Senator John McCain participates in the televised Republican debate at the Reagan Library. Click the play button to see what Jack and our viewers had to say
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
When it comes to the Bush tax cuts, John McCain has a pretty complicated story. See if you can follow along:
It starts with being against them before he was for them. At this week's debate, McCain said he opposed the tax cuts in the past because they didn't come with spending cuts. But that's not what he said at the time.
In 2001, McCain said President Bush's $1.35 trillion tax cut benefited the wealthy at the expense of the middle class. At the time, he tried but failed to change the bill to reduce income tax cuts for the wealthiest and give greater benefits to those earning less money. Not a word about spending cuts.
In 2003, McCain opposed a $350 billion tax cut. In that instance, he said it was because there should be no tax cuts while the cost of the Iraq war and its aftermath were still unknown.
Flash forward to the 2008 presidential race. Not only is McCain giving a different reason for his previous opposition to tax relief, but he now wants to make the Bush tax cuts permanent, fighting what he calls "the Democrats' plans for a crippling tax increase." This is from the man who calls his campaign bus "The Straight Talk Express."
Of course, it's not too hard to figure out why he's suddenly for the cuts now: McCain's opposition to the Bush tax cuts is one of the many reasons why he's come under such harsh criticism from many in the conservative base.
Here’s my question to you: Why would John McCain misrepresent his own record when it comes to the Bush tax cuts?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Alex writes:
Jack, He misrepresents his record to win because he can not accept the fact that he has no clue what he is doing with the economy or this so-called plan he has. He should just admit he is as confused on the economy as a high school senior taking an economics class. And turn Democrat, because if he gets the nomination, in the words of Rush Limbaugh: "He will destroy the Republican Party."
Terry from Castle Rock, Colorado writes:
I think McCain is basically a decent guy but after losing the nomination to Bush in 2000, the old straight-talker has learned how to pander to the core of the Republican Party. You know, those are the ones who think we are in a war in Iraq instead of an occupation. They're the ones who don't have a problem borrowing and spending but go spastic when tax and spend is mentioned. They're the ones that McCain needs to convince of his conservative credentials.
Wesley writes:
Jack, Thank you for saying something that supports what many of us believe to be a consistent behavior of John McCain and why the Republican base will not hold their nose and vote for him if he is the nominee. I won't vote for Hillary as Ann Coulter said, but I will stay home.
George from Savona, New York writes:
The Straight Talk Express left the barn when ambition exceeded morality. He took a page out The Bush Book. If his lips are moving, he's lying.
Patrick writes:
It's simple. The Republican voter in 2008 punishes honesty in all forms. Didn't McCain tell the people of Michigan their old jobs were gone forever, and Romney said they would come back? McCain got punished for that. He's just learning.
Felix writes:
Two words: Conservative pandering. Another two words: stupid question.
Jeff from Connecticut writes:
Jack, The obvious answer is that John McCain's bus broke down and he's taken up new residence on the "Sellout Express".