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

[UnionJok]

For his campaign song, McSame will resurrect the old car parts jingle --
"We-e-e-e-e're SEN-si-tive!"

[Catharsis]

Wow. I'm impressed.

McCain jokes about bombing Iran, shares birthday cake with Bush in New Orleans, flies around on his wife's riches...

and then accuses Obama of not caring about poor people.

What I really wonder is exactly how easy will it be for Obama to defeat him in November.

[anuevomi]

And he says this as he flies for free on his wife’s jet instead of using his campaign money. Which is running short.

Yeah-right Obama worked for 20 years dealing with issues of the poor. That is how he met up with Rev Wright that so many have trouble with.

Man I wish the DNC had of called this race a long time ago then we could focus on real issues.

OBAMA 08

[ylpatriot]

I think this is a fair question ? Obama worked for issues dealing with the poor or for the Black Americans ? There would be a difference yanno ?

[BeamMeUpScotty]

And you, Mr. McCain, want women paid less than their male counterparts, and you want to wipe out the Katrina's Ninth Ward . What does that make you?

[Davwbaird]

a evil monster?

[SonnyBono]

No, just your typical Republican - say anything, do anything to get power, keep power and gain the riches attached to power. McCain loves poor people - just more cannon fodder he can sent to Iraq and Iran.

[Schnitzel]

I really think McCain should be thinking more about retirement than running for office. I suppose it's good for the Democrats, assuming they ever get out of the circular firing squad formation. I actually worry about the old guy, though . How well is a hypertensive old man like McCain going to do on the campaign trail eating fast food, not sleeping, listening to and making boring speeches in 105 degree heat? I don't want to see the guy win or anything silly like that; but I just dread the thought of the video clip of the summer being McCain dropping dead from a stroke at a 4th of July picnic in Racine, Wisconsin!

[kay]

Suspending the gas tax is fiscally irresponsible, and fits nicely inside conservative economic dogma.

All it does is suck dedicated revenue from infrastructure, and allow oil companies a bigger window for possible profit.

Once it's suspended, they'll be no political will or courage to reinstate it. McCain and Clinton get a quick political bump of good will, Americans get an illusory short term gain, and we trade short gain for long term pain.

Suspending it means ending it. That's why President Bush advocated it. It's a Right wing dream.

I can't help but notice that YET AGAIN, Hillary Clinton and John McCain are together, on the wrong side of an issue.

There's one economic policy "grown up" in the room, and it isn't Clinton or McCain.

[Flagal]

Senator Clinton, if elected, would not have to reach across the aisle too republicans, she already is across the aisle.

[kay]

I'm sure it polls well.

She'll say anything.

At least Mccain is actually running on some ostensible "conservative" economic platform.

What's she running on? Is there any coherent plan or pattern to her proposals?

Pandering desperately for any slight political edge, yet again.

Why tax anything, Hillary? Prices are up across the board. If we eliminate taxes, we all get a price cut!

[SCG2]

Republicans just noticed the price of gas, during the election. Recall it wasn't that long ago when the oil company CEO's were called to testify before the pre 06' Republican congress. The Republicans insisted they did not have to be sworn in under oath.

Congressmen Ted Stevens Alaska (republican) in action.

Youtube 1:44 mins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbBRiatDdbI

[kay]

It's an appeal to rural middle class and poor. They get hit worse when gas prices go up.

No public transportation, and they actually DO have to drive long distances.

Sadly, it will work. Whatever short term gain they garner will be all that's remembered of the gas tax "issue", and the heck with any long term consequences.

[Flagal]

John Mcain doesnt care about poor people.

Kanye Flagal West

[aquarharris688]

Flagal, are you the true Kanye West, the famous rapper or are you perpetrating.

[igmond50]

Characterize your opponents strengths as his weaknesses and claim your own weaknesses as your strengths.­..it's worked for Wall Street and the shampoo, cereal and car companies for ever. B.S. Central!

[SCG2]

A Howard Dean clip was just run on MSNBC.....­he mentioned "the Bush/McCain economic problem ....errr Program"..­..he had a genuine freudian slip. ...LOL!

[only1Demvoter]

SCG : They ran the same interview over on CNN a few minutes ago.

Priceless !


-ralph

[MacTheBlogger]

McCain has taken a look at the polls, and he sees that he's barely hanging in with either Democrat candidate despite their bloody battle and his free ride. Despite their claims, I suspect neither McCain nor Obama will run an angelic campaign.

I wouldn't go so far as to label him this campaign's Bob Dole - McCain is a better candidate - but McCain has to pull out the stops and hope for more "revelations". This is a Dem year.

[Aleka4]

Oh heck no - McCain is making noise in order to look good but i hear the Wright ad will still air, and now hes capitializing on Obama trying to give Americans credit for being concerned about it - so look for McCain to continue the Clinton tradition of waving the yelling black man in front of the white voters to scare them.

Poor Wright.

[cherrycola]

"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,"

Gee, thanks McAncient!

Low-incomers like me don't own a car and won't be splurging our tax refunds on vacations, let alone longer and more exotic vacations. More likely a tax break would afford me the luxury of being able to buy Top Ramen instead of the bargain brand.

[Flagal]

I'm thinking maybe Senator Mccain could work out a plan where those who fall into the low-income category get to use his wife's jet for a day.

[slayer2369]

Yes, suspend that gas tax so what we save can go to buying an extra gallon or two, money that goes right back in the pocket of Big Oil and does nothing to help get out of the fossil fuel dependency we're in. Brilliant, McSame!

[Witchitalineman]

What a joke McCain is. I needed a laugh to start my day!

[likeicare]

Sounds like McSame has the Rove/Cheney-Bush mantra down pretty good.

Whatever happened to "straight talk?" What's with the canned responses -- to EVERY fucking question, John? Huh?

Are you suffering from early dementia -- or selective amnesia?

I used to think you were an honorable human being, despite being a Republican (I'm an Independent, btw). I see I was mislead.

[robodweeb]

"Straight talk" was one of those myths created by the "liberal media".

[shengirl]

"Do as I say, not as I do."

[dawlishgal]

Poor McCain...h­e is so elititst that he thinks (or pretends to think) that poor people must certainly be GULLIBLE PEOPLE. I wonder when was the last time HE actually even met anybody who worries about his or her pension, health insurance, how to pay for college for the kids, how to make those usurious house and credit card payments, how to feed the family, how they can sqeeze enough out of the family budget to take a pet to the vet., or whether or not their kid who couldn't find a decent job will survive his endless terms in Iraq fighting Bush's , McCain's and Clinton's war...stuf­f like that. He is too busy flipping around in his wife's corporate jet and stopping off here and there to lie to the REAL poor people.

Since 1980, 80% of the increases in our national income have gone to the richest 1% of the population. The other 90 percent of us have had to struggle to stay afloat. and (lucky for us) we get to split the remaining 20% (or else--far more likely-- it goes to the next richest 1%).

And McCain hitchhikes rides on his rich wife's plane (taking advantage of a loophole in his own bill that he claimed would stop this very kind of abuse), and has the gall to accuse OBAMA (who managed to forego a lucrative big-law-firm career to work with the poor in Chicago) of being (forgawdssakes) bleeping "INSENSITI­VE."