McCain Draws Criticism For Shift on Tax Increases

Wall Street Journal ^ | July 29, 2008

[djsherin]

WASHINGTON -- 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.

Mr. 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.

[Oshkalaboomboom]

I don’t buy into the premise that Conservatives were shocked and outraged by this latest flipflop. Conservatives already knew what he was like and this would come as no surprise at all.

[misterrob]

My long-term forecast doesn’t include it.

We have only ourselves to blame for it though....

[goldstategop]

Hey, John - if you want to be Obama Lite - go right ahead! Americans will prefer the genuine article if they want tax increases.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[DManA]

I blame the greatest generation for coming back from WWII and going into a mating frenzy.

[Uncle Miltie]

"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"

That's the Comrade Juan McNuts we know and love!

< / sarc>

[Uncle Miltie]

"There is no way we can pay the money due to people without a tax increase or a major cut in benefits."

Wrong. Private Accounts.

[Spunky]

"McCain: Read my lips!"

How can you read his lips? Haven't you noticed they don't move when he talks. :-)

[MeanWestTexan]

Oh employees pay it too - by not getting paid more.

I am an employer, and total cost of the employee (including SS) is included.

I put in on their pay stubs so they can see.

[TomGuy]

How can you read his lips? Haven't you noticed they don't move when he talks. :-)

That may be the reason it is hard to pin him down on things he says. LOL

[tips up]

McCain is the lesser of two evils, but comments like his latest continue to blur the distinction between him and Barry. At some point it will be hard to tell them apart.

[Lijahsbubbe]

How can you read his lips? Haven't you noticed they don't move when he talks. :-)

Eek. I try to avoid looking at him as much as possible. He is totally creepy-looking and weird.

[Jim Robinson]

"catching some Republicans by surprise"

Always some who don't get the memo.

[Norman Bates]

Tell me where he said he would raise taxes. The article only implies it. (Duh.)

[CowboyJay]

Has anyone checked his rear to see if Howard Dean’s arm is stuck up there? I swear he sounds more like a Dem puppet every day.

[goldstategop]

Raising payroll taxes AKA putting all the options on the table - won't fix what ails Social Security. We need to privatize it!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[djsherin]

I didn’t say he WOULD raise taxes, but he did say he wouldn’t before and now it’s on the table.

[SERKIT]

The election is not about McCain. It is a referendum on Barry. We can't roll over and give up to Barry. As far as the tax comment, it is like Bush 41 “read my lips, no new taxes”. In McCain's case, he will likely have a veto-proof LibDem Congress who will propose taxes, tease McCain to try to veto, then blame McCain for higher taxes. It's a moot point. Taxes are up to Congress. McCain will only have the Bully Pulpit. Let's hope he takes advantage of it and take the message to the voters like Reagan. I'm exercising my audacity to hope that Barry is roundly defeated.

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

I’m the laughing stock of the week. I used “Obama wants to raise taxes on your Social Security” bit the last two weeks as an argument as to why one should NOT vote for Obama. Incidentally won most of them over to Mcain’s side.

Like we didn't see that one coming from a mile away...

The Republipukes and DemoCraps are playing you (the voter) for a sap.

The sooner you (the voter) stops falling for their cons, and stop voting the 'lesser of two evils' into office, the sooner we can get the country back on track.

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

I look forward to the inevitable apology for McCain from the “nose holders.”

Yes, I do hear a lot of crickets today...

[djsherin]

This election cycle is running 2 big government candidates. I agree the president doesn’t have much real say on tax increases (except by veto), but his words have influence and certainly don’t make me want to vote for him.