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May 4, 2008 5:14 PM

Clinton Says She’s “Unapologetic” Over Gas Tax Proposal

Posted by Fernando Suarez
(CBS)
From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

SOUTH BEND, IND. -- In the face of growing criticism from economists and some in her party, Hillary Clinton said she will not give up in her pursuit to temporarily eliminate the federal gas tax for the summer.

“I am unabashed! I am unapologetic! I am going to fight for the middle class and I am going to take on the oil companies and everybody else who’s had it their way for way too long!” Clinton told a dismal crowd at an outdoor rally here.

The federal gas tax holiday, first proposed by John McCain, has become a heated issue in the campaign. The plan would shelve the tax on gas from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, a traditionally high travel time for Americans. Barack Obama does not favor the plan, which has created an opening for Clinton to criticize him - and vice versa - in these crucial final 48 hours before the primaries in Indiana and North Carolina.

“My opponent says, you know, ‘that’s a gimmick’ he doesn’t want to take on the oil companies to make them pay the gas tax, he’d rather you do it, but he attacks me because he doesn’t have any plan for immediate relief,” Clinton said to applause.

With so many Americans feeling the pinch at the pump - with the average cost of gas topping $3.60 per gallon - it is no surprise that, politically, supporting the gas-tax holiday is highly popular among voters despite arguments form economists who say the overall savings will not be worth the potential loss in revenue from shelving the tax over the summer.

Clinton will continue to push the gas tax issue between now and Tuesday's primaries and it could potentially open the door for Clinton to continue to try to paint her opponent as an elitist liberal who is out of touch with the everyday needs of middle-class Americans.

Obama has said that the gas tax will save Americans "just pennies" but Clinton argues that the savings over the summer amounts to real money to many hardworking families.
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Add a Comment See all 24 Comments
by hireheels May 5, 2008 4:25 PM EDT
Here canvassing in Indy, we are NOT hearing the same narrative that the media are reporting over
the past few days on their so-called "gas-gate." It seems the entire intelligentsia class is above shaving 20 cents off your next gallon of gas. Hmmm, I can%u2019t seem to find anyone here against
that idea. Yet on this morning%u2019s Today Show, Meredith Viera rabidly challenged Hillary Clinton
to produce %u201Ca single economist%u201D who supported the radical notion of saving working-class Americans a few bucks.

Have these people lost their minds?

This is either another example of the media being out of touch with what%u2019s happening on the ground, or, their unwillingness to give Hillary a centimeter in this race (which Hillary''s already
runnin'' backwards and in high heels!). But it seems that Indiana folks are agreeing with her on this issue! A brand new Suffolk University poll puts Hillary ahead of Obama : 49 %u2013 43!

Hoosier Mama?!!
Reply to this comment
by craigh9 May 5, 2008 12:13 PM EDT
Gas Tax Holiday - this is the political equivalent of the old $5 for your vote the New York Democratic party use to use. She KNOWS, the tax cut would not reach consumers pockets, she KNOWS George Bush would not sign off on taxing the oil company profits, and she KNOWS even if those 2 things occurred it would result in pennies to consumers today costing them dollars in the future. She KNOWS it is a ridiculous proposition but continues to push it because she believes the people of Indiana and North Carolina aren''t smart enough to see through this rouse and she can buy them with this concept while never having to actually do anything about it.
PLEASE, if you live in Indiana or North Carolina, PLEASE get out and vote against Hillary - she is a typical politican using shams and fear in an attempt to win an election. Show america you are smarter than Hillary gives you credit for. You have the opportunity to end this debacle of a nomination race by voting Obama - PLEASE, make Hillary go away tomorrow.
Reply to this comment
by lordmi May 5, 2008 11:48 AM EDT
when she does not have any integrity, just nast , angry,phony nature of Monstre, of course she attacks wherever possible. She does not know shame.
It is up to answer to finish this Circus.
Reply to this comment
by omaar-101 May 5, 2008 11:39 AM EDT
Hillary Clinton knows this is a way to sway the simple minded in (NC & IND.) into voting for her.

Clintons Gas Tax Farce is the Biggest Joke of the Year !!!

Its a Hollow Bill of Goods, A Common Man & Woman ploy, with no Substance. The Gas Price would go even Higher, to Offset this Gas Tax Farce On America.

Also that Clinton ''''Obliteraion Of Iran'''' another Hollow Threat or Promise !!

She said this Umbrella of Protection would Cover not Only Israel, but Saudi Arabia & the United Arab Emirates, both Countries that Commandeered the Planes on (911) and that IF the Iran Nuclear Attacks were to Happen within (10 Yrs), she would ''''Obliterate Iran''''

Do your Math, IF Clinton became President, and IF an Iran Nuclear Attacks Ocurred...

Hillarys A!! would not be President, that is to say, unless Clintons A!! becomes a USA Dictator and stays for a 3rd Term !!

The Clinton & Bush Families are Vacationing & Golfing family Friends...

You Suckers !!

Hillary is selling you people anything, you want to Hear...Anything at all !!

PS: Bill & Hillary Clinton are fianced by the Saudi Arabian & United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait & Other Arab Nations...You guys are Foolish, to be sold the Clinton Bill of Goods.
Reply to this comment
by speak2ruth May 5, 2008 6:48 AM EDT
The idea to freeze the gas tax for a season is originally John McCain"s.

Hillary saw yet another opportunity to hustle votes from desperate Americans who are deceived into believing the tax break of a few cents helps put money in their pockets.

Now, these two cunning politicians want to implement a temporary fix -- guaranteed to fail, hoping the worthless gas tax relief is going to bolster their popularity among voters, against Obama!

This same disingenuous Hillary Clinton, who had previously opposed a gas tax holiday in 2000, now says it"s a great idea. Sounds like one of those "Bosnia Sniper" moments or relapses in memory.

http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=4763893

"As oil prices continue to climb, Clinton explained her support for the gas tax holiday, which would suspend the 18.4-cents-per-gallon federal tax on gasoline during the summer months. Her support comes despite having opposed a similar reduction in the same tax when running for the Senate in 2000."

McCain"s plan only results in a savings of $28.00 over three months; or 30 cents per day.

Sen. Obama has adamantly opposed such a reckless proposition, which obviously doesn"t provide permanent long term solutions.

Two Noble Prize winners have endorsed Sen. Barack Obama.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk8XpLHG_4A

Obama has once again proven his superiority over Hillary and McCain, by clearly showing good judgment when it comes to life and death; bread and butter matters impacting American lives.
Reply to this comment
by speak2ruth May 5, 2008 6:46 AM EDT
With all the brilliant journalists scrambling to report the story on Sen. Barack Obama"s megalomaniacal pastor Rev. Wright, it seems none are left anymore to scrutinize Hillary"s friends.

Many people have unfairly linked Sen. Obama to Louis Farrakhan, especially Hillary, who in one of the debates lambasted her opponent and meanly tried to impugn his character.

But if anyone had bothered to investigate Hillary"s staunchest supporters by plugging in the name "Farrakhan" on YouTube.com, they would have soon found a "Gotcha" to hit her on the head with.

Sen. Clinton"s backer, Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell who campaigned and carried the state for her, not only has praised Farrakhan in public, but also considers him a personal friend.

Being a "governor," Ed Rendell praising Farrakhan in a formal and official setting should be a greater concern for the voters and the Clinton camp than an egocentric pastor"s rant in church.

If using the nasty "guilt by association" tactic is an appropriate tool to define Sen. Obama"s integrity, then in all fairness, the same yardstick should apply to measure Hillary"s.

Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Praises Farrakhan and N.O.I.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6PfM0gYZeQ

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCGaIhlvyF4

After watching the videos, hopefully some journalists will start asking Hillary Clinton and Gov. Rendell some tough questions to explain their relationship with Louis Farrakhan.
Reply to this comment
by caraprado May 5, 2008 4:46 AM EDT
From "Head of State"
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/05/clinton-calls-for-bad-weather-holiday.html

Monday, May 05, 2008
Clinton Calls for "Bad Weather Holiday"

"When asked this morning by ABC News'' George Stephanopoulos if she could name a single economist who backs her call for a gas tax holiday this summer, HRC said "I''m not going to put my lot in with economists.%u201D

"The gas tax holiday is...so economically stupid...it would increase demand for gas and cause prices to rise, eliminating any benefit to consumers while costing the Treasury more than $9 billion.
-Robert Reich, May 4, 2008

I know we''ve got those "intellectual", high-falutin'', elitist meteorologists, those "forecasters" with their complicated charts and their mumbo-jumbo, their high fronts and their low fronts, their Doppler radars. But I''ve come to say that we''re going to put an end to all of that.

When my daddy and I went out in the morning in (Scranton, Indianapolis, Durham, Hagetqa, Charlotte Amalie, San Juan), and he said "It''s going to be a sunny day today", well, that was good enough for me...

More:
Head of State
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/05/clinton-calls-for-bad-weather-holiday.html

Reply to this comment
by omaar-101 May 5, 2008 4:09 AM EDT
Hillary Clinton knows this is a way to sway the simple minded in (NC & IND.) into voting for her.

Clintons Gas Tax Farce is the Biggest Joke of the Year !!!

Its a Hollow Bill of Goods, A Common Man & Woman ploy, with no Substance. The Gas Price would go even Higher, to Offset this Gas Tax Farce On America.

Also that Clinton ''Obliteraion Of Iran'' another Hollow Threat or Promise !!

She said this Umbrella of Protection would Cover not Only Israel, but Saudi Arabia & the United Arab Emirates, both Countries that Commandeered the Planes on (911) and that IF the Iran Nuclear Attacks were to Happen within (10 Yrs), she would ''Obliterate Iran''

Do your Math, IF Clinton became President, and IF an Iran Nuclear Attacks Ocurred...

Hillarys A!! would not be President, that is to say, unless Clintons A!! becomes a USA Dictator and stays for a 3rd Term !!

Hillary is selling you people anything, you want to Hear...Anything at all !!

PS: Bill & Hillary Clinton are fianced by the Saudi Arabian & United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait & Other Arab Nations...You guys are Foolish, to be sold the Clinton Bill of Goods.
Reply to this comment
by omaar-101 May 5, 2008 4:04 AM EDT
Hillary Clinton knows this is a way to sway the simple minded in (NC & IND.) into voting for her.

Clintons Gas Tax Farce is the biggest joke of the Year !!!

Its a Hollow Bill of Goods, A CommoanMan & Woman ploy, with no Substance. The Gas Price would go even Higher, to Offset this Gas Tax Farce On America.

Also Clinton ''Obliteraion Of Iran'' another Hollow Threat or Promise !!

She said this Umbrella would Cover not Only israel, but Saidi Arabia & the United Arab Emirates, both Countries that Commandeered the Planes on (911) and that IF the Attacks were to Happen within (10 Yrs) Do your Math, IF Clinton became President, and IF an Nuclear Attack Ocurred...

Hillarys A!! would not be President, that is to say, unless Clintons A!! becomes a USA Dictator and stays for a 3rd Term !!

Hillary is selling you people anything, you want to Hear...Anything at all !!
Reply to this comment
by thisusername1245 May 5, 2008 3:00 AM EDT
HRC doesn''t listen to economists to come up with good economic policy because they are elitist.

That''s like telling Tony Stewart you don''t want to have him as your driver because he feels like a superior driver.
Reply to this comment
by hhkeller May 5, 2008 12:46 AM EDT
Drivers have been funding New Yorks and Chicagos subways for years through this gas tax. Why not put the tax on holiday for 3 months.
Dopes!
Reply to this comment
by twotraps May 5, 2008 12:37 AM EDT
FUTURE HEADLINE...................


President-Elect Hillary Clinton is to testify soon in a trial for campaign fraud during her senatorial campaign. So far, the President-Elect has hinted that she cannot remember much about it and is afraid she may have possibly misspoken or not have properly conveyed the facts as she once knew them to be. Also, she has tried to distance herself from former President Bill Clinton...saying she recalls meeting him once but said she does not recall him contributing financially to her campaign and that there they are not related anyway. She reminded us that Clinton is a fairly common name...like Smith...and although his conviction for fraud in the trial was unfortunate...the government will keep pushing for transparency and accountability in all areas.
Reply to this comment
by winghunter May 5, 2008 12:22 AM EDT
I can''t imagine why she would think that .18 cents a gallon wouldn''t be enough at $4 bucks a gallon.

To think of all the votes she helped to bring us here and then be rightly shunned;

Voted YES on removing oil and gas exploration subsidies.

Voted YES on disallowing drilling in ANWR and removing it from budget bill.


Search:

1) The Clinton Legacy

2) Barack Hussein Obama
Reply to this comment
by javalation May 5, 2008 12:17 AM EDT
The most interesting thing about this gas tax holiday idea is that it demonstrates how Hillary won''t give an inch even when she can''t find a single expert to back her opinion. Is that really the kind of leader who could get things done?
Reply to this comment
by petronew May 5, 2008 12:10 AM EDT
so typical of Mrs. C.
Reply to this comment
by hmpierson May 4, 2008 11:24 PM EDT
John_Lai writes:

"Those are elites who oppose to the relief." (sic)

...

"Nobody will drive more because of the minute difference in tax;"

Minute difference in the tax? Sounds like a gimmick to you too, eh? LOL!
Reply to this comment
by hmpierson May 4, 2008 11:23 PM EDT
John_Lai writes:

"Those are elites who oppose to the relief." (sic)

...

"Nobody will drive more because of the minute difference in tax;"

Minute difference in the tax? Sounds like a gimmick to you too, eh? LOL!
Reply to this comment
by cyberbian-2009 May 4, 2008 10:37 PM EDT
The only thing which will bring gas prices down is a stronger dollar. And a profit limit on gas.

The US dollar is down 40% against the EURO this year. We are in Iraq because they wanted to trade gas in Euros, we will attack Iran because they want to trade gas in Euros, we are harassing China because they want to dump their dollars. We dumped the gold standard for the oil standard. If that is lost, we can trade in the commodity which the rest of the world most closely relates to our dollar. Coca Cola. The questions will be how cases of Coke for a Euro.
Reply to this comment
by txgrouch2004 May 4, 2008 10:26 PM EDT
While the tax holiday sounds attractive, I''m afraid the detractors are right on this one - it will only give the oil companies the chance to RAISE THE PRICE HIGHER to fill the gap. And when the tax holiday ends, the tax will go back on and THE BASE PRICE WILL NOT GO DOWN.

The result? We''ll be PAYING MORE THAN EVER, all so Hillary can score temporary gains.

And Obama will be saying I TOLD YOU SO around Election Day.


Reply to this comment
by mrtutto May 4, 2008 10:23 PM EDT
This is how Hillary Clinton intends to fight..... She''s always right and screw everybody else. serves her right for stealing a bad idea from a Republican. I am taking bets as to what Hillary will come up with to get votes in Kentucky..... It will be interesting. She has pretty much used up everything including amending the Constitution to allow Guam to vote in the general election. She is testing that theory to see if it is popular and then she will promise the same to Puerto Rico. Since low level voters in Indiana don''t read, They will never know what a bad idea this gas tax holiday is. We have seen how Hillary intends to fight. A lot like George Bush.
It scares me that so many Republicans including Conservative media is pushing so hard for Hillary to win the primary.
"She will be the best candidate to face McCain in November" they shout. If you believe that I have a piece of swamp land to sell you.
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