Conservatives Fire At McCain Over Taxes

Anti-Tax Group Says Republican Candidate Is Backing Off No-New-Tax Pledge With Comments On Social Security

(AP)  Republican presidential candidate John McCain's signal that he may be open to a higher payroll tax for Social Security, despite previous vows not to raise taxes of any kind, is drawing sharp rebukes from conservatives.

McCain's shift has come in stages, catching some Republicans by surprise. Speaking with reporters on his campaign bus on July 9, he cited a need to shore up Social Security. "I cannot tell you what I would do, except to put everything on the table," he said.

He went a step farther Sunday on ABC's "This Week," in response to a question about payroll tax increases.

"There is nothing that's off the table. I have my positions, and I'll articulate them. But nothing's off the table," McCain said. "I don't want tax increases. But that doesn't mean that anything is off the table."

That comment drew a strong response this week from the Club for Growth, a Washington anti-tax group. McCain's comments, the group said in a letter to the Arizona senator, are "shocking because you have been adamant in your opposition to raising taxes under any circumstances."

Indeed, McCain frequently has promised not to raise taxes.

At a July 7 town-hall meeting in Denver, he said voters faced a stark choice between him and Democrat Barack Obama.

"Sen. Obama will raise your taxes," McCain said. "I won't."

In a March 16 interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity, McCain said he would cut taxes where possible, and not raise them.

"Do you mean none?" Hannity asked.

"None," McCain replied.

Both candidates have said Social Security's funding formula needs to be changed to ensure the program's long-term viability. Obama has called for imposing a new payroll tax on incomes above $250,000. Currently, only incomes up to $102,000 are subject to the 12.4 percent payroll tax, which employers and employees split evenly.

When Obama announced his plan June 13, McCain's top economic adviser, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, told reporters that as president McCain would not consider a payroll tax increase "under any imagineable circumstance."

McCain has made no specific proposals for Social Security, refusing to rule in or out anything to strengthen the benefit program for retirees and the disabled. Both candidates have said that, if elected, they would try to work out details with Republican and Democratic lawmakers.

Asked for an explanation of McCain's latest comments, campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds said the Arizona senator "has a clear and demonstrated record of opposing tax increases. John McCain is going to cut taxes" and improve government discipline, he said.

Promises never to raise taxes have bedeviled past Republican officeholders. Before being elected president in 1988, George H.W. Bush said, "Read my lips, no new taxes." But facing severe budget problems, he reneged on the promise. Some conservative groups never forgave him.

[Worldbfree]

McCain would continue Bush''s economic policies that do NOT work.

Look at our economy now. Our economy sucks!

Every time our economy tanks, a Repubican is President!

Herbert Hoover - Great Depression
Dwight Eisenhower - 1957 Recession
Richard Nixon - 1971 Recession
Gerald Ford - stagflation in 1973
Ronald Reagan - "Black Monday," Oct. 19, 1987
George H. W. Bush - 1991 Recession
George W. Bush - right now!

We deserve a change.
Vote Barack Obama.

[chika6]

McCain''s age is to blame. I hope he doesnt press a nuclear button and call it mistake if elected president (God forbid)!

[wardoglrs]

These two are nothing short of Corp owned on a leash.
You all screw up when blew off DR Paul. Hers a link about real Money i suggest you get informed.


http://www.rapidtrends.com/blog/

[mr2258]

If Obama is doing such a great job.Why did he fall behind in the polls??

[kansas1946]

.If your points are that well made you dont have to post them in cap letters,we can all read, its just annoying. Posted by clovisbuford at 10:11 PM

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Thanks''s clovis. Drives me crazy too. Kind of like someone yelling all of the time.

[kansas1946]

McCain flip-flops more that a catfish on a muddy bank. If Obama chooses Hagel for his VP, maybe McCain can pick the other famous flipper, John Kerry. One could flip while the other flopped and maybe they would cancel each other out!

[clovisbuford]

LET''''S ALL PUT OBAMA TO WORK FOR AMERICA.
Posted by benighse at 04:26 PM : Jul 29, 2008
That was the second post in a row you have made in all cap letters .I am an Obama supporter but that is bad list etiquette.If your points are that well made you dont have to post them in cap letters,we can all read, its just annoying.

[GuyBlaise]

After he flip-flopped about the 16 month time withdrawal of American troops to IraQ; once again , Senator McCain changed his mind about raising taxes. As the Bazombo of Angola say,"The mouth stumbles sometimes too."
Guy at Guyblaise.com

[dmgenet]

Ouch, George Bush the First all over again.

[zerato-2009]

Remember George H Bush famous quote "Read my lips no new taxes" Mccain made that statement and went back on it all in the same campaign. he didn''t wait to flip flop in office