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Monday, February 18, 2008
McCain closing deal: No new taxes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So does this close the deal with conservatives?
John McCain declared flatly Sunday that there will be no new taxes during his administration. Appearing on ABC’s “This Week,” McCain said that under no circumstances would he raise taxes if he is elected President. Allowing the Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 to expire, as both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama would do, would constitute a tax increase, said McCain.
What’s more, he said, he could “see an argument, if our economy continues to deteriorate, for lower interest rates, lower tax rates, and certainly decreasing corporate tax rates.” He also suports allowing filers to write off depreciation and he would eliminate the alternative minimum tax.
McCain blamed federal spending for the lack of enthusiasm among primary voters.”Spending restraint is why our base is not energized,” he said. “I think it’s very important that we send a signal to the American people we’re going to stop the earmark pork-barrel spending.”
Having heard the Democrats on taxes and spending, it doesn’t take much for McCain to close the deal with me. A “no tax increase” pledge, along with his earlier promise to appoint strict constructionist judges, fills the bill.
