Dean, Kerry Spar Over Bush Tax Cuts (AP)

[dajabr]

By MIKE GLOVER

Associated Press Writer

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Democratic presidential rivals Howard Dean and John Kerry sparred Wednesday over President Bush's tax cuts and how to improve the nation's stumbling economy.

The primary foes, who exchanged rhetorical blows over national security earlier this year, were to deliver separate economic speeches in Iowa and New Hampshire, but couldn't wait to engage each other on the issue, a reflection of the tension between the two.

Hours before his evening speech in New Hampshire, the Kerry campaign provided an advanced text of his remarks to The Associated Press, criticizing Dean's call for a repeal of President Bush's tax cuts.

``Real Democrats don't walk away from the middle class,'' the Massachusetts senator said in his speech. ``They don't take away a tax credit for families struggling to raise their children or bring back a tax penalty for married couples who are starting out or penalize teachers and waitresses by raising taxes on the middle class.''

--snip--

``Real Democrats don't make promises they can't keep,'' the former Vermont governor said. ``Working Americans have a choice: They can have the president's tax cuts or they can have health care that can't be taken away. They can't have both.''

More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-2970201,00.html

[SGrande]

1. Give "em HELL JOHN!

[CWebster]

5. Yeah right

Why don't you tell us, John, where the fantastic saving for the average American is, who in poll after poll, didn't support a tax cut, indicating they had other priorities. So, why don't you explain how a meager saving is going to offset the expanding costs of everything no longer funded by tax revenue-- when increased local and state taxes, property taxes, user fees make up the difference---Yes sir, cause to celebrate when the future of social security is on the butcher's block.

We knew what those tax cuts were all about and who they were designed for. The average American loses out on all the services taxes cover for the entire community, only to be tossed a bone as a consolation prize.

[ThorsteinVeblen]

11. Go to Hell John

x

[chimpymustgo]

2. Kerry's absolutely right.

eom

[quinnox]

3. Tell it like it is , Sen. Kerry

Kerry won't back down from anyone, be they bully or not.

[ThorsteinVeblen]

12. John Kerry backed down from George Bush

by signing the Iraq resolution.

[Parche]

4. Kerry

JOHN KERRY PRESIDENT 2004

[demnan]

6. I agree with Dean

We need to balance the books in this country. I'd gladly give my tax cut back to bring back the economy.

Look any Democrat who wins is going to have to go in and raise taxes because the situation in the states is critical now. Only Dean is honest enough to say it.

[Larkspur]

7. Give 'em hell, Howie!

Tell the truth and Kerry will feel like it is hell.

Dean's right, we have a choice -- tax cuts for the wealthy or a stable economy with a balance budget from which we can get things, like universal health care.

[Jim Sagle]

8. Dean's right, Kerry's wrong, and that's the end of it.

[northernsoul]

9. let me get this straight, Kerry likes the B*sh tax cuts?

Am I hear this correctly? Is he basically parroting the line that the B*sh tax cuts are going to help the middle class?

Tell me I'm misunderstanding this.

I am a Dean supporter, but Kerry's my second pick. I hate to see these two concentrating so much fire on eachother instead of the real enemy.

[quinnox]

10. You are misunderstanding this.

Read the link, and it becomes clear.

[ThorsteinVeblen]

13. Kerry supports Voodoo economics.

It is a demostration of how far right the Democratic Party has shifted.

John Kerry is advocating a theory that was so radical in the 1980's that even George Bush Sr. that it was insane.

There is no evidence whatsoever that tax cuts help economic growth at all.

[dfong63]

14. i agree with Dean!

the tax "cuts" were a fraud. nitwit Kerry seems to have bought into the scam that the tax cuts benefited the middle class. if that's so, then why did he vote against them?

Kerry seems to have a problem with voting in favor of things he's against (Iraq war), and now against things he's for.

kudos to Dean for having the integrity to tell it like is. there is no free lunch.

[sandnsea]

15. I cannot believe this thread

The bulk of the tax cuts went to the top 1%. That was the whole argument for the last 3 years. Where have you people been?

The child tax credit stays. The 10% bottom margin stays.

The tax cuts for the top 1%, their marginal rates, capital gains, estate taxes, dividends taxes, most if not all of those go.

Every time there is a tax discussion on this board people point out that tax cuts for working people would do much more for the economy because those people will spend the money. Now that Kerry is saying the same thing, it's wrong because the Deanies say so.

dear lord, we are really in the twilight zone now.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

16. I can't believe it either

Fortunately, Kerry understands politics, and he also LIVED and campaigned through the era of voodoo economics.
The ignorance here is astounding sometimes, but I am learning to adjust my expectations. :eyes:

[burr]

17. Are we adjusting our expectations or our values?

Maybe you never supported fiscal responsibility. If we are going to keep Social Security and Medicare solvent, afford a healthcare plan similar to what Dean or Kerry are proposing, and establish a first-rate national defense in the next century...then we have no choice but to repeal the entire Bush tax cut.

How else will the Federal Government obtain the revenue necessary to cut National Debt? Until the amount of interest that we annually pay on this debt is reduced, most of the goals that Kerry hopes to obtain are in question.

As long a Democrats remain divided on this question, our party is plotting the path to our own demise. The voters want an end to deficit spending, they want healthcare to be treated as a "moris" issue, and most importantly they need a reason to vote for a Democratic Congress. Without this...Kerry's, Dean's, or no other Democratic President's agenda will go anywhere.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

18. I do support fiscal responsibility, as does Kerry.

Nowhere in Kerry's statement does he say to run a defecit.

[burr]

19. Surprise, Surprise!

That would make him honest!

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

20. Wow I had no idea

that Kerry like *'s stupid tax cut. Damn, the more I read the more my heart will break if I have to vote for him as the nominee.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

21. You have got to be fucking kidding me!

Hours before his evening speech in New Hampshire, the Kerry campaign provided an advanced text of his remarks to The Associated Press, criticizing Dean's call for a repeal of President Bush's tax cuts.

``Real Democrats don't walk away from the middle class,'' the Massachusetts senator said in his speech. ``They don't take away a tax credit for families struggling to raise their children or bring back a tax penalty for married couples who are starting out or penalize teachers and waitresses by raising taxes on the middle class.''

iow, Shrub's tax cuts= good. :wtf:

No Kerry supporter can tell me, after these remarks, that he doesn't support Chimps tax cuts.

For emphasis: "...criticizing Dean's call for a repeal of President Bush's tax cuts.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

22. Supporting relief for working, middle and lower class, tax payers

is not the same as supporting Bush's TAX CUT FOR THE RICH!!!
Kerry cares about the people that matter, not the rich donors Bush does.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

23. NYM...

Just to get this straight...a few questions...

1. Are Shrub's tax cuts good?

2. If Kerry criticizes Dean for wanting to repeal the tax cuts does that mean Kerry supports them?

3. How do the tax cuts benefit the middle class?

and..

Supporting relief for working, middle and lower class, tax payers" is not the same as supporting Bush's TAX CUT FOR THE RICH!!!
Kerry cares about the people that matter, not the rich donors Bush does

I agree. Where's the relief for middle class tax payers in Shrub's tax plan? And why does Kerry have an issue with repealing them? BE HONEST. The main question I want answered is: "Do you think that Shrub's tax cuts benefited the middle, working and lower classes?"

[burr]

24. Sounds like a tax hike to me!

The middle class may get a brief middle class rebate, but this will be minor compared to the large tax increases they will have to pay 10 or 20 years down the road thanks to this type of buck passing. I still remember the Senator that Kerry replaced, Paul Tsongas, opposed a middle class tax cut in favor of cutting the deficit. It was right then and it is right today. This is the worse way to use the Tsongas family, get his sister's endorsement...and then shit on everything the former Senator stood for!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

25. to both of you: He's not shitting on anyone

Bush threw a crumb to the middle class while he threw the juicy red steaks to the Texas Pioneers, Ken Lay, et al.
Kerry says: Thanks, we'll keep the crumbs, but give the steaks back.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

26. Reluctantly,

if you think that's an honest rendering, I'll give it to you.

I say forget tax cuts altogether. I don't mind paying taxes. I'm for the pre-Reagan, upper bracket of 60%.