McCain calls Obama insensitive to poor people

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Sunday called Democratic rival Barack Obama insensitive to poor people and out of touch on economic issues.

The GOP nominee-in-waiting rapped his Democratic rival for opposing his idea to suspend the tax on fuel during the summer, a proposal that McCain believes will particularly help low-income people who usually have older cars that guzzle more gas.

"I noticed again today that Sen. Obama repeated his opposition to giving low-income Americans a tax break, a little bit of relief so they can travel a little further and a little longer, and maybe have a little bit of money left over to enjoy some other things in their lives," McCain said. "Obviously Sen. Obama does not understand that this would be a nice thing for Americans, and the special interests should not be dictating this policy."

The Arizona senator deflected questions about his record on the Bush administration's tax cuts _ he initially opposed them but now supports extending them _ by again criticizing Obama.

"Sen. Obama wants to raise the capital gains tax, which would have a direct effect on 100 million Americans," McCain said. "That means he has no understanding of the economy and that he is totally insensitive to the hopes and dreams and ambitions of 100 million Americans who will be affected by his almost doubling of the capital gains tax."

In an interview with "Fox News Sunday," Obama said McCain "not only wants to continue some of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and corporations, he actually wants to extend them, and he hasn't told us really how he's going to pay for them. It is irresponsible. And the irony is he said it was irresponsible."

Obama also said he would not raise the capital gains tax higher than it was under President Reagan and added, "I'm mindful that we've got to keep our capital gains tax to a point where we can actually get more revenue."

Comments

[rmreddicks]

Why would anyone with "values" vote for a man who snatched himself up a "trophy wife"? Didn't work for Kerry. But I can see this bum getting away with it. Ketchup or beer?

[urbanscorpio88]

Ketchup, everytime.

[rmreddicks]

Yeah. I need a few vegetables myself.

[Mattjoe]

Prior to GeorgeDick seizing control of energy policy, the notion that the automakers would start mass-producing 400+ cubic inch gasoline engines again was considered ludicrous.

Consume. Consume. Consume baby. Hook, line, sinker.

Now Republicans equate a meager suspension of fuel tax, a virtual "sprinkling of bird crumbs in the park" with relief for the poor, oppositely critizing Obama's stance on Capital Gains? How do these two things end up in the same conversation? Absurd, in its utter worthlessness’ and baseless correlation.

Last time I checked for example, the point of contention with middle class steel or auto workers who have lost their jobs or houses, stuck driving eight year old Dodge HEMI's ...was not how much Capital Gains tax they were paying/ not paying. Declaring CG not typically on they’re "to do" list Johnny – we simply can’t afford to buy Regular “Republican Blend” anymore.

If McCain has his finger on the pulse....I­'d hate to see what passes for "out of touch".

[dayindalife]

reminds me of when I was a kid.
"I can't go to the beach,I'm broke"
Tell ya what,son,here's two bucks for the subway.
THANKS DAD!

[mariemburns]

This is preposterous. McCain is stumping in one of the richest cities in America -- Coral Gables -- & he's offering a completely irresponsible, pandering gas tax break that will further deplete funds available for repair to our broken infrastructure & he says Obama doesn't understand poor people. This guy is not ready for prime time & if Americans elect him, we are doomed to mediocrity.

[dawlishgal]

LOL. McCAIN is giving the wealthy citizens of Coral Gables a rationale for voting for him....tha­t they are, in their fine Christian charity, helping the poor people by not voting for Obama. How very Barbara Bush of him!

Just the price the rest of us have to pay for keeping the social Darwinism thing going...th­e idea that the rich are rich because God loves them much MUCH more than he loves the rest of us. Same way that God sent a younger, richer, blonder, more God-loved woman into McCain's life right at the point his wife was supposed to be reaping the rewards for her Godly patience in having waited for McCain during all those years while he was in that prison camp. Yes, God, does INDEED work in mysterious ways. Unless one is a Republican and a direct recipient of God's favors.

[realpolitic]

The conservatives believe in a Darwinistic economy where the rich prey on the poor, but not in a scientific Darwinism of natural selection to explain our origins. Their ideas of Christianity has warped the gospels into believing that Jesus has favored certain people by giving them wealth and abundance, as you say. I guess then if one is poor God has overlooked him, despite the message of the gospels.

[PaigeInPhilly]

mediocrity­?..thats putting it mildly.

[ShiyinGuan]

McCain makes me so mad. His proclamations are like fast food- easy to digest, satisfying, but ultimately lethal and full of sh*t. My econ professor JUST mentioned today that Obama's interest here is the environment; in fact, Obama has a better understanding of basic economic principles that McCain, who cannot look beyond the first step. McSenile, who has probably never picked up an econ book in his life, only sees the obvious and direct effect of gas tax cuts-greater affordability for low-income consumers. There's so much more to it, though- we have to consider the elasticity of demand of consumers, the effects on gas substitutes, working towards sustainable resources, etc- that Obama (and hopefully Clinton) are looking at. Weening America off gas is going to be painful, but it has to be done at some point. Too bad McCain makes his judgments based on the 5-neuron brain he has on loan from Bush.

[Ariadne]

McCain came from money, married money, and has no understanding of anything other than a life of privilege, good schools, and a real place at the table of the elites. McCain truly is one of those elites we're suppossed to not like.

[RanTheMan]

Did he say this before or after he called his VERY wealthy wife, at one of their EIGHT homes, from the private jet, and told her, "I love you mon...er..­.honey"?

[SmellTheHorse]

John McCain needs to pause, sit back, watch and learn from the Official Hillary Clinton "How to Destroy a Democratic Frontrunner Using G.O.P. Tactics" Playbook..­..For example, first thing, McCain should have his spouse go around claiming Obama's playing the race card on her...

[realpolitic]

Very good!

[hibbiejibbies]

Says the man with the millionaire wife...

[brownrl]

See...

This is exactly the kind of statements that John McCain will make and it only makes him look like a 100% FOOL! Any one who flies around on lear jets, has 8 1 million dollar + homes, and is married to a beer - aness such as Cindy should never, ever, never be able to call someone an elitist and out of touch.

It simply doesn't matter which Obama or Clinton win for the Dems. McCain is sillier than my monkey's uncle. However, Obama would be better... less lies, less scandals, plan to take back government!

After 8 years of a chimp in the White House I truly hope that Americans are not so dumb to put another idiot in charge.

[lvdragonlady]

This coming from someone who 'married money' and never had to work for a dime.
What does he know about being poor??? NOT a flippin thing.

[jozap]

McCain is not thinking this through.

How many houses does McCain own?
Who's wife has a jet?

Who worked the streets for the poor?
Who's wife worked to suplement her husbands state senate salary?

This is not going to float.

[whiteboyblues]

He he owns eight houses and has a private jet has no clue what it means to be poor. I would like to hear what Obama thinks about growing up on the south side of Chicago?

McCain't please do not speak so foolishly.

[realpolitic]

Good point, but Obama did not grow up on the south side of Chicago. He moved there as an adult. He lived a couple years in Indonesia as a boy and then moved to Hawaii, I believe.

[PaigeInPhilly]

yup...he lived in a small apt in hawaii.

[ObamaCanada]

OkieMON the story is about 8 manision owning McSame and his insincere comments not about Rev Wright. Maybe you Clintionstas need to get a grip and understand who the real threat is and is name is John McSame not Barack Obama but I understand you scorched earth policy is in full effect.

[FrictionSoul]

Hahahaha! Said the guy who doesn't even know the economy, just that he gets his wife's private jet on the cheap.