Romney, McCain spar on taxes
By Michael Levenson, Globe Staff
John McCain and Mitt Romney have dueling ads on the Internet -- both of which recall the famous "Windsurfing" spot the Bush camp ran against John F. Kerry in 2004. Both make the charge that the other is a flip-flopper on the red-meat Republican issue of tax cuts.
Romney was first out of the gate, with a web-only ad poking fun at McCain's votes against the $1.35 trillion tax cut President Bush proposed in 2001 and a similar plan Bush proposed in 2003.
The ad shows the Arizona senator saying in an interview with Fox News on Thursday that, "I've always been for tax cuts. I have always, although I voted against the first tax cuts." The clip is set to the Blue Danube Waltz, which was also used in the 2004 windsurfing spot that hit Kerry for his shifting positions on the Iraq war.
The spot, titled "Waltz," concludes with the text: "John McCain. Always for tax cuts. Except when he's against them."
McCain was one of two Republican senators to vote against the tax cuts – votes he said me made because the cuts were not accompanied by cuts in spending. He now says he supports extending the tax cuts.
With two hours after Romney's spot launched Thursday night, McCain’s camp responded with a similar web-only ad titled "Mittsurfing." It plays the same waltz and shows Romney's head spliced onto a windsurfer as it criticizes his position on tax cuts.
The announcer says, "Mitt Romney says he's a leader, but how do we know which direction he wants to lead? Mitt Romney seems to change positions like the wind. He tells Florida he supports the Bush tax cuts. But as Massachusetts Governor, Romney refused to take a position on the Bush tax cuts and then increased taxes by $700 million, but tried to call them fees.' Where does Mitt Romney stand? Whichever way the wind blows."
When he was governor of Massachusetts and asked about the tax cuts in April 2003, Romney did say in interview with the Globe that he "won't be a cheerleader" for bills he did not agree with. "But I have to keep a solid relationship with the White House,” Romney said at the time.
Under Romney, Massachusetts also hiked fees by about $700 million, according to the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, although the Romney camp has said some of the fees were approved before Romney became governor.
I wish we could get the final figure on Gov. Romney's fee hikes. Some say $700 million, some say $240 million, some say $500 million. Which is it and who can we trust to give the accurate figure?
Great ads. I like them both as I like both candidates, but I support Mitt Romney. I've sat in councils in my life and I know that most people could make up bills and vote on bills like McCain has done. That's not too impressive, nor does it prove a man or give him superior experience.
Mitt, on the other hand, knows how to lead! Take a look at his work on the Olympics. He's turned more disasters into successes than anyone in the field. That's influence and that's leadership. Go Mitt!
I would also like to know which fees were hiked. If they are coorporate fees, good for him. I would much rather see fees hiked than taxes increased. It seems like fees are paid by people who see a benefit from something they are getting. Taxes are paid regardless of my choices to a large degree.
Actually fee hikes are NOT taxes. They are much fairer since fees, like a fee to an MD to be licensed in a state, benefit only the class of people who pay the fee while taxes cost everyone money. Even if the fees were $700 M (doubtful by anything I've seen--more like $200M) they certainly pale by comparison with the $3B budget deficit Romney inherited and also pale by comparison with the $2B surplus he left in the state coffers when he left!! I've heard folks say he balanced the budget by raising fees. Now that would be an economic feat if one could balance a $3B deficit by raising fees by $2-700 M.
Romney gets it on economics.
Romney=Economy Fix it Mitt!!!!!!!!!!!!
Romney appeals to conservatives and will clean up in true Republican primaries--here are some key issues:
1. His stance on illegal immigration. McCain attempted to grant amnesty.
2. His stance on the economy. Mitt outclasses every candidate on both sides and will provide the middle class with tax cuts, and slash the ridiculous corporate taxes stifling business growth. McCain is a joke on this issue and admitted he does not understand the economy.
3. His stance on energy independence. Mitt understands the substantial investment required to develop clean, efficient energy resources but he is not going to punish the US by not drilling oil and refining gas--oil production in Alaska will not only be key to reduce gas prices for every American citizen, but will further boost the economy by providing an abundance of well-paying jobs. Remember the 80's? Again, McCain is an ignorant liberal on this issue.
Romney will handily defeat the Clintons in 08'
Mark -
What difference does it make? Romney is a lying, flip-flopping SOB who will distort the truth no matter in order to get elected. While I don't fully support McCain, at least he seems willing to work with other people to actually accomplish goals - something Bush and the current administration refuses to do. Electing Romney would be more of the same.
Right on the right produced the McCain Waltz. Check out rightontheright.com. Someone needs to get their sources right.
Right on the right produced the McCain Waltz. Check out rightontheright.com. Someone needs to get their sources right.
We really would not need the expertise and business intelligence of Romney if this country had not allowed the corporate corruption to fester as much as it has. We basically gave the multi-nationals the reins and they dragged us through the mud and stripped us clean. Romney's not the total answer, we have to step up to the plate as well.
"Fees are not taxes"?
OK, tell me the difference between a $60 million increase in the "special gasoline fee" and a tax increase? The only "service" you get from the state in return for this is that you get to buy your gasoline from private companies and pay a fee to the state government. Sounds like a gas tax to me.
The tax burden in Massachusetts increased by 6% during Romney's governorship, according to analysis by the Tax Foundation.
Romney raises taxes and then tells you that he didn't raise them. Not what I'm looking for in a president.
For more about the gasoline "fee" (tax) and the increase in tax burden, read http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/specials/romney/articles/part6_main/?page=full
McCain's ad on Romney is not very effective. The comical humor diminishes the credibility of the message. While The Romney's ad on McCain is effective in showing actual footage of McCain talking.
John McCain is NOT THE BEST CHOICE for president.
At age 72, McCain should just retire and stay in Florida with his supporters. 25 years in DC is a very long time. Yet he has no noticeable positive accomplishment, but only getting mired in controversial issues to the republican party. He has worked for the Government his entire life with no private sector experience.
Like most Americans, I have a lot of respect for his sacrifies during the Vietnam war. But all things considered, McCain has not shown leadership.
It's not John McCain's position on taxes that I'm so concerned about. It's his position on Immigration that is so DEAD WRONG! JohnMcCain pushed for the "AMNESTY" bill for Illegals. The American people SCREAMED their outrage. Where does McCain stand NOW? He STILL supports amnesty!!!We must never support a man for the republican nomination who REWARDS LAW-BREAKERS at the expense of those who abide by our laws!
Mitt Romney can not be trusted. He will say anything and pay anything to win. Just look at the debate, Romney cheated. Do you want someone dishonest and deceptive as our president? Don't believe me? Look at these 3 videos of the Florida debate and tell me Romney did not cheat. There is no denying it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NlIMQ31EjY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wfWDOxZkEM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK408oqEyOU
With all the advances in technology and considering the money Romney has already spent, WHY would he have someone whispering to him during a televised debate?!? Get real, those whispers have been added. Don't believe everything on the internet!
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
Send your comments to masspolitics@globe.com
browse this blog
by categoryINside Boston.com