Politico's Smith falsely suggested Clinton criticized Obama's specific Social Security proposal
SUMMARY: The Politico's Ben Smith falsely suggested that Sen. Hillary Clinton criticized Sen. Barack Obama's proposal to address the solvency of Social Security, which includes raising the payroll tax on workers earning more than $250,000 per year. In fact, while Clinton said in November 2007 that she opposes "lift[ing] the cap completely," she has not said that she opposes raising the cap on payroll taxes if the plan to do so includes a so-called "doughnut hole" exempting those earning less than $250,000 from a tax increase, as Obama has proposed.
In a June 13 post on his Politico blog previewing Sen. Barack Obama's speech that day highlighting Social Security reform, senior political writer Ben Smith falsely suggested that Sen. Hillary Clinton criticized Obama's proposal to address the solvency of Social Security, which includes raising the payroll tax on workers earning more than $250,000 per year. In fact, while Clinton said during a debate in November 2007 that she opposes "lift[ing] the cap completely," she did not say she opposed raising the cap on payroll taxes if the plan to do so includes a so-called "doughnut hole" exempting those earning less than $250,000 from a tax increase, as Obama has proposed.
In his post, Smith wrote: "Obama's challenging [Sen. John] McCain today on Social Security, a winning issue for Democrats in recent months -- hobbled somewhat by Hillary Clinton's primary criticism." He then quoted from "Obama's prepared remarks" of his June 13 speech, which included the following proposal for ensuring Social Security's future solvency: "I think the best way forward is to adjust the cap on the payroll tax so that people like me pay a little bit more and people in need are protected. ... And we should exempt anyone making under $250,000 from this increase so that the change doesn't burden middle-class Americans." Smith then noted that the Republican National Committee "responded with a reminder that 'Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY)' had attacked Obama on this," and that the RNC pointed in particular to Clinton's assertion at a November 15, 2007, Democratic presidential debate that, "I do not want to fix the problems of Social Security on the backs of middle-class families and seniors. If you lift the cap completely, that is a $1 trillion tax increase. I don't think we need to do that."
But Smith's suggestion that Clinton criticized the proposal Obama outlined in his June 13 speech -- to raise the cap on Social Security taxes for those earning more than $250,000 -- is false. Indeed, as the comments -- which were highlighted in a June 13 RNC press release -- make clear, Clinton specifically criticized "lift[ing] the cap completely." Obama -- as is clear from the comments Smith quoted -- has proposed "exempt[ing] anyone making under $250,000 from this increase so that the change doesn't burden middle-class Americans."
Smith's June 13 Politico blog post:
Obama's challenging McCain today on Social Security, a winning issue for Democrats in recent months -- hobbled somewhat by Hillary Clinton's primary criticism.
From Obama's prepared remarks in Columbus, OH:
Now, John McCain's ideas on Social Security amount to four more years of what was attempted and failed under George Bush. He said he supports private accounts for Social Security -- in his words, "along the lines that President Bush proposed." Yesterday he tried to deny that he ever took that position, leaving us wondering if he had a change of heart or a change of politics...
Here's where I would start. Right now, the Social Security payroll tax is capped. That means most middle-class families pay this tax on every dime they make, while millionaires and billionaires are only paying it on a very small percentage of their income. That's why I think the best way forward is to adjust the cap on the payroll tax so that people like me pay a little bit more and people in need are protected. That way we can extend the promise of Social Security without shifting the burden on to seniors. And we should exempt anyone making under $250,000 from this increase so that the change doesn't burden middle-class Americans. This means that 97% of Americans will see absolutely no change in their taxes under my plan -- 97%.
Now, there was a time when John McCain thought this wasn't such a bad idea. When he was asked a few years ago whether he could see himself lifting the cap on the payroll tax, he said, "I could." But today, he's attacking me for holding the very same position.
The RNC responded with a reminder that "Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY)" had attacked Obama on this -- a move, as pointed out here and elsewhere at the time -- very much in line with conservative talking points, as today shows:
"I do not want to fix the problems of Social Security on the backs of middle-class families and seniors. If you lift the cap completely, that is a $1 trillion tax increase. I don't think we need to do that," she said.
Also McCain is going around saying he is Hillarys best friend.
The RNC is lost and so is McBush.
Sad story....
How long before the R's blame this on the D's. I will bet that within 2 days after his funeral, one of the Rnuts will point a finger.
Back to the thread...Dear PoliticNO..if you are suggesting starting a riff between Hillary and Barack, forget it...the letter R may be permanently remove from behind any name. Unless Fox misidentifies someone.
So sad
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25145431/
How long before the R's blame this on the D's. I will bet that within 2 days after his funeral, one of the Rnuts will point a finger.
Totally inappropriate & downright idiotic Prince!
But thanks for a peek inside of a liberal mind.
Jeter
I was not sure what Princes point was either. I know we all had different views on Russert from time to time, but joking about somes death is totally disgusting in my view.
“Things happen in June...,” Hillary Rodham Clinton
41 posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 12:57:14 PM by BurbankKarl Worth the trip to weirdo Freeperland. Apparently, Russert was considered a "lib" who wasn't afraid to ask tough questions of "'Rats".More comments from Freeper Planet;I always thought he looked like he had very high blood pressure.[ now you tell us, Dr. Wingnut]
Man. }:-)4 [Smiley mad face with a 4 on the chin. ??]
If so prayers for his soul and his family. Especially his dad, what a miserable Father’s day he’ll have. Even though he’s a lib I’ve always liked Russert.[ very genrous of you,wingnut]
I was just on the Fox and NBC websites and notyhing. R Kelly was found innocent however. [this seems like a good place for a scary black person comment!]
Tim Russert wasn't my favorite news reporter but he was only moderately liberal and a guy it seemed hard to dislike. [ I'm moderately sad about this premature death]
Gone too soon at 58 years old. [reasonable comment, semi-human Freeper!]
That is horrible. How old was he? [ 58 you idiot!]Tim Russert was one of the few intellectually honest liberals who would ask hard questions of ‘Rats. [he was a moderate Repooplicken]Hannity talking about it now. Say’s Russert gave him a $10,000 check to benefit the Freedom concerts. [10k? cheap lib!]He was one I could watch without disgust. [ peace be with you also]Although I haven’t watched him for years,he wasn't a giddy Lib like Chrissy Mathews. [he was a moderate Repooplicken]Early in the election during a Clinton campaign conference call with several journalist on the call, a Clinton surrogate made sure to say that Russet should be shot... Basically, the Clintons always knew that Russert would be a problem for them. [ Apologies to Prince of Wheels are due]- 41 posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 12:57:14 PM by BurbankKarl Worth the trip to weirdo Freeperland. Apparently, Russert was considered a "lib" who wasn't afraid to ask tough questions of "'Rats".More comments from Freeper Planet;I always thought he looked like he had very high blood pressure.[ now you tell us, Dr. Wingnut]
Man. }:-)4 [Smiley mad face with a 4 on the chin. ??]If so prayers for his soul and his family. Especially his dad, what a miserable Father’s day he’ll have. Even though he’s a lib I’ve always liked Russert.[ very generous of you,wingnut]I was just on the Fox and NBC websites and notyhing. R Kelly was found innocent however. [this seems like a good place for a scary black person comment!]Tim Russert wasn't my favorite news reporter but he was only moderately liberal and a guy it seemed hard to dislike. [ I'm moderately sad about this premature death] Gone too soon at 58 years old. [reasonable comment, semi-human Freeper!] That is horrible. How old was he? [ 58 you idiot! ]Tim Russert was one of the few intellectually honest liberals who would ask hard questions of ‘Rats. [he was a moderate Repooplicken]Hannity talking about it now. Say’s Russert gave him a $10,000 check to benefit the Freedom concerts. [10k? cheap lib!]
He was one I could watch without disgust. [ peace be with you also]
Although I haven’t watched him for years,he wasn't a giddy Lib like Chrissy Mathews. [he was a moderate Repooplicken]Early in the election during a Clinton campaign conference call with several journalist on the call, a Clinton surrogate made sure to say that Russet should be shot... Basically, the Clintons always knew that Russert would be a problem for them. [Apologies to Prince of Wheels are due]
Could you be any more pathetic Colonel?
Where did anyone of those posts BLAME the Clintons or any Democrat for Russert's death?
Your commentary was lame & whatever points you were trying to make fell flat. Hell I could go through the threads here & do the same thing.
No apologies to Prince. What he wrote was inappropriate & idiotic. And don't forget it was a DEMOCRAT, a surrogate of Clintons that said Russert would be a problem for them and should be shot...but no where does that particular post at F.R. point a finger of blame at Hillary or any Dem for Russert's death. God are you this hard up to try & defend Prince's stupid remarks?
And furthermore the comments you highlighted pale in comparison to the vitriol written at this site concerning Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Savage, Coulter, Matthews, Bush, Cheney ...and the late Tim Russert. In fact most posts at the Free Republic site were respectful. And as you & the other hypocrites here are fond of saying, these are anonymous posters, not folks that hosts their own radio or tv shows. Not politicans.
Just pathetic. What color is the sky in Moonbat land?
Absolutely agree Jeter, for anyone to take cheap little sleazy political jabs as a result of Russert's death is indeed pathetic.
Perhaps the Colonel should stick to his trademark posts of cute little jabs and stabs at cons.
Another fun one (#84), blaming Sen. Clinton and warning Limbaugh (I've tried to first magnify the font to 150% on this one):
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To: LesbianThespianGymnasticMidgetHillary’s revenge. She executed her payback for him asking that question about the (then) New York governor’s (what was his name again?) law for drivers licenses for illegals.
Russert’s question at that first debate — and Hillary’s horrible answer — started her slide into defeat. Rush asked that question of his radio audience before Russert asked it of Hillary, so Rush likes to take credit for it. Therefore, Rush — look out! Hillary’s on the warpath!
84 posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 3:07:27 PM by EarlyBird
Another one (#118)---they really love this guy!
To: libh8er
Rush quit smoking years ago - did he start up again? His weight fluctuates so I hope he gets regular checkups.
118 posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 3:15:13 PM by peggybac
More anti-Clinton paranoia.
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To: EarlyBird
“Hillary’s revenge.”
That’s what the Clintons do to those who get ‘uppity’ with them. It serves as a warning to Obama too.
129 posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 3:17:01 PM by FFranco
Ho-hum….. more of the same:
To: afortiori
“In perhaps one of the more uncomfortable moments in recent Meet the Press history, Clinton campaign co-chair Terry McAuliffe insinuated on Sunday that host Tim Russert’s father was dead. He isn’t.”
Clinton insinuations should be taken as threats. Like the whole Bobbie-Kennedy-was-assassinated remark should be taken as a threat to Obama.
145 posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 3:20:50 PM by EarlyBird
To: psjones
I agree that Russert’s question to HIllary about the drivers license for illegals and Hillary’s subsequent waffling on the question was what started hurting Hillary’s standing in the polls. Russert made sure Hillary did not get away with her usual equivocating, unlike other moderators. I thought that was one of the best moments in this debate season.
It may have also been the nail in Russert's coffin.
198 posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 3:33:00 PM by EarlyBird
To: EarlyBird
Glad I’m not the only one wondering about the Clintons.
209 posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 3:35:40 PM by getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL (****************************Stop
To: getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL
Glad I’m not the only one wondering about the Clintons.
Some may consider this train of thought inappropriate for this thread. However, I think I'm just voicing the unspoken fears of many. Tim Russert's father is still alive, for God's sake. It's very suspicious when you think about it.
247 posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 3:45:31 PM by EarlyBir
Interesting, in this poster’s world Russert was of the extreme left.
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To: buccaneer81
You have your opinion and I have mine. I fought the communist in Vietnam. I have seen what COMMUNISTS do to those who do not agree with them. Have you ever seen the chief of some village strung up on posts, cut limb to limb?? His guts hanging out?? Probably not. That IS COMMUNISM. Communist have a grand history of rape and murder. If you want communists running the country, then you have the problem not me. I don't cry when communists and enemies of this Republic kick the bucket.
249 posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 3:45:53 PM by RetiredArmy (Even if he wins, obama WILL NEVER BE MY PRESIDENT OF MY COUNTRY!!!)
To: LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget
Was this Arkancide? Remember it was Russert who personally derailed Hillary’s Oval Office Express with his super-tough interrogation of Clinton about her position on the Spitzer drivers license policy. I saw a graph somewhere that showed a total collapse in her polls from that very date. HRC does have a lot of time on her hands now.
262 posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 3:49:13 PM by montag813
But how this effects Limbaugh is what really matters.
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To: CedarDave
Rush always says he hates to go to DC, but now he’s going to have to, to pay his respects for Tim.
488 posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 5:03:19 PM by Yaelle
Colonel, I had to laugh at his post (#65) on that same Free Rupublic thread---God Save the King...errr Rush:
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To: LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget Tim was 58, overweight and diabetic. Rush is 57,overweight, a smoker and by his own admission hates exercise. Prayers for the Russert family. But I will also pray to God to protect Rush and keep him in good health for a loooong time.Rush, please, please, please, get regular checks up done. Given your lifestyle that's the least you could do for yourself and for us. God bless.
65 posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 3:04:24 PM by libh8erTwo easy ways to magnify the font size:
1.) Hit control key and (shift) "+" key simultaneously till reaches the desired size. (reverse the font down by using the "-" key (and control key))
2.) Copy/paste onto a word processing program.
There's a third that slips my mind right now.
I did not know:
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To: peggybac
And, in case you didn’t know, Russert was a substitute host on Rush’s show once.
177 posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 3:27:59 PM by Pravious
To: BurbankKarl
“Things happen in June...,” Hillary Rodham Clinton
Wasn't Russert the first to poke through Hillary's cloak of invincibility with his tough, persistent questions on driver's licenses for illegals very early on in the primary debates?
.... hhmmm ....
To: LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget
What the left is saying:
“Remember, Russert testified under oath that he gave the White House favorable treatment
so he could continue to get exclusive access to the bloody war-mongering bastards.
How can he claim to be a “good Catholic” and sell a crooked war that’s killed 4100 soldiers
just so he could add another million dollars to his already-bloated bank account?
Tim, good thing there’s no Hell because you’d be going.”
Found at: http://www.bartcop.com/
Scroll about half-way down.
A little different angle:
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To: rwfromkansas; Current Occupant; Baynative; mnehrling; eeevil conservative; sofaman; Repub4bush; ...
Not trusting anything these days....
Makes me wonder if perhaps Tim Russert had the
“SMOKING GUN” Michelle Obama “Whitey” video???
God bless Tim Russert. One of the good guys.
739 posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 11:20:19 AM by Jo Nuvark (Those who bless Israel will be blessed, those who curse Israel will be cursed. Gen 12:3)
Not really sure how Russert's death can be blamed on some political party, but his sudden passing is very sad.
Condolonces to his family.