McCain: I'll Cut Deficits Like Reagan (Who Tripled The Deficit)

"When Senator John McCain was asked here this afternoon how he plans to balance the budget, he said that he hoped to do so by stimulating economic growth - and approvingly cited the example of President Ronald Reagan," the New York Times reports.

"There was one thing he did not mention during his response: the deficit nearly tripled during the Reagan presidency, partly due to tax cuts and increases in military spending."

The exchange occurred at a town-hall-style meeting held in a tent outside Bridgewater Associates, an investment firm. A member of the audience stood up and asked Mr. McCain, who has called for balanced budgets, how he plans to do it.

"Basically, which is it?" the man asked Mr. McCain. "Straight talk: Do you want to raise taxes, cut entitlement spending, cut defense spending, or have a deficit?"

Mr. McCain did not explain how he plans to balance the budget, but spoke generally about hoping to stimulate the economy - and cited President Reagan.

Read more here.

Comments

[andyboy]

You see the seeds that Reagan planted blossomed under Bill Clinton.

A Republican can always figure out a way to either take credit from or divert blame to a Democrat.

Jimmy Carter caused Iraq of course. He allowed them to obtain WMD due to his lax foreign policy. He was too weak and muslimy.

[Meggie]

and still is or he'd be out playing golf like a real man rather than building homes with habitat for humanity, caring about curing disease in poor countries, fair elections....

[noneIn2008]

And Jimmy helped Kim with his technology and centrifuges in North Korea

[CommittedDem]

People have written so many fairy tales about Reagan that they're beginning to believe. I hope the people on this site remember who it was who balanced that incredibly high deficit. I'm sure most of you conveniently say you've forgotten, since apparently you all supported Dole and Bush back in '92 and '96.

[jubo]

The internet was president?

[macjon]

.
I understand that over 90% of the currenmt national deficit was incurred while republiecons held the white house.
Can anyone confirm this figure???
.

[indalay]

I don't know about the 90% (although I wouldn't doubt it.) I did read recently that 70% of the deficit accumulated since 1776 was accumulated under Reagan and the 2 Bushes. So if 3 Republicans are responsible for 70% of it, I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to attribute another 20% to their partisans, too.

[kdubbg]

Actually it was 100% there was a surplus when Bush was elected.

[rollingdivision]

The congress controls spending and taxes and consequently the deficit, not the president. If there's a deficit or surplus credit congress!

[MajorKong]

So Reagan DIDN'T cut taxes? Never thought I'd hear a Republican say that.

[Jeff1958]

Now you're thinking like a Republican! If you start from the opposite end of the argument, a Republican will usually take the bait and engage you. Major Kong is correct - according to Republicans, anything good was caused by Republicans and anything bad was caused by Democrats.

[rollingdivision]

No Reagan didn't cut taxes, he proposed tax cuts and pushed for them. But, of course Reagan didn't have the power to change tax or spending by himself. The Democratic controlled congress did with almost 100% Republican support within congress. Essentially, the Republicans and Blue dog Democrats cut taxes with the tacit support of the Democratic congressional leadership.

[LeftRight]

Of course Raygun cut taxes. In 1981. Then in 1982 he had the largest deficit EVER up to that time. He then RAISED taxes, but did it in such a way that they could call it ANYTHING but a tax raise!

[LeftRight]

You are correct. You simply forgot ONE minor little, teeny tiny detail. The PRESIDENT gives his budget to the Congress. They then look it over, and USUALLY use either the same budget, or add some stuff to it. The major deficits of the 80s were, in fact, RONNIE RAYGUN'S brainchild, HE'S the one who cut the taxes on the rich, HE'S the one who raised defense spending to levels almost as high as WWII (accounting for inflation) and HE'S the one with all the credit for bringing "trickle-down" economics to the table. THEREFORE, it's the president's baby!

[MajorKong]

No, you've got it all wrong.

Anything good that happens is due to whichever branch of the government happens to be controlled by Republicans at that time. Anything bad that happens is likewise due to whichever branch is controlled by the Democrats.

If that doesn't work, you're allowed to go back to the last time Democrats controlled a branch of the government and blame it on them after the fact.

See how that works?

[rollingdivision]

Not even close. No recent congress has passed any presidents proposed budget in anything close to what was submitted.

[macjon]

.
Who was the last republicon white house occupant to submit a balanced budget???
The Democrats can point to Preident William Jefferson Clinton with pride.
.
.

[the964kid]

I can't tell if McCain is too bloody old, or if he's just dumb. He says a lot of ignorant things: we may be in Iraq for 100 years, he enthusiastically promises america 'more wars ', he admits he doesn't know much about the economy, he doesn't know the difference between shiites and suni muslims and more. Mccain supporters should be very nervous, because the more he talks the more he makes dumb statements that can and should be used against him in the fall. All his gaffes are on video to played over and over again. McCain seems like a guy who may have been sharp maybe 10 years ago, and now he seems slow witted and in the fog far too often.

[Meggie]

right wing really doesn't care what he says. they'll vote for him because he's the republican they've been told to vote for. similar to how they always let that crazy ann coulter say whatever she wants as long as she continues to give them crotch shots. they don't "hear" as long as they get a peek.

[LisainNYC]

I go with too bloody old AND dumb.

He doesn't pay any attention to the economy because he doesn't think anything other than war and the military are important.

[FrankFurter]

McCain is in fact the real Mr Mgoo - He couldn't find his way out of a paper bag without a trail of money to follow left by his team of expert "former" lobbyists...His brain is as sharp as a well worn crayon.

[rollingdivision]

Reagan did a lot of good things, but reducing the deficit wasn't one of them. McCain was wrong if he said "I'll cut deficits like Reagan".

[LeftRight]

Raygun DIDN'T do a lot of good things. RAYGUN ruined the economy (though it took a while) Raygun destroyed our governmental regulatory structure, Raygun in fact did everything in his power to create the circumstances we've got today, even though he failed at it!

[Jeff1958]

Reagan also committed treason when he negotiated for the Iranian hostage release prior to becoming President. Google Iran-Contra if you've got the stomach for it. Reagan did a lot of BAD things.

[Ramirez]

McCain did not say he would cut deficits. That is a fake quotation.

[rollingdivision]

When you can't win the argument one technique to try is to reframe your opponent's points into an obviously fallacy, a strawman, which can be easily knocked down.

[atomic]

The fact that Republicans look up to Reagan is a testament to their absence of any moral fibber. They can not summon real integrity from within so they have to stage it outside themselves. As they are pathetic and childish they need a king (parent figure) to look up to and worship. A king who they can align themselves with and benefit from as well. They derive self importance from it and enjoy lording it over others. It's a form of stunted emotional and intellectual growth stemming from their childhoods. Therapists and mental health workers understand this. Republicans are mentally backwards or dysfunctional adults. Fully grown functioning adults take responsibility for their mistakes and know they are accountable for their actions. Republicans constantly defer their responsibility onto others awhile maintaining a shameless or better than attitude through mockery and puffery.

[FrankFurter]

The myth of "the Reagan Years" is so much better than the honest to God truth of "The Reagan Years".

The truth is he was a doddering old actor who could read and deliver well written lines, He was a man literally slept through half of his term. A man who was easily manipulated and taken advantage of during the other half of his term because his brain was becoming swiss cheese thanks to Alzheimer's disease.

The man was a bowsprit, a figure head, a talking republican Ken Doll.

He was no more running the USA than Ronald McDonald runs the McDonald's empire.

Republicans will choose a good, easy to digest myth over the jagged pill of reality every time because honest critical thinking makes their brain hurt.

[blackchaps]

Members of my family believe RR cut the deficit - so it doesn't surprise me that McCain does. I bet if you polled right-wing wackos - they all believe it!!

[Meggie]

agree. most rightwing do what they're told and choose to remain uninformed.

[filo]

Thet also believe we found WMDs in Iraq

[flatus]

There's alot of pundit noise lately about how powerful a Condi Rice VPship would be.
Are they F'ing kidding us? In the words of NeoOne, "Bring it on!"

[treadway123]

Look we have bigger Problems! The Clintons brought in a foreign entertainmer to raise money for her campagne and I do believe that is inlegal as heck! Do we let foreigners decide know who will be our president by allowing them to come into the United States and raise money for thier foreign choices and desires? What's wrong with this plicture? I love Elton Johns music! But he is a U.K. citizen! Do we now let syria, Iran, turkey, germany, and other foreign country send over intertainers to raise money for thier choice of Americans President and Governor leaders! The Clintons have opened a forbidden door that could distroy us! How do we tell other foreign entertainer it's aginst the Americans Law and Forbid them to do this----------When We let Elton John a U.K. Citizen do it and allow the Clintons to get a way with it? Than is it ok for Obama to bring some one from Iran, Or Africa or Columbia(Sorry thats Bills Country). Ya we have a real problem here! Who's Listening?

[Meggie]

well, to be fair, when nobody else wanted to hold W's hand we let the saudis do it.
and when we needed somebody to help us with all the debt we need, we let Bill start trading money with the Chinese. so i guess if an overdressed gay Brit who screams at working people as if he'd love slavery to come back wants to help Hil I guess we've already set a precident for it. the question now is, do we like the direction all this is going or are we going to end it now in this election?

[karrezza]

Dude, if your grammar is any indication as to your intelligence, I seriously think you need to go back to school. "Inlegal" for "illegal" (no slip of keyboard on that one) "Know" when you mean "no", "campagne" for "campaign", "distroy" for "destroy"..
Anyway who cares.. I do believe he has dual citizenship too. I am sure all the equipment used in anyones campaigning was made in China, does that mean they are all breaking rules by using made in China stuff to campaign with because its not American??

Such stupid logic.. Even if he wasnt a citizen, he did NOT donate any $$$, he performed and U.S. Citizens paid for the tickets. So all the money is from America.

I know non-citizens that write better english than you. If you are a true "citizen" then learn the language of your country.

[FrankFurter]

John McCain just got back from a public funded ( our tax dollars) campaign fund raiser in England by way of Iraq.

Are you not concerned about that?

You're not really the sharpest tool in the shed tred.

[noneIn2008]

None of them will cut the budget or deficits. As typical politicians they will simply lie (wink wink) and also redifine the meaning of words. Cutting deficit means cutting the rate of growth, not the amount. They need to buy votes. They have too many lobbyist to please. They have too many contributors to pay back. A chicken in every pot.

[SFkid]

I swear if McNuts wins we might as well drop the bomb on ourselves. How is it that anybody would vote for this lump of political poo. I would rather vote for a monkey with down syndrome. He has shown that he is dumber than Bush time and time again.

I can't wait to see Obama DESTROY this guy in a debate.

[Meggie]

agree.
but, we already failed the national intelligence test in the last presidential election. throw in racism (see Tiger Woods remark yesterday) and we'll appear even dumber than before.

[LORISNJ]

I am with you on the debates - how great will it be when Obama wipes the floor with McCain. McCain may be more like Reagan then we know - he may already be in the beginning stages of dementia now considering some of his statements of late.

All Obama has to do in a debate is to get McCain mad and then just sit back and watch him explode!

[chlllfactor]

Amen! Between McCain's 'senior moments' and his anger management problems, he wiil completely loose it when he debates Obama.

[noneIn2008]

Why the blind support of Obama? Agree on McNasty. I see this site understandably hates Hillary. But Obama is all elitist facade, run by the machine. Take an objective view, you won't be so disappointed when you find he is another typical politician, backed by special interests.

[indie17]

"Obama is all elitist facade, run by the machine."

Uh no, not at all. Your view is not objective, more like cynical, jaded, pessimistic.

[chuckgraner]

Well said.

[maxwellinformed]

No on one is more "run by the machine" than Hillary Clinton. See PA for an example. She had more superdelegates back her before anyone cast a vote. She is the former 1st "Lady". The mere mention of the name Obama, in a room full of Clinton supporters could cause all sorts of hateful rhetoric. Ask Bill Richardson, dubbed Judas, who has the machine behind them.

[LeftRight]

Obviously you have blind support of Hillary then. Cause I don't see any blind support of Obama there, and I don't see how YOU see it, either.

SFkid simply pointed out that Obama is MUCH more likely to win the nomination, and that if he does, he will tear McBush to shreds in a debate!

[AnninCA]

Actually, isn't this Obama's line? :)

Funny headline.

[MikeMidCity]

"I was against the Iraq war before I voted for the authorization to use force in Iraq", Hillary's war vote explanation.

[HumeSkeptic]

Liar.

[IndependentTogether]

Just to be clear... no it isn't. It's too bad that you think the facts are irrelevant.

Obama talked about having a foreign policy approach that would include engaging in diplomacy with our enemies; he cites Reagan's success on that front. He also talked about the way in which Reagan convinced Democrats to vote against their stated interests; this is why he talks about "Obamacans".

With regards to economic policies, he actually talked about how he (and most Americans) was adversely affected by Reaganomics.

Nice try, though, AnninCA.

[mounthoodliberal]

he's just lobbing up more softballs for the eventual dem nominee. his free pass will end at that time. he'll also be fresh meat in the presidential debates. can't wait to see him get shredded.

[TheRebel82]

Of course the media won't report on this. McCain is in the early stages of Alzheimers just like his hero Ronnie Raygun was when he came into office.

[RavagesOfTime]

Hope you're all ready for President Grandpa Simpson, because that's what every Obama/Hillary hissy fit and every Ron Paul hyperconservative snow job is going to cause us.

[Meggie]

quit disparaging my hero grandpa simpson this way. what did he do to you?
and also, an effort to promote more than the current two super-huge incestuous political parties is not the problem. voting for a candidate that you truly do not like because somebody tells you to is the problem.

[desmirl]

Senator McInsane is living in a fairytale world in which Ronnie Raygun balanced the budget and brought fairness to America.