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

[DaOne]

Norquist is a racist after his "Kerry with a tan" comment.

So Fiorina doesn't speak for McCain on economics, Gramm doesn't speak for McCain on economics.­..........­.

Who does?

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Bush.

[RayPacNW]

Watch it. That kind of talk will get you a trespassing ticket :-)

[hypnotoad72]

Norquist just wants government to drown itself in a bathtub. Mind you, I heard that line down the grapevine, so in all probability it's been grossly spun out of control between way back when and now.

[Plus15]

Grover Norquist bares heavy responsibility for the Republicans ongoing destruction of the government of the United States of America and our Constitution. He doesn't like America, he works to destroy our government and our way of life. He has helped Bush and Cheney dismantle our beloved country. He is disloyal to America. And along with Karl Rove he is one of George W. Bush's major turds.

He is certainly an enemy of the people - nothing more and nothing less.

[wm1066]

Well said.

[JimWalsh]

Someone has to pay for the deficit created by President George W Bush.

Phil Gramm has caused severe damage to our economy by being instrumental in deregulating the banking/financial industry and futures trading.

There are more banks that are going to be bailed out by taxpayer money. Thanks to Gramm's deregulation. Thanks to Congress not taking needed action after Enron.

All tax payers are paying for Gramm's damage.

The significant increase in gas and food during the last couple years are a result of Gramm's deregulation.

The increase in airline ticket is = a result of Gramm's deregulation and Congress not fixing the problem.

Recent job losses in the financial and airline industries are a result of Gramm's deregulation.

The dominoes are falling. We cannot continue to increase the deficit by printing worthless dollars.

[4wehttam]

"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."

ROFLMFAO!!!!!!! Wow, McBush keeping his word? Since when? This is the guy that has been KNOWN to flip flop on serious issues AT LEAST about SIXTY-TWO times. HELLLLLOOO­OOOO???!!!

Okay, I'm convinced. The ENTIRE republican party has lost their bearings..­..give or take four or five sane people like Chuck Hagel.

[zippywpinhead]

I nearly fell out of my seat and spit soda on my monitor when I read that quote. That's got to be the mother of all lies- puleeze, tell me 'ol Grover had every finger and every toe on his body crossed when he made that statement.­..

[Synoia]

Who was standing behind McCain when he was looking in the mirror? JC?

[lthuedk 1]

Shouldn't Norquist be mimicking a polyp in a sea of santorum? http://www.light-to-dark.com/grover_santorum.html

[whiteboyblues]

grover norquist is like karl rove with a beard

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

More like santorum with glasses.

[levibatgirl]

grover didn't get the memo.

mcflipflop can't keep track of what he promised or what he says from day to day.

[Smunker]

Good job we didn't take any notice of that surrogate Fiorina then, eh?

[BADEN]

Norquist genepool elimination. First priority of "Change".

[jupitor]

We can go to U Tube and see what he said on T.V, but you have to choose what day and month===because there is usually two mccains saying two things on any given video. Other wise so many videos showing him flip flopping and even talking about a foreign country that isn't there, that we are ready to say" Will the real john mccain please stand up". We'll he could have a staff member stand up for him, if he hadn't fired them again! This is what his administration will look like! pretty soon karl rove will be the last man standing behind mccain. When will he fire Bush?

[shel3364]

Hey, wait a minute... I've seen this before: "has made it very clear, repeatedly on air and on TV, read my lips no new taxes, no tax increases.­"

[joselopez]

Cut Taxes, fund two wars, give tax breaks to businesses, and balance the budget within his first four years by getting rid of pork barrel spending!! Only a naive American would believe that.

[drumz]

In other words, a republican

[barackobama4prez]

Yeah, i remember you bigot. not the most credible source...t­ry convincing your own party that they can trust gramps. even his own mother says we shouldn't trust him.