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The Debate

Go here for everything you want to know on the debate.

Gov. Romney: We Need Conservative Policies

Gov. Romney: Setting The Record Straight

Gov. Romney: Protecting The Environment & The Economy

Gov. Romney: Supporting The Bush Tax Cuts

Gov. Romney on Russia

Gov. Romney on the Leadership to Change Washington

Gov. Romney on Ronald Reagan

Straight Talk Detour: Sen. McCain On Benchmarks, Circa January ‘07
Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 09:15 PM EDT

Sen. McCain Suggested Setting Benchmarks In Iraq Which, If Not Met, Would Mean The End Of Our Mission In Iraq

In 2007, Sen. McCain Suggested Setting Benchmarks In Iraq Which, If Not Met, Would Mean The End Of Our Mission In Iraq:

In January 2007, Sen. McCain Suggested Setting Benchmarks For Success In Iraq. “Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., one of the most stalwart supporters of the war in Iraq, said Thursday that he might propose that the Iraqi government meet certain benchmarks for the United States to continue its engagement. Fellow senators and independent political scientists said McCain’s thinking reflected growing concerns within the Republican Party about the course of the war, and also might mark a turning point for the likely 2008 presidential contender, whose previous unconditional backing of the war may have hurt his prospects. McCain said Thursday that he hadn’t yet decided on precise benchmarks. ‘They’d have to be specific and they (the Iraqi government) would have to meet them.’” (Margaret Talev, “McCain Suggests Iraqi Government Meet Benchmarks,” Knight Ridder, 1/25/07; www.azstarnet.com/sn/byauthor/166271)

Sen. McCain Suggested An End To The Iraq Mission If Benchmarks Weren’t Met: “Haven’t Met The Benchmarks? Obviously, Then, We’re Not Able To Complete The Mission.” “Asked what penalty would be imposed if Iraq failed to meet his benchmarks, [McCain] said: ‘I think everybody knows the consequences. Haven’t met the benchmarks? Obviously, then, we’re not able to complete the mission. Then you have to examine your options.’” (Margaret Talev, “McCain Suggests Iraqi Government Meet Benchmarks,” Knight Ridder, 1/25/07; www.azstarnet.com/sn/byauthor/166271)

Straight Talk Detour: Sen. John McCain On McCain-Kennedy
Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 09:14 PM EDT

Senator McCain Flip-Flops On His Support For McCain-Kennedy

Tonight Sen. McCain Said He Would Not Vote For McCain-Kennedy Amnesty Legislation:

McCain Said He Would Not Vote For His Own Immigration Bill If It Came To The Senate Floor Again. QUESTION: “At his point, if your original proposal came to a vote on the Senate floor, would you vote for it?” MCCAIN: “It won’t. It won’t, that?s why we went thought the debate.” QUESTION: “But it did…” MCCAIN: “No I would not because we know what the situation is today.” (CNN, [Unverified Transcript], Republican Presidential Candidate Debate, Simi Valley, CA, 1/30/08)

However, Just Recently Sen. McCain Said As President He Would Sign McCain-Kennedy:

McCain Recently Said He Would Sign The McCain-Kennedy Immigration Bill Into Law If Passed The Senate While He Was President. NBC’S TIM RUSSERT: “If the Senate passed your bill, S.1433, the McCain/Kennedy immigration bill, would you as President sign it? MCCAIN: “Yeah. But look, the lesson is, it isn’t - one, it isn’t going to come. It isn’t going to come.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,” www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLWRW4GoGHY, 1/27/08)

McCainonomics: Sen. McCain On His 2000 Tax Hike Plan
Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 09:10 PM EDT

Sen. McCain’s 2000 Plan Would Have Raised Taxes

Tonight, Sen. McCain Praised His 2000 Campaign Tax Plan:

McCain Said That In 2000 He Had A Tax Cut Package. MCCAIN: “I made it very clear when I ran in 2000 that I had a package of tax cuts that were very important and impactful but I also had restraints in spending.” (CNN, [Unverified Transcript], Republican Presidential Candidate Debate, Simi Valley, CA, 1/30/07)

The Fact Is Sen. McCain’s 2000 Tax Plan Included A Tax Hike:

McCain Said His 2000 Tax Plan Would Have A Tax Increase. FOX NEWS’ BILL O’REILLY: “All right. So you want to target the – the middle-class people, and you’re willing to live with the rich people paying the taxes they’re - they’re paying.” MCCAIN: “Sure. And I don’t want to take any money. In fact, the program that I have gives them a slight tax increase, but the question is what do you do with the surplus. Governor Bush puts it all in tax cuts. I want to give middle-class Americans a tax break, spend it on Social Security, Medicare, and paying down the debt.” (Fox News’ “The O’Reilly Factor,” 1/20/00)

McCain’s Tax Plan Was Labeled As Un-Republican:

McCain’s Tax Plan Opposed Traditional Republican Economic Principles. “Arizona Sen. John McCain is challenging Republican economic and political orthodoxy by proposing a tax-cut plan that provides only modest relief by GOP standards, shuns special breaks for the wealthiest Americans and vows to close loopholes that benefit corporations.” (Owen Ullmann, “McCain Defies GOP Tradition,” USA Today, 1/11/00)

The Arizona Republic’s Robert Robb Said McCain’s Tax Plan Abandoned The Republican Platform Of Economic Growth. THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC’S ROBERT ROBB: “McCain’s tax-cut plan abandons Republican claims to be the party of economic growth.” (Robert Robb, Op-Ed, “McCain’s Tax-Cut Proposal Lacks Courage, Insight,” The Arizona Republic, 1/14/00)

Fox News’ Brit Hume Said That McCain Had A Tax Plan Closer To Al Gore. FOX NEWS’ BRIT HUME: “It’s not at all clear to me that they can come together fully on - McCain and Bush - on the issue of tax cuts. McCain has a position much closer to Al Gore’s position on tax cuts, and I don’t think any Republican candidate can go that far - can go there.” (Fox News’ “Fox News Sunday,” 3/12/00)

The CATO Institute’s Stephen Moore Said A McCain Victory Would Be A “Setback” For Tax-Cutting Republicans. CATO INSTITUTE’S STEPHEN MOORE: “It’s clear that if McCain were to pull out a victory, it would really be a setback for the tax-cutting wing of the Republican Party …” (Eric Pianin and Albert B. Crenshaw, “GOP Fight Bares Schism On Taxes,” The Washington Post, 1/22/00)

McCain’s Tax Plan Was Compared To Bill Clinton’s:

McCain’s Tax Plan Was Very Close To Bill Clinton’s Proposed Tax Plan. FOX NEWS CARL CAMERON: “In actual dollars, McCain’s plan is closer to what President Clinton proposed to Congress last year, though McCain steadfastly insists his plan represents traditional Republican values.” (Fox News’ “Special Report,” 1/11/00)

The Club For Growth’s Stephen Moore Said McCain Sounded Like Clinton On Taxes. MOORE: “McCain has quite irresponsibly echoed Clinton’s objections to tax cuts in a way that could come back to haunt the Republicans in the general election.” (Richard W. Stevenson, “McCain’s Tax Ideas Defy Conventional G.O.P. Wisdom,” The New York Times, 1/10/00)

During One Of The 2000 Primary Debates, McCain Said, “Well, I Think Maybe President Clinton’s [Tax Plan] Looks Too Much Like Mine.”

- SHAW: “You and President Clinton propose setting aside about two-thirds of the federal budget surplus and making it off limits for tax cuts. What do you say to critics who say your tax plan looks too much like President Clinton’s?” (CNN, Republican Presidential Candidate Debate, Manchester, NH, 1/26/00)

- MCCAIN: ” Well, I think maybe President Clinton’s looks too much like mine. He looked too much like me when he signed the Welfare Reform Act. He looked too much like me on a number of shifts that he made to the center for political expediency. Look, we all know we have got a ticking time bomb out there, and it’s called the Social Security Trust Fund, Bernie. And starting in 2014 there will be more money going out than in. According to Senator Gregg, Governor Bush’s campaign chairman here in New Hampshire, there is a $5 trillion unfunded liability out there in the form of the Social Security Trust Fund. It has to – if we can put the money in quick, then we will be able to allow people to invest their payroll taxes into investments of their choosing and make a huge amount of difference in the solvency of their retirement fund.” (CNN, Republican Presidential Candidate Debate, Manchester, NH, 1/26/00)

- MCCAIN: “This is a very, very important issue, because in good times – in good times, not bad times – when we have a surplus – we should give the middle-income Americans a tax break. They need it. They pay as much as 40 percent of their income in taxes. But, at the same time, the people of New Hampshire are telling me, ‘Senator McCain, save Social Security, put some money into Medicare, and pay down that debt, and don’t put that burden on future generations of Americans.’ More young Americans believe Elvis is alive than they believe that they’ll ever see a Social Security check.” (CNN, Republican Presidential Candidate Debate, Manchester, NH, 1/26/00)

Straight Talk Detour: Sen. John McCain On His “Conservative Record”
Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 09:02 PM EDT

Senator McCain Celebrates Teaming Up With Liberal Democrats

Tonight, McCain Said He Was Proud Of His Conservative Record:

McCain Said He Was Proud Of His Conservative Record Of “Reaching Across The Aisle.” MCCAIN: “Let me just say I’m proud of my conservative record. It’s one of reaching across the aisle to get things done for Americans obviously.” (CNN, [Unverified Transcript], Republican Presidential Candidate Debate, Simi Valley, CA, 1/30/07)

The Fact Is McCain Has Repeatedly Teamed With Democrats On Liberal Legislation:

In 2002, McCain Teamed With John Kerry To Push Radical New CAFE Standards That Were Praised By Left-Wing Environmentalists. “Environmental Defense today praised a new bipartisan fuel economy proposal, unveiled late Thursday by U.S. Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and John McCain (R-AZ), as an innovative way to save oil and address air pollution, while at the same time providing automakers with important flexibility in meeting those goals.” (Environmental Defense, “Bipartisan Bill Will Reduce Oil Use, Greenhouse Gas Pollution And Maintain Flexibility,” Press Release, 3/8/02)

McCain And Feingold Stuck Together For Over Five Years To Bring Their Campaign Finance Reform Bill Come To The Senate Floor. “After more than five years, McCain and Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin managed what was unthinkable in a previously Republican-dominated Senate. In an evenly divided Senate, they got support from enough colleagues to thwart any filibuster against their bill.” (Darlene Superville, “After Failed Bid For White House, McCain Savors A Victory,” The Associated Press, 4/2/01)

In February 2001, McCain And Sen. John Edwards Joined Together To Work On A Bill For Patients’ Rights. “Senator John McCain, the maverick Republican who irritated many leaders of his own party in his quest for the presidency, will join Democrats this week in proposing legislation intended to break a three-year impasse over patients’ rights. Mr. McCain has come up with what he calls a compromise, hammered out in weeks of negotiations with Democratic senators, including liberals like Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts and moderates like John Edwards of North Carolina and Bob Graham of Florida.” (Robert Pear, “McCain Joining Democrats To Offer Health Rights Bill,” The New York Times, 2/6/01)

McCain Joined Ted Kennedy (D-MA) “To Sponsor A Liberal Immigration Reform Bill.” “[McCain has] come into conflict with his fellow Republicans by joining with the senator Ted Kennedy to sponsor a liberal immigration reform bill that would allow illegal aliens to eventually become legal American citizens.” (Jacob Weisberg, Op-Ed, “Awaiting The Return Of The Bull Moose,” The Financial Times, 4/13/06)

McCain-Lieberman Would Have Capped Carbon Dioxide Emissions. “The latest bill rejected by the Senate, sponsored by Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz, and Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., would have mandated caps on carbon dioxide and a market-oriented system for trading them. Those who needed more energy could theoretically buy credits from those who could make do with less. But government would still have to establish the overall cap on energy use.” (Thomas Bray, Op-Ed, “Public Rejects Giving Control Of Energy Use To Government,” The Detroit News, 6/26/05)

What They’re Saying About Sen. John McCain’s False Attack On Gov. Mitt Romney
Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 09:00 PM EDT

The Associated Press’ Libby Quaid: “Romney Never Called For The Kind Of Public Withdrawal Date Or Timeline That Democrats In Congress Sought Last Year.” “Republican John McCain tried to lump Mitt Romney with Democrats who want a timetable for pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq. But Romney never called for the kind of public withdrawal date or timeline that Democrats in Congress sought last year.” (Libby Quaid, “Fact Check: Romney Didn’t Say What McCain Says He Said On Withdrawing From Iraq,” The Associated Press, 1/27/08)

- Quaid: “The Facts: Romney Never Embraced The Idea Of A Public Withdrawal Date.” (Libby Quaid, “Fact Check: Romney Didn’t Say What McCain Says He Said On Withdrawing From Iraq,” The Associated Press, 1/27/08)

Reuters’ Jason Szep and Tim Gaynor: McCain’s Accusations Are “A Distortion Of Romney’s Record.” (Jason Szep and Tim Gaynor, “McCain, Romney Battle In Tight Republican Race,” Reuters, 1/27/08)

The Washington Post’s George Will: McCain’s Attack Was “Crooked-Talk.” “And it was no worse than - actually, not as gross as - St. John of Arizona’s crooked-talk claim in Florida that Mitt Romney wanted to ’surrender and wave a white flag, like Senator Clinton wants to do’ in Iraq because Romney ‘wanted to set a date for withdrawal that would have meant disaster.’” (George Will, Op-Ed, “Staying The Coarse,” The Washington Post, 1/29/08)

The Washington Post’s Fact Checker: “McCain Has Distorted The Meaning Of A Nine-Month Old Quote From Romney.” (Michael Dobbs, “McCain Attacks Romney On Iraq,” The Washington Post’s Fact Checker Blog, http://blog.washingtonpost.com/, Posted 1/28/08)

CNN’s Bill Bennett: “Way Below The Belt.” “But the blow he took at Romney was way below the belt. (CNN’s “Newsroom,” 1/26/08)

- Bennett: “He Should Apologize For It.” “He’s a maverick candidate. He should apologize for it.” (CNN’s “Newsroom,” 1/26/08)

- Bennett: “He Twisted That Entirely Out Of Context.” (CNN’s “Newsroom,” 1/26/08)

- Bennett: McCain “Absolutely Should Not Have Done It.” “He’s always criticizing people doing that to him and he absolutely should not have done it.” (CNN’s “Newsroom,” 1/26/08)

- Bennett: McCain “Wasn’t Fair” And Was “Wrong.” “It just wasn’t fair and honor is his watch word and he — I think it would be great if he said I got that one wrong. And that would be a rare thing.” (CNN’s “Newsroom,” 1/26/08)

Fox News’ Brit Hume: McCain Is Being “Dishonest” And Is Not Using “Straight Talk.” HUME: “And I think that for McCain to claim that is dishonest. Not straight talk.” (Fox’s “Fox News Sunday,” 1/27/08)

CNN’s Jeffrey Toobin: McCain Was “Deceptive.” “And he has managed to talk about the war in this I think very deceptive way…” (CNN’s “Newsroom,” 1/26/08)

- Toobin: McCain Is “Distorting” Mitt Romney’s Record “So He Doesn’t Have To Talk About The Economy.” “And you know I think that — this idea that Mitt Romney supports timetables, now in fact most Americans support timetables to get out of Iraq, Mitt Romney doesn’t happen to be one of them. But that’s really outrageous what McCain is doing, bringing up this ancient interview and distorting it at the last minute so he doesn’t have to talk about the economy.” (CNN’s “Late Edition,” 1/27/08)

CNN’s John King: “Governor Romney Did Not Say That.” “He did not say the president should go to Iraq and give Al-Maliki a timeline for withdrawal in private. Governor Romney did not say that.” (CNN’s “Newsroom,” 1/26/08)

MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough: “He’s Desperately Trying To Change The Topic From The Economy…” (MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” 1/28/08)

- Scarborough: “He Did Lie About, Everybody Knows That He Lied About Mitt Romney.” “If John McCain did lie and he did lie about it, everybody knows that he lied about Mitt Romney, everybody knows he lied when he said that he wanted to put a timeline on it and get us out of there.” (MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” 1/30/08)

- Scarborough: “I Haven’t Met Anybody In The Media That Hasn’t Said John McCain Lied About Mitt Romney.” “I haven’t met anybody in the media that hasn’t said John McCain lied about Mitt Romney and it threw Romney off for two days. What’s wrong with saying that?” (MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” 1/30/08)

MSNBC’s David Shuster: “John McCain Is Being Misleading.” “Actually, Mitt Romney is on the money with this one, and John McCain is being misleading.” (MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” 1/28/08)

- Shuster: McCain’s Attack Was “Not Right.” “But the fact of the matter is, when John McCain says that Mitt Romney was for public timetables, in other words, letting the Iraqis know when U.S. troops are leaving and that therefore Mitt Romney should apologize to the troops, as John McCain said, that’s not right.” (MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” 1/28/08)

National Review’s Rich Lowry: McCain’s Comments Showed “Rank Dishonesty.” “But that doesn’t justify the rank dishonesty of his attack on Romney over the weekend.” (Rich Lowry, “McCain’s Dishonest Attack,” National Review’s The Corner Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/, Posted 1/27/08)

- Lowry: McCain Was Using “The Opposite Of Straight Talk” And “Blatant Distortions.” “Clearly, McCain wants to change the topic from the economy. And since he’s suffering from his ’straight-talk’ about his relative lack of knowledge of and interest in the economy, he’s trying to compensate with the opposite of straight talk?blatant distortions?about Romney’s record.” (Rich Lowry, “McCain’s Dishonest Attack,” National Review’s The Corner Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/, Posted 1/27/08)

- Lowry: McCain’s Attack Was A “Dishonest Low-Blow.” “This dishonest low-blow?if it continues to get attention in the closing hours?could chip away at that asset.” (Rich Lowry, “McCain’s Dishonest Attack,” National Review’s The Corner Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/, Posted 1/27/08)

Time’s Michael Scherer: “A Misleading Low Blow.” (Michael Scherer, “McCain’s Conversation Changer: A Misleading Low Blow,” Time’s Swampland Blog, http://www.time-blog.com/, Posted 1/26/08)

- Scherer: “No Evidence” Of McCain’s Claims. “[I] know of no evidence that shows Romney said he wanted to set a date to abandon the war effort and bring the troops home.” (Michael Scherer, “McCain’s Conversation Changer: A Misleading Low Blow,” Time’s Swampland Blog, http://www.time-blog.com/, Posted 1/26/08)

The Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder: “McCain Stretches Romney’s Words.” (Marc Ambinder, “McCain Stretches Romney’s Words,” The Atlantic Blog, http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/, Posted 1/27/08)

- Ambinder: “That quote was derided by McCain at the time as a ’secret timetable,’ although Romney never said he favored a particular withdrawal date and did not advocate an inflexible timeline for American troops to begin a draw down. Indeed, Romney has many times said he opposed such a withdrawal timetable.” (Marc Ambinder, “McCain Stretches Romney’s Words,” The Atlantic Blog, http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/, Posted 1/27/08)

National Review’s Mark Levin: Romney’s Statements “Do Not Support McCain’s Accusation.” “But these statements, and the others, do not support McCain’s accusation.” (Mark Levin, “Did He Or Didn’t He?” National Review’s The Corner Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/, Posted 1/26/08)

- Levin: “Low Blow.” (Mark Levin, “Low Blow,” National Review’s The Corner Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/, Posted 1/26/08)

- Levin: McCain Used A “Dishonest Mischaracterization.” “The hard-driving Tim Russert blew it. He allowed McCain to slip away with his dishonest characterization of Romney’s statement, i.e., Romney never said he favored a specific time for withdrawal. McCain read the first part of the quote but not the second part, where Romney would veto a congressional time table.” (Mark Levin, “Meet the Press, Dissembling, and More,” National Review’s The Corner Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/, Posted 1/27/08)

National Review’s Andy McCarthy: McCain’s Claims Are “Just Flat Not True.” “I mean, he levels an allegation about Romney that’s just flat not true, and if some organization wanted to run an add calling him on it, they would be in violation of his ‘reform’ of campaign finance regulations. What a racket!” (Andy McCarthy, “Re: Low Blow,” National Review’s The Corner Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/, Posted 1/26/08)

Power Line’s Paul Mirengoff: “I Don’t Think Romney’s Statement Fairly Can Be Construed As Advocating Setting A Date For Our Withdrawal.” (Paul Mirengoff, “Did He Or Didn’t He?” Power Line Blog, http://www.powerlineblog.com/, Posted 1/26/08)

- Mirengoff: “McCain, In Short, Has Smeared Romney.” (Paul Mirengoff, “Less Than Straight Talk,” Power Line Blog, http://www.powerlineblog.com/. Posted 1/27/08)

- Mirengoff: “In Any Case, What We Are Now Getting From McCain Is Less Than Straight Talk.” (Paul Mirengoff, “Less Than Straight Talk,” Power Line Blog, http://www.powerlineblog.com/, Posted 1/27/08)

National Review’s David Freddoso: McCain Was “Misleading.” “But as the original quote demonstrates, this was misleading.” (David Freddoso, “Bait And Switch,” National Review, http://article.nationalreview.com/, 1/28/08)

Straight Talk Detour: “Class-Warfare Demagoguery Used By Democrats”
Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 08:43 PM EDT

A Look At Why Sen. McCain Voted Against The Bush Tax Cuts

“In 2001, Sen. McCain argued, ‘I cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us at the expense of middle-class Americans who need tax relief.’ That statement is virtually indistinguishable from the class-warfare demagoguery used by Democrats like Ted Kennedy and John Kerry.” - Pat Toomey, The Club For Growth (Pat Toomey, Op-Ed, “The McCain Record,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/13/07)

Sen. McCain Joined Democrats In Voting Against The 2001 And 2003 Bush Tax Cuts:

In 2001, Sen. McCain Was One Of Only Two Republicans To Vote Against The $1.35 Trillion Bush Tax Cuts. The bill lowered marginal rates, eliminated the marriage penalty, and doubled the child tax credit. (H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #170: Adopted 58-33: R 46-2; D 12-31; I 0-0, 5/26/01, McCain Voted Nay)

In 2003, Sen. McCain Was One Of Only Three Republicans To Twice Vote Against The $350 Billion Bush Tax Cuts. The comprehensive bill lowered taxes by $350 billion over 11 years - including increasing the child tax credit and eliminated the marriage penalty. (H.R. 2, CQ Vote #179: Passed 51-49: R 48-3; D 3-45; I 0-1, 5/15/03, McCain Voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #196: Adopted 50-50: R 48-3; D 2-46; I 0-1, 5/23/03, McCain Voted Nay)

Sen. McCain Attacked The Bush Tax Cuts Using Democrat Class Warfare Talking Points:

In 2001, Sen. McCain Said The Bush Tax Cuts Were “At The Expense Of Middle-Class Americans.” “…Mr. McCain echoed the Democrats’ message that it favors the wealthy, saying, ‘I cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us at the expense of middle-class Americans who need tax relief.’” (Ralph Z. Hallow, “Republicans See McCain As Liability,” The Washington Times, 6/9/01)

- Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) Said The Bush Tax Cuts Were “At The Expense Of Middle-Class American Families.” REP. WATERS: “I voted against the Republican tax cut plan, which is an irresponsible tax cut that will further undermine the nation’s struggling economy at the expense of middle-class American families.” (Rep. Maxine Waters, Op-Ed, “Bush’s Tax Cut Is Bad For America,” The Los Angeles Sentinel, 5/29/03)

In 2003, Sen. McCain Said The Bush Tax Cut Went “To The Wealthiest Americans.” SEN. MCCAIN: “[W]hen you look at the percentage of the tax cuts that, as the previous tax cuts, that go to the wealthiest Americans, you will find that the bulk of it, again, goes to wealthiest Americans. I would like to see some of that redistributed more heavily to middle-income and low-income Americans.” (NBC’s “Today,” 1/7/03)

- Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) Said The Bush Tax Cuts Went “To The Wealthiest Americans.” SEN. KERRY: “I’m going to roll back the high end of the Bush tax cut. The tax cut that goes to the wealthiest Americans we can’t afford, Paula.” (CNN’s “Paula Zahn Now,” 9/25/03)

In 2004, Sen. McCain Said “I’m Not Giving Tax Cuts For The Rich.” SEN. MCCAIN: “Sixty percent of the benefits from Bush’s tax cuts go to the wealthiest 10 percent of Americans … I’m not giving tax cuts for the rich.” (Glenn Kessler, “Outcome Uncertain In Bush Tax Cut’s First Test,” The Washington Post, 4/3/01)

- 2004 Democrat Presidential Contender Wesley Clark Said The GOP Gave “Tax Cuts For The Rich.” “‘Today’s budget proposal makes it clear what President Bush’s priorities are: tax cuts for the rich and tough luck for everyone else,’ said retired Gen. Wesley Clark, running for the Democratic nomination.” (David Espo, “Budget Politics: Plenty For All Sides To Campaign About,”The Associated Press, 2/2/04)

In 2006, Sen. McCain Said The Death Tax Cut Goes “Only To The Wealthiest.” SEN. MCCAIN: “I am concerned that repeal of the estate tax would provide massive benefits solely to the wealthiest- and highest-income taxpayers in the country.” (Sen. John McCain, “Statement Of Senator John McCain On H.R. 8, The Death Tax Elimination Act,” Press Release, 6/11/02)

- Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA): Death Tax Cut Goes To “Only The Wealthiest.” SEN. KENNEDY: “Now, they are proposing more of the same, more tax breaks benefiting only the wealthiest among us.” (Sen. Ted Kennedy, “Statement By Senator Edward M. Kennedy On Defeat Of Estate Tax Repeal,” Press Release, 6/8/06)

Governor Romney’s Economic Stimulus Plan
Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 08:31 PM EDT

Governor Romney’s Economic Stimulus Plan – Washington Must Act Now:

Governor Romney’s Economic Stimulus Plan Would Provide Much-Needed Relief To Taxpayers, Businesses And Homeowners. Today, our economy is facing unprecedented challenges both here at home and abroad. Our economy needs pro-growth stimulus, but Governor Romney believes any stimulus package should return money to American taxpayers, not increase already out-of-control government spending. To promote economic growth, Governor Romney is proposing an economic stimulus plan that would lower taxes on individuals, reduce taxes for businesses and help homeowners through the current housing crisis.

- Individuals: Governor Romney would permanently reduce the lowest income tax bracket, permanently eliminate payroll taxes on seniors and make middle-class savings tax free.

- Businesses: Governor Romney would institute immediate 100% expensing of equipment for two years and permanently reduce the corporate tax rate.

- Homeowners: Governor Romney would reform and expand Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan portfolio limits to allow larger loans to homeowners.

Governor Romney Urges Our Leaders To Work Together And Immediately Debate, Pass And Sign A Stimulus Package For The American People. If our representatives in Washington can work together and demonstrate the leadership that the American people deserve, Governor Romney is optimistic that we can still turn this economy around. Washington must get to work immediately and pass a bill no later than February 19, a month from today, in order to stimulate our economy.

INDIVIDUALS: Governor Romney’s Economic Stimulus Plan – Pro-Growth Tax Cuts For Individual Taxpayers:

Permanently Reduce The Lowest Income Tax Bracket to 7.5%. Permanently cutting taxes for all taxpayers will put more money in workers’ pockets and stimulate consumer confidence and spending.

- Cutting The Lowest Tax Rate From 10% To 7.5% Will Provide Up To A $400 Tax Cut To Each American Taxpayer.

- Governor Romney Proposes Providing An Immediate Retroactive Tax Credit Reflecting The Lower 7.5% Tax Rate For 2007 Earnings To Employees Who Earned Less Than $97,500 In 2007. This tax cut would immediately stimulate the economy as taxpayers with the highest propensity to consume receive their increased 2007 tax refunds.

- Permanently Reducing The Lowest Bracket Is A Pro-Growth Tax Cut For The Tens Of Millions Of Americans In The Lowest Income Tax Bracket.

Permanently Eliminate Payroll Taxes On Employees Over The Age of 65. It is not fair that seniors that have worked their whole life and earned their full Social Security benefit continue to owe payroll taxes to the federal government.

- In This Uncertain Economic Environment, More And More Seniors Are Returning To The Workforce. Governor Romney’s proposal will provide an immediate tax cut to working seniors.

- Governor Romney Believes That Seniors Have Already Earned Their Full Social Security Benefit And Should Not Owe Additional Payroll Taxes For Income Earned After Age 65.

Make Middle-Class Savings Tax Free. Governor Romney’s plan will allow middle class Americans to save tax free by changing the tax rate on interest, capital gains and dividends to absolutely 0%. By helping more Americans save and invest, we can meet the challenges of an aging population and ensure the financial security of America.

- Allow Over 95% Of American Families To Save And Invest Tax Free: Any taxpayer with Adjusted Gross Income under $200,000 would pay a tax rate of absolutely 0% on all of the income they earn from their savings, capital gains and dividends.

- Expand The Investor Class: In recent years, over half of adult Americans have participated in the stock market either directly or through pension plans and mutual funds. Tax-free savings will encourage more families to build wealth by saving, investing and participating in the stock market, which will help grow the economy.

BUSINESSES: Governor Romney’s Economic Stimulus Plan – Pro-Growth Tax Cuts For Businesses:

Institute Immediate 100% Expensing Of New Equipment Purchased By A Business For A Two-Year Period Retroactive To January 1, 2008. This plan would allow both large and small businesses to immediately invest in new equipment and capital improvements, which would immediately stimulate the economy and create new jobs.

- Boost U.S. Manufacturers And Vendors: Accelerating and increasing capital investment in equipment and other qualified assets in the U.S. will immediately provide a boost to U.S. manufacturers and vendors.

- Encourage Additional Business Investment: Entrepreneurs and small businesses, such as S corps and LLCs, which often face cash flow difficulties, will benefit greatly by the reduced cost of investment in equipment under this plan. Additional investment and expansion by these growing businesses will drive economic growth.

Reduce The Corporate Tax Rate To 20% Over Two Years. Governor Romney believes we should immediately act to reduce the corporate rate to 25% for 2008 and 20% in 2009. A permanent U.S. corporate tax rate of 20% will attract capital, stimulate investment, and increase American competitiveness with the rapidly growing economies of the world.

- A More Competitive Corporate Tax Rate: Governor Romney has spoken throughout the campaign about the need to reduce our corporate income tax rate in order to compete more effectively against other countries with lower rates. The United States currently has the second-highest corporate tax rate in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

- Encourage New Capital Flows Into The United States: Cutting the corporate tax rate will cause new capital to flow to the U.S. and make our U.S. companies more competitive by providing additional funds for research, development, innovation, and hiring of additional employees.

HOMEOWNERS: Governor Romney’s Economic Stimulus Plan – Helping Homeowners:

Reform And Expand Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Loan Portfolio Limits:

- Lower The Amount Of Upfront Down Payment A Borrower Must Make, Allowing FHA To Help Nonprime Borrowers Who May Not Be Able To Meet The Current Requirement.

- Raise The Maximum Loan Amount Eligible For FHA Insurance, Allowing FHA To Serve More Borrowers In Higher-Priced Areas.

- Expand NeighborWorks America’s Foreclosure Avoidance Initiative: Governor Romney proposes expanding NeighborWorks America’s Foreclosure Avoidance Initiative to help American homeowners stay in their homes. NeighborWorks America assists homeowners by offering foreclosure counseling and identifying refinancing opportunities for U.S. homeowners.

Governor Romney’s Pro-Growth Tax Agenda:

Governor Romney’s Economic Stimulus Plan Is In Addition To His Tax Proposals Which Will Provide A Sound Economic Framework For Long-Term Growth:

- Make The Bush Tax Cuts Permanent: Making the Bush Tax Cuts permanent is the first step to ensuring that Americans are able to keep more of their hard-earned money.

- Roll Back Tax Rates For All Americans: As President, Governor Romney will cut marginal tax rates across the board, allowing all Americans to save more money.

- Kill The Death Tax: It is unfair to tax Americans three times: first when they earn their money; second when they invest it and receive income from those investments; and third when they die.

- Make The Research And Development Tax Credit Permanent To Encourage Capital Investment And Innovation: Governor Romney believes that we must encourage companies to invest more in research and development to produce the innovations our companies need to win in the global economic competition.

- Oppose Any Increase In Social Security Taxes: We can strengthen Social Security without resorting to higher Social Security taxes that will impact all Americans. Governor Romney will oppose any proposed increase in Social Security taxes.

- Prevent The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) From Hurting More American Families: At the very least, Congress must pass a patch to the AMT that will prevent this tax from affecting more and more families in America.

McCainonomics: Sen. McCain: Pay At The Pump
Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 08:26 PM EDT

Sen. McCain’s Energy Legislation Would Hit Florida Consumers

“What is not widely understood is that [Sen. McCain] is currently sponsoring legislation that, in the name of fighting global warming, would dramatically raise the tax on all carbon-based fuels, including gasoline, home heating oil, coal, and to a lesser extent, natural gas.” (Roy Cordato, “McCain’s Costly Tax On Energy,” National Review, http://article.nationalreview.com/, Posted 1/10/08)

McCain-Lieberman Energy Legislation Would Hike Taxes On Consumers:

McCain-Lieberman Would Dramatically Raise Taxes On All Carbon-Based Fuels, Like Gas For Your Car And Home Heating Oil. “What is not widely understood is that [Sen. McCain] is currently sponsoring legislation that, in the name of fighting global warming, would dramatically raise the tax on all carbon-based fuels, including gasoline, home heating oil, coal, and to a lesser extent, natural gas.” (Roy Cordato, “McCain’s Costly Tax On Energy,” National Review, http://article.nationalreview.com/, Posted 1/10/08)

McCain-Lieberman Would Lead To Higher Gas Prices, Anywhere From 26 Cents To 50 Cents To 68 Cents Per Gallon:

American Council For Capital Formation Study: McCain-Lieberman Could Hike Gasoline Prices By 50 Cents Per Gallon. “A study by an economic research institute, the American Council for Capital Formation, underscored these findings, estimating that under S. 139: … By 2020, gasoline prices would increase 30 to 50 cents per gallon.” (H. Sterling Burnett, “Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions,” National Center For Policy Analysis, 11/18/04)

The EPA Estimated Sen. McCain’s Plan Would Hike Gas Prices By 68 Cents Per Gallon. “The EPA has estimated what the McCain energy tax would mean to consumers. Since the bill’s provisions are phased in, the full cost of the tax would not be felt for a number of years. But in a letter to Senator McCain dated July 2007, the EPA estimated that the tax will be about $.26 cents in current dollars per gallon of gasoline by 2030 and $.68 cents per gallon by 2050.” (Roy Cordato, “McCain’s Costly Tax On Energy,” National Review, http://article.nationalreview.com/, Posted 1/10/08)

U.S. Energy Information Administration: McCain-Lieberman Would Hike Gas Prices 19%. “The increases in gasoline prices projected to occur (is) 9 percent in 2010 and 19 percent in 2025.” (”Analysis Of Senate Amendment 2028, The Climate Stewardship Act Of 2003,” Energy Information Administration, 1/6/07)

Florida Gasoline Consumers Could Face $250/Year In Higher Costs:

Assuming A 50-Cent Per Gallon Gas Increase, McCain-Lieberman Could Cost The Average Floridian Almost $250 Extra Every Year:

- Floridians Used 207,482,000 barrels of Motor Gasoline (or 8.7 billion gallons) in 2005 (Energy Information Administration Website, http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/, Accessed 1/27/08)

- 8.7 billion gallons x 50 cents = $4.35 billion in higher gas costs

- $4.35 billion ÷ 17,789,864 Floridians (2005 est.) = approx. $244.52 in higher gas costs per person (U.S. Census Website, www.census.gov, Accessed 1/27/08)

McCain-Lieberman Would Lead To Higher Utility Costs For Consumers:

Under McCain-Lieberman, Consumer Electricity Bills Would Rise By Nearly 20%. “Electricity prices across the main S. 280 cases are 6 percent to 14 percent higher than the reference in 2020 and 16 percent to 25 percent higher in 2030 as the allowance prices rises throughout the forecast. Consumers’ total electricity bills in 2020 in the S280 Core case are $18 billion (5 percent) higher than in the reference case, with a range of 2 percent higher in the Fixed 30 Percent Offsets case to 8 percent higher in the No International case. By 2030, the increase in consumer bills above the reference case ranges from $33 billion (8 percent) to $75 billion (18 percent).” (”Energy Market And Economic Impact Of S. 280, The Climate Stewardship And Innovation Act Of 2007,” Energy Information Administration, 8/07)

McCain-Lieberman Would Increase Natural Gas Prices By Sixteen Percent. “A new analysis by the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows the McCain-Lieberman bill will increase natural gas prices 16 percent over the next seven years.” (Bonner R. Cohen, Op-Ed, “Drilling For Natural Gas,” [Baton Rouge, LA] Sunday Advocate, 7/13/03)

U.S. Government Analysis Shows That McCain-Lieberman Would Harm The Economy:

According To Energy Information Administration Figures, Manufacturing Jobs Would Decline 300,000 By 2030 If S. 280 (McCain-Lieberman) Were Enacted.

- If S. 280 were not enacted, manufacturing jobs would stand at 12.5 million in 2030. (Energy Information Administration Website, www.eia.doe.gov, Cell AB1768)
- If S. 280 were enacted, manufacturing jobs would stand at 12.2 million in 2030. (Energy Information Administration Website, www.eia.doe.gov, Cell AB1768)

U.S. Energy Information Administration: McCain-Lieberman Would Decrease United States GDP By $776 Billion In The Short Term. “The cumulative losses in actual GDP are about $776 billion (1996 dollars) in the SA.2028 (McCain-Lieberman)…. The peak, single-year impact on actual GDP under SA.2028 occurs in 2025, with a loss of $76 billion (1996 dollars), or about 0.4 percent of GDP. The largest percentage change in actual GDP, 0.5 percent, occurs in 2011, where the estimated loss in actual GDP that year is $57 billion…” (”Analysis Of Senate Amendment 2028, The Climate Stewardship Act Of 2003,” Energy Information Administration, 5/04)

The EPA Estimates Sen. McCain’s Plan Could Reduce United States GDP By As Much As $5.2 Trillion By 2050. “The effect on the economy of the McCain tax would be similar to any other broad-based tax. In the EPA’s own words: ‘The present value of the cumulative reduction in real GDP for the 2012-2030 period ranges from $660 billion to $2.1 trillion…the cumulative reduction in the present value of real GDP for the 2012-2050 period ranges from about $1.6 trillion to $5.2 trillion.’” (Roy Cordato, “McCain’s Costly Tax On Energy,” National Review, http://article.nationalreview.com/, Posted 1/10/08)

McCain-Lieberman Has Been Rejected By The Senate Before:

McCain-Lieberman Was Introduced In 2003, And Sought To Require A Reduction In Greenhouse Gas Emissions By All Power Plants And Industries. “Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.) will unveil a plan this week to require all U.S. power plants and industries to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, setting the stage for a conflict with the Bush administration and the new chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.” (Eric Pianin, “Fight Ahead On Emissions,” The Washington Post, 1/7/03)

In 2005, McCain-Lieberman Was Reintroduced – And Was Soundly Rejected By Senate Republicans And Democrats, 38-60. 49 Republicans and 11 Democrats voted against McCain’s “greenhouse gas” amendment to the energy bill. (H.R. 6, CQ Vote #148: Rejected 38-60: R 6-49; D 31-11; I 1-0, 6/22/05, Lieberman and McCain Voted Yea)

McCain-Lieberman Was Reintroduced In 2007, And Is Known As Bill S. 280. “Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) reintroduced the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act (S. 280) today with his longstanding ally, Senator John McCain (R-AZ).” (Sen. Joe Lieberman, “Lieberman, McCain Reintroduce Climate Stewardship And Innovation Act,” Press Release, 1/12/07)

Criticism Of McCain-Lieberman:

Climate Expert Fred Singer Called McCain’s Legislation “Worse Than Kyoto.” “The McCain-Lieberman proposal is also clearly contrary to the clear mandate delivered by the Senate in 1997. In reality, McCain-Lieberman would be worse than Kyoto since it would require a unilateral reduction of emissions, even if Kyoto fails to go into force — a situation that appears increasingly likely since Russia, an essential country, appears to be leaning against ratifying it.” (S. Fred Singer, Op-Ed, “Energy-Rationing By Another Name Still Spells ‘Kyoto,’” Investor’s Business Daily, 10/31/03)

McCain-Lieberman Is “Kyoto By Another Name.” “Who does Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) think he is fooling? McCain’s Climate Stewardship Act, cosponsored with Sen. Joe Lieberman (D., Conn.), is a political roadmap back to the Kyoto Protocol, the United Nations global-warming treaty that the Senate preemptively rejected by a vote of 95-0 in July 1997.” (Marlo Lewis, “Kyoto By Another Name,” National Review, 6/16/04)

Detroit News Columnist Thomas Bray: 2005 McCain-Lieberman Plan Would Ultimately Result In A Huge Indirect Tax On The American People. “Aside from the crucial question of whether a government bureaucracy is smart enough to do so, even environmentalists confess that Kyoto or McLieberman measures would have been a small first step in clamping a huge indirect tax on the American and world economy.” (Thomas Bray, Op-Ed, “Public Rejects Giving Control Of Energy Use To Government,” The Detroit News, 6/26/05)

Sen. McCain’s Energy Policy Could Devastate The Auto Industry. “Higher energy costs will, among other things, raise the cost of manufacturing big-ticket items in American factories. And higher gas prices will likely raise demand for those classes of automobiles that tend to be manufactured overseas. Somehow, I think Michigan voters will be less than thrilled about this, should anyone bother to inform them.” (Roy Cordato, “McCain’s Costly Tax On Energy,” National Review, http://article.nationalreview.com/, Posted 1/10/08)

Romney Record: Job Growth Under Governor Romney
Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 08:20 PM EDT

Under Governor Romney, Massachusetts Added Tens Of Thousands Of Jobs After The End Of A Deep Recession:

Recent news reports have cited a 2007 study that concluded Massachusetts was 49th in the nation in job creation to suggest Governor Romney has a “weak” jobs record. However, this study uses data from 2001 and 2002 when Governor Romney was not in office and more than 100,000 jobs were lost.

- A Report Issued By MassINC And The Northeastern University Center For Labor Market Studies Uses 2001 As A Baseline To Note That Massachusetts Ranked 49th In The Nation In Job Creation. “From 2001 QI to 2006 QIV, Massachusetts ranked 49th in the nation in job creation, outpacing only the state of Michigan.” (MassINC & The Northeastern University Center For Labor Market Studies, “Mass Jobs: Meeting The Challenges Of A Shifting Economy,” November 2007)

Before Governor Romney took office, Massachusetts was losing jobs month after month after the tech bubble burst in 2001. Under Governor Jane Swift, Sen. McCain’s chief Massachusetts surrogate, the state lost over 140,000 jobs.

- Massachusetts “Suffered The Deepest Job Losses In The Nation After The Tech Boom.” “Massachusetts, because of its large technology sector, suffered the deepest job losses in the nation after the tech boom went bust in 2001, shedding 6 percent of its jobs, compared to 2 percent nationally.” (Robert Gavin, “Job-Growth Study: Mass. Next To Last,” The Boston Globe, 11/28/07)

- Under The Previous Administration, Massachusetts Lost Jobs Month After Month. Under Governor Swift, Massachusetts lost 141,000 votes. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, “State And Area Employment, Hours, And Earnings,” Massachusetts, Total Non-Farm, Seasonally Adjusted, Accessed 1/21/08)

Under Governor Romney, jobs began to return to Massachusetts. Massachusetts added 57,600 jobs after the recession ended in December 2003. In 2006 alone, Massachusetts added 18,700 jobs.

- Massachusetts Added 57,600 Jobs Since The Recession’s End In December 2003 Until The End Of Governor Romney’s Term. “Massachusetts has added 57,600 payroll jobs since December 2003.” (Massachusetts Department Of Workforce Development, “Jobs In Massachusetts Up By 1,700 In December,” Press Release, 1/18/07)

- In 2006, Massachusetts Added 18,700 Jobs. “Total jobs are up 18,700 from one year ago to 3,224,700.” (Mass. Department Of Workforce Development, “Jobs In Massachusetts Up By 1,700 In December,” Press Release, 1/18/07)

- Under Governor Romney, Massachusetts Posted The First Gain In Manufacturing Jobs In Several Years. “For the first time in several years, Massachusetts has posted a gain in manufacturing jobs, according to the 2007 Massachusetts Manufacturers Register, an industrial directory published annually by Manufacturers’ News, Inc. (MNI), Evanston, IL. MNI reports Massachusetts has added 3,681 net jobs since August of 2005, indicating a slight reversal in the downturn the Bay state has felt since 2001.” (Manufacturers’ News, “Industrial Directory Reports Massachusetts Manufacturing Jobs Up,” Press Release, 8/30/06)

Research Briefing: The New York Times Candidate
Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 08:11 PM EDT

Editorial Board Praises Senator’s Not-So-Conservative Record

“But it’s been a tough 24 hours for McCain on the conservative issues. … And then the endorsement by the ‘New York Times’ was just a big body-slam today.” – Kate Obenshain, Claire Booth Luce Policy Institute (Fox News’ “Hannity And Colmes,” 1/25/08)

The New York Times Has Endorsed Sen. John McCain By Praising His Not-So-Conservative Positions:

The New York Times: “Senator John McCain Of Arizona Is The Only Republican Who Promises To End The George Bush Style Of Governing.” “Still, there is a choice to be made, and it is an easy one. Senator John McCain of Arizona is the only Republican who promises to end the George Bush style of governing from and on behalf of a small, angry fringe.” (Editorial, “Primary Choices: John McCain,” The New York Times, 1/25/08)

The New York Times Supports Sen. McCain For Having Joined Democrats To Pass Legislation. “With a record of working across the aisle to develop sound bipartisan legislation, he would offer a choice to a broader range of Americans than the rest of the Republican field.” (Editorial, “Primary Choices: John McCain,” The New York Times, 1/25/08)

- Global Warming: “Mr. McCain took a stand, just as he did in recognizing the threat of global warming early.” (Editorial, “Primary Choices: John McCain,” The New York Times, 1/25/08)

- McCain-Feingold: “He has been a staunch advocate of campaign finance reform, working with Senator Russ Feingold, among the most liberal of Democrats, on groundbreaking legislation…” (Editorial, “Primary Choices: John McCain,” The New York Times, 1/25/08)

- McCain-Kennedy: “… just as he worked with Senator Edward Kennedy on immigration reform.” (Editorial, “Primary Choices: John McCain,” The New York Times, 1/25/08)

The New York Times Also Endorsed Sen. McCain In 2000, Praising Him For Challenging Republicans:

The New York Times: “We Endorse Mr. McCain” For The 2000 Republican Nomination. “So with a bow of respect to all four for reviving public interest in the election process, we endorse Mr. McCain as the preferable candidate for the Republicans and Mr. Gore as our choice for the Democratic nomination.” (Edition, “Primary Endorsements,” The New York Times, 3/5/00)

- The New York Times Praised Sen. McCain’s Opposition To Then-Gov. Bush’s Tax Cut Plan. “But the smarter course for Republicans would be to choose Mr. McCain, who would not have to be repackaged and repositioned when it comes to outreach and reform. He has a proven ability to get votes from the vital center of the American spectrum. He began with a vow to destroy the ‘iron triangle’ of donations, lobbyists and legislation. He broke further with the Republican leadership to oppose Mr. Bush’s outsized tax-cut scheme as too weighted toward the wealthy.” (Edition, “Primary Endorsements,” The New York Times, 3/5/00)

- The New York Times Called Sen. McCain “A Zestful Insurgent Battling To Open His Party.” “As a zestful insurgent battling to open his party, Mr. McCain has brought gusts of fresh air, excitement and common sense to American politics.” (Edition, “Primary Endorsements,” The New York Times, 3/5/00)

- The New York Times Praised Sen. McCain For His Attacks On “The Religious Right.” “Bravely, and perhaps foolishly, he became the first important Republican figure to challenge leaders of the religious right for intimidating the party with religious-based litmus tests.” (Edition, “Primary Endorsements,” The New York Times, 3/5/00)

Conservatives Might Think Twice About John McCain, Given His Endorsement By The New York Times:

Laure Ingraham Said Conservatives Must “Take A Closer Look At” Sen. McCain After The Endorsement. LAURA INGRAHAM: “And Peggy, I think ‘The New York Times’ editorial board’s endorsement of John McCain for conservatives, that’s just - I mean, they look at that and they say, wait a second, we got to - we were supporting John McCain. We’ve got to take a closer look at him. So that’s probably going to be difficult for that campaign as we continue this fight on the right.” (Fox News’ “The O’Reilly Factor,” 1/25/08)

Kate Obenshain Of The Clair Booth Luce Policy Institute Says The Endorsement Was “A Big Body-Slam” Against Sen. McCain. KATE OBENSHAIN: “But it’s been a tough 24 hours for McCain on the conservative issues. … And then the endorsement by the ‘New York Times’ was just a big body-slam today. So, he’s got some comeback work to do.” (Fox News’ “Hannity And Colmes,” 1/25/08)

Tucker Carlson: The New York Times Endorsement “Can’t Help McCain.” MSNBC’S TUCKER CARLSON: “The ‘New York Times’ has endorsed John McCain. John McCain has a problem with conservatives. Here is part of the endorsement, ‘McCain has been a staunch advocate of campaign finance reform,’ says the ‘New York Times,’ ‘working with Senator Russ Feingold, among the most liberal of Democrats, on ground breaking legislation, just as he worked with Senator Ted Kennedy on immigration reform. That doesn’t make him a moderate, but it does make him the best choice for his party’s nomination.’ That can’t help McCain.” (MSNBC’s “Tucker,” 1/25/08)

Romney Record: A Stronger State Economy
Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 08:10 PM EDT

Governor Romney Helped Turn Around The Massachusetts Economy And Today, The State Is Among The Most Economically Competitive In The Nation:

Because of work done by Governor Romney, Massachusetts is now credited with being one of the most economically-competitive states in the nation.

- The Boston Globe : “Nonetheless, Romney’s policies are credited with improving the state’s competitiveness. His administration promoted high-density development to increase housing production, got a fast-track permitting law enacted by the Legislature to help businesses expand, and revived an agency to help firms move to the state.” (Brian Mooney, Stephanie Ebbert and Scott Helman, “Ambitious Goals,” The Boston Globe, 6/30/07)

- The Beacon Hill Institute: Massachusetts “One Of The Most Economically Competitive States In The Nation.” “Massachusetts ranks as the one of the most economically competitive states in the nation, buoyed by innovation, entrepreneurship, and an educated and skilled workforce, a new study concludes. The study, released today by the Beacon Hill Institute, a think tank at Suffolk University, ranks Massachusetts second only to Utah in the attributes that create and sustain high levels of income for residents.” (Robert Gavin, “Reports: Mass. A Top U.S. Economic Competitor,” The Boston Globe, 12/19/07)

- The Information Technology And Innovation Foundation: Massachusetts First In The Ability “To Compete In A Dynamic, Innovation-Driven Global Economy.” “It follows another study, by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a Washington think tank, that measures states’ abilities to compete in a dynamic, innovation-driven global economy and ranks Massachusetts first.” (Robert Gavin, “Reports: Mass. A Top U.S. Economic Competitor,” The Boston Globe, 12/19/07)

- Under Governor Romney, The State’s Credit Rating Was Upgraded For The First Time Since January 2000. “Governor Mitt Romney today announced that Standard & Poor’s has raised the state’s credit rating one notch, from ‘AA-’ to ‘AA’. This is the state’s first ratings upgrade since January 2000, when Moody’s Investors Service raised the state’s credit rating from ‘Aa3′ to ‘Aa2′.” (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Governor Romney Announces Bond Rating Upgrade For Commonwealth’s Debate,” Press Release, 3/15/05)

- MassINC And Northeastern University Report: “The Massachusetts economy is the envy of many other states. Our economy consistently ranks among the top in measures of New Economy success. We rank near the top of the nation in our level of labor productivity and have outpaced the nation in recent years in the rate of growth. We have the most educated workforce in the nation. We also score near the top in terms of knowledge jobs and innovation capacity.” (MassINC & The Northeastern University Center For Labor Market Studies, “Mass Jobs: Meeting The Challenges Of A Shifting Economy,” November 2007)

Under Governor Romney, Massachusetts Added Tens Of Thousands Of Jobs After The End Of A Deep Recession:

Before Governor Romney took office, Massachusetts was losing jobs month after month after the tech bubble burst in 2001. Under Governor Jane Swift, Sen. McCain’s chief Massachusetts surrogate, the state lost over 140,000 jobs.

- Massachusetts “Suffered The Deepest Job Losses In The Nation After The Tech Boom.” “Massachusetts, because of its large technology sector, suffered the deepest job losses in the nation after the tech boom went bust in 2001, shedding 6 percent of its jobs, compared to 2 percent nationally.” (Robert Gavin, “Job-Growth Study: Mass. Next To Last,” The Boston Globe, 11/28/07)

- Under The Previous Administration, Massachusetts Lost Jobs Month After Month. Under Governor Swift, Massachusetts lost 141,000 votes. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, “State And Area Employment, Hours, And Earnings,” Massachusetts, Total Non-Farm, Seasonally Adjusted, Accessed 1/21/08)

Under Governor Romney, jobs began to return to Massachusetts. Massachusetts added 57,600 jobs after the recession ended in December 2003. In 2006 alone, Massachusetts added 18,700 jobs.

- Massachusetts Added 57,600 Jobs Since The Recession’s End In December 2003 Until The End Of Governor Romney’s Term. “Massachusetts has added 57,600 payroll jobs since December 2003.” (Massachusetts Department Of Workforce Development, “Jobs In Massachusetts Up By 1,700 In December,” Press Release, 1/18/07)

- In 2006, Massachusetts Added 18,700 Jobs. “Total jobs are up 18,700 from one year ago to 3,224,700.” (Mass. Department Of Workforce Development, “Jobs In Massachusetts Up By 1,700 In December,” Press Release, 1/18/07)

- Under Governor Romney, Massachusetts Posted The First Gain In Manufacturing Jobs In Several Years. “For the first time in several years, Massachusetts has posted a gain in manufacturing jobs, according to the 2007 Massachusetts Manufacturers Register, an industrial directory published annually by Manufacturers’ News, Inc. (MNI), Evanston, IL. MNI reports Massachusetts has added 3,681 net jobs since August of 2005, indicating a slight reversal in the downturn the Bay state has felt since 2001.” (Manufacturers’ News, “Industrial Directory Reports Massachusetts Manufacturing Jobs Up,” Press Release, 8/30/06)

Under Governor Romney, personal incomes grew dramatically, and the level of personal income was far higher than the national average.

- During Governor Romney’s Term, Massachusetts Per Capita Personal Income (PCPI) Grew By 17%, Outpacing Per Capita Personal Income Growth For The Entire United States. In 2003, Massachusetts per capita personal income was $39,442 and rose to $46,255 in 2006. (Department Of Commerce, Bureau Of Economic Analysis, “State Annual Personal Income,” www.bea.gov, Accessed: 1/21/08)

- In 2006, Massachusetts Had A Per Capita Personal Income (PCPI) Of $46,255. This PCPI Ranked 3rd In The United States And Was 126 Percent Of The National Average, $36,629. (Department Of Commerce, Bureau Of Economic Analysis, “State BEARFACTS 1996 – 2006: Massachusetts,” Accessed: 1/21/08)

Under Governor Romney, Massachusetts Became A Better Place To Do Business:

Under Governor Romney, the business climate improved and more companies were attracted to Massachusetts.

- In Three Years Under Governor Romney, The Number Of Companies In The State’s Development Pipeline Went From 13 To 288. “Under Ranch C. Kimball, who became Romney’s secretary of economic development in 2004, the number of companies in the Massachusetts development pipeline jumped from 13 to 288 in three years.” (Brian C. Mooney, Stephanie Ebbert And Scott Helman, “Ambitious Goals,” The Boston Globe, 6/30/07)

- The Boston Globe : “Last year, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. chose an 89-acre site at the former Fort Devens over one in North Carolina for a $660 million complex that will create 550 jobs. The deal required a customized tax credit, a $34 million infrastructure bond, and an unusual show of teamwork by Romney and the Legislature.” (Brian Mooney, Stephanie Ebbert And Scott Helman, “Ambitious Goals,” The Boston Globe, 6/30/07)

Governor Romney took the action necessary to improve the state’s business climate and stimulate the economy through pro-growth economic policies.

- ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE: In November 2003, Governor Romney Signed An Economic Stimulus Package To Help Spur The Massachusetts Economy. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Signs Economic Stimulus, Supplemental Budget Bills,” Press Release, 11/26/03)

- ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE: In June 2006, Governor Romney Signed A Second Economic Stimulus Package To Help Spur The Massachusetts Economy. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Vetoes Wasteful Spending, Cities Needed To Maintain Fiscal Discipline,” Press Release, 11/26/03)

- 2004 SALES TAX HOLIDAY: Governor Romney Enacted The State’s First-Ever Sales Tax Holiday In 2004. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Promotes Tax-Free Shopping Day On Saturday,” Press Release, 8/14/04)

- 2005 SALES TAX HOLIDAY: Governor Romney Enacted A Second Sales Tax Holiday. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney, Dimasi, Hart Promote Tax-Free Shopping Weekend,” Press Release, 8/14/0)

- INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT: Governor Romney Signed An Economic Stimulus Package Making The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) Permanent. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Signs Economic Stimulus, Supplemental Budget Bills,” Press Release, 11/26/03)

- BIOTECH MANUFACTURING JOBS TAX REBATE: Governor Romney Proposed And Enacted A Tax Rebate For Manufacturing Jobs Created In The Biotechnology, Life Sciences And Medical Device Fields. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Signs Economic Stimulus, Supplemental Budget Bills,” Press Release, 11/26/03)

- RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT: Governor Romney Proposed And Enacted An Expansion Of The Research And Development Tax Credit. (Jay Fitzgerald, “Gov Nearly Halves Package; Rebellious Legislators Vow To Override Stimulus Vetoes,” The Boston Herald, 11/27/03)

- COMMUTER TAX RELIEF: Governor Romney Signed Legislation Allowing Commuters To Deduct Transportation Costs From Their Income Taxes. (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Governor Romney Signs $25.2 Billion FY 2007 State Budget,” Press Release, 7/8/06)

- BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Governor Romney Proposed And Enacted A Refundable Tax Credit To Promote Development At The Former Fort Devens U.S. Army Base. (Stephen Heuser, “$660M Drug Plant, 550 Jobs For Mass.,” The Boston Globe, 6/2/06)

- PERMITTING REFORM: In August 2006, Governor Romney Signed Permitting Reform To Expedite The Permit Process For New Businesses. “Governor Mitt Romney today signed legislation that reforms and streamlines the commercial permitting process, making it easier for companies to expand and add jobs in Massachusetts.” (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Signs Permitting Reform Into Law,” Press Release, 8/2/06)

- INFRASTRUCTURE: Governor Romney Created A $200 Million Fund To Help Businesses Pay For The Infrastructure Costs Of Growing And Expanding. “The Governor signed into law the $200 million in bonding, half of which will go into a fund under the control of the Executive Office of Economic Development (EED) to help pay for infrastructure costs to help businesses grow and expand.” (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Vetoes Wasteful Spending, Cities Needed To Maintain Fiscal Discipline,” Press Release, 11/26/03)

- MARKETING MASSACHUSETTS: Governor Romney Expanded Massachusetts’ In-State Sales Force. “The Governor also signed $1.5 million for the creation of an in-state sales force to market Massachusetts to companies around the country.” (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, “Romney Vetoes Wasteful Spending, Cities Needed To Maintain Fiscal Discipline,” Press Release, 11/26/03)

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