McCain: Obama Would Harm Middle Class

At Colorado Rally, Republican Links Opponent To Democratic Congress, Ridicules Idea Of Raising Any Taxes During Crisis

(AP)  Republican presidential nominee John McCain said Friday that if his Democratic rival Barack Obama is elected along with a Democratic Congress the middle class is "going to be put through the wringer."

McCain told a noisy rally in Denver, "The answer to a slowing economy is not higher taxes, but that is exactly what is going to happen when the Democrats have total control in Washington."

Obama has proposed a tax increase on the 5 percent of taxpayers who make more than $250,000 a year and advocates tax cuts for those who make less.

The Arizona senator ridiculed the idea that any tax increases would be narrowly targeted and, at the same time, sought to link Obama to the unpopular Congress.

"Anytime you hear talk of a targeted tax increase, you might want to double-check the skill of the marksman - the U.S Congress has been known to fire wildly," McCain said. "America didn't become the greatest nation on earth by giving our money to the government to spread the wealth around."

The meltdown in financial markets and the national economic downturn have helped undermine McCain's standing in the polls nationally and in key battleground states because Obama is viewed more favorably than McCain on handling economic issues.

McCain continued to bash his rival as Obama left the campaign trail to visit the very ill grandmother who helped rear him.

"Sen. Obama says he's trying to soak the rich, but it's the middle class who are going to be put through the wringer, because a lot of his promised tax increase misses the target," said McCain. He said Obama's tax plans would boost taxes for half the nation's small businesses, a figure Obama disputes.

Speaking as the stock market plummeted again, McCain said he would focus on working families.

"I'm not going to spend $750 billion dollars of your money just bailing out the Wall Street bankers and brokers who got us into this mess," said McCain. "I'm going to make sure we take care of the working people who were devastated by the excesses of Wall Street and Washington."

Both McCain and Obama backed the $700 billion financial rescue package that President Bush signed into law.

McCain's plan to use half that money to have the government buy up troubled mortgages at full face value and then negotiate easier loan terms with the homeowners has been criticized by Democrats and a number of conservative Republicans on grounds it would not force profligate lenders to share in the losses from their bad loans.

Chanting protesters briefly interrupted McCain, but he dismissed them, saying voters "want us to stop shouting at each other." Police led the protesters, who were advocating rights for the disabled, from the arena.

McCain trails in most polls for Colorado's nine electoral votes, but he's scheduled three stops in the state and offered an optimistic prediction.

"This is going to be a tough state, but we're going to be up late and we're going to win here," McCain said.

At one point, he said "if I'm elected president," and quickly corrected himself to "when I'm elected president."

McCain had events in Colorado Springs and Durango, all focused on the economy, before he was to fly off to New Mexico, yet another battleground state. His schedule also contained a brief stop in Texas, then a visit to Iowa.

[ct92777]

My friend forwarded me this email today. I enjoyed it.



%u201CToday on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read "Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed. Once in the restaurant I noticed that my server had on a "Obama 08" tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference -- just imagine the coincidence. When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight. I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I''ve decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful. At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more. I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application. Also, employers could announce the consideration of employee raises, then withhold those raises and give the proceeds to a worthy cause, preferably one involving non-workers ... PRICELESS

[ct92777]

My friend forwarded me this email today. I enjoyed it.



%u201CToday on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read "Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed. Once in the restaurant I noticed that my server had on a "Obama 08" tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference -- just imagine the coincidence. When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight. I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I''ve decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful. At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more. I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application. Also, employers could announce the consideration of employee raises, then withhold those raises and give the proceeds to a worthy cause, preferably one involving non-workers ... PRICELESS

[mitzy21]

I believe Mccain to be correct on taxes obama is predicting too much you cant say spread the wealth when at this point someone has to pay for the wealth. its us workers who will pay i cant say i am pleased with all that McCain has done but i do feel he is able to handle the country. I have looked into obama past and that worries me and where was obama when many of our servicemen were and are at war where is his military records. where was he. i hear obama saying things already stated from other campaigns not to much new.

[mitzy21]

I believe Mccain to be correct on taxes obama is predicting too much you cant say spread the wealth when at this point someone has to pay for the wealth. its us workers who will pay i cant say i am pleased with all that McCain has done but i do feel he is able to handle the country. I have looked into obama past and that worries me and where was obama when many of our servicemen were and are at war where is his military records. where was he. i hear obama saying things already stated from other campaigns not to much new.

[anya136]

Er.. John have you noticed that the middle class is already going throught the wringer? And your proposals do very little to change course. ideologically you are a Bush republican and you dont understand economics enough to know that your economics is out of date in this fast evolving, globalising world economy.

Its time to let the democrats with an intelligent and capable leader have their chance to make things better.

[lordmi]

Old Liar, we are S I C K of You.

[lordmi]

Old Liar, we are S I C K of You.

[lordmi]

Old Liar, we are S I C K of You.

[lordmi]

Old Liar, we are S I C K of You.

If Obama wanted to emulate McCain''s attack ads, we would hear robocalls in the Heartland informing America''s patriots that McCain:

a) was in the pocket of former Lincoln Savings & Loan president and convicted criminal Charles Keating;

b) was buddies with fellow criminal Republicans Ted Stevens, Tom Delay, Scooter Libby, Trent Lott, Jack Abramoff, Don Young, Larry Craig, Tom Feeney, Alberto Gonzoles, Mark Foley...etc;

c) accepted political donations from the Watergate convicted criminal G. Gordon Liddy;

d) picked a runningmate mired in scandal (Troopergate) and has acted "unethical" according to her own people - - and doctored expense reports to bilk her taxpayers;

e) gave up information to his communist captors in North Vietnam, whereas other American prisoners did NOT;

McCain has a lot to answer for, but Obama hasn''t stooped to that level. You can%u2019t call yourself patriot while voting for criminals.

[whodaboss99]

John McCain and George Bush it''s not that they might cripple and destroy the middle class ... THEY HAVE! Their policies have punished the middle to submission. Any middle class voter who votes for McCain deserve, let me say it again, will DESERVE all the misery the will suffer under his presidency which will only cater to the rich and yes they might if they feel generous to trickle down a few pennies for you to save for the tooth fairy. How dumb can Americans be if they support someone who believes in policies that don''t support them. Then again these are people who voted for George Bush twice. Enough Said!

[whodaboss99]

John McCain and George Bush it''s not that they might cripple and destroy the middle class ... THEY HAVE! Their policies have punished the middle to submission. Any middle class voter who votes for McCain deserve, let me say it again, will DESERVE all the misery the will suffer under his presidency which will only cater to the rich and yes they might if they feel generous to trickle down a few pennies for you to save for the tooth fairy. How dumb can Americans be if they support someone who believes in policies that don''t support them. Then again these are people who voted for George Bush twice. Enough Said!

[fbla1805]

I really have to laugh reading the remarks here about "work hard and get rich" vs. "taking govt. handouts". People, we just this week witnessed the biggest "govt. handout" in the history of mankind on the face of the planet - $1.2 Trillion (that''''s 1,200 1-billion-dollar-bills - can you grasp that?) to who?

People, your earnings for years to come, even earnings of your children and grandchildren, have just been handed over to the Wall Street bankers and brokers who have our country in a stranglehold.

"Conservative Republicans" need to wake up. This is not about fake "Joe" (actually Samuel) the Plumber!

Make no mistake, the policies of deregulation, begun under Reagan, continued by Bush & Cheney, and supported for 26 years by John McCain, have set America on a long slide down into second rate status.

And make no mistake, the policies of McCain & Palin would lock us into this downward spiral until we crash into the ground!

Voters thinking about casting a ballot for McCain/Palin should first think seriously about how well they''''ll do in a new Great Depression, because that is what McCain Palin will bring us.

Let''''s not kid ourselves - this election is not about last year''''s culture war - it''''s about our economic survival.

Right now, these Republican policies have got us with one foot in the next Great Depression, and the other on a slippery banana peel named McCain & Palin. We need to elect Obama & Biden for the middle class to survive in this country!

[bmsbms29]

Obama''s idea of raising taxes to help those who make less if actually more centered around those who either don''t work or simply do not try. By taxing companies that make $250,000 is usually companies that have less than 10 employees & would mean more than one employee being laid off.

We do not need more taxes. These ups & downs have occurred off & on for years & years. We always come back & for the better.

Obama scares me, especially his connections with Muslims. He does have connections despite what he says. One thing about Muslims - they lie - their faith says it is ok to lie to do what they need to do for their faith.

Keeps yours eyes & especially your ears open. AND do not believer all you hear & read in the newspapers & the news - almost all are owned by very liberal democrats. That''s why you hear very little about Obama - but anything about McCain or Palin is pounded upon. So noone hears to truth about Obama.

Did you know that Obama''s group hired attorney(s) to fight those who are simply trying to find out if there is anyt fraud going on with ACORN or others. Now if Obama wants a truthful & honest election - why are they trying to stop those who just want to find out if there is any fraud!!!
Sounds funny to me.

[bmsbms29]

Obama''s idea of raising taxes to help those who make less if actually more centered around those who either don''t work or simply do not try. By taxing companies that make $250,000 is usually companies that have less than 10 employees & would mean more than one employee being laid off.

We do not need more taxes. These ups & downs have occurred off & on for years & years. We always come back & for the better.

Obama scares me, especially his connections with Muslims. He does have connections despite what he says. One thing about Muslims - they lie - their faith says it is ok to lie to do what they need to do for their faith.

Keeps yours eyes & especially your ears open. AND do not believer all you hear & read in the newspapers & the news - almost all are owned by very liberal democrats. That''s why you hear very little about Obama - but anything about McCain or Palin is pounded upon. So noone hears to truth about Obama.

Did you know that Obama''s group hired attorney(s) to fight those who are simply trying to find out if there is anyt fraud going on with ACORN or others. Now if Obama wants a truthful & honest election - why are they trying to stop those who just want to find out if there is any fraud!!!
Sounds funny to me.

[bmsbms29]

Obama''s idea of raising taxes to help those who make less if actually more centered around those who either don''t work or simply do not try. By taxing companies that make $250,000 is usually companies that have less than 10 employees & would mean more than one employee being laid off.

We do not need more taxes. These ups & downs have occurred off & on for years & years. We always come back & for the better.

Obama scares me, especially his connections with Muslims. He does have connections despite what he says. One thing about Muslims - they lie - their faith says it is ok to lie to do what they need to do for their faith.

Keeps yours eyes & especially your ears open. AND do not believer all you hear & read in the newspapers & the news - almost all are owned by very liberal democrats. That''s why you hear very little about Obama - but anything about McCain or Palin is pounded upon. So noone hears to truth about Obama.

Did you know that Obama''s group hired attorney(s) to fight those who are simply trying to find out if there is anyt fraud going on with ACORN or others. Now if Obama wants a truthful & honest election - why are they trying to stop those who just want to find out if there is any fraud!!!
Sounds funny to me.

[bmsbms29]

Obama''s idea of raising taxes to help those who make less if actually more centered around those who either don''t work or simply do not try. By taxing companies that make $250,000 is usually companies that have less than 10 employees & would mean more than one employee being laid off.

We do not need more taxes. These ups & downs have occurred off & on for years & years. We always come back & for the better.

Obama scares me, especially his connections with Muslims. He does have connections despite what he says. One thing about Muslims - they lie - their faith says it is ok to lie to do what they need to do for their faith.

Keeps yours eyes & especially your ears open. AND do not believer all you hear & read in the newspapers & the news - almost all are owned by very liberal democrats. That''s why you hear very little about Obama - but anything about McCain or Palin is pounded upon. So noone hears to truth about Obama.

Did you know that Obama''s group hired attorney(s) to fight those who are simply trying to find out if there is anyt fraud going on with ACORN or others. Now if Obama wants a truthful & honest election - why are they trying to stop those who just want to find out if there is any fraud!!!
Sounds funny to me.

[bmsbms29]

Obama''s idea of raising taxes to help those who make less if actually more centered around those who either don''t work or simply do not try. By taxing companies that make $250,000 is usually companies that have less than 10 employees & would mean more than one employee being laid off.

We do not need more taxes. These ups & downs have occurred off & on for years & years. We always come back & for the better.

Obama scares me, especially his connections with Muslims. He does have connections despite what he says. One thing about Muslims - they lie - their faith says it is ok to lie to do what they need to do for their faith.

Keeps yours eyes & especially your ears open. AND do not believer all you hear & read in the newspapers & the news - almost all are owned by very liberal democrats. That''s why you hear very little about Obama - but anything about McCain or Palin is pounded upon. So noone hears to truth about Obama.

Did you know that Obama''s group hired attorney(s) to fight those who are simply trying to find out if there is anyt fraud going on with ACORN or others. Now if Obama wants a truthful & honest election - why are they trying to stop those who just want to find out if there is any fraud!!!
Sounds funny to me.

[bmsbms29]

Obama''s idea of raising taxes to help those who make less if actually more centered around those who either don''t work or simply do not try. By taxing companies that make $250,000 is usually companies that have less than 10 employees & would mean more than one employee being laid off.

We do not need more taxes. These ups & downs have occurred off & on for years & years. We always come back & for the better.

Obama scares me, especially his connections with Muslims. He does have connections despite what he says. One thing about Muslims - they lie - their faith says it is ok to lie to do what they need to do for their faith.

Keeps yours eyes & especially your ears open. AND do not believer all you hear & read in the newspapers & the news - almost all are owned by very liberal democrats. That''s why you hear very little about Obama - but anything about McCain or Palin is pounded upon. So noone hears to truth about Obama.

Did you know that Obama''s group hired attorney(s) to fight those who are simply trying to find out if there is anyt fraud going on with ACORN or others. Now if Obama wants a truthful & honest election - why are they trying to stop those who just want to find out if there is any fraud!!!
Sounds funny to me.

[bmsbms29]

Obama''s idea of raising taxes to help those who make less if actually more centered around those who either don''t work or simply do not try. By taxing companies that make $250,000 is usually companies that have less than 10 employees & would mean more than one employee being laid off.

We do not need more taxes. These ups & downs have occurred off & on for years & years. We always come back & for the better.

Obama scares me, especially his connections with Muslims. He does have connections despite what he says. One thing about Muslims - they lie - their faith says it is ok to lie to do what they need to do for their faith.

Keeps yours eyes & especially your ears open. AND do not believer all you hear & read in the newspapers & the news - almost all are owned by very liberal democrats. That''s why you hear very little about Obama - but anything about McCain or Palin is pounded upon. So noone hears to truth about Obama.

Did you know that Obama''s group hired attorney(s) to fight those who are simply trying to find out if there is anyt fraud going on with ACORN or others. Now if Obama wants a truthful & honest election - why are they trying to stop those who just want to find out if there is any fraud!!!
Sounds funny to me.