300]

It would be nice if the media would actually fact check the debates instead of just regurgitating the White House Talking Points. How about fact checking the argument against raising taxes that while revenues have slightly decreased in this economy, spending has greatly increased as a percentage of the GDP. Washington has a spending problem. The tax increases proposed by Obama would certainly impact the middle class in a very negative way. The middle class is going to get a nice surprise when they start paying taxes on their health insurance benefits and lose their mortgage interest deduction as proposed by liberals. Lucy, please do some investigative reporting, since your title is political reporter. How much are the top 1% really worth? If we took all of their money, how long could we run the government? Clean up Washington, get rid of the kickbacks to politicians, many of which have become extremely rich is this bad economy. Get rid of loopholes that allow GE and other favored corporations to make billions in profits, while paying $0 in taxes, alot less than many small business owners. Kick illegal immigrants and people who are actually able bodied and can work off welfare and food stamps. Corruption and fraud may be a small part of the budget, as we always hear, but clean it up so I know I can trust Washington to handle my money correctly before you ask for new taxes. Small businesses and families have had to do ALOT of spending cuts the last few years. Surely there is a few percent in there that Washington can cut.

[retm-w]

And the gop want's to eliminate the EPA so we can drink dirty water and breath dirty air, they want to gut OSAHA so workers have to work in unsafe conditions. By the way the gop is all for cutting your mortgage deductions, and taxing your insurance benefits, that's so tyhey can give the rich more tax breaks.

[retm-w]

I'm not changing the subject and you won't afmit it's true.