Norquist Defends McCain After Fiorina's Tax Raising Remarks

America's foremost anti-tax crusader is coming to John McCain's defense, after a high-ranking adviser to the Senator suggested that he would - if the conditions proved right - raise taxes on wealthy Americans.

Grover Norquist, the head of Americans for Tax Reform, said he was confident that McCain would not raises taxes should he become president.

"The one thing about McCain is that when he looks in the mirror he sees a guy who keeps his words I believe he will keep his word," Norquist told the Huffington Post. "McCain has made it very clear, repeatedly on air and on TV, read my lips no new taxes, no tax increases."

Such a vote of confidence carries significant weight in conservative circles, not just because Norquist and McCain have clashed in the past, but because there is still a healthy dose of skepticism concerning the Senator's economic policies (tied mainly to his one-time opposition to the Bush tax cuts). Top adviser Carly Fiorina added fuel to that fire when, in an interview with Bloomberg News, she said if a bipartisan coalition is "creative enough," a tax increase on wealthier Americans could be on the table.

"That is not McCain's position and he has made it very clear he will oppose and veto any tax increase. And you couldn't have a bipartisan measure that raises tax rates because 42 senators have all signed a statement not to raise the rate," said Norquist. "I assume that anyone who is speaking for the campaign will do so in a way that is consistent with McCain's position and if she is either misquoted or misspoke that should not in anyway reflect on McCain's consistent position on this subject."

Supplementing his remarks, Norquist had an aide send over documentary evidence of the three times McCain promised on national television to veto any tax increase.

"With the campaigns permission we have sent those three to everybody and their brother," Norquist noted. "So the presidential candidate McCain has made it clear, he has made it very clear, that he not only opposes any tax increase but will pursue three significant tax cuts."

Update: McCain aide, Taylor Griffin, has also distanced the Senator from Fiorina's remarks, telling ABC News:

"The lesson of history is that too many specifics at this point polarize the debate, that is the argument Carly was trying to make. However, John McCain does believe that we can fix Social Security without raising taxes. As president, John McCain will call on Congress to develop a bi-partisan solution to Social Security -- and if they won't, he will."

Comments

[PioneerKing]

Grover Norquist is intelligent as toilet bowl scum and he will defend all of the addlepated blathering that McCain spits out.

[Bluedog12]

Sir I know toiler bowl scum and Grover Norquist is not toilet bowl scum. Septic scum maybe.

[U4IA]

"...read my lips no new taxes, no tax increases.­"

Um... oh... er...

So know McCain isn't W's third term, he's HW's second?

[GolfingDevil05]

Careful of that third rail, Carly. It's a loo-loo.

[lovethesinner]

"Mad Money" Kramer was on Hardball screaming "raise taxes" this afternoon. He said he'd vote for McCain because "he's a smart guy and he's got three months to get it figured out, and a bunch of smart people..." But, I think he was being sarcastic.

When asked again later, "So are you for Obama?" (because he kept screaming "raise taxes, we gotta raise taxes,") Kramer's response was edited out.

[dac253]

"Read my lips, no new taxes."

"Oops! The president before me spent us towards oblivion and we HAVE to raise taxes or we're totally scrwed."

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Santayana

[hypnotoad72]

Rescinding old tax cuts, yes. Adding new ones? I don't think so. Looking at what gets spent? Yes, that needs to be looked at too.

But there is a difference between the rescinding cuts and outright adding.

[Egalitare]

No new taxes, and no paying property taxes.

[Bluedog12]

Amen. Now when you fall and can't get up don't bother calling your local FD. There won't be one.

[truthyguy]

You can understand why the republicans really love this guy Norquist. What sane person would do whatever they are told to do and say anything, even if it means they permanently labeled a fool and a liar. Great legacy to have Grover, you little sweetie you.

[repubstheirownworstenemy]

McCain's pick of financial advisors says all we needs to know about his judgment on matters relating to the economy.

He picks Carly Fiorina, the CEO that ran Hewlett Packard into the ground and was jettisoned. Criminy, John. Are you completely dense?

It's one thing to own up to not knowing much about financial matters, but you should at least be able to pick advisors who know up from down.....g­ood lord, John. What were you thinking?

[HurryUp1212009]

Grover Norquist is a sociopath and social Darwinist. He's the 2nd most dangerous person in Washington, David Addington is #1.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Indeed.

Lord of the Low-Tax Flies.

[hypnotoad72]

If he was, would he be living in America - land of Darwin award winners who let our economy and populace, in various and differing ways, over the last 40 years?

[bitabingbitabangbitaboom]

David Addington is really a Chupacabra

.

[mamacat]

I do not have a generally favorable impression of Ms. Fiorina, but it is looking like she is more qualified than most of the Republican men who ran for the RNC nomination for president.
Basic common sense indicates that the taxes on the super rich have to be reinstated. Ms. Fiorina, herself one of the top 2%, knows whereof she speaks.

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

There is a growing list of names that should be run over by the flip-flip express. GN's name heads the list.

[swift goat pet for truth]

Run up debt, pass it to the kids.
Then brag about being the Party of Personal Responsibility.

It the American Way.

[SmootyBooty]

GN has as much credibility as Pervez Mushareff.­..

[Zhonni]

Norquist is such a phony! How can he support a anouncement by McCain's camp that he would support a tax increase for the wealthy. McCain is moving closer to Obama's position on this one and WHERE IS THE MEDIA?

They won't hit him on SS privatization nor his other numerous change in positions. Are they going to report that McCain is going to increase taxes on the wealthy?

[Chillinout]

It seems that none of McHasnoclue's surrogates talk for him, so why have them?

[dwillisno1]

Suppose you are on the short list for VP. Suppose that you aren't very bright, (wouldn't be on the list if you were) but you are bright enough to know that you don't want to be VP under the McCain adm. However you don't want to say that so why not just say something contrary to McCain and you are automatically out
simple solution to a complex problem.