Roger Altman gave an important stat that Kerry should emphasize tonight

[Awsi Dooger]

Altman: "Bill Clinton raised the taxes of only 1.2% of Americans in 1993."

That was in response to a Paula Zahn chart showing 48% of Americans expect Kerry to raise their taxes if he is elected. Altman immediately pounced, saying the GOP instilled similar fears in '92, that Clinton and Democrats would thrill to raise taxes across the board not merely among the wealthy. That '93 budget agreement barely passed both houses and is credited with jumpstarting the economic boom.

Altman is Kerry's chief economic adviser and served as Clinton's deputy Treasury secretary.

You know Bush will desperately default to "tax-and-spend liberal" tonight and for the next three weeks. Kerry can diffuse plenty of that fear before a huge audience by stressing the 1.2%, and that his tax plan will effect a virtually identical number.

[SoCalDemocrat]

1. Repugs ALWAYS make that claim

Every election I can remember back to Jimmy Carter they have ALWAYS made the same scare claims about raising taxes. This year we haven't heard it much at all because they can scare people with terrorism.

[Awsi Dooger]

2. Apparently Newt Gingrich told the Bush team to stress liberal and taxes

I heard that on cable a few days ago. Gingrich called the Bush team and said flip-flopper was too personal and had run its course. He advised them to emphasize liberal since domestic policy would be a big part of the 2nd debate and all of the 3rd.

I went to a few right-leaning websites last weekend after the debate and they were thrilled Bush had used that tactic. "FINALLY!" was a typical post.

[bobbieinok]

3. bushco is BORROW AND SPEND