Media uncritically repeat McCain claim that Obama "will raise" taxes
SUMMARY: In reports on Sen. John McCain's acceptance speech at the RNC, several media outlets uncritically reported McCain's claim that Sen. Barack Obama "will raise" taxes, without pointing out that McCain's own chief economic adviser has reportedly said the accusation is inaccurate or that Obama has in fact proposed cutting taxes for low- and middle-income families and raising them only on households earning more than $250,000 per year.
In their coverage of Sen. John McCain's September 4 acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, several media outlets, including ABC's Good Morning America, the Los Angeles Times, the Associated Press, and Reuters, uncritically reported McCain's claim in the speech that Sen. Barack Obama "will raise" taxes. None of these outlets pointed out that Obama has proposed cutting taxes for low- and middle-income families and raising taxes only on households earning more than $250,000 per year. Nor did they note that McCain's own chief economic adviser, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, has reportedly said it is inaccurate to say that "Barack Obama raises taxes."
In its analysis of Obama's and Sen. John McCain's tax proposals, the Tax Policy Center concluded that "Obama would give larger tax cuts to low- and moderate-income households and pay some of the cost by raising taxes on high-income taxpayers. In contrast, McCain would cut taxes across the board and give the biggest cuts to the highest-income households."
In contrast with those outlets uncritically reporting the claim, Bloomberg reported that "[t]he Obama campaign rebutted the speech, saying the Democrat has pledged to cut taxes for middle-class families. Obama has said he would raise levies on the highest-income brackets by letting President George W. Bush's tax cuts expire."
From the September 5 edition of ABC's Good Morning America:
DIANE SAWYER (co-anchor): As for Barack Obama, there were gracious words.
McCAIN [video clip]: You have my respect and my admiration. Despite our differences, much more unites us than divides us.
SAWYER: But then, differences.
McCAIN [video clip]: I will keep taxes low and cut them where I can -- my opponent will raise them. I will open new markets to our goods and services -- my opponent will close them. I will cut government spending -- he will increase it. I have that record and the scars to prove it. Senator Obama does not.
SAWYER: As he ended, the former POW, memories of 35 years ago.
[...]
CHRIS CUOMO (co-anchor): Thank you, Diane. John McCain is campaigning in Wisconsin and Michigan today after vowing to bring change to Washington. McCain used his acceptance speech to compliment Barack Obama, then he made it clear they have stark differences.
McCAIN [video clip]: I will keep taxes low and cut them where I can -- my opponent will raise them. I will open new markets to our goods and services -- my opponent will close them. I will cut government spending -- he will increase it. I have that record and the scars to prove it. Senator Obama does not.
CUOMO: McCain recalled his experience as a POW and he urged Americans to fight for what's right.
POW, POW, POW...
STFU already you doddering old cretin.
I need more beer.
I couldn't decide which one stirred more suicidal thoughts in my head - her, or Phil Graham.
I advise no one with a will to live to watch the two in succession.
Hope. Change. Bush. Cheney. Halliburton.
Your side is pretty boring too.
Read my lips...It doesn't matter whether it's Obama or McCain, some folks will find their taxes raised. And even if you are not one of those directly taxed, rest assure those getting directly taxed will pass on that raise in taxes by raising their prices so we'll feel that tax one way or the other. Now say that fast 3 times ;-)
I'm sick of these empty promises coming from both sides. Why do we fall for this BS every 4 years.
Besides proposing to do something, whether it's cutting taxes or ending a war, doesn't mean it will ever become a reality.
This time around I think Obama has the best chance to at least uplift the mood of Americans. That ain't much, but it's something.
The only psychological effect of an Obama victory I'm sure about is that about half of the country will be purposefully and militantly pessimistic if it happens. And vice-versa. The one thing an Obama victory DOES guaranty is that the neocons will take a hit which might allow for a more truly conservative influx in the republican party.
And I hope that MMfA doesn't devote one column per McCain lie today, or they could end up with the longest home page on the history of all the internets.
And I hope that MMfA doesn't devote one column per McCain lie today, or they could end up with the longest home page on the history of all the internets.
It's a good thing Gramps McCain's nose doesn't get longer with each lie, like Pinnochio. If it did, he'd have trouble getting into his freshly-repainted jet.
Or Glenn Beck's lies from yesterday.
I hate to derail the thread, but I think Glenn Beck's show was a new low point in the history of CNN. It was entitled, Obama 101 and amounted to an hour-long smear of Obama. Absolutely disgusting.
The Transcript
Peabrain,
That show was a thing of beauty!
Obama should be proud of his roots, how his political thought was shaped and who has had influence on his life. Why should he be afraid to stir the American people with a story of a leftist with a dream? Why, like most leftists, are they afraid to stand up for who and why they are before voters make their selection? Be honest. Be proud!
Proudcon, The next time I have to come in here and clean up your latest manure deposit, I'm cracking skulls...
You don't know anything about this person, quit bearing false witness. If you want to know about him, read his autobiography, which he wrote himself (quite unusual for a politician.)
Obama has said he will raise taxes on people making $250,000 a year. That's income, capital gains AND payroll taxes.
He will repeal the Bush tax cuts. I guess he doesn't count this as raising taxes. He says the poor and middle class will get to keep their Bush tax cuts. (I thought they never got any tax custs from Bush?? In fact weren't their taxes raised??)
Not sure how anyone can say that Obama will not raise taxes. It's pretty clearcut. But ever rely on a liberal to see the obvious.
And never rely on a conservative to do his homework. The non-partisan Tax Policy Center shows your assertions to be completely false. Unless you are making more than $227,000, your taxes will go down with Obama's plan:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/11/news/economy/candidates_taxproposals_tpc/
The issue -- MORON -- is whether Obama will RAISE TAXES. Clearly he will and has said so repeatedly.
Also, If the Bush tax cuts are repealed, that's about a $1,500 increase for me with the re-introduction of the marriage penalty and the cutting in half of the
On the Obama website I see these $1,000 "making work pay" credits and another $1,000 handout to help pay bills which supposedly comes from a windfall profit tax, but it never mentions what the income cut off is for those benefits. It says "middle-class" but is that everyone under $250,000?? I don't think the ANGRY LEFT class warriors would approve of a family making $200,000 getting another $200,000. Doesn't that go against their world view??
Seems like Obama is being purposely vague on this issue so it can be pulled off the table and/or adjusted to where you don't qualify unless you make relativley little money.
That should read:
"cutting in half of the child tax credit"
Moron fits based on your response.
Yeah...borrow and spend? Such as the $500-$600 billion in new spending has proposed on that same web site.
Let's add that to the $59 TRILLION are on the hook for:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-05-28-federal-budget_N.htm
Social Security and Medicare lead the way.
By the way. The Brookings Institution and Urban Institute comprise the Tax Policy Center. HARDLY nonpartisan. Left-win the to the core. Nice try
NLT,
Let me ask you something, which party has left larger deficits after its parties were in control of the presidency? Also, if the Tax Policy Center isn't neutral enough, find me another analysis.
Yeah, and ask him how much debt Wasilla was in when the Moose-Eater blew town to become Gov.
Some 'reformer', huh?
McCain says he plans to raise taxes.
A middle class citizen unfamiliar with the 2 candidate's policies listens to McCain's speech.
The citizen goes away thinking his taxes will be increased if Obama is elected.
End of story.
Once upon a time in this country the job of the media was to help keep the public informed. If you have issues with Obama's tax policy that's fine. But when McCain says Obama is going to raise taxes, do you think perhaps he's trying to deceive the people and that it is the responsibility of the media to explain what Obama's plans are?
tsk, tsk, tsk! Let's keep our rhetoric on topic and not use nasty words like "MORON" toward people who don't agree with us! Now, put out your hand and let us slap it with a ruler!
Oh, I forgot, you're a conservative who thinks things are going to change if you keep voting for the same old worn-out policies. You don't realize that the Republican Party is out for one thing only: maintain the status quo and keep their money in their pockets. To hell with the rest of America! "Country First" ?? That should read "ME First!"
I guess that gives you a right to call the rest of us names -- after all, you are the righteous and all-knowing. Look what your folks have done for this country the past eight years! Just wonderful!
Another hypocrite conservative. Just like Bush "I'm a Uniter".
I guess he doesn't count this as raising taxes.
How about an analogy even you might be able to understand. If your local Target has a sale that expires, are they in fact raising their prices?
But the reality is if tax cuts are repealed -- or allowed to expire -- it is a tax increase.
I'm sure the chardonnay and bris crowd can make the distinction, but the bitter clingers in Scranton and Youngstown won't be buying into that B.S.
Noleft: "But the reality is if tax cuts are repealed -- or allowed to expire -- it is a tax increase.
I'm sure the chardonnay and bris crowd can make the distinction, but the bitter clingers in Scranton and Youngstown won't be buying into that B.S."
Uhhhh what does men who are circumcised have to do with Chardonnay?
The thing that NLT and others ignore is that not only will Obama be repealing the Bush tax cuts, but he will be implementing other tax restructuring plans.
NLT fails to grasp the fact that other things are happening besides just the repeal of the Bush tax cuts.
How is somethign "obvious" that's WRONG 98% of the time?!
"He'll raise taxes." Apply this to 98% of the population of thh U.S.A. and the statement is flat out false.
Never rely on a Republican to use actual facts, or know how to count.
(And no, the poor & middle class did get some breadcrumbs thrown to them with the Bush tax cuts. It's was the PERCENTAGE of overall taxes paid by them that increased. Well, they'll keep their crumbs, and get half-a-slice of bread from Obama to boot. (McCain only offer half a crust.) Meanwhile the top 2% that got the MEAT last time round will take a hit. Cry me a river.)
That's because their total share of all income earned went up by an even higher rate.
In 2004, the top 1% earned about 19% of all income. In 2006 that number was about 22.1%. That means that their share of all income earned went up a little over 16%.
In 2004 the top 1% paid about 36.9% of all income taxes. In 2006 that number was 39.9%. That means their share of income taxes went up about 8%.
Their total share of income increased at twice the rate as their share of taxes. So, just what was your point? How sorry should we feel for them?
I'm tired of the "it won't make a difference" crowd. Probably the same people that thought it wouldn't make a difference if Gore or Bush got elected.
Wake the up
.It doesn't matter whether it's Obama or McCain, some folks will find their taxes raised
Of course that's the truth, Jeter. I didn't think it needed to be explained any more simply (not to you, to others here), but it's pretty obvious what is implied by "will raise taxes" in a message delivered to America at large.It's true, and it's true for any president in history, I'd guess. You just don't hear the Dems chanting this deliberately misleading talking point against the Repubs.
McCain will raise taxes. That's true as well.Unless one is going to get into more detail about whose taxes and how much, it's a meathead trigger phrase, and means nothing.
"Read my lips...It doesn't matter whether it's Obama or McCain, some folks will find their taxes raised. And even if you are not one of those directly taxed, rest assure those getting directly taxed will pass on that raise in taxes by raising their prices so we'll feel that tax one way or the other. Now say that fast 3 times ;-)"
Yeah, but Liar McCain repeats his lies about Obama will raise taxes, in addition to his other lies that he won't, because he knows that the corporatist conservative Republican Party controlled news media is in his corner.
There is no way to get out of this huge national debt, or pay for the operation of the country, without raising taxes. Anyone in this country who says and/or believes otherwse is a lying fool.
I guess I should agree with Obama - let's tax the rich . . . which will not effect job growth because it is the poor who employ people and not the rich.
By the way, I suppose that Obama/Biden has a tax break for Independent Contractors and other small business owners, whose taxes look like they make a lot until their business and basic cost of living expenses are taken into account??
It is a symbiotic relationship, despite the Social Darwinist bullsh*t that you lap up from PigBoy Limbaugh every day.
Nerzog, we've been looking at this thing all wrong.
See, the rich just happen to start out with a bunch of money that somehow showed up out of thin air. Feeling benevolent, they decide to hire people and give them some of this money for just doing stuff. If you tax away some of the rich folks money, then they can't just give it to people to do stuff, and that creates unemployment.
You and I are still under the silly impression that the rich get that way by paying people to produce something which the pre-rich sell for more than it cost them to produce, and over a period of time, some of that profit makes them rich. In our silly little fairy tale, the rich would employ as many people as possible to produce as much as is necessary to meet total demand and sell it all to become even richer. And that's just ridiculous.
We are such fools for believing such farfetched nonsense.
So, if you only raise taxes on those who make more than $250,000 you are not raising taxes??
If the statement "Obama will raise your taxes" is WRONG 98% of the time, then why do need to ask such a ridiculous question?
By the way, I suppose that Obama/Biden has a tax break for Independent Contractors and other small business owners, whose taxes look like they make a lot until their business and basic cost of living expenses are taken into account??
This is one of the funniest things I've read here in a long time. Do you not realize that business expenses are tax-deductible? That means that independent contractors and small business owners DO NOT pay taxes on their business and operating costs. In fact, many of them take advantage of that tax deduction, by including things that are not totally business-related expenses, such as company vehicles.
The funny part was when you mentioned 'basic living expenses'. It looks like they make a lot, but not when you factor in their 'basic living expenses'! I was wondering if you could tell me how those living expenses are different for small business owners and contractors vs. the rest of us 'ordinary' people?
The reason the "Media uncritically repeat[s] McCain['s] claim that Obama "will raise" taxes" is because it's true. Duh.
I suppose the only REAL problem that MMFA has with this coverage is that it wasn’t made clear that Obama intends to only raise taxes on the rich. Hah!
McCain/Palin > Obama/Biden
I'm sure only the rich could afford tickets ;)
Anyway, some of us called out on it (tax plan) last night following the speech.
Hell, they were busing in the homeless to fill seats. Saw a whole row of folks wearing orange jumpsuits, ankle-chained together. Brought in the local Weightwatchers groups to fill two seats per person. (anybody else see the "large" man as McSame was greeting people after his speech?)
Not quite as convincing as Obamas 80k crammed in Mile High.
I should qualify that last statement.
I meant 80k LITERATE people in Mile High.
They should have hired signmakers with more executive experience.
Lay off of them. They show great "courge"
I concur. It takes LOTs of "courge" for these hypocritical sociopathic lying Republican faithful to appear on nationwide, no, WORLDWIDE television, while they are all displaying misspelled signs and making loudmouth fools of themselves!
The Dan Quayle Potato-e syndrome still lingers throughout the GOP.
I thought it was kind of strange how the speakers kept using what professional wreslters call "cheap heat," that is, the easy to get crowd cresponse when they mention a particular city.
Seeing those signs it now makes lots of sense.
Neon..speaking of prisoners in chains and orange suits that you mentioned in your convention humor, I don't think the GOP wants to be reminded of the sentencing that took place yesterday.
Washington Times: Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff came to federal court Thursday to plead for mercy.
"I am not the same man who happily and arrogantly engaged in a lifestyle of political corruption and business corruption," Abramoff told Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle during a sentencing hearing in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. "I've fallen into an abyss, your honor, I don't know quite how to get out."..
..[....]....
Judge Huvelle sentenced Abramoff to four years in prison for defrauding clients and partners and corrupting public officials with expensive dinners, sporting tickets and campaign contributions.
...[...] ....
Judge Huvelle refused to give him credit for the two years he has already served in prison for an unrelated Florida case, which means he will not likely be released from prison until about 2012.
....[..]......
Defense attorney Abbe D. Lowell said Abramoff's cooperation has spanned thousands of hours and led to guilty pleas from 12 politicians and powerbrokers, including former Rep. Bob Ney, Ohio Republican. Mr. Lowell predicted his client's help will play a large role in future prosecutions and conviction
BBC:
[...]...So far, his testimony has helped convict 11 people, all connected with the Republican Party. Among them are President George W Bush's former Deputy Interior Secretary Steven Griles and former Congressman Bob Ney.
Mr DeLay is among those who have been drawn into the investigation, which is continuing. Abramoff's co-operation ensured prosecutors did not ask for the maximum 11-year sentence for his crimes.....[..]
The reason the "Media uncritically repeat[s] McCain['s] claim that Obama "will raise" taxes" is because it's true. Duh.
2% of the time = TRUE
I love it. That must mean that minorities vote for Republicans. Or that Republicans are pro-choice. Or that they support Gay Marriage. Or that gays vote Republican. Or NFL Kickers miss exrta point attempts.
These ALL must be true, sine they are are true about the same 2% of the time.
He's some more comparisons:
McCain's Proposed Taxe Rate > Obama's Proposed Taxe Rate (for 98% of America.)
Palin's Religious Insanity > 98% of America's.
Your daily use of actual facts < my daily consumption of cyanide
McCain/Palin > Obama/Biden
You seem to be a mathematician too.
How does McCain divided by Palin be greater than Obama divided by Biden?
This cartoon reminded me of Grampy's story last night. After returning from a beatdown session, the guy in the next cell communicated with McCain using a series of taps on the wall that came off like a patriotic campaign speech. That's a helluva lot of tapping.
Cutting taxes on rich people while we're pissing $250,000,000 a day into Iraqi desert was reckless and irresponsible.
How do all you Social Darwinists propose that we pay for W's boondoggle?
Shouldn't he get off his ass and pay for the damned thing?
Of course, those people salivating and shouting "Drill, baby drill" last night don't give a rat's ass about universal healthcare, education reform, alternative energy sources or global warming. They are Social Darwinists, and their creed is "F*** you, I've got mine."
Oh yeah, they will give a "rats-ass" if the drilling is taking place in their back yard.
But if it is my back yard, which of course, is no where near their million dollar homes, its ok.
Wolf, I would love to see an elected offical take office with the pledge to do something about the fiscal mess and do something about it rather than having as their first act upon taking the oath being to start campaigning for re-election. We have to get elected officials that are more concerned about the future of the USA than theri own future. One term them all, I say.
Obama has in fact proposed ... raising them only on households earning more than $250,000 per year.
Literally - McCain was correct.
...and McCain has said that raising Social Security payroll taxes is not 'off the table'
So... McCain is leaving the door open to raise taxes as well! Don't vote for McCain, he will raise your taxes! He'll probably lie to you first, and tell you he's going to lower them, but once he's elected, raising taxes is not 'off the table'!!!!!
This is another good example of just how useless the American media has become...
They act now as stenographers for misinformation, having not the balls or competence to act as real journalists. They are not out to challenge politicians or to help the American people make an informed choice.
They are more like infotainment sluts more interested in ratings than integrity.
It's an easy solve: promise to write and submit a Federal Budget to Congress, that is balanced and equal to projected and known revenues... simple, fixed, problem solved.
It's the easiet most simple and direct way to start toward a balanced Federal Budget: for one person to do the one and only thing they can in this matter.
There.
Now, would Congress ever pass the balanced Federal Budget submitted to them? Or would they instead load it up with their own spending measures and amendments, until it was so out of balance it practically tipped over?
And then whose fault would that be, that the promise was not kept, and the Federal Budget was not balanced?
How do all you Social Darwinists propose that we pay for W's boondoggle?
McCain promises to balance the budget, end deficit-spending and keep the Bush tax cuts while adding his own tax cuts. He plans to do this by eliminating wasteful government spending. But as factcheck.org has reported, he still has yet to cite a single program he would cut or remove.
That's SO unlike him. I always thought it was Obama who spoke in generalities and avoided specifics with his policies...
Bailout
From the NYT:
Yikes.
The corporatist conservative Republican Party controlled news media, take GOP-Disney-ABC for example, and the dis-likes of lying right wing Republican hate hags like Liar Diane Sawyer, and Sawyer IS a right wing Republican, want Liar McCain-Liar Palin to be elected. That's why they repeating this outright blatant LIE by Liar McCain.
Palin also told blatant LIES in her lie and hate speech, and she's repeated those lies ever since.