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

[2008andbeyond]

He's running with most of the press on his side and most Americans identifying him as an American hero with good ethics who is not corrupt like the Bushes and Clintons. If the Dems don't turn their full spotlight on him from April 23 until the November election and highlight his daily errors, he will convince people that his rheotric, which sounds good as a sound clip but is actually dangerous, can work. It'll then be difficult to convince people that he's a good guy who is not qualified to be president.

[noamjunior]

my guess is that Sadir will end his cease-fire in earnest this summer, which will put Iraq in the front of the news again and sink McCains presidential hopes

[LeftRight]

As much as I want that to happen so that we can get a democrat in office, GOD I HOPE IT DOESN'T. Think about how many more of our young men and women will die if that happens.....

[evekendall]

McCain has certainly been right about one thing: he doesn't know diddly about economics.

[rojo7449]

The media is going to have to learn how to emphasize "PRESUMPTIVE" candidate when they talk about this man. He's not that much different than what is in the oval office now. Wonder who the GOP plans to slide in the VP spot to run the country. Again, not different than what we have now.

[speakingtruth2power]

You people just don't appreciate neocon humor!

They know they are destroying our middle class

and creating the Bizarro World of newspeak lies.

This sick (neocon) insider joke is clearly on US!

[madron]

Just what this runied country needs....another f---ing moron to run it deeped in the ground....

[uvymopkq]

From his radical stance on abortion to his prominence in the corruption scandals that has been virtually ignored by the mainstream media, Barack Obama is not fit to be Senator -- not to mention the next President of the United States.
Obama has declared his presidential intentions, but it is up to well-informed and energetic conservatives like you to spare our nation from the scourge of a far-left President Barack H. Obama.

[Neoconstant]

I don't agree with Obama's position on abortion but its hardly radical - its more or less the position of the Democratic party as a whole. And I'm not about to flush my one vote for president on the issue of abortion - fact is its going to keep happening anyway. We've had R presidents for 20 of the last 28 years and guess what? Abortion is still legal! As for "corruption scandals," it seems odd that you'd make that plural when the only one I bet you're aware of is re: Rezko. Why? Because there are no other scandals, and that one is pretty weak to begin with - especially compared to the Keating 5 scandal. Oh, nice touch throwing the middle initial in there - I'm sure it was meant innocently...

[noamjunior]

why are you such a racist
just because you can't stand to see black people in a positionof powere doesn't give you the right to lie about the candidates

[robynuva]

informed and energetic conservatives? Well, I'll give you energetic. It takes a lot of energy to destroy the military, the economy, the budget, the reputation of the United States, the Constitution, the middle class, and Iraq all in two terms.

The American people have given the conservative movement almost 8 years to show us all that their principals and programs would make the country better. They have failed on all fronts, and their practices have been a disaster. Are you better off than you were 7 years ago? Is the country?

I will be pleased as punch to vote for a liberal for President. You guys had your shot, and you totally blew it.

[the964kid]

They need to remove internet access from the nut house.

uvymopkq please take your meds.

[LeftRight]

First, I don't see how this ties into the article.

Second, WHAT radical stance on abortion? His stance on abortion matches what more than 50% of Americans feel about it, thus qualifying as ANYTHING other than radical!

Third, what corruption scandals? Are you talking about Tony Rezko? The man that helped not only Obama, but Mayor Daley, Governor Blagojevich, and President Clinton with elections and fundraising?

[desmirl]

Senator McBombBombIran is so far out of his league. Come September and October when he has to debate the Democrat nominee, he will be totally destroyed. The only thing left for him in November will be the RightWingNutJobs and the sympathy vote.

[hmmmmmer]

Why has McSame gotten a free ride from the MSM up to this point? Will they ever judge him and critique him for the things he has said and done or will they keep riding on his plane eating and drinking and having a gay ole time. The press has gotten lazy and one sided as far as this carbon copy of Bushco has gone.

[john85msy]

You are 100% right except one thing and that is the Republican 527's and right-wing talk radio. They will destroy their party trying to destroy Obama and the American people will see how no human should have to endure such negative degrading attacks that are fabrications.

[noamjunior]

McCain will also get us out of our colonial war "with Peace and Honor" - just like Nixon

[kdubbg]

Don't be surprised if he says he has a "secret plan to end the war"

[lovethesinner]

McCain needs a black toupee. That's the ticket.

[madron]

WTF

[frappe]

McCain, why don't you just stay home and take some Geritol or something....Retire and rest in the shade on your property in Arizona. Leave the hard work to those that know what they're doing -- the Democrats.

Reagan's economic policies and tax cuts resulted in record deficits at the time, much like we're seeing now from another Republican defective, George Bush. And it was the spiraling inflation (cost of living) that Jimmy Carter inherited from the Reagan years hat caused a great deal of suffering among average Americans, too. And wouldn't you know it, George W. Bush will be leaving that as part of his legacy, too.

[Dansden]

We know what happened to our government under Reagan- the rich got richer and the National Treasury got smaller! Why would Americans want to give the Whitehouse to another Republican to ruin the future for our children?

McBush is inept and uneducated.....a senile sycophant who is propped up by the same elite neo-cons and fear-mongers who brought us this economy!

We need to BELIEVE McBUSH when he says he doesn't know much about finances!

We need to BELIEVE McBUSH when he says he will keep America in Iraq for 100 years!

We need to BELIEVE McBUSH that he is irrational when he says irrational statements as the truth!

[shaggles]

It's been a long time since a Republican candidate was really for small government. It's amazing that they get away with labelling the Dems as fiscally irresponsible but that's the story that everyone wants to stick with.

[mariemburns]

McBush has morphed into McClueless. However much a person may like the guy personally, it is irresponsible & downright unpatriotic to vote for someone who has absolutely no grasp of concepts covered in 8th-grade civics.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

Do we really want this guy running the nation? He is a buffoon. We have already seen what electing a buffoon has done for us (George W. Bush). We don't need 4 more years of a mentally handicapped person as President.