Kerry's "No New Taxes"- Pledge May Come Back to Haunt Him, Methinks

[liberalpragmatist]

I think overall Kerry did a great job on Friday, although I do think he missed a few opportunities (particularly in responding to Bush's mistakes question).

Still, I wish when that one woman asked him to take a yes-or-no no-new-taxes-on-the-middle-class pledge he had said no and explained that while he didn't intend to raise taxes on those earning less than 200 thousand and explaing that he had a plan to avoid that, he doesn't know how the next four years will turn out and it may become essential. An answer like this would have been good:

"No, because I don't know what I'm going to see over the next four years. Do I intend to raise taxes on those earning less than $200,000 a year? No, and I honestly believe I won't have to. I have a plan that reduces the deficit in 4 years, expands health coverage, and lowers health premiums without raising taxes on those earning less than $200,000 and I will do it by restoring tax rates for those earning more than $200,000 to the Clinton-era rates and by closing tax loopholes that cost America billions of dollars. But even so, I can't predict what the next four years will be like. We may be involved in another major war. There may be unforseen econonomic problems around the world or in America. It might become absolutely essential to raise taxes to solve America's long-term health or to shore up our national security. I want to be honest with the American people - a president needs to be responsible, and Americans are smart enough to handle the truth. Pledging to never, under any circumstances, including dire national security needs, NEVER to raise taxes is irresponsible. Again, I honestly don't believe I will need to and according to our plan we won't have to, but a president needs to have options open in case of some major national need."

My fear is that we'll have to raise taxes in the near-term future because of the horrible fiscal health of our finances and Kerry's going to get bit in his ass by that statement - can you imagine the ads?

[MattNC]

1. i'll take that risk

if it helps put Kerry in the White House.

[Warpy]

9. I will, too

Kerry's not stupid like Bush is. He knows the working and middle classes are tapped out, charged up, and mortgaged to the hilt. He knows he's going to have to hike taxes on his own class to make up for the massive shortfall caused by Bushonomics, and my guess is that there will be more than one hike on them.

He may have to add other taxes, like luxury surtaxes on the toys of the rich, like vacation homes, yachts, and private planes. He may even have to hike national sin taxes on booze and cigs.

However, my guess is that he will sock it to the only class still able to pay, the rich.

[still_one]

2. He said no new taxes for those that make less than 200000

[life_long_dem]

7. New Kerry ad -possibly

Interviewing an unemployed person: "I don't want a tax cut, I want a job, so that I can pay my fair share of taxes in order to keep this country moving forward".

[booksenkatz]

3. I see what you mean, however

if he had said anything other than what he said Friday night, they would have Mondale'd him. Had he given a lengthy answer like yours, he would have been charged with equivocating and being unable to give a straight answer. I didn't like that question, either, but I don't think he had a choice.

Didn't you just LOVE those "undecided" voters?! LMAO An undecided voter wouldn't ask a question like that one.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

4. Then here's an idea:

-restore the 39.6% bracket on those making over $200,000 and add a 42% bracket on those making over $500,000. Repeal the estate tax for the wealthiest Americans, close as many corporate tax loopholes as possible and cut as much pork as possible from the budget. Also, he should raise taxes on things such as yachts, Lear Jets, and expensive homes. Make the rich pay.

With this, I see Kerry being able to allow middle and working class college students being able to write-off the majority (2/3rds or more) of their tuition off on taxes will be able to close the budget gap. I'm sorry to say that the only way to get "affordable" healthcare coverage is to raise taxes accross the board, so I do not see "Hillarycare" or any other National Health Plan coming into existence.

:-(

[katusha]

5. personally i'd rather worry about that later

kerry raising taxes over the next four years as opposed to bush abolishing the constitution over the next four years.

[PermanentRevolution]

6. If he had said that...

the spin would have been that he was unwilling to promise it because he secretly knew he was going to raise taxes. And I think a lot of people would believe it. When he was asked point-blank if he was going to raise taxes on the middle class, he HAD to say "no." It's the only way to defuse the "tax-and-spend liberal" talking point. We'll deal with the future when it happens.

[flowomo]

8. he can keep that promise almost no matter what....

as long as he's willing to live with a deficit.... and when was that ever a problem?

[geek tragedy]

10. Strong and wrong is better than weak and right.

He had to be, you know, firm, decisive, strong, blah blah blah.

If he hadn't made the pledge, the Rethugs and the media would have crucified him.

He really had no choice.

[MidwestTransplant]

11. We can worry about that after he's elected

if he's not, it won't come back to haunt him.

[emulatorloo]

12. I thought it was a guy who asked him - and I liked Kerry's answer

Yet Bushbots are still spinning it as a negative for Kerry - evoking of all things Bush 1.

[undercover_brother]

13. This was a trap only

When Kerry is elected there will taxes removed and taxes added. This is how things ALWAYS happen. Show me a 4 year period where ZERO new taxes of some sort were created.

This was simply a trap to get him on camera making that statement. In his 2008 reelection I would bet my house that the Republicans play that clip over and over and spin it like mad.

[Vincardog]

14. Excuse me. Is the President the one who imposes taxes? Remember Congress

has some job here or have we written that out of the constitution since 9/11 too. Kerry only has to let the Republican Congress raise the tax rate. He will not and can not do it. He can veto any tax increase and maybe force them to override his veto. How can this hurt us?

[PROGRESSIVE1]

15. True, but I still do not want taxes raised on those who are only....

middle class, working class, and the poor. Raise the taxes on the rich and get rid of corporate tax loopholes.

[milkyway]

16. I was hoping bush would respond by saying there was once a candidate

who said "Read my lips: no new taxes" who then went on to raise taxes as President.

It was an absolutely ridiculous question for Gibson to choose. Gibson had 280 questions from which to select eighteen (140 audience members, each with one question for each candidate), and he selects one that is nothing but a stupid trap. Of course, Kerry had no choice but to do the irresponsible thing and say no new taxes. Even worse, the question makes him say it into the camera. Why didn't they just make him swear on a bible?

[Carolinian]

17. He's too smart to get caught on that.

[TheWebHead]

18. I don't think so

He can still bump the top 2%, though with the Republicans likely to maintain control of the House and Senate, I don't see how Kerry could, or would want to, pass a middle-class tax increase... Especially when they're getting squeezed on healthcare and commodity inflation in the face of flat avg. hourly wages.