Obama Not A Socialist, McCain Admits (VIDEO)

In an interview with Larry King that aired last night, John McCain admitted that he doesn't think Barack Obama is a socialist, which runs counter to most of his campaign rhetoric for the past week. The admission is reminiscent of when McCain, after days of hammering Obama about a supposedly sexist remark, finally conceded that Obama probably wasn't calling Sarah Palin a pig when referencing "lipstick on a pig" at a campaign speech. Video below, with transcript:

Transcript, via CNN:

KING: You don't believe Barack Obama is a socialist, do you?

MCCAIN: No. But, I do believe -- I do believe that he's been in the far left of American politics. He has stated time after time that he believes in "spreading the wealth around." He's talked about courts that would redistribute the wealth.

He has a record of voting against tax cuts and for tax increases. And I don't think there's any doubt that he would increase spending and he would, sooner or later, we would be increasing taxes. There is no doubt in my mind that that's what his record -- 94 times he voted to cut taxes -- against tax cuts and for tax increases. He voted for -- and that's what matters. Not rhetoric. To raise taxes on individuals making $42,000 a year.

KING: Concerning spreading the wealth, isn't the graduated income tax spreading the wealth? If you and I paid more so that Jimmy can get some for him, or pay for a welfare recipient, that's spreading the wealth.

MCCAIN: Well, that's spreading the wealth in the respect that we do have a graduated income tax. That's a far cry from taking from one group of Americans and giving to another. I mean, that's dramatically different.

Sen. Obama clearly has talked about for years, redistributive policies. And that's not the way we create wealth in America. That's not the way we grow our economy. That's not the way we create jobs.

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And when small business people see that half of their income, half of the income of small businesses is going to be taxed by Sen, Obama, then they're very upset with it.

KING: He says, it's only the personal income tax. If you run a store, if you make $250,000 or more, as a personal income, not a business income, that's where he's (INAUDIBLE).

MCCAIN: And that's where his folks just reduced it to $200,000. And then Sen. Biden yesterday said $150,000. And the fact is that if Joe the Plumber is able to buy the business that he works in, the guy that he buys it from is going to see an increase in capital gains taxes. They're going to see an increase in payroll taxes. They're going to see -- if he reaches a certain level, an increase in his income taxes. And that's what got people concerned. That's what's got Joe the Plumber upset. He wants to redistribute the money.

KING: Doesn't taxes pay for services?

MCCAIN: Taxes pay for services.

KING: (INAUDIBLE) taxes.

MCCAIN: But, do we want -- taxes pay to keep our government secure. To help those who can't help themselves. And other functions of government, which, by the way, expanded by some 40 percent in the last eight years and gave us a $10 trillion debt --

KING: Under Bush.

MCCAIN: And to the last two years, under Democrat majorities in the House and Senate.

But, that's the job of government. But it is not the job of government that I believe in, that would take a group of Americans who have some money and say, we're taking your money, and we're giving it to others. This 95 percent tax cut he's talking about for 95 percent of Americans -- 40 percent of Americans pay no income tax. So he is just going to give them some money. Where is he going to get it? He is increasing taxes for other groups of Americans. That's his plan.

KING: What are you going to do?

MCCAIN: I'm going to keep taxes low. I'm going to ...

KING: Where they are?

MCCAIN: Sure. Absolutely

Comments

[torri]

he keep saying he's gonna keep taxes low the same taxes where they at now well look at our economy now thats not gonna work that the same thing bush did i cant wait til nov 4th & i can stop hearing palin whiney voice an mcsame annoying a s

[raker]

McCain's campaign underscores once again how counterproductive campaign consultants are. The loser usually loses because of a dreadful campaign strategy. The winner wins in spite of it.

[Schnides]

There's something scary about both candidates. I've read a couple of times from analysts, as well as heard it mentioned in the final Presidential debate....­..........­..........­."the math doesn't work for either candidate's plan to soften the U.S. deficite, in fact, both plans will get us more in debt. I believe those mathmaticians more than either candidate. We're in trooooouble people for a long time. So hang on for the ride and hopefully our children will be able to benefit in the long term.

Obama Obama Obama, we REALLY need you to put your game face on and do at least half of what you say you will do. We've heard the inspiring words, and now I want ACTION. I'm voting for Obama simply because he is a fresh face in the White House and things haven't worked the past 8 years; however, I will not be convinced until I see "change" for the better.

Finally, don't let the winning urge you to dislike the losers. And vice-versa.

Pray Pray Pray people!!!!!! If your not religeous at all, then hope hope hope that Obama will be a miracle savior!!!!! This is the toughest job I have ever witnessed a man to handle in my life and I'm concerned.

God Bless Everyone!

[CRA1]

There is no way either candidate can fix the mess left by baby bush. BB has totally screwed this country and does not care as he'll just go home to his ranch, write a book (well, someone else will write it) and live his life the way he always has, not caring what anyone thinks. Obama will do more to clean up some of the mess, but it's never going to be totally cleaned up.
I am one of those that will be taxed, and I am willing to pay more so that this country can get back on it's feet . The good lord says that we should always help others, and now is the time.

[leecathryn]

Good to hear an objective post, it is going to be a hard hard road. During the Reagan years, my mother told me that I would see the end of the middle class and she was very concerned for the future......my mother died a few years later and she was a very smart woman........thank god she doesn't have to see all of this.

[KrautMan]

Excellent peace, great research:
http://www.counterpunch.com/cockburn10302008.html

[Rock4you]

McCain has hanged him self with his own rope, I am delighted.

[cmgirl]

With all due respect to Larry King, he's a wuss when it comes to interviews. He just let McCain say his lines/lies without challenging him. CNN should give those interviews to someone who is not afraid to challenge.

[scjk67]

yeah, like tim russert...dang i missed him!!!

[ohmetoo]

Larry was just an acting sounding board for yet another free political ad for McC, who has run out of money of his own and is collecting his chits.

[GoNitro]

McCain's doing as much as he can to rehabilitate himself in the week before the election. Going on Larry King and Letterman after canceling (I won't be surprised to see him on the Daily Show); saying that Obama is not a socialist and is in fact a decent family man and an American; saying that he's putting a stop to the backbiting and infighting within his campaign. Will that be enough to sway most of the so-called undecideds? Maybe.

[GoNitro]

I forgot to say: All this should remind Obama supporters not to get complacent. The general feeling seems to be that most undecideds are trying to get comfortable voting for McCain, and all of this making nice might be enough. VOTE-VOTE-VOTE, and if you've already voted -- volunteer to GOTV.

[Schnides]

This is a response from a blog a few pages back that I read. Someone suggested dividing the "Reds" and "Blues" and make a "New California" and leave the rest for the "Reds". Civil War?

Man, it has been very obvious that a lot of you want this country divided in two, but that's ballsy to put it in writing. Man-o-man.­..........­the things two candidates can do to some humans is more scary than either candidates being our president. And we don't even know the two men, or all the voters personally. Now that's power puppets....oops, I mean people. I have an idea!!!! I'm gonna have my 13 year old son run for class President and see how fast he can divide his school in half. SWEEEET!!! Oh wait......children are a little smarter and more loving than that and would not allow one or two kids to divide them all. Obama and McCain aren't the ones tearing the country apart, it's the citizens tearing us apart. Love and respect everyone no matter who you're voting for. With out all as one, we will have nothing. Of course the stakes are much higher with Presidency, but we all need to go back to basic sports logic and..............as one, we are a team, divided, we are nothing. Keep the peace people!!!!!

[Harry1980]

I don't want higher taxes either. No one wants to pay more taxes. What I don't understand is how average JOE is saving any money (when taxes are low) when he has to pay for outrageous health care, ever increasing education cost, higher interest rates on credit card bills and not to mention food and gas prices. Aren't low taxes suppose to SAVE people their MONEY!!!

[GoNitro]

Agreed. I'm baffled at middle-class people who want to defend tax cuts for people who make 10 times what they do, and who have no intention of letting any of their money "trickle down" to the great unwashed.

[edelmira]

I dont' know which is worse, that John McCain is not a serious person (speaking out of both sides of his mouth saying that Barack is not a socialist but he would set a court to redistribute the wealth) or that he doesn't understand what he is talking about. Either case is dismal. I'm glad he won't be President or we're in for another 4 years of a dumb leader again!

[scjk67]

i know this is off the topic, but exxon-mobile 3rd qrt. $14.8 billion and stupid mccain blamed obama for giving that oil company tax cut, where and the flying flip did mccain come up with that!!! boyhowdy mcbush had really lost his marbles!!

[KeithMayass]

flip flop , flip flop what am i saying today ??

[snarkopolitan]

We are looking for a very aggressive last 30 days," said Greg Strimple, one of McCain's top advisers. "We are looking forward to turning a page on this financial crisis and getting back to discussing Mr. Obama's aggressively liberal record and how he will be too risky for Americans...

[bayside]

Bring back the liberals that gave our money back to us in some form and tell the corp. that are getting our money free no more.

[cuchulain]

Why won't anyone in the media ask McCain a very simple question? No one has.

McCain talks constantly at his rallies that he will "create wealth." He says Obama wants to redistribute wealth, but McCain will create it.

Why won't someone ask him how?

How does he plan to do that, specifically, exactly? And for whom? Just who will see that wealth creation?

He would probably say "By cutting taxes."

The follow up should then be, That has never worked in the past. Except for a tiny fraction of Americans at the very top. Though even with the wealthy, it's not really "creating wealth." It's just added to their already massive funds.

But those further down the economic food chain aint getting rich. The gap between the rich and the poor is growing. The gap between the rich and the middle is growing. Those supply side tax cuts haven't worked out for them.

So, how is McCain's plan any different from the failed supply side nonsense of the past?

[snarkopolitan]

That was EXACTLY McCain's answer to Larry King. His financial plan in great detail? "I'm going to grow the economy." Larry actually asked a follow-up, which is almost unknown for him: "How?"
McCain's answer was to cut taxes just like Reagan did.

Of course, when Reagan came in he didn't have to deal with a gazillion dollar deficit. He just left us with one.

So McCain's "plan" is actually worse, and stupider, than Reagan's.

[scjk67]

reagan never cut he raised it, i clearly remember that era

[cuchulain]

True. And it makes it all the more cynical on his part because he was once vehemently opposed to the Bush tax cuts. And he's lying about Obama's take on the courts and redistribution. I think he knows this and is slinging the BS anyway. Anything to win.