Steve Forbes: McCain Isn't Bush

Political Players: Former GOP Presidential Candidate, McCain Economic Adviser On Taxes, Energy And The Budget

(CBS)  Political Players is a weekly conversation with the leaders, consultants, and activists who shape American politics. This week, as Barack Obama and John McCain duked it out on the economy, CBS News' Brian Goldsmith talked with former GOP presidential candidate and current McCain adviser Steve Forbes about taxes, energy, and President Bush.

CBSNews.com: The Politico reported this week that a number of the 300 economists that Senator McCain claims support his economic plans say they have significant reservations about it, that many were unfamiliar with or downright opposed to key parts of his plan. What’s your response to that?

Steve Forbes: Well, I've not seen that piece.

CBSNews.com: Senator McCain told Katie Couric this week that he pledged to balance the budget by the end of his first term in 2013. Do you think that’s possible?

Steve Forbes: I think his plan is the most realistic plan to achieve a balance--or a far better balance--that is out there, by recognizing the importance of reducing the burden of taxation, among other things. That is the key to getting the economy back on track again. His energy programs, I think, would substantially reduce the price of oil, which would remove a huge burden on the American economy and the American consumer.

So the way you get a balanced budget is one, greater revenue growth. And he's got the best plan for it. And two, restraint of spending. Just slowing the growth of spending. And on that, he has a record, going back a number of years in the Senate, of being a hawk on reducing spending.

CBSNews.com: But why should voters trust Republican leadership on this issue when the current Republican president inherited a surplus and is leaving his successor with perhaps the worst deficit in American history?

Steve Forbes: We're talking about John McCain, not the Republican Party or the current incumbent in the White House. And we're looking to the future, not what George Bush has done in the past. Bush is not running for reelection. John McCain is running for election. And John McCain has vigorously opposed many of the spending measures of the Bush administration. His tax proposals are far more comprehensive than what the Bush administration has proposed.

And on the energy front, he has got a far more vigorous approach than either Senator Obama, the Congressional Democrats, or the current incumbent in the White House. So in terms of what voters are voting for--the programs advocated by Senator McCain, and the programs advocated by Senator Obama--I think Senator McCain's are hugely more beneficial for the economy and for our security.

CBSNews.com: What do you say to economists who argue that it's actually the Bush tax cuts that have contributed more to the shortfall than increased spending?

Steve Forbes: The tax cuts enabled the American economy to go from stagnation, which started under Bill Clinton in 2000, the high tech bubble burst in 2000. And the losses from high tech still vastly exceed what we've lost on the subprime crisis.

And the tax cuts of 2003 took the U.S. economy from a subpar one percent growth rate to three to four percent real growth, and between 2003 and 2007, the expansion of the American economy, just the growth alone, exceeded the entire size of the Chinese economy. We grew China in four years. Now, obviously, their growth rates are higher, but they're coming off of a much smaller base. So the tax cuts worked. What didn't work was the reckless spending by both the White House and the Congress.

CBSNews.com: You’ve talked about John McCain's energy proposals. Do you support his plan for a gas tax holiday?

Steve Forbes: The gas tax holiday plan, as part of a comprehensive package, makes sense. Give people some temporary relief. But have on track a massive program to increase the output of energy in the United States. Clearly, there are tens of billions of barrels of oil offshore that should be explored and produced. Every other country is doing it. Brazil, just a few months ago, discovered a field off its shores that has upwards of 33 billion barrels of oil.

There's lots of gas out there. And Senator McCain's nuclear program of 45 new plants in this country over the next 20 years, would go a long ways to increasing our production of electricity without relying on oil.

The technology on the nuclear power is there. Japan has done it, France has done it. So it's just a matter of will in this country to do the same thing. And by the way, both the offshore exploration and production, and the nuclear program, would create nearly a million new jobs, high skilled, high paid jobs, in both of those sectors.

CBSNews.com: But even Senator McCain's supporters say that the benefits of new output, from either additional oil drilling or from nuclear plants would be years into the future. Do you think there's more that can be done, besides what Senator McCain described as the psychological benefit of announcing that we're going to do this?

Steve Forbes: Well, I've heard the same arguments three or four years ago. If we'd gone offshore three or four or five years ago, we'd be having production from that.

And in terms of the future, if you're OPEC, or you're another oil-producing nation, and you see the United States has serious programs to increase its output of oil and natural gas production, not only offshore, but also all the shale deposits that we have in the western part of the United States, and we have a serious nuclear program, such as the French and the Japanese have done for years, what are you going to do? You're going to ramp up your production, because you're going to want to sell while the selling's good. That brings the price down.

So the impact would be immediate. And in terms of increased oil and gas production, that could start to come online in three or four years. The longer we wait, the longer it is in the future.

CBSNews.com: Do you disagree with Senator McCain on ANWR?

Steve Forbes: On ANWR, I do. But I agree with him on offshore and nuclear. And that's where most of the new energy resources are. And that doesn't preclude doing other things. For example, Boone Pickens has a very bold program for massive wind farms in Texas and elsewhere. So you do all of the above: wind, offshore, onshore, nuclear, and we can make substantial progress.

CBSNews.com: Democrats are drawing a contrast between the McCain corporate tax cuts and the Obama plan, which is a bigger middle class tax cut. How do you defend that?

Steve Forbes: Senator Obama has not proposed any specifics on his so-called middle class tax cut. And when he's been in the Senate, even though he's only been there three years, he's voted for tax increases of one sort or another 94 times. He also voted for a Senate budget resolution, for example, that would have increased taxes on individual tax filers making as little as $32,000 a year. So his actions belie his rhetoric.

And if he allows the 2003 tax cuts to expire, that's gonna take a family making $40,000 or $50,000 a year, and increase their tax burden one or two thousand dollars. So his tax cut would barely make up for what the tax is going to go up in two years.

On the business side, the United States today has the second highest business tax burden in the developed world. And that makes us less competitive with countries such as Ireland, Britain and France, which have all reduced their corporate tax rates.

CBSNews.com: Senator McCain claims to have opposed the Bush tax cuts simply because of the failure to cut spending. But there are many statements that have been chronicled of McCain criticizing the Bush tax cuts because he thought they disproportionately benefited the wealthy. Hasn’t he changed his position on this?

Steve Forbes: Well, because of his criticisms and those of others, the tax cuts that passed--partially in 2001, but mostly in 2003--substantially increased exemptions for children, with that $1,000 refundable credit. Getting rid of the marriage penalty, which greatly increased the benefits to those in the middle income brackets.

So the criticism had the effect of making that tax bill even better. And in terms of his own tax record, McCain has never supported a tax increase.

[citizenusa-2009]

Gee, so nice to see an "unbiased" opinion from one of the richest men in the world. He would be a fool not to back a Republican...ANY Republican. HE doesn''t want to lose any of HIS fortune. I love the comment about our economy beginning to "stagnate" under Bill Clinton in 2000!!! LOL! BUSH was elected in 2000 and previously the economy under Clinton was FLOURISHING!! These "talking heads" really must think we are a bunch of hayseeds....

[mcvet]

ALL you people who are even thinking about voting for this tired old man, you need to look at THIS video!! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/10

/mccains-birth-control-pro_n_112048.ht
ml

[citizenusa-2009]

Oh, P.S. His favorable comment about the French and energy is interesting..ask him about the wildly successful universal health care program in France..yeah ask him. Because it doesn''t serve to swell the pockets of the already wealthy, he''d throw up his hands and say "Oh, no Universal Health care will NEVER work HERE...Heaven forbid!!". The more I listen to the "elite Repubs" the more confident I feel in electing Obama. Hopefully, the Republican Party becomes as extinct as the dinosaurs. We can only pray!

[mmxxviii]

Yeah right - the opiinion of a doofus like Forbes - the sort of moron that told usall 7 years ago that the codpiece tax custs woould lead to economic growth for decades and the emlimination of the national debt

Forbes is an IDIOT like all Republicans

[citizenusa-2009]

Think of Forbes (and his kind) as the "Casino". We are the "gamblers". Everybody knows "The House" ALWAYS WINS. That is why he can smugly imply his opinions are FACTS. He really thinks we are ignorant...he and the Republicans are COUNTING on it..FOR THE THIRD TIME!!!

[ariel133]

"Miserably failed policies of Bush?"

First tell us what is miserable about not being attacked since 9/11?

Second tell us the policies that Obama will implement that would work any better?

The pointing of fingers by the liberal media is getting so , so old.

[mswolfestock]

Here is the only difference between Bushit and McLame that really matters -

Bushit is a moron, whereas

McLame is hallucinating and suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome for which he has never received adequate treatment.

[citizenusa-2009]

In 7 years, "The Bush Crime Family" has forced this country to it''s knees! NEARLY EVERY POLICY implemented by Bush and Co. was designed to benefit the RICH AND CONNECTED. WE have sacrificed our young men and women for THEIR INTERESTS IN OIL AND POWER and watched our SURPLUS squandered, the forclosure rate rise to record numbers, fuel costs skyrocketing, and yet...we''ve yet to apprehend the "catalyst?" to this whole thing..Bin Laden? hmmmmm

We started TWO BLOODY ILLEGAL WARS in the Midddle East and can''t seem "find" the person George said "started it."...he coudn''t get BinLaden so he killed Saddam. Okayyyyy.

[mswolfestock]

Yeah, and everybody, y''all have to look at the video clip MCVet is talking about -

It is hilarious but that is also what makes it more frightening than a Freddy Krueger movie.

[citizenusa-2009]

In 7 years, "The Bush Crime Family" has forced this country to it''s knees! NEARLY EVERY POLICY implemented by Bush and Co. was designed to benefit the RICH AND CONNECTED. WE have sacrificed our young men and women for THEIR INTERESTS IN OIL AND POWER and watched our SURPLUS squandered, the forclosure rate rise to record numbers, fuel costs skyrocketing, and yet...we''ve yet to apprehend the "catalyst?" to this whole thing..Bin Laden? hmmmmm

We started TWO BLOODY ILLEGAL WARS in the Midddle East and can''t seem "find" the person George said "started it."...he coudn''t get BinLaden so he killed Saddam. Okayyyyy.

[ariel133]

Wow, the ignorance on this blog is deafening.
If you don''t know reality of facts, please don''t vote. Thanks.

[pmaldona]

Apparently today one can talk out of his *** and the uninformed masses will just eat it up. What is "miserable"?

--Being led into an extremely costly war (in terms of lives and $$) based upon false pre-tenses, which led to our economy being in the worst shape since I''ve been alive (born in 82) THAT''S HORRIBLE!
His "war on terror" was utter bullsh$t. Iraq had NOTHING to do with Al Qaeda, we should have captured Bin Laden a LONG time ago, but instead we were re-directed to Iraq? (for oil obviously!) HORRIBLE!

--Using his "powers" to approve an ILLEGAL wire-tapping program (PRIOR TO 9/11!!) that strips citizens of their rights and privacies...is HORRIBLE!

--His reaction to Katrina was HORRIBLE!

Bush is the WORST president in the history of the United States and it makes me sad I live in his home state (originally from ny/nj) Keep supporting "mcbush" because change is coming!

Obama 08!

[mswolfestock]

Ariel133 -

A lot of us feel this way -

While we have not suffered another attack on American soil since 9/11,

Living under Bushit''s idiocy is just as bad, it''s like 9/11 without the crashing planes. It''s actually worse than 9/11 now because we are like the living dead, with no hope.

[wdrussell1]

"I can''t possibly be as ignorant as Bush", is not something you would want to run a campaign on.

Doesn''t matter what Steve(I inherited my wealth) Forbes has to say.

[DCropp]

It should also be pointed out that Congress (which includes John McCain) makes the legislation that goes to the president. This means McCain and Congress were the ones who proposed this spending.

McCain and the Republicans controlled Congress from 2001-2007. This means McCain was directly responsible for all these spending plans being passed along to Bush.

McCain''s voting record shows him agreeing with Bush 100% of the time on every spending bill that Congress passed along to Bush.

[citizenusa-2009]

Gosh, Ariel333, you must "know" something that we don''t "know". Perhaps you feel that the sinking economy and the bloody, pointless, illegal wars are a figment of our imaginations...and we are just "whiners" like one of your Republican idols said yesterday...hmmmmm?

[ariel133]

Obama will turn the country into a day-care- and reinforce the deadbeats to lean on him and he will feel powerful only in that way. GROW UP.

NO hope, you say? GET HOPE ( on your own) Obama isn''t going to give it you- that is the delusion.

[ariel133]

Yes, Citizen all I hear is whiners here and everywhere- and I don''t hear how people are standing up and taking responsibility for themselves. They are depending on someon4 else to give them HOPE. That is the mistake. Dependency.

[citizenusa-2009]

Sounds good to me Ariel. First, let''s throw out the Constitution where we have "elected officials" to REPRESENT US. Then, we can all become independent citizens and not be "dependent" on those officials. We can THEN make all of our own decisions and everything will be super duper because we are not relying on anyone but ourselves. Get Real!!!!

[hungry1968]

Yes, Citizen all I hear is whiners here and everywhere- and I don''''t hear how people are standing up and taking responsibility for themselves. They are depending on someon4 else to give them HOPE. That is the mistake. Dependency.

Posted by Ariel133 at 11:41 AM : Jul 11, 2008





You mean like Israel depends on America?

[anecdote1]

"Steve Forbes: McCain Isn''t Bush"

He''s only voted with Bush 95% of the time, so he''s ALMOST Bush, just not quite......

[mswolfestock]

Ariel133 -

I have worked for a living for 36 years; I have never been on welfare or food stamps; I have always paid my taxes; I have never been to jail; I have paid off my mortgage.

I have done everything that you Dumb-A** Republicans say we should all do - I have been a responsible citizen.

And if you want to call folks like me whiners because we can barely afford to get ourselves to work, to pay MORE taxes for things like illegal wars, through no fault of our own, then fine. You have showed your true colors, and that is why I have voted the Democratic ticket since 1972.

I will go to my grave hating conservatives and Republicans because you are a bunch of hypocrites, you just can''t have things both ways.

I recently saw a bumper sticker that might sum up our frustrations -

"I NEVER THOUGHT I''D MISS NIXON"

[vrnnjoseph]

These right wing morons talk out of both sides of their necks. On one hand don''t raise our taxes! On the other hand we need to rebuild two other countries at 25 Billion a month (not counting the emergency requistions). Let us borrow from China who after the Olympics could call in the debt and make the dollar collapes. What a bunch of Whiners and Fools!!! Let us take back our Country from this half wits!!!

[vrnnjoseph]

Things are just fine for Steve Forbes. He sure is an expert on the middle class. Give me a break!!!

[mswolfestock]

Bleeding the middle class dry,

While you call us whiners -

I can''t wait to hear you S*O*Bs squeal like stuck pigs when we run all of you out of office.

Y''all dumb-Sh*T conservatives are going to be, like, so nineteenth century. Extinct as any dinosaur.

[aj4321-2009]

Steve Forbes and others like are the main reason why we are in such mess.

[pr_boxer]

Forbes is just another spoiled rich kid, who''s a loser, I''ll bet he doesn''t know how to change a tire on his car or repair a leaking kitchen sink faucet, yet he thinks he knows how to run the country. He inherited his wealth, where does he get off criticizing or endorsing anyone?

Phil Gramm & Steve Forbes, big McCain supporters, need anymore information?

[anecdote1]

McCloned = Bush Lite

Fermented much longer to give you that same poor taste with half the nausea. We promise you won''t be able to tell them apart.

[dinkydog1]

Yes, Citizen all I hear is whiners here and everywhere- and I don''''t hear how people are standing up and taking responsibility for themselves. They are depending on someon4 else to give them HOPE. That is the mistake. Dependency.


Posted by Ariel133 at 11:41 AM : Jul 11, 2008


........................

Wish you lackies would finaly realize the likes of Forbes have a dependancy on the middle class of America to pay taxes, fight wars, and provide wokers to make thier fortunes. Thier not whiners, there just not gullivable as you.

[steeepe]

Typical GOP balderdash about the evil of taxes on the wealthy and big corporations. Reagan was a nice guy but began terrible policies that still haunt the U.S. today. Forbes is just plain wrong about most of the issues. The economy has historically been better under Democrats, despite the trickle-down mentality of the GOP. Why continue more of the same bullcrap and expect a different outcome? Isn''t that a definition of mental illness?

[undrmyboot3]

Another reporter in the tank for McCain.

John McCain gives DIRECT REWARDS to reporters for POSITIVE REPORTING about him. He is BUYING REPORTERS- HE IS PAYING THEM OFF.

How can you trust reporters who are paid off by McCain?

The McCain campaign recently acknowledged that seats on the new "Straight Talk" airplane are assigned to reward "positive" reporters with special access seating in the front of the plane. These seats are REWARDED TO REPORTERS WHO PROVIDE POSITIVE COVERAGE TO McCAIN. The Washington Post reports that Sen. John McCain''s new airplane %u201Cfeatures a special area%u201D where %u201CMcCain will conduct group interviews with the press.%u201D Top McCain aide Mark Salter said "Only the good reporters would get to sit in the special section. You%u2019ll have to earn it." How can reporters %u201Cearn%u201D a seat? Never challenge the Senator.

These special seats provide direct access to McCain, access denied to other reporters. "ACCESS IS MONEY." Reporters are rewarded by their bosses and employers for gaining access to candidates. More access means MORE MONEY AND MORE PROMOTIONS.

This is nothing less than FINANCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL BRIBERY TO REPORTERS THAT PROVIDE McCAIN WITH POSITIVE COVERAGE.

CBS should create a new section, "WHO IS THE McCAIN CAMPAIGN REWARDING TODAY?" It would report the daily seating assignments on the McCain plane. Who got the "SPECIAL ACCESS SEATS"? Who is being punished for critical reporting and is sitting in the back of the plane??

[tryhonesty]

To Steve Forbes: McSame and the RepubliCONs depend on the "little people" (American voters) to stay in power. It is time for the American people to say to the RepubliCON, McSame liars: You''re FIRED! Vote these pukes out this Fall. It is time for the Greedy OLD Party to be kicked in the ARSse!

[jtdev1]

Sure Steve, He''s just McBush...

[terrapin78]

Drinking the kool-Aid again huh Steve?

No, He''s Bu$h Jr.

[zerato-2009]

I love it when you defend mccain now you have to say he is no bush. that should be mccains subtitle on every sign
MCCAIN 08 he is not bush
All talking points for his surrogates, should end with "He is not Bush"
All reoublicans should carry the subtitle should say VOTE Republican we are not Bush

[briannorwood]

Good News: McCain Isn''t Bush.


Bad News: McCain is just older and dumber.

[pandamonium6]

Another news day...another positive story about McCain and offset by another negative story about Obama. Just another news day at corporate news.com

[undrmyboot3]

McCain has TWO senior advisers on the economy. the other is Phil Gramm.

Phil Gramm said that Americans are "Whiners", and that the economic troubles are all "in their heads". "You''ve heard of mental depression; this is a mental recession," Gramm told the Times. ***?

So after McCains other advisor (Gramm) exposes McCain REAL economics (something akin to "let them eat cake"), the Media comes out with a big fluff piece - a positive story - to bury the story. Where is the hard hitting interview with Gramm questioning his anti- middle American statements? Not going to happen with this media.

Let''s all now admit the media is trying to assure a McCain victory.

[undrmyboot3]

More "Fluff" for McCain while Media buries McCain Troubles

This last week McCain made numerous mistakes and outright lies. Any one of these would have been the TOP NEWS story for days if Obama had committed them. So where is the Media? Credit Max Bergmann for collecting these items:

McCain:
1. unambiguously called Social Security "an absolute disgrace." This is not a quote taken out of context.

2. top economic policy adviser calls Americans a bunch of "whiners" for being worried about the slumping economy.

3. gets caught in a bizarre denial and flip flop when Iraqi leaders call for a timetable for U.S. withdrawal

4. economic plan to cut the deficit has no details and is simply not believable.

5. deficit plan includes bringing the troops home represents a major Iraq flip-flop. His military rhetoric says "Stay until victory." Can''t have it both ways.

6. campaign misled about economists support. After economists approved his earlier plan, McCain changes it without their approval.

7. makes a joke about killing the Iranian people by selling them cigarettes.

8. denies, flatly, that he ever said that he is not an expert in economics. Are you kidding?

9). distorts his record on veterans benefits in response to a question from Vietnam Veteran, who then proceeds to call McCain out on it.

10.) demonstrates he knows nothing about Afghanistan and Pakistan. Claims "good news" as relationship and war deteriorates.

[jn122736]

Steve Forbes in continuing with the same old, completely false, republican claim said:

%u201CThe tax cuts enabled the American economy to go from stagnation, which started under Bill Clinton in 2000, the high tech bubble burst in 2000. And the losses from high tech still vastly exceed what we''ve lost on the subprime crisis.

And the tax cuts of 2003 took the U.S. economy from a subpar one percent growth rate to three to four percent real growth, and between 2003 and 2007:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

First:
Since those 2003 tax cuts are still in effect today, and they supposedly fixed the sagging economy then, why is the economy now in a far worse condition than it has been since the great depression?

Second:
Since the Bush administration borrowed and/or printed enough money to DOUBLE the national debt from $5 trillion to nearly $10 trillion since 2001, isn%u2019t that the MAJOR reason we aren%u2019t seeing the REAL effects of the Bush administration%u2019s disastrous policies YET?

McCain will not only make those tax cuts pertinent, he will continue with the same policies also.

[ariel133]

MCCAIN/ROMNEY

get used to it.

[element51]

Ariel133....Your implication that we are all just a bunch of whiners and expect the government to support us is way off base. I worked all my life and have never asked the government for anything. I joined the military eleven days after I graduated from high school and served for 4 years. I put myself through college by going to school days and working nights. I was an educator for 26 years and my wife and I worked and saved to prepare for retirement. We paid our home off so we have no mortgage. Then, all of a sudden, we are faced with skyrocketing utility cost, gas cost, food cost, unafordable health insurance and because we say we are having a hard time coping you call us whiners. We aren''t whining! We are cutting back on everything just like everyone else is. We are making a whopping 1 1/2 percent on our savings while the bank loans out at 8 to 10 percent. It must be nice in your world where no one whines.

[anecdote1]

"Steve Forbes: McCain Isn''t Bush"

Then why do they both answer when you shout "HEY A$$HOLE!!"

[citizenusa-2009]

I have/"had" a friend who is a Republican. I asked him how in the world can he support McCain (knowing he is pro-war, pro-Bush etc.) He laughed at me and said simply, "It''s not my problem that the poor are poor or that the poor fight the war..my goal is to hang on to my money and McCain like Bush will make certain that happens". The friend in question is worth millions.

[antoniof123]

Another Republican who is angry over being removed from power. Hey boys what do you except you screwed America for 12 years did you think that the swing voter would tolarate you for anther 2.

Get over it the Democrats will sweep congress this year so the President will not have a say. The GOP is getting more nervous each day.

[frootloop47]

Steve Forbes: McCain Isn''t Bush

Who gives a flying fvck what the 4 eyed, elitist thinks. He''s a corrupt as every big money Republican in the party.

[wdrussell1]

Anarchists like Ariel had better be careful what they wish for, they might get it.

[frootloop47]

Another Republican who is angry over being removed from power.
Posted by antoniof123
-----------------
Sorry to say all the ''removed from power'' Republican will do is get a high paying job with Big Corp.
btw: is antonio, San Antonio?

[cofmanaaron]

Oh sure trust Steve Forbes, he has no reason to lie about the effects of McCain''s and Bush''s tax cuts, which give wealthy citizens hundreds of thousands of dollars in breaks compared to a paltry few thousand for middle america. I mean, he has nothing to gain by falsely promoting the tax the middle class, spare the rich policies of republicons right? Oh yeah, thats right, the fact that getting even richer by getting McCain elected has nothing to do with it. Always watch who is giving you the message. Unless you make over $200,000 a year, I don''t see why anyone should be a republican, and then the policy for those that are who are rich is: screw the middle class and the health of our nation, I want me some more money!

[frootloop47]

Although I think Obama made the right decision to bow out of Public Election Financing, I''m afraid big Republican money, knowing their reign will be coming to an end, will contribute TONS of money to McCorpse''s campaign.

Let''s face it 99% of Obama money comes from GrassRoots donors giving less the 50 bucks.