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Remembering When McCain Was Accused of Class Warfare
In the final weeks of the 2008 presidential campaign, Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin have accused Senator Barack Obama of being a socialist bent on taking money from hard-working folks to finance hand-outs to others. At the last presidential debate, McCain declared, "the whole premise behind Senator Obama's plans are class warfare—let's spread the wealth around." This line of attack has been the centerpiece of McCain's closing blast against Obama: because Obama wants to tax the well-to-do to pay for middle-class tax relief, he's an untrustworthy, divisive, redistributionist who cares more about controlling wealth than creating it. He's an enemy of the American dream.
But eight years ago, in January and February 2000, McCain was on the receiving end of similar criticism, as conservatives and Republicans accused him of engaging in class warfare by opposing tax breaks for the rich while advocating tax cuts for middle- and low-income Americans. That is, McCain was denounced in much the same way as he is now denouncing Obama.
Back then, McCain was locked in a fierce fight with George W. Bush for the GOP presidential nomination. Bush had proposed a massive tax-cuts package. At the time, McCain said, "Sixty percent of the benefits from [Bush's] tax cuts go to the wealthiest 10 percent of Americans--and that's not the kind of tax relief that Americans need….I don't believe the wealthiest 10 percent of Americans should get 60 percent of the tax breaks. I think the lowest 10 percent should get the breaks….I'm not giving tax cuts for the rich." On Meet the Press, he maintained, "There's a growing gap between rich and poor in America….I think that the people who need [tax cuts] most and need the relief most are working middle-income Americans." At a campaign rally in February 2000, he declared, "I don't think Bill Gates needs a tax cut. I think your parents do." The New York Times described McCain's tax plan as "apportioning the spoils of the nation's current prosperity."
For taking this stance, McCain was walloped by Republicans.
* On Hardball, former Housing Secretary Jack Kemp said, "John McCain is waging class warfare, and he should stop it."
* On Meet the Press, Representative David Dreier, a California Republican supporting Bush, said of McCain's stance, "The idea of engaging in class warfare is not a pro-California thing."
* On CNN's Crossfire, co-host Mary Matalin huffed, "John McCain has been running on…class warfare."
* Texas Republican party head Susan Weddington excoriated McCain for engaging in a "shameless kind of class warfare."
* The conservative Washington Times newspaper editorialized, "McCain has aggressively adopted the class-warfare tactics and rhetoric that Democrats have relentlessly used since 1980 to pillory tax-cuts plans of the sort proposed by President Reagan and Gov. Bush."
* In a letter sent to hundreds of former Reagan administration officials, James Miller III and Lou Cordia, who both served in Ronald Reagan's White House, argued that the Reagan mantle belonged to Bush partly because "McCain is using the class warfare rhetoric of the Democrats."
* On Fox News, host Sean Hannity exclaimed, "John McCain has adopted the language of Clinton and Gore as it relates to class warfare."
At a Republican presidential debate, McCain tried to fend off this criticism. "I'm deeply concerned about a kind of class warfare that's going on right now, " he said. "It's unfortunate. There's a growing gap between the haves and have-nots in America….And it's unfortunately divided up along ethnic lines." But the class warfare accusations hurled against McCain were part of a blistering anti-McCain crusade (waged by pro-Bush conservatives and Republicans) that worked. And after Bush won the election, McCain continued to oppose Bush's tax-cuts package, noting on the Senate floor that it granted "generous tax relief to the wealthiest individuals of our country at the expense of lower- and middle-income American taxpayers." Before voting against the Bush tax cuts in May 2001, McCain declared, "I cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us, at the expense of middle-class Americans who most need tax relief."
That was then. These days, McCain has adopted the tactics of his onetime enemies. Obama decries McCain's proposed tax cuts for wealthy individuals and corporations, while advocating a tax hike for the wealthiest to finance tax relief for middle- and low-income Americans—and McCain slams him for engaging in class warfare. If the polls are any indicator, this strategy is not working for McCain as well as it did for Bush in 2000. But by throwing the class-warfare mud this time, McCain has not only engaged in a fundamental policy flip-flop; he has demonstrated that he's become the sort of politician he once condemned.
Having followed the last debate held in Hempstead, NY on October 15, 2008 between the Republican and Democratic candidates, we can say that both candidates focused on their strengths in debate to answer questions from Bob Schieffer. It must be acknowledged that the Republican candidate delivered his best performance, but without enough success to destabilize Obama. However, he has remained too long on the offensive, forcing his opponent to stay on the defensive. But for a candidate like Obama, who was given adequate means and moderate measures to support his intentions, ambitions and thorough reforms of the economy and foreign policy, transformed the attacks into his advantage. Many Americans identify themselves with the political image that surrounds and reflects his message.
McCain accused Obama of assimilating President George Bush's politics with his own, to which McCain responded: "?I am not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago."
"If I mistakenly confuse your policy and that of George Bush, because the basic economic problems of concern to the American people, on tax policy, energy policy, spending priorities, you have been a strong supporter of President Bush, "replied Mr. Obama. He is repositioning himself more on burning issues of the moment he called serious. The Democrat added: "I think Americans are less interested in our wounds during the legal campaign by the issues that affect them so deeply."
The serenity and sincerity of Obama allowed him to circumvent the attacks against him. He spoke on the challenges of the current financial crisis. According to Obama, this issue rises above all other national concerns at the moment, in importance. His performance was strong. He listened respectfully to McCain and we expect him always visible on this path. So it will be very difficult to reverse the trend. People aspire to change that Barack Obama advocates and the last debate showed that Obama has a presidential stature.
John McCain sought to catch his deep delays caused by the model of his campaign which makes he lose the terrain. He considered necessary to shake attack on Obama in order to stop his momentum. But it's not too late to realize that this has not been productive and yet he needs to take another impetus to defend and support his plan to revive the economy and solve the American's problems. At this time, People are increasingly more concerned about their own economic security, energy independence - technology, education, health care than focus on questioning Obama's Patriotism ?The guy who shows his love for America at all major levels across the country and the world. His love for America is central key to the success of this campaign. His patriotism is the key motor of his conviction, fervor, passion, optimism and determination to bring the change the American people needs and keep the American dream alive. He praises American values and questioned himself what he can do for his country after being emerged and experienced the challenges of average American. His willingness to run for presidency matches better with these ideals.
Voters know how to evaluate their candidates. So it will give more time for both candidates to invest in explaining their plans for America. It will be helpful for Senator McCain, for the couple days before November fourth to stop praising his own merits in the campaign trail and tell the American people what he can do to end their struggles. And voters will follow him according to this kind of deal because even his opponent acknowledges those merits and gives credit for that. While Barack Obama is having former president Bill Clinton ?whose presidency brought prosperity to American economy- in his side during the campaign trail, John McCain continues to hit Obama on his tax policy every day, choosing "Joe the Plumber" ?who is not going to see any raise of tax if he makes less than $250,000- as his campaign man.
Having followed the last debate held in Hempstead, NY on October 15, 2008 between the Republican and Democratic candidates, we can say that both candidates focused on their strengths in debate to answer questions from Bob Schieffer. It must be acknowledged that the Republican candidate delivered his best performance, but without enough success to destabilize Obama. However, he has remained too long on the offensive, forcing his opponent to stay on the defensive. But for a candidate like Obama, who was given adequate means and moderate measures to support his intentions, ambitions and thorough reforms of the economy and foreign policy, transformed the attacks into his advantage. Many Americans identify themselves with the political image that surrounds and reflects his message.
McCain accused Obama of assimilating President George Bush's politics with his own, to which McCain responded: "?I am not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago."
"If I mistakenly confuse your policy and that of George Bush, because the basic economic problems of concern to the American people, on tax policy, energy policy, spending priorities, you have been a strong supporter of President Bush, "replied Mr. Obama. He is repositioning himself more on burning issues of the moment he called serious. The Democrat added: "I think Americans are less interested in our wounds during the legal campaign by the issues that affect them so deeply."
The serenity and sincerity of Obama allowed him to circumvent the attacks against him. He spoke on the challenges of the current financial crisis. According to Obama, this issue rises above all other national concerns at the moment, in importance. His performance was strong. He listened respectfully to McCain and we expect him always visible on this path. So it will be very difficult to reverse the trend. People aspire to change that Barack Obama advocates and the last debate showed that Obama has a presidential stature.
John McCain sought to catch his deep delays caused by the model of his campaign which makes he lose the terrain. He considered necessary to shake attack on Obama in order to stop his momentum. But it's not too late to realize that this has not been productive and yet he needs to take another impetus to defend and support his plan to revive the economy and solve the American's problems. At this time, People are increasingly more concerned about their own economic security, energy independence - technology, education, health care than focus on questioning Obama's Patriotism ?The guy who shows his love for America at all major levels across the country and the world. His love for America is central key to the success of this campaign. His patriotism is the key motor of his conviction, fervor, passion, optimism and determination to bring the change the American people needs and keep the American dream alive. He praises American values and questioned himself what he can do for his country after being emerged and experienced the challenges of average American. His willingness to run for presidency matches better with these ideals.
Voters know how to evaluate their candidates. So it will give more time for both candidates to invest in explaining their plans for America. It will be helpful for Senator McCain, for the couple days before November fourth to stop praising his own merits in the campaign trail and tell the American people what he can do to end their struggles. And voters will follow him according to this kind of deal because even his opponent acknowledges those merits and gives credit for that. While Barack Obama is having former president Bill Clinton ?whose presidency brought prosperity to American economy- in his side during the campaign trail, John McCain continues to hit Obama on his tax policy every day, choosing "Joe the Plumber" ?who is not going to see any raise of tax if he makes less than $250,000- as his campaign man.
This makes my head hurt! Will the "real John McCain" please stand up??? What does he really believe in and stand for? Is his current change of heart "real" or is it a ploy to the "Base"??? I don't think I could stand four years of skizoid behavior like this coming from the White House.
John McCain is hiding who he really is so he can get his wingnut party to support him. If he didn't do this, then he would NEVER have been the nominee. Trust him to be his old self, if elected -- old wrinklies can't really change.
Excellent article! I would take issue with the following statement, "After Bush won the election." Exactly which election did Mr. Bush win?
I think we're going to see more of the same shennanigans at the polls this Nov 4th. Democrats in my county are already receiving "caging" letters from the RNC in an effort to block them from voting. The negative robo-calls are relentless and sometimes effective. Republicans will attempt to use the techniques that Katherine Harris used to disenfranchise voters. Diebold voting machines will be used to manipulate the count in McCain's favor. Stand by for a HUGE post-election fight!
I don't get it. Why is it 'class warfare' to tax the rich, but it is not tax warfare to tax the working and middle classes? It is actually class warfare -- either way!
So the class you represent should be the class you are in. And that should be the class you advocate for. But the underclasses are so lousy at class warfare, they can't even spell it. Me? Class warfare? I'm too meek and mild to advocate such a dastardly thing! And isn't that ... .socialism? And you know how we've all been brainwashed from birth to hate socialism!
So, I won't advocate it, I won't advocate it. I won't. But you can.
Great article. This kind of exposure on McCain's past really makes me nervous about him as a presidential candidate. It draws a big, deep line in the sand which separates two horrifyingly juxtaposed categories; What McCain says, and What McCain thinks. Frankly, I wish I could believe that the two categories weren't separate. Unfortunately, I believe that in this case they are.
Just write in 'Bert' when you cast your ballot. We'll balance that federal budget, and there won't be any catering or pandering. I think the theme for the United States for the next 4 years should be 'economize', and not make ANY promises to anybody. We're sitting on 10 trillion in red ink. That is a Profoundly Large Amount of Debt. Probably more than enough to put us under, send us the way of Argentina, USA past-tense, etc. The Soviet Union went bust grinding their tanks into scrap in Afghanistan, and now it's our tanks Over There. Folks in D.C. have been hitting on the empire pipe for a long, long time. But, who's going to pay for the 'rock', once it's gone? I say, 'sober up, everybody, we gotta fix some things'. And, if they give me the job, that's what I'd be telling Congress to do. Give me a balanced budget, along with the sacred cowburger, and a bowl of gored ox soup, and a nice dinner salad, please. Maybe some garlic wheat bread to go with it? Hmm...
Bert08
The evidence you've provided, re: McCain's capacity and willingness to "flip-flop" addressed only one of a host of flip-flops that have characterized McCain in this current election cycle. To court his party's conservatives, a group that has for the most part been wholly suspicious of him for many years, McCain has sold his soul. The quintessential evidence of this "sale" was to choose a running mate that, notwithstanding some political skills, seems nothing short of an intellectual lightweight and clearly unqualified for the position she seeks.
Having followed the last debate held in Hempstead, NY on October 15, 2008 between the Republican and Democratic candidates, we can say that both candidates focused on their strengths in debate to answer questions from Bob Schieffer. It must be acknowledged that the Republican candidate delivered his best performance, but without enough success to destabilize Obama. However, he has remained too long on the offensive, forcing his opponent to stay on the defensive. But for a candidate like Obama, who was given adequate means and moderate measures to support his intentions, ambitions and thorough reforms of the economy and foreign policy, transformed the attacks into his advantage. Many Americans identify themselves with the political image that surrounds and reflects his message.
McCain accused Obama of assimilating President George Bush's politics with his own, to which McCain responded: " I am not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago."
"If I mistakenly confuse your policy and that of George Bush, because the basic economic problems of concern to the American people, on tax policy, energy policy, spending priorities, you have been a strong supporter of President Bush, "replied Mr. Obama. He is repositioning himself more on burning issues of the moment he called serious. The Democrat added: "I think Americans are less interested in our wounds during the legal campaign by the issues that affect them so deeply."
The serenity and sincerity of Obama allowed him to circumvent the attacks against him. He spoke on the challenges of the current financial crisis. According to Obama, this issue rises above all other national concerns at the moment, in importance. His performance was strong. He listened respectfully to McCain and we expect him always visible on this path. So it will be very difficult to reverse the trend. People aspire to change that Barack Obama advocates and the last debate showed that Obama has a presidential stature.
John McCain sought to catch his deep delays caused by the model of his campaign which makes he lose the terrain. He considered necessary to shake attack on Obama in order to stop his momentum. But it's not too late to realize that this has not been productive and yet he needs to take another impetus to defend and support his plan to revive the economy and solve the American's problems. At this time, People are increasingly more concerned about their own economic security, energy independence - technology, education, health care than focus on questioning Obama's Patriotism The guy who shows his love for America at all major levels across the country and the world. His love for America is central key to the success of this campaign. His patriotism is the key motor of his conviction, fervor, passion, optimism and determination to bring the change the American people needs and keep the American dream alive. He praises American values and questioned himself what he can do for his country after being emerged and experienced the challenges of average American. His willingness to run for presidency matches better with these ideals.
Voters know how to evaluate their candidates. So it will give more time for both candidates to invest in explaining their plans for America. It will be helpful for Senator McCain, for the couple days before November fourth to stop praising his own merits in the campaign trail and tell the American people what he can do to end their struggles. And voters will follow him according to this kind of deal because even his opponent acknowledges those merits and gives credit for that. While Barack Obama is having former president Bill Clinton whose presidency brought prosperity to American economy- in his side during the campaign trail, John McCain continues to hit Obama on his tax policy every day, choosing "Joe the Plumber" who is not going to see any raise of tax if he makes less than $250,000- as his campaign man.
John McCain has been totally consistent throughout his campaign-He really does want to be elected President-He will say anything, do anything, be anywhere, use whoever he can, and stoop to lows that should be impossible for a man of his years-but he does want to be elected President!