Mere Words

In 2001, John McCain was one of only two Republicans who voted against Bush’s tax cuts saying:

“We had an opportunity to provide much more tax relief to millions of hard-working Americans. . . . 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 most need tax relief.”

-Senate floor statement before vote on May 26, 2001

In 2003, Senator McCain voted against renewing the tax cuts saying:

“…low and middle-income Americans are paying a significantly larger amount of their income in taxes. I’d like to see them get the bulk of the relief.”

- NBC’s “Today” January 7, 2003

Both times, McCain got it right. He chose his principles and what was best for the American people over party loyalty. George Bush’s tax cuts gave the majority of their benefits to the top 1%, who did not need or ask for the benefits. By voting against the tax cuts, John McCain made a statement that earned him the support of many independents and Democrats. This and other independent actions even got his named tossed around as a potential vice presidential nominee for John Kerry in 2004.

Why then did Senator McCain vote in 2006 to extend these tax cuts? Why does he continue his support to make them permanent today? He claims he did so because ending the cuts now would amount to a tax increase, which he opposes. This is not as reasonable as he would make it seem. If McCain is worried about the effect on our economy by raising taxes by repealing the cuts, he would support a plan instead of revamping them. He could close tax loopholes and switch the benefits from the top 1% to the lower and middle classes who truly need it.

Instead, I think John McCain had political motivations with this change in his stance on tax cuts. Since 2006, (when his opinion changed) he has been planning his bid for the Republican nomination. He has spent this time attempting to consolidate his support within the Republican base and change the view of him being a maverick. Thus, it would be critical to have a more party-accepted stance on the tax cuts which have such strong support within the party.

John McCain has flip flopped on taxes in a way that was politically expedient for him. If flip flopping was enough to hurt John Kerry’s presidential bid, will it do the same for McCain?