McCain ad: “Tax Cutter”
posted at 7:05 pm on October 3, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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The John McCain campaign catches Barack Obama in a somewhat ridiculous claim to be a tax-cutter at heart. The result? Another opportunity to emphasize his record on tax hikes:
ANNCR: Who is Barack Obama?
BARACK OBAMA: “I’m a tax cutter.”
ANNCR: Really? Senator Obama voted ninety-four times for higher taxes. Ninety-four times.
He’s not truthful on taxes. At least Congressional liberals admit they want to raise your taxes. Add billions in new spending. And oppose offshore drilling.
Congressional liberals. The truth hurts you.
This ad works harder to tie Obama to Congressional allies in order to emphasize their definition of Obama as a tax-and-spend liberal. It gets closer to making an argument that may hold some value for McCain — that a Democratic Congress would go wild on tax increases and expanded spending with an Obama administration. People have suggested that McCain make an explicit argument for divided government, while others believe that sounds too defeatist for Republicans who hold some limited hope for recapturing the House in November.
“Tax Cutter” comes to the edge of that argument. Will Team McCain explicitly go past the edge? I’m betting … no.
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kind of boring. one of his best ads was the web ad you just posted with the dramatic music.
venicesurfer on October 3, 2008 at 7:07 PM
McCain has been throwing HAIL MARY’s with some things like Sarah Palin and coming back to Washington.
He needs to switch sports and start landing some HAYMAKERS.
Obama Not.Ready.To.Lead
I’m ORIGINAL PECHANGA and I approved this message.
originalpechanga on October 3, 2008 at 7:09 PM
I didn’t like that they used two narrators. Is that just me?
El_Terrible on October 3, 2008 at 7:13 PM
RNC paid for part of the ad, so don’t they have tie Congressional liberals to Obama in order to justify the joint spending by the two groups?
rw on October 3, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Are these ads being shown anywhere? If I’m the target audience… well that’s not too smart.
petunia on October 3, 2008 at 7:16 PM
That’s what I think. Every McCain I’ve seen since the official end of the primaries (when Mac went on Public Financing) has mentioned “Obama and his liberal congressional allies” and featured at least one picture of a Dem Congressman or Senator.
malan89 on October 3, 2008 at 7:18 PM
Ditto. This ad sucks. The McCain campaign sucks. J-Mac sucks.
ManlyRash on October 3, 2008 at 7:19 PM
Every 5 minutes in the Scranton/WB market I’m in. Trust me, they’re showing them. A lot.
malan89 on October 3, 2008 at 7:19 PM
This is what chaps me about the “burn it down” and start over crowd,
Obama has never accomplished anything,
Obama has never been a leader of anything,
as President he will never lead, but he will accomplish a lot.
He will sit at that big desk with a sh!t eating grin on his face and a pen in his hand.
Pelosi, Reid, Frank, etc. will lead.
President Obama will not be a leader, but he will be the biggest enabler this Country has ever seen.
P.S. I hope I don’t get called a troll for again for this.
ChrisM on October 3, 2008 at 7:22 PM
Nice but lame.
I want the groin shots to Obama’s ACORN, Fannie, Freddie, CRA, etc.
This is a blood sport, not a ping-pong match!
Captain America on October 3, 2008 at 7:22 PM
Disturb the Universe on October 3, 2008 at 7:23 PM
Incidentally, where are the Wright/Pflager ads?
amerpundit on October 3, 2008 at 7:24 PM
P.S. I hope I don’t get called a troll
foragain for this.oops.
ChrisM on October 3, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Wouldn’t it conflict with his honorable campaign?
He’d rather run an honorable campaign than win an election.
There is way too much
dirtshockingly, unbelieveably, TRUE stuff out there on Obama that the media are carefully keeping out of sight.McCain doesn’t want to win.
misterpeasea on October 3, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Sticks and stones, Chris. Phillips them.
Limerick on October 3, 2008 at 7:27 PM
I thought I would run this by you guys:
Bush Sr. met himself in the door, so to speak, when he pledged, “Read my lips: no new taxes.”
My question to you all is: if Bush Sr. can get pressured into raising taxes by a Democratic Congress, what’s to say that Obama won’t?
In fact, Obama’s been saying he will cut taxes for everyone below $250,000. What if that’s not enough? What if Congressional Democrats push for even more taxes, for lower brackets? Can’t Obama just throw his hands in the air and say, well shucks, I can’t really do anything about this…?
I seriously have a hard time believing Obama on taxes.
Seixon on October 3, 2008 at 7:29 PM
Needs more zip,more aggressive attack!!
canopfor on October 3, 2008 at 7:31 PM
Yep. He’s been snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory from the beginning. Obama has controlled the narrative and the arguments all the way through.
Tom Blogical on October 3, 2008 at 7:31 PM
Hmmm…
mentions “hope” is +1 on “Is Troll” using Troll Indicator Meter
Admits to and fixes mistake – Meter pegs on “Not Troll”
CC
CapedConservative on October 3, 2008 at 7:32 PM
This is an all-out media war!!!
canopfor on October 3, 2008 at 7:33 PM
The other web ad about the Democrats being responsible for the Fannie and Freddie mess was made by the NRCC, which is trying to elect Republicans to the House. Obviously, they want to tie Democrats in Congress to Fannie and Freddie, and don’t want to concede that Democrats might hold the House.
But McCain needs to come out swinging on this, because Obama (and Biden, in last night’s debate) keep saying that “Bush’s deregulation” was responsible for this mess, and saying McCain favored “deregulation” as well.
In 2005, McCain tried to TIGHTEN regulations, (and so did Bush in 2003) but couldn’t break through a Democrat filibuster. That point needs to be made to break up the McCain = Bush = deregulation = disaster spin, which voters are swallowing hook, line, and sinker.
Steve Z on October 3, 2008 at 7:34 PM
CapedConservative,
Thanks, I’m glad someone is watching that meter.
ChrisM on October 3, 2008 at 7:35 PM
Mac needs to go after him on this with a vengeance, but my eyes cross and I yawn when I start to hear boring statistics like, “he voted to raise your taxes 99 times”. Cite specific examples of tax increases Barry has voted for.
As for artistic criticism, the male voice sounded like he was speaking from an underground tunnel.
BTW, to give you all another idea of what an Obama administration would look like, did you know that Cook County, Illinois has the highest sales tax in the nation, rolling in at 10.5%, thanks to Todd Stroger whom Barry endorsed?
Buy Danish on October 3, 2008 at 7:36 PM
Hmmm
Let me see now. We just bailed out the ones that caused this problem and Now Schwartz. wants 7 billion.
Mark my words all the states run by Liberals will be there with their hands out. Sucking off of Joe six pack.
Nows the time Mc needs to push Palins stint as Governer of Alaska. She turned that state arround.
I say let China have California and MI. They caused the problems by running a socalist Govt. giving to the non workers who are to lazy to work for a living.
We need more money for student loans. Just go out and collect from the ones who defaulted on them.
We need higher taxes. Go out and get the tax cheats.
Rick007 on October 3, 2008 at 7:38 PM
Ditto. Scorched earth. I want those Fannie and Freddie enablers making TV and internet perp walks before being drawn and quartered.
BuckeyeSam on October 3, 2008 at 7:39 PM
Just another example of Obama’s leadership.
If you look up insidious, you’ll find a photo of the One!
ChrisM on October 3, 2008 at 7:42 PM
1992 – Clinton promised a middle class tax cut. We got the biggest tax increase in history.
2008 – Obama promises a tax increase on “some” people.
What do you think is gonna happen?
lorien1973 on October 3, 2008 at 7:43 PM
Soon you will see another civil war in the U.S. with thoes that leach and thoes that work for a living.
Not far away.
Rick007 on October 3, 2008 at 7:44 PM
If McCain doesn’t bring this up by Tuesday (the next debate) he’s never going to do it. So countdown till then, really.
lorien1973 on October 3, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Another thing on taxes. McCain needs to ridicule Obama’s tax cut. How? It’s some aggregate of five to seven refundable tax credits. That probably means a two-page form for each, along with four pages of instruction for each.
Good look, middle America. Have fun spending your weekends working your way through that nonsense (even with Turbotax), or paying H&R Block to do it for you. Oh yeah, you won’t see any of those refundable tax credits until early 2010.
Ridicule.
BuckeyeSam on October 3, 2008 at 7:44 PM
We’re so screwed….
Matt Helm on October 3, 2008 at 7:46 PM
I want Bush to get some balls and go after the ones that caused the F mac F may bailout. Even the Congress men that were on the take.
Rick007 on October 3, 2008 at 7:46 PM
Um…I’ll pick “Involuntary Anal Sex” for $200, Alex.
ManlyRash on October 3, 2008 at 7:47 PM
Rick007 is needed as McCain’s Chief of Staff–if McCain can get elected.
BuckeyeSam on October 3, 2008 at 7:47 PM
Not gonna happen. Wouldn’t be prudent.
ManlyRash on October 3, 2008 at 7:47 PM
Guys, listen.
These tax arguments don’t work. 50% of the population only pay 2% of the taxes. The second you say taxes, you lose 1/2 the people.
They do a lot better to focus on things like:
Keeping government out of your life
Personal responsibility
Washington in General – not working
Fannie Mae etc
Those things should the focus. Everyone knows Obama is a tax hiker. Attack him on things that people may not know about.
lorien1973 on October 3, 2008 at 7:47 PM
No need for a countdown. It’s over. Game over. We lose.
ManlyRash on October 3, 2008 at 7:48 PM
I told you there should have been a KY tax cut in that bailout bill!
lorien1973 on October 3, 2008 at 7:48 PM
I wanna see Wright and the Chickens have come home to roost in every ad real soon.
CanadianGuy on October 3, 2008 at 7:49 PM
My friends, that would not be a the spirit of bipartisan cooperation.
ManlyRash on October 3, 2008 at 7:49 PM
Or at least a courtesy reach-around earmark.
ManlyRash on October 3, 2008 at 7:50 PM
I’m holding out a tiny, smidgen of hope that it’ll happen.
McCain doesn’t have any events this weekend (as far as I know). They have to be planning a strategy for the final weeks. It’s the biggest card they got. They have to play it.
It’d be like a nuclear bomb on this election if McCain pounded these connections home.
lorien1973 on October 3, 2008 at 7:50 PM
LOL. And I wanna see Jessica Alba in my bed tonight.
ManlyRash on October 3, 2008 at 7:51 PM
That would be funny wouldnt it?
End every ad with that or a take off of it – just to subtly remind people of Wright – without directly mentioning it.
Obama’s tax hike votes are coming home to roost.
lorien1973 on October 3, 2008 at 7:51 PM
With those that leach being well-armed by the government.
mrsmwp on October 3, 2008 at 7:51 PM
You will be disappointed. Sorry.
ManlyRash on October 3, 2008 at 7:51 PM
McCain needs to call a press conference, apologize to the American people for being a member of Congress, instruct his campaign to donate all F/F contributions to Habitat for Humanity (housing for the poor)and then pull out the Big F**king Gun and level it at everybody.
Go nuts, be a maverick.
ChrisM on October 3, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Not quite. Actually, those who do not leach will be disarmed by the government. Once Bambi gets the votes he needs on SCOTUS, say buh-bye to the second amendment.
ManlyRash on October 3, 2008 at 7:53 PM
My friends, it wouldn’t be the bipartisan thing to do.
ManlyRash on October 3, 2008 at 7:54 PM
The Dumb libreals that bow to “O” Dumby are to stupid to realise wherever “O” Dumby raises taxes they will pay them.
Tax big oil? Who the hell do thay will end up paying that tax?
Biden remember one thing your God Clinton (the pervert) and the hildabeast use offshore banking.
Remember when the Pervret went after big tabaco? Who paid the fine? The smokers thats who. cigs went from $1.00 a pack to $2/50 or more a pack.
The backbone of this country is the worker and he eventualy pays all the bills.
Rick007 on October 3, 2008 at 7:55 PM
Sorry, it was an alcohol induced daydream.
ChrisM on October 3, 2008 at 7:56 PM
Yep. Till the republicans can make that argument effectively, they’ll lose.
lorien1973 on October 3, 2008 at 7:56 PM
Obama needs to be made personally repellent.
Coke-sniffing terrorist-coddling racist preacher-cuddling creep.
Abstract critiques (taxes, etc.) effect nothing and change no minds.
Obama must be shown to be -and have- a lousy character.
This is a fight for the future of the Republic, not an inside-the-beltway squabble over minutae.
Slime the weasel, or lose to him.
profitsbeard on October 3, 2008 at 7:57 PM
The american revolution might have never happened if the British hadn’t tried to take away guns.
lorien1973 on October 3, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Does Team Obama and the MSM expect McCain to go nuclear on Ayers-Obama ties?
This NYT whitewash this evening may be the first attempt at spinning the story before new attack ads pop up.
CanadianGuy on October 3, 2008 at 7:57 PM
I wonder if R. Lee could help maverick put on his “war face”.
Lemme see it.
Farmer62 on October 3, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Take away our guns?
How, for Pete’s sake? You all actually believe that American troops, or American law enforcement will put a smile on their face and kick in your door? Pashawwwwwwwwwww. They will more likely help you hide them.
Limerick on October 3, 2008 at 7:59 PM
With those that leach being well-armed by the government.
mrsmwp on October 3, 2008 at 7:51 PM
Yea but they can only use one hand. the other is holding up their pants.
You can arm an idiot but you can’t get him to shoot stright.
Remember Sadams mother of all wars?? He believed his own bullshit.
Ever watch Cops on tv and see thes idiots try and run from the police?? What jerks. I like to see the dogs get them or they get tazed.
Rick007 on October 3, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Stunning how that stuff works out, isn’t it?
I think McCain’s best line of attack here is:
lorien1973 on October 3, 2008 at 8:01 PM
a month = eternity
Yes we can!
Get your flight suit on one more time John. You got a month of real combat ahead of you.
Mojave Mark on October 3, 2008 at 8:01 PM
I mean, the NYT headline is Obama has met Ayers, but the two are not close
It’s not accurate. It’s not like they ran into each other and shook hands at a White Sox game.
CanadianGuy on October 3, 2008 at 8:04 PM
B frank,Biden and “O” Dumby in a three way
Rick007 on October 3, 2008 at 8:13 PM
Obama obviously flunked math, and he thinks all people other than himself are as dumb as rocks.
The fact is that there aren’t enough people to pay for his billion-dollar liberal playthings without taxing the hell out of everyone!!! If he tries to take every last dime from “the rich,” they will simply move their assets out of his reach: they aren’t just going to sit there and let him steal everything!
landlines on October 3, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Are you sure that’s not suppose to be implicit?
Whatever, I could go with divided government. McCain as President and a conservative House and Senate.
Oh, that’s probably not what he meant. He probably meant himself as President and democrats in control of the Senate and the House, but I don’t think that would be very divided, so if we are going to have divided government and not of the McCain as President and a conservative House and Senate variety I would prefer Obama as President and a conservative House and Senate
MB4 on October 3, 2008 at 8:27 PM
I think that McCain’s only chance now is to pretend to have been taken ill right before his next debate with Obama and send Sarah in as his “last minute” stand in. Rinse and repeat for the third Presidential debate.
MB4 on October 3, 2008 at 8:32 PM
I would enjoy that, actually. I would love to see Barry struggling against a Conservative Congress on a daily basis. He would end up conceding more often than not, and completely pissing off the Left.
FiveWays on October 3, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Worked pretty well in 1995 to 1996.
MB4 on October 3, 2008 at 8:37 PM
The difference now is that the Left is far more radical in not only their positions, but also on their demands. And Barry lacks any core convictions to navigate those stormy waters.
FiveWays on October 3, 2008 at 8:47 PM
Ehhhhhh…debatable. But it DID happen. And it WILL happen again. Count on it. These are interesting times indeed.
ManlyRash on October 3, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Oh, he has core convictions, Five. And they are all fascist.
ManlyRash on October 3, 2008 at 8:59 PM
There will never be a conservatve-dominated Congress again. ACORN will see to that.
ManlyRash on October 3, 2008 at 9:00 PM
And my only chance now is to call Megyn Kelly at Fox News and ask her if she’ll see me tonight.
ManlyRash on October 3, 2008 at 9:02 PM
Classic.
Spirit of 1776 on October 3, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Wait, wait, wait; we’re attacking Obama for raising taxes? Didn’t McCain vote Yes on the bailout? Thought so.
fourstringfuror on October 3, 2008 at 11:32 PM
If Obama does win, there is going to be some serious buyer’s regret when the Bush tax cuts expire.
They expire Jan 1, 2011, so beginning January 2011 paychecks will be 5-20% less due to higher taxes…think about the impact of that.
JustTruth101 on October 4, 2008 at 12:55 AM
Nope, that was the first thing I picked up on, too. It wouldn’t have been quite so bad if they hadn’t used Ted Baxter as the second announcer. Or, I should say, the same delivery the late Ted Knight used as the announcer of these old Batman & Robin cartoons…
Captain Scarlet on October 4, 2008 at 4:28 AM
Is it just me or did that first shot of Obama look just like O.J. Simpson?
UndertheBridge on October 4, 2008 at 6:01 AM
Unfortunately, isn’t McCain checkmated on all these type tax arguments because he just voted for the potentially biggest tax hike (and rip off) of all times – the $700,000,000,000 financial bailout?
albill on October 4, 2008 at 7:22 AM
Interesting reading.
tru2tx on October 4, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Guy Sorman
“Economics Does Not Lie,” City Journal, Summer 2008, vol.18 no.3
I recommend Sorman to clarify context of this political battle to voters, and as clarifying Economy 101.
bookworm from American Thinker makes a bite-size ad that McCain should utilize right now: regulation is not oversight.
maverick muse on October 5, 2008 at 8:29 AM
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