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McCain backs away from another vow to voters, conservatives notice

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In March, John McCain chatted with National Review’s Ramesh Ponnuru when the discussion turned to entitlements such as Social Security. Ponnuru asked if, in the course of negotiations with congressional Democrats, McCain might be “willing to accept a tax increase.” McCain said, “No, no.” Ponnuru pressed on, asking, “Any circumstances?” McCain replied, “No. None. None.”

This certainly seemed to be McCain’s position. As recently as a couple of weeks ago, McCain told the editorial board of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review that he opposes any effort to “raise the [payroll] cap” as part of an effort of strengthening the Social Security system.

Over the weekend, McCain reversed course and said the opposite.

MCCAIN: I am a supporter of sitting down together and putting everything on the table and coming up with an answer. So, there is nothing I would take off the table. There was nothing I would demand. I think that’s the way that Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill did it. And that’s what we have to do again…. I have said and will say, I will say that everything has to be on the table, if we’re going to reach a bipartisan agreement. I’ve been in bipartisan negotiations before. I know how you reach a conclusion. We all have to sit down together with everything on the table.

STEPHANOPOULOS: So, that means payroll tax increases are on the table, as well?

MCCAIN: There is nothing that’s off the table. I have my positions, and I’ll articulate them. But nothing’s off the table.

So, payroll tax increases are, according to McCain, both off the table and on the table, depending on his audience at the time.

This is interesting for a couple of reasons, beyond just McCain’s confusion over his own position on a major national policy. First, it is, by my “official” count, McCain’s 71st flip-flop. That’s quite an accomplishment.

And second, plenty of conservatives liked McCain’s first position on the issue, and aren’t at all pleased to see him reverse course.

Pat Toomey and the Club for Growth led the charge.

Fiscal conservative group The Club for Growth went after presumptive GOP nominee McCain on social security.

“We listened with concern yesterday to your interview with George Stephanopoulos on Social Security,” the club’s president Pat Toomey writes in a letter to McCain. “When asked if you would be open to raising the payroll tax, you refused to rule out a tax increase, saying ‘There is nothing that’s off the table.’ This statement was particularly shocking because you have been adamant in your opposition to raising taxes under any circumstances.”

Then, the club pulls out one of McCain’s own quotes from February of this year: “No new taxes . . . In fact, I could see an argument, if our economy continues to deteriorate, for lower interest rates, lower tax rates, and certainly decreasing corporate tax rates, which are the second highest in the world, giving people the ability to write off depreciation in a year, elimination of the AMT.”

“We strongly applaud the above statement and believe further tax cuts would play an important role in stimulating the country’s economy,” Toomey continues. “But your comments yesterday send American taxpayers and businesses a mixed message about where you stand on this issue.”

The close: “We hope you will clarify where you stand on this important issue and reaffirm your commitment to eschew all tax increases.”

If recent history is any guide, McCain will a) deny having said the words we all heard him say; b) parse the meaning of the word “table”; c) blame Obama for his confusion; or d) suggest the issue itself is a subtle attack on his age.

Comments

  • Nashville_fan

    says:

    “I’ve been in bipartisan negotiations before. I know how you reach a conclusion. ”

    Why does John McCain always talk in this weird “I know” speak, as in “I know how to win wars.”

    It’s almost like he’s trying to convince himself! lol

    P.S. John McCain is a liar. Period.

  • OkieFromMuskogee

    says:

    Here’s a non-subtle attack on McCain’s age – he’s very old for his tender age of 71.

    I’m not one of Ronald Reagan’s fans, but in 1980 he seemed young for his age. But by the end of Reagan’s second term his age was showing badly. McCain’s age is showing badly, right now, and I think that the age problem is at the root of the incredible severity and sheer number of McCain’s misstatements and flip-flops.

    McCain simply has no idea what he is saying!

  • JT

    says:

    “If recent history is any guide, McCain will a) deny having said the words we all heard him say; b) parse the meaning of the word “table”; c) blame Obama for his confusion; or d) suggest the issue itself is a subtle attack on his age.”

    Why not all 4? He could change it every day for the rest of the week.

    Are there any issues left for John McCain to flip flop on?

  • Jane

    says:

    McCain is just about done, I wouldnt doubt the GOP ditch him at the last second and run a younger more charasmatic charachter. They could site his Cancer scare as the reason. I dont doubt that they will, Becuase he is becoming more unelectable by the day, with gaff after gaff. Did you see him knock all that stuff off the shelf at the supermarket. the video is at http://www.mccanes.com all the while barack obama is looking like an NBA super star, (arrogence and all) even taking time to stop and have a cigar break video at http://www.theobamaplan.com I mean really what is the GOP going to do. McCain cannot win at this point and we havnt even started the debates.

  • Wally

    says:

    Steve, don’t forget (e), suggest that his military background, patriotism, and/or experiences as a POW are being impugned. If only Rudy Giuliani were his running mate already, so he could find a way to blame higher taxes on 9/11.

  • Capt Kirk

    says:

    John McCain: I know how to win wars, although I haven’t done it yet, and read my lips, no new taxes unless I raise old taxes. That oughta hold the little bastards!

  • AJB

    says:

    Tax increases only count if they are directed against the rich. McCain is not against raising payroll taxes, just raising the cap on payroll taxes. As long as the increase is directed primarily against the lower and middle classes, it doesn’t count as a real tax increase.

  • JoeW

    says:

    He doesn’t need to parse the word ‘table’. He was table hopping. He wasn’t talking about anything being on *his* table – he was looking for his table.

  • zeitgeist

    says:

    yes, 71 flip-flops should mean, as Jane says above, that McCain is about done.

    other than the pesky fact he is leading by 4 in yesterday’s national USA Today/Gallup poll.

    democracy is largely wasted on modern Americans. although another 4-8 years of Bush policies and there wont really be an America that we would recognize to worry about.

  • Franklin

    says:

    Well since he also wants to balance the budget, he would *have* to raise taxes. There’s simply no easy way to get rid of a $490 billion deficit. And one of his ever-revolving tax plans called for another $1 TRILLION is tax cuts. Even by his own overly-optimistic, lying-through-the-teeth estimate of $100 billion saved by cutting earmarks (a more accurate estimate would be $10 billion), he’s still about $1.4 TRILLION dollars away from a balanced budget.

    For all you old farts trying to pass the debt onto me and my kids, I’ve got a big F**K Y** right here.

  • Michigoose

    says:

    You know, I really *wanted* to vote for the guy in 2000 and the Rethugs screwed up and gave us the Current Occupant. Now he’s looking like a trainwreck with senile dementia kicking in. And, Jane, I don’t think that the GOP *has* a “younger more charismatic character.” I remember feeling in 1992 like I’d finally voted for a winner–I suspect that I’ll be feeling the same way this November when I touch the screen where it says “Obama” (and don’t even think about screwing with my vote, Diebold!)

  • MDK

    says:

    So, payroll tax increases are, according to McCain, both off the table and on the table, depending on his audience at the time.

    Funny, I didn’t know Schrodinger had a table to put his box/cat on. Learn something new everyday I suppose.

  • jhm

    says:

    CB, I suggest that the F-F list should be broken down into two sub-categories: 1) positions reversed 2) undefined positions. The former are those that he feels he needs to reverse his traditional stance in order to secure conservative votes and the latter are those he either knows or cares nothing about and just says whatever pops into his head at the time.

  • mr.ed

    says:

    The Pussycat Press gives him a pass on all this stuff. It’s more than just donuts “with sprinkles.” Who’ll be the first heretic to ask about the constant changes? Who on his campaign will split because of the confusion? Who’s interested in Vietnam propaganda films or wet starts? How many points does he get just ’cause he’s a WASP?
    This inquiring mind wants to know.

  • NonyNony

    says:

    Well since he also wants to balance the budget, he would *have* to raise taxes. There’s simply no easy way to get rid of a $490 billion deficit.

    Um, well there are some other ways. one way would be to cut military spending down to nothing. As in disband the military, send everyone home, shut down the Pentagon and call it a night. Another would be to just shut down the government – eliminate all services (including Social Security, Medicare, the FCC, etc.) but keep taxes where they are to fund the war machine.

    But yeah – there’s not a politically viable way to eliminate the deficit, cut taxes, and keep two wars going on while looking to start a third. It’s kind of, what’s the word? Oh yes – INSANE. Yet this comes from the same group of folks who insist that cutting taxes always increases government revenues, so their insanity is well diagnosed already.

  • Racer X

    says:

    Nony, there is another option, where you just borrow like hell, and hope the rest of the planet decides to bail you out someday (and eat a lot of notes) because you’re “too big to fail”.

    That looks like the plan.

  • Ohioan

    says:

    Sen. Kent Conrad on Bush’s legacy:

    “If we gave Olympic medals for fiscal irresponsibility, President Bush would take the gold, the silver and the bronze, because he’s got the three highest record deficits ever. He sets records in every single category: 2009 would be the gold; 2004 the silver; 2008 the bronze.”

    So there you have it. Obama should frame the Social Security debate in terms of our budget – the only reason current SS projections look worse than 2000, is because we are in deep, deep red, and it will take several years to come back to a surplus again…

  • impeachcheneythenbush

    says:

    I’m actually getting more concerned that there may be a health reason for, not only McCain’s flip flops, but his double-flip flops…and “misstatements” like confusing Sunni and Shia, calling Petraus the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff last Sunday, and denying he said something (like time-table) when it’s clearly on tape. Melanoma is a vicious disease, and if it results in metastase, it can be difficult to determine that, frequently until it’s too late. After McCain’s 2000 surgery, which was quite extensive, he stated that he had not received either chemo or radiation therapy. This surprises me, as it was at least a Level IIA melanoma, and some outside experts question whether it may have actually been Level III. My point here is that the melanoma may have spread to his brain, which is a favorite site for melanoma when it mestastazes. Here’s an interesting article about why there should be concern about McCain’s health, and that he should have some extensive diagnostic work done prior to the Nov. election, including a MRI of the brain.

    “Had Senator McCain not been running for president, screening might be as simple as a careful annual physical examination and chest x-ray. In consideration of the gravity and importance of the office and ability to obtain reliable information with virtually no downside risk, a reasonable diagnostic recommendation in this case would be, at the minimum, the combination a whole body Fusion PET/CT scan and a brain MRI with gadolinium enhancement. A paper published in 2007 (3) suggests an increased yield using whole-body MRI, but this as yet has not been employed on a widespread basis. These tests are complimentary, with different areas of sensitivity; PET being a measure of function and MRI one of anatomy. Objectively documented presence of metastatic melanoma would forebode a poor prognosis. A negative result on these two examinations would provide voters a reasonable assurance of a presently disease-free state and of the ability to complete a four year term.”

    http://hnn.us/articles/50518.html

  • Rabi

    says:

    So, is McCain’s official government policy on all issues “nothing is off the table”? He seems to be extremely fond of that (non)answer.

  • NonyNony

    says:

    Nony, there is another option, where you just borrow like hell, and hope the rest of the planet decides to bail you out someday (and eat a lot of notes) because you’re “too big to fail”.

    Hm. Fair point. I have to say that I honestly never thought of that one. It’s completely unfathomable to me – like the guy at the supermarket counter who has them cash his paycheck with lottery tickets.

    Is it a viable strategy? I’d have to say I don’t think so. China seems to be moving fairly rapidly to cut their dependence on the US by building up their own economy. The US is useful to the rest of the world for 1) a large base of consumers willing to buy their exports and 2) a military powerhouse that the rest of the world wants to be allied with. China is going to try to replace us for (1), and I think our current antics have shown the danger of the rest of the world relying on us for 2.

    So if the “borrow and hope your creditors treat you nicely” plan is actually the one they’re banking on, I think we’re screwed.

  • GuyFromOhio

    says:

    . . . plenty of conservatives liked McCain’s first position on the issue, and aren’t at all pleased to see him reverse course.

    He didn’t breath enough helium to make a believable chipmunk voice in the Ponnuru interview. Clearly this is bad for Democrats.

  • zeitgeist

    says:

    MDK at 12 – hilarious.

    Until it occurs to me that if McCain read that, he would have no idea what you are talking about. Then I return to worrying about the state and fate of the nation.

  • TomB

    says:

    I wouldn’t doubt that Republican operatives are aware of McCain’s failing health. I think that their strategy is this: The Democrats are going to win this election, so why not put up a sacrificial lamb, one who has no political future and thus can’t be hurt by losing the election. Run a disorganized dumb campaign. And, when McCain’s failing health is discovered or revealed after the election, Republicans can say that the election was not a true referendum on their policies and had McCain been healthy, the voters would have selected a Republican. It gives them an explanation for losing that’s not based on their failed policies.

  • joey

    says:

    Republicans have already raised taxes by charging this trillion dollar war. How did they expect to pay for it? Forcing the dems to actually raise taxes to pay for it?? Spending till we are so far in debt and then claiming we won’t raise taxes knowing that is the only way we can pay our debts is no different than finally making us pay for their spending.

    It’s like building a building but refusing to pay for it until dems get elected and then claiming, “see, dems want to make you spend your money”.

    Republicans are the party of hypocrisy and cannot be believed on any issue.

  • Fast Eddie

    says:

    I’m getting kinda excited – in a non-tumescent way – because I truly believe that 100 flip-flops before the election is now a real possibility.

    I’m not saying it’ll be easy. Real journalists will have to ask real questions of Senator McCain, and let’s face it – how likely is that? – but we’re just looking for 29 more flip-flops in about 100 more days. Basically a flip-flop once every three days. Don’t let us down Jukebox John. We’re counting on you. Literally.

  • Always hopeful

    says:

    Republicans want the government bankrupted. That way we can go back to the era before social security etc. and the rich can keep all their money and the rest of us are on the YOYO plan, which usually involves a company store… For some reason compassionate conservatives love a mean world.

  • PQuincy

    says:

    Awwww, couldn’t we just give McCain a little credit for actually saying the sensible thing, this time — and on Larry King, who has a big audience — even though we know it’s a reflip (or is that a flopflop)?

    After all, by now (71!) McCain has been against, then for, then against enough things that it makes no sense to keep track. We all know he’ll say anything to please an audience (even if he just told another audience the opposite), and should just smile and nod approvingly when he actually says the right things. After all, we’re an audience, too…and I’m sure McCain’s wife or staff are reading and reporting on us, too, via that Internet thingy.