Gas tax ad war continues
Hillary Clinton today launched the latest salvo in a war of words and ads over one of the few stark policy difference between the Democratic presidential contenders -- a summer gas tax holiday.
"What has happened to Barack Obama?" the announcer asks in the new ad airing in Indiana and North Carolina, which hold primaries on Tuesday. "He is attacking Hillary’s plan to give you a break on gas prices because he doesn’t have one."
"Hillary wants the oil companies to pay for the gas tax this summer -- so you don’t have to," the announcer continues. "Barack Obama wants you to keep paying; $8 billion in all. Hillary is the one who gets it."
The ad is interspersed with real people talking about the impact of record-high prices at the pump. "Right now we are living paycheck to paycheck," one woman says. "It’s hard to fill up the tank," another says. "Hillary Clinton is the candidate that is going to fight for working people," a man concludes.
UPDATE: Obama quickly struck back with another ad, accusing Clinton of pitching political pablum and offering negative politics.
"A war that should never have been waged. An economy in turmoil. Record prices at the pump. America held hostage to foreign oil," the announcer says in the ad. "And what does Hillary Clinton offer us? More of the same old negative politics."
"Her hometown newspaper says she's taking the low road -- her attacks do nothing but harm," the announcer continues, citing a New York Times editorial that said she had taken the "low road" to a victory in last month's Pennsylvania primary. "The same old Washington politics won't fix our problems. We need honest answers. And a president we can trust."
UPDATE: Clinton spokesman Phil Singer issued a statement, "Considering that Senator Obama is now airing his fourth negative ad in six days, it’s clear that his closing message is focused on attacking Senator Clinton to cover up for the fact that he has no plan to reduce gas prices this summer."
Clinton is proposing suspending the 18.4-cent per gallon federal tax and imposing a windfall profits tax on oil companies to make up the estimated $10 billion that would be taken away from the fund that pays for road and bridge work.
Obama calls the proposal the worst kind of political gimmick that wouldn't save motorists much money, if any, and cites economists who say it is bad policy.
"I meet Hoosiers who are struggling," Obama says in his "closing argument" ad airing in Indiana. "Jobs disappearing, families facing foreclosure, the cost of everything from healthcare to tuition to groceries to gas at the pump going up and up and up.
"And at each stop, he trusts us with the truth," the announcer interjects.
"We could suspend the gas tax for six months," Obama continues. "But that’s not gonna bring down gas prices long-term. That’s typical of how Washington works. Let’s find some short-term quick fix that we can say we did something even though we’re not really doing anything. We’ve got to go after the oil companies and look at their price-gouging. We’ve got to start using less oil, and that means raising fuel-efficiency standards on cars and developing alternative fuels."
Clinton counter-argues that the federal government needs to do something to help struggling families and that farmers and truckers would save far more than the average $30 or so. Both have broadly similar longer-range plans for weaning the United States from foreign oil and investing in so-called green-collar jobs.
All I heard is bunch smarts keep saying bad, bad, bad
while gas price keeps going up, up, up.
Shut up if you do not have any constructive ideas.
Bunch smart fools.
This prooves my points I posted on this site last week about who is ready of the Democratic presidential candidates to be the nominee,which up to this moment I really think Hilliary Clinton has the advantage.For us the ordinary people the gas price is another nail in the coffin to our budget and thanks to Hilliary Clinton for having shown real concern and is working to do something to help us at least a short break in the summertime is a lot better than no break. Why is Obama doesn't support a summer gas tax break we all understand how important to have a long term solution but at least a short break is of much help.I think Mom respond better than Dad in this case with Democratic Party contest.
I am originally from a third world country. Over the years I have witnessed the political theater in US become more and more like one I saw there - exploiting all kind of differences, playing to fears, character assasination, dangling an economic carrot. Only item to add is political favoritism like in allocating government jobs
Not one single economist supports a repeal of the gas tax...when asked on TV the other day to name one, Hillary could not. This is what the Clinton's do, they pander and will say anything for a vote. Obama is 100% correct that this gas tax idea is a complete gimmick.
First of all the election isn't until Novemeber and Hillary is talking about suspending the gas tax this summer so if she really means it then Senator Clinton should stop saying it on the campaign trail and introduce some legislation in Washington (I think that is what Senators do). Summer will be over before the election.
I am against the idea because I think it's just a gimmick that won't actually work. Gas taxes are paid by the oil companies that then pass the cost on to the consumer. How do you make them lower prices equivilant to the gas tax when the prices move around every day? There is no way of making sure consumers actually get the break. Then of course if prices go lower demand goes up and prices rise on higher demand. Then when the "tax holiday" ends the price will jump substantially and we will probably end up with even higher prices over all then where we started. This attempt to lower gas prices temporarily could actually end up making them higher and costing us all more, some "holiday."
Folks just need to accept that gas is expensive and not getting cheaper. Instability in the Middle East combined with major increases in world wide demand will keep us from reducing prices in any meaningful way. We should be having meaningful debates about long term policies for fuel economy and alternative fuel sources but instead we are caught up debating a gimmick for the Summer when the election isn't even until the Fall.
This doesn't prove that Hillary Clinton understands how to solve the problems of "ordinary people." It only demonstrates that she knows how to mislead them into thinking that.
First of all, it can't pass. Second of all, it wouldn't work anyway. Third of all, Clinton hasn't actually introduced this in the senate, leaving many people scratching their heads and wondering why a senator would go around promising to pass a law but then not actually make any attempt to do so.
Obama is trusting that the we the people can see past our noses. Hillary may give us 18 CENTS at the pumps but she's doing nothing for what happens in the fall or the winter or next year . Obama is pointing out that we need to go to the source of the problem....the need for gas in the first place. Reducing the need for gas will bring down the price of gas. Basic Economics. We do that by changing the way we power our cars and find other energy alternitives.
I also know that when in the white house Hillary asked all military members not to wear thier uniforms in the white house because she didn't like being reminded that she had to be in such close proximity to the military all the time. I think she would be an uncomfortable, and ineffective commander in chief of our servicemen.
At least the gas tax break as propose by Hilliary Clinton will only take a Congress approval and the Presidents signature if they all listen to the need of the majority of American.Their simple plea is at least gives us a space to breath during the summer time while the long term solution Mr Obama is proposing will probably take longer than eight years.
Even 10 cents off a gallon of gas would go a long way for my family. I spend longer in the grocery stores comparing prices, and a lot of times settling for the store brand which is cheaper. The reason for the inflated food prices is because of the high cost of gas which the truckers fill their vehicles to carry foodstuff all over the United States. Mr. Obama can deride Mrs. Clinton's plan as pandering, but what is he proposing? Nothing! No wonder he's been viewed as an elitist out of touch with working class people. Sure he made millions from his books so he can afford to fill up at the pump. Like Mrs. Clinton says $20. saved is something to lots of folks. Thankfully, I never bought any of Obama's books, therefore not adding to his millions.
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