Video: Middle class topped out at 70K in 2003, according to Obama
posted at 1:17 pm on November 1, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Normally, this would not amount to much, but with Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and their various surrogates having trouble finding the floor for tax cuts, perhaps more trenchant than it otherwise would be. In a 2003 interview while starting his Senate campaign, Obama said that tax cuts should have been targeted no higher than the $70K level:
Well, you know the problem was is that they weren’t targeted at the short term stimulus of the economy. What we should have done is if we were going to initiate tax cuts, and I’m a strong supporter of tax cuts for working families like the Earned Income Tax Credit, to initiate things like cuts in the Social Security tax, and other taxes that are really burdensome on families that are making 50, 60, 70 thousand dollars a year. Those tax cuts I think would have stimulated the economy.
But the money that we’ve given up directly affects Illinois in its potential, in terms of job growth because it means that transportation dollars are not in the state of Illinois, heath care dollars are not in the state of Illinois. There are enormous needs around the state that we could be using that money for.
The EITC reference is interesting. That’s a refundable, rather than a tax cut. It’s basically a redistributive tool, although one with broad bipartisan support. No one ever talks about ending the EITC, or at least not seriously enough to matter. It does reflect Obama’s inclination to rely on refundables rather than actual rate cuts, which reflects on his current tax plans.
Obama’s top end for cuts certainly changed dramatically. If he thought that tax cuts should be limited to $70K in 2003, he hasn’t explained what changed in the following five years to move that to $250K $200K $150K $120K. Obama could have simply changed his mind, but the ambiguity surrounding Democratic talking points in the past few weeks suggests that his commitment to the higher income levels is tenuous at best.
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Too bad all this didn’t happen a week ago. Awesome commercials here.
lorien1973 on November 1, 2008 at 1:19 PM
Anything at this point is icing on the cake, Ed. The Surge is beginning and Macmentum is building.
ManlyRash on November 1, 2008 at 1:20 PM
The truth is, he doesn’t have a plan. As soon as he gets in it will be “gee, I didn’t know things were this bad. We need to increase revenues!”
lodge on November 1, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Even McCain brought up that, saying of Obama: “He has voted in the United States Senate to increase taxes on people who make as low as $42000.”
I just don’t think the Obamites care much about facts or history…when “hope” and “change” is afoot.
JetBoy on November 1, 2008 at 1:22 PM
The number is interesting, but I think the constant refrain of his ‘economy’s strength is dollars in lower income families, not jobs’ is more telling in the long-term.
But you make a good point Ed, about his *ahem* flexibility with respect to his line in the sand.
Spirit of 1776 on November 1, 2008 at 1:23 PM
The truth is, he doesn’t have a plan
As soon as he gets in it will be “gee, I didn’t know things were this bad. We need to increase revenues!”or any hope of getting elected.FIFY
ManlyRash on November 1, 2008 at 1:25 PM
“Anything at this point is icing on the cake, Ed. The Surge is beginning and Macmentum is building.”
You actually believed that B.S. article I linked to? Or do you just mean in general?
Christoph on November 1, 2008 at 1:25 PM
I’ve been explaining for two weeks that McCain will win the election. Where were you during that time?
ManlyRash on November 1, 2008 at 1:26 PM
QFT.
The lesson we can gather about Team O! from their changing “plan” is that there was no plan to begin with. O! seems to think the cant about tax cuts is effective, but he doesn’t grasp why exactly so the details are fluid.
Lehosh on November 1, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Yeah.
Spirit of 1776 on November 1, 2008 at 1:28 PM
Wow, my guess was 40K per person. This is worse than I thought. If he lets his own illegal immigrant aunt live in public housing, it’s good enough for us.
Hening on November 1, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Sheesh, this guy has aged. He looks all haggard and worn out now compared to the photo just a few years ago. Was he married when that pic was taken?
JiangxiDad on November 1, 2008 at 1:30 PM
I told you all it would get to $70K…..
Vashta.Nerada on November 1, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Ouch. And ha.
Spirit of 1776 on November 1, 2008 at 1:31 PM
Kenyan citizens age slower than American citizens.
lorien1973 on November 1, 2008 at 1:31 PM
Could someone give me the link to his medical records. I wanna vote for him, but I just have to make sure he’s healthy and all, cause Biden is just kinda so so.
JiangxiDad on November 1, 2008 at 1:32 PM
I’d sure like to see the percentage of people not seeing a tax increase or getting a tax cut graphed along with his continually changing income figures.
Throw in a line for the floor at which those whose gross income is such that they pay no taxes. That way I can see the how much different the percentage of people actually getting a tax cut differs from his magical 95%. My gut feeling is it’s down to around 25% now.
Beyond all that, though, I’m getting the impression his fiscal and economic plans have no basis in analysis by anyone other than who in the office is throwing the darts on any particular day.
Dusty on November 1, 2008 at 1:32 PM
I’m laughing at my own joke.
JiangxiDad on November 1, 2008 at 1:33 PM
btw, I’m looking for Dave. If you see him, can you tell him I need to talk to him. Tks.
JiangxiDad on November 1, 2008 at 1:34 PM
First it was 250,000.00 then it was 200,000.00 then it was 150,000.00, then Gov Bill Richardson was saying, you know what it is more like 120,000.00, now it is down to 70,000.00, can I hear 65,000.00 going, going, going, sold to the man without a job/ Snark
Dr Evil on November 1, 2008 at 1:35 PM
In 2003, $70,000 was the Democrat Party’s official threshold for “rich”. It wasn’t true then, just as not a single one of the ever-changing numbers they are throwing out now are true either.
In any case, using specific income thresholds always leads to disaster. See the Alternative Minimum Tax. Dittos for the Progressive Income Tax.
Buy Danish on November 1, 2008 at 1:37 PM
I had a political conversation with some students yesterday after one asked me (and I know you can’t tell me, he said, whereby I asked why not? I certainly can tell you how I plan to vote. I just can’t tell you how to vote.) who I was voting for, and when I said McCain, he started challenging me. Why? So I told him, rapid-fire, why. He said, oh. Most people don’t have reasons. I proceeded to educate him and a few other students who gathered around–about Howard Stern’s audio of Harlem voters and the One’s medical records vs. McCain’s, the campaign finance stuff, Acorn and voter fraud, etc. I did some real edumacating in that room yesterday.
Waiting for the irate parent phone calls now. :)
Bob's Kid on November 1, 2008 at 1:39 PM
You should, it was that good. I laughed out loud, then I groaned.
Happily.
Spirit of 1776 on November 1, 2008 at 1:40 PM
Next it will be anyone selfish enough to have a job.
VanPalin on November 1, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Remember this story?? Here’s Obama’s old best friend Keith Kakugawa that actually did contact Obama asking for help!
Obama said that was what social services are for!! Can’t say you didn’t know about this old friend, Obama!!!
http://wonkette.com/246583/obama-wont-buy-hobo-buddy-a-sammich
Here’s another link to his old buddy.
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4§ion=0&article=94633&d=6&m=4&y=2007
some excerpts:
An older- “brother figure.” The hypnotic toad is not his brother’s keeper.
JellyToast on November 1, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Come on Allah please put this story up its hillarious
William Amos on November 1, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Gosh, I think I made in the $50sK 5 years ago (including summer school and overload). If I was so close to being rich how come I couldn’t then (or now) buy a house?
Bob's Kid on November 1, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Won’t be much longer till we learn that number is 40K
Kini on November 1, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Do you not know Tony Rezko?
Spirit of 1776 on November 1, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Either you’re in poverty, or your rich. There is no middle class.
NeighborhoodCatLady on November 1, 2008 at 1:45 PM
In the words of a great man, “God Helps Those Who Help Themselves.”
Make some calls for McCain-Palin. It is easy, not as hard to make cold calls as I thought. They give you script and it is easy to do. Make 5, 10, 15, as many as you want. Choose your battleground (I did Pennsylvania and it was a lot of fun).
http://www.johnmccain.com/PhoneBank/?guid=0A517F03-C3ED-4A24-A14A-3BD9D5F32F2F
I made calls and it is rewarding. More rewarding than stocking chicken feed, ammo, rice and beans for the coming bad times. You can pick your battle ground and do some good.
Mr. Joe on November 1, 2008 at 1:46 PM
NO!
And Countrywide wouldn’t cut me a deal, either.
Bob's Kid on November 1, 2008 at 1:46 PM
I simply don’t care about what this man says. After he destroys the economy and we all lose our jobs, I won’t be making any money for him to steal.
leetpriest on November 1, 2008 at 1:46 PM
The implication is that if the dollars are not seized by the government they will flee the state.
DarkCurrent on November 1, 2008 at 1:47 PM
Relax people.
Obama will keep all of the promises he intends to keep.
PackerBronco on November 1, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Tough break. But Countrywide couldn’t afford to, they had to recoup their losses from the Dodd deal. Normally, they’d be fine with their governmental aid, but Rangel hadn’t been paying his taxes. Or, I should say, he selfishly wasn’t doing his patriotic duty.
Spirit of 1776 on November 1, 2008 at 1:52 PM
I love when Obama defends his $250,000 being rich theme. He quotes that figure then immediately uses Warren Buffet, or himself, as an example. Like there aren’t millions of dollars between those two figures.
ctmom on November 1, 2008 at 2:02 PM
I really like the comparison of Obama to the Hypnotoad. I think it’s a good nickname.
VanPalin on November 1, 2008 at 2:03 PM
How about a robo call reminding voters that anyone caught voting twice or under an assumed name would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law? Might keep a few thousand Acorners from committing fraud.
ctmom on November 1, 2008 at 2:07 PM
BREAKING NEWS!!!!!
(HONOLULU)(November 1, 2008) Internet powerhouse Andy Martin has ignited a firestorm in Hawai’i over Barack Obama’s bogus “original” birth certificate. Martin won a stunning victory Friday afternoon (October 31st) when the State of Hawai’i backed his assertion that there was an original, “typewritten, 1961″ birth certificate, called a “Certificate of Live Birth” or “COLB” in Hawai’i, that no one has previously seen. Hawai’i officials retrieved and examined the document after Martin filed a lawsuit seeking access to the historic 1961 original.
Obama has falsely claimed to have placed the “original” on the Internet. Factcheck.org has falsely claimed to have seen this document and posted it on the Internet; that is not true. CNN has falsely ridiculed Martin.
Hawai’i officials have now refuted Obama’s false assertion.
Chiyome Fukino said “I as Director of Health for the State of Hawaii, along with the Registrar of Vital Statistics who has statutory authority to oversee and maintain these type of vital records, have personally seen and verified that the Hawaii State Department of Health has Senator Obama’s original birth certificate on record in accordance with state policies and procedures. No state official, including Governor Linda Lingle, has ever instructed that this vital record be handled in a manner different from any other vital record in the possession of the State of Hawaii.”
What they didn’t explain is what is in BOX 7C of this record. Original Hawaiian Birth Certificates had a funny thing on them in the 1960s. It allowed for births OUTSIDE Hawaii to be registered IN Hawaii. “BOX 7C” on an Original Birth Certificate says “County and State or Foreign Country” of birth.
Marsh on November 1, 2008 at 2:08 PM
MacMentum! I love it.
Mojave Mark on November 1, 2008 at 2:10 PM
No, McCain’s evil for doing robocalls, remember? Obama has robocalls saying so.
VanPalin on November 1, 2008 at 2:11 PM
Do the math.
2003: Obama sets the middle class bar at $70,000
2005: Michelle Obama gets raise to salary of $316,000
2008: Obama sets the middle class bar at $250,000
fogw on November 1, 2008 at 2:12 PM
That’s not exactly what he said. I believe the quote is
I believe Barrack Obama is a communist who wants to increase taxes on every American with a job. But I also want to quote him accurately. We’re not the New York Times.
bigbeas on November 1, 2008 at 2:13 PM
The problem with such national standards is they don’t take regional costs into account. I live in Silicon Valley, am a single parent, sole provider for a family of three. The nearest place where I can buy a home for under $300K is probably an hour’s drive from here; two hours in traffic. A “fixer upper” that is falling down would cost over 600K. Empty lots with no house bring $700K and up. Gasoline is under $3 a gallon here in only the deep discount places like Costco. We have, outside of Alaska and Hawaii, probably the highest cost everything in the country. $100K is pretty much the standard professional salary range. $200K and up if you are in any kind management position (anywhere from department manager on up).
Now I could live quite well on my salary in Illinois or Arkansas or Delaware. What I get from my salary plus my wife’s survivor benefit for the kids allows me to break even here. I am not putting a lot back (I turned off my 401K when my wife died and haven’t been able to turn contributions back on). After school child care costs here run me $1000 a month. I drive a 15 year-old pickup to work. I make over 100K but can’t afford to buy a house here. We rent a place in the best school district I could find. I do it for the kids. The neighborhood is safe, the schools are good. We don’t need a new car and I am not asking my community for their money. We do OK.
But when Obama says I am “selfish” for not wanting to pay even more in taxes to “spread” my earnings around to people who deserve them more than my kids do, I get a little hot under the collar.
Obama can kiss my rear end.
crosspatch on November 1, 2008 at 2:20 PM
The more revealing quote is that Obama talks about the money “we’ve given up” in tax cuts, and all the dollars that are not in the state of Illinois. The dollars are still in Illinois, they’re just in the hands of private citizens instead of Government. Obama views your money as the Government’s money. He views letting you keep your money as taking money away from him and his Government. That view tells you more about Obama than the 50, 60, 70k remark.
bigbeas on November 1, 2008 at 2:21 PM
I agree completely. First, the view that Americans making $250k are not “working people” is offensive to me. Because I know those people are generally working very hard. Second, all these liberals call for you to spread your money around but they don’t do it. Obama’s Aunt lives in a slum in Boston, and his half-brother lives in a hut in Kenya. Obama is generous with your money but not his own. Lastly, get out of California. Life really is better in the red states.
bigbeas on November 1, 2008 at 2:27 PM
bigbeas:
Coworkers and I have worked practically around the clock the past week on a particularly difficult problem to locate and fix. This problem impacted users around the globe. Co-workers and I worked until well past midnight several days last week, me at my kitchen table while the kids slept logged into systems literaly around the globe to find and fix that problem. It isn’t unusual to put in 60 hour weeks and 80 hour weeks aren’t unheard of. The notion that someone who makes over 100K doesn’t work for the money galls me. I was exhausted by Friday but we got it done, found the problem, and users of a particular service around the world are now getting much better service. Even managed to take the kids trick-or-treating. Who the hell do they think keeps all these services running? Elves?
crosspatch on November 1, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Lets be honest- socialists hate business people period.
So to them, anyone with a white collar making a profit over 50-60K and abusing poor innocent workers, will deserve the fiscal screwing they get.
View straight out your college professors classroom.
jjshaka on November 1, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Obama lies about everything, and it is financially impossible to implement all of his plans, so there’s no reason to believe anything he says.
Riposte on November 1, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Obama and leftists like him seem to misunderstand what the rich do with their money, at least here in the US. Rich people invest their money in businesses and the capital markets, providing funding for the jobs that people who aren’t rich need. What is more “stimulating” to the economy, a wealthy person investing in the capital markets to create future cash flow streams or a poor person being given a handout to be used on present consumption? Obama’s tax policy sound like the equivalent of eating a meal made of your seed corn, not the ripe end-product. Sure, you get full that day, but what about tomorrow? It is literally the most foolish economic policy possible. I can’t believe there is an entire political party dedicated to these “ideas”.
venividivici on November 1, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Getting closer to $40K, $25K, $10K by the day now. At this rate He’ll be taxing projected income. What a guy.
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/11/01/video-middle-class-topped-out-at-70k-in-2003-according-to-obama/
Just don’t tell Peggy Joseph.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6ikOxi9yYk&eurl=http://hotair.com/archives/2008/10/31/video-obama-supporter-hails-the-bringer-of-all-good-things/
Texyank on November 1, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Obama’s plan to cut FICA taxes would weaken the Social Security trust funds…
Of course, since there are not assets in those trust funds, I guess it doesn’t matter.
Laurence on November 1, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Looks like “The One” may have ordered the video to be yanked. “No longer available”.
Conservative_SAHM on November 1, 2008 at 3:50 PM
The EITC is welfare. Obama wants to take from rich whites and give to poor blacks.
Paul-Cincy on November 1, 2008 at 4:03 PM
First you promise us tax cuts
Then we hear the ifs and buts
Come and join The One, Barack
as we do Tax Limbo Rock
B’rack be nimble, he be quick
he gon’ wave his taxing stick
all around Tax Limbo clock
HEY let’s do Tax Limbo Rock!
(250K? 200K?)
Limbo lower now!
(150K? 120K?)
Limbo lower now!
(70K?)
How low … can you go?
The Monster on November 1, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Ahh, so one is not allowed to develop an opinion over time. Whatever Obama said 5 years ago on a topic is the only position he’s is allowed to have on it. How stupid.
Keep the Desperation Express chugging along. Beep beep.
Dave Rywall on November 1, 2008 at 4:37 PM
And how is our favorite troll today, Dave? Feeling okay?
ManlyRash on November 1, 2008 at 4:42 PM
All lies, the actual criteria is anyone with a job will be taxed and the money given to someone on welfare.
Buzzy on November 1, 2008 at 5:06 PM
You stupid piece of dung…you aren’t even Canadian as you so report.
Just a couple of days left with your foolish posts, then you will disappear.
Tell me, how much do you get from the Obama campaign to post…and if nothing, doesn’t that frost you that others are getting paid to do what you do?
You sniveling little rat…full of lies.
You have been caught in lie after lie on these posts, and you just slink away to post later. Pretending to be oblivious about your lies and deception…your time is up *sshole…
right2bright on November 1, 2008 at 5:13 PM
Link please…
right2bright on November 1, 2008 at 5:15 PM
The only person saying that Martin has the facts, is Martin. Remember one of Palin’s best friends and supporters is the Gov. of Hawaii.
right2bright on November 1, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Crosspatch: I know. Obama and his ilk want to steal money from hard working Americans like you and me and give it to the less “fortunate.” It’s really disgusting.
bigbeas on November 1, 2008 at 6:29 PM
If you parse his words a little more, you realize he views job creations as new government jobs. Not like the GOP, viewing jobs creation as government getting out of the way and creating them in the private sector.
lwssdd on November 1, 2008 at 6:33 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6ikOxi9yYk&eurl=http://hotair.com/archives/2008/10/31/video-obama-supporter-hails-the-bringer-of-all-good-things/
Texyank on November 1, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Sometimes it won’t load until I refresh, but it’s working for me.
pambi on November 1, 2008 at 6:47 PM
http://bellalu0.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/why-you-should-not-vote-for-barack-obama/
Dr Evil on November 1, 2008 at 9:29 PM
DANG creepy Obey pic on Drudge.. eeeeeew !
pambi on November 1, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Cool, in a few days I’ll be Upperclass. Finally.
Aitch on November 2, 2008 at 12:17 AM
pfft. The man is walking through the candy store doing and saying whatever he wants. He’s THAT confident nothing he says will come back to haunt him. Un-freakin real.
johnnyU on November 2, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Wow….those Bush Tax Cuts really worked if the Middle Class went from $70,000 to $250,000 in 5 short years. Didn’t he just make a case against his way of thinking? That’s what….up 250%? Too bad the Dems will let the tax cuts expire! We will all be peasants to the Government.
mwsivt on November 2, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Alms for the poor, alms, alms….
0321_GUY on November 3, 2008 at 8:38 AM