 |
McCain Attempts Economics S’More |
 |
From Think Progress’s excellent coverage of John McCain:
During [yesterday's] Associated Press annual meeting, the moderator asked Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), “Are we in a recession?†McCain finally admitted, “I certainly think so,†but then tried to moderate his comment by adding, that the word “recession†is “really kind of a technical term used by people who are economists and make these kinds of judgment.†Watch it:
This admission is a drastic change for McCain. As Bill Scher at the Campaign for America’s Future notes, on Jan. 10, McCain said, “I don’t believe we’re headed into a recession. I believe the fundamentals of this economy are strong, and I believe they will remain strong.â€
Speaking of McCain’s abysmal handling of economic issues, the presumptive Republican nominee is delivering a major economic speech this morning in Pittsburgh, in which he will advocate cuts in income and business taxes, as well as (outrageously) cuts in gas taxes. AP notes McCain’s sad attempt to mimic Obama-style word-smithery in comments regarding his rivals’ tax plans:
McCain said in remarks prepared for delivery Tuesday. “All these tax increases are the fine print under the slogan of ‘hope:’ They’re going to raise your taxes by thousands of dollars per year — and they have the audacity to hope you don’t mind.”…
McCain twice voted against the very tax cuts he now supports; he says failing to extend them would amount to tax increases for millions of people….
[His speech] is part of an ongoing effort to counter the notion — fueled by his own previous comments — that he’s not as strong on the economy as he is on other issues.
In related news, Alan Greenspan quietly endorsed McCain last week, pleading allegiance to the GOP. CNN reminds us:
McCain has previously indicated he will seek Greenspan’s council on economic issues should he win the presidency. At a campaign event in South Carolina last fall, the Arizona Republican even said he would take him “alive or dead.”
“If he’s alive or dead it doesn’t matter. If he’s dead, just prop him up and put some dark glasses on him like, like ‘Weekend at Bernie’s,”‘ McCain joked. “Let’s get the best minds in America together and fix this tax code.”
Inspiring, indeed.
