In falsely accusing Obama, Fox News' Brown misrepresented reason McCain gave for initially opposing Bush tax cuts
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SUMMARY: Fox News' Steve Brown accused Sen. Barack Obama of omitting the purported reason Sen. John McCain initially opposed the Bush tax cuts, which Brown claimed was "because they didn't match up with corresponding cuts coming out of the budget." In fact, the reason McCain gave for voting against the tax cuts in a May 2001 floor statement was that "so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us, at the expense of middle class Americans who most need tax relief."
During the October 23 edition of Fox News' Studio B, general assignment reporter Steve Brown accused Sen. Barack Obama of "leav[ing] out" the purported reason Sen. John McCain initially opposed the Bush tax cuts, which Brown claimed was "because they didn't match up with corresponding cuts coming out of the budget." In fact, as Media Matters for America has repeatedly documented, when McCain voted against the tax cuts in 2001, the reason he gave in his floor statement was not that they were not accompanied by spending cuts; rather, McCain stated, "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." Indeed, during the February 3 edition of Fox Broadcasting Co.'s Fox News Sunday, host Chris Wallace told McCain: "[Y]ou've been saying, 'Well, the reason was because they didn't have spending cuts along with it.' Senator, we checked your speech before the final vote in the 2001 tax cut. ... You never once mentioned the fact that there weren't spending cuts."
On the April 11, 2004, edition of NBC's Meet the Press, McCain reaffirmed his rationale for originally opposing the Bust tax cuts, stating: "I voted against the tax cuts because of the disproportionate amount that went to the wealthy Americans. I would clearly support not extending those tax cuts in order to help address the deficit. But the middle-income tax credits, the families, the child tax credits, the marriage tax credits, all of those I would keep." As Media Matters has noted, McCain has since reversed his position on the tax cuts -- he now supports their permanent extension.
From the October 23 edition of Fox News' Studio B with Shepard Smith:
BROWN: Just today, they were talking about how -- John McCain, talking about those Bush tax cuts that were focused on the folks making -- households making better than a quarter-million dollars that John McCain himself was against those originally when those came up to vote. What Senator Obama did leave out of that when he was talking to a crowd of 35,000 here in Indianapolis was the reason why John McCain was against them.
He was against them because they didn't match up with corresponding cuts coming out of the budget. So without the budget cuts, he didn't think that cutting taxes was the appropriate thing to do. So while Obama does say that his opponent was for them and was right then and I'm right now, he leaves out the important part about the budget cuts that McCain wanted to go with them.
SMITH: [Fox News chief political correspondent] Carl [Cameron], McCain's bus has a new name. What's with that?
This is going to be a tough one to sell, even for the Flying Monkey Brigade. Of course, the drooling GOP base will believe it, even if you show the video tape that proves otherwise.
I wonder if McCain still claims to be a straight talker. He's taken just about every postion there is to take on just about every issue. I suspect that swelling on his jowl comes from talking out of the other side of his face.
No doubt,
McCain has completely lost his way--and, increasingly, his bearings. He's now running some sort of surreal Fox News - Karl Rove campaign.
What's sadder still, he may even be starting to believe his own lies. Murdoch flunkies like Brown are trying desperately to cover McCain's tracks, but the jig is about up.
I think he's just gonna go: "Damn, I've taken just about every postion there is to take on just about every issue, and I STILL can't win. Gimme a break!" :D
He is a sad, pathetic old man who is throwing away the last shred of decency and credibility he had. His legacy will not be that of an honorable man who worked "across the aisle" as it was portrayed before, but that of a desperate loser who sold his soul in order to make a last chance grasp at power.
Maybe he'll make a speech a few nights before the election, where he confides that he's dying, and the Make-a-Wish foundation promised him he could be president.
And his special-needs running mate will be sent to the frozen tundra if he doesn't win. Please help an old man and a delusional shopaholic.
There is hope for mickey c. bush has just announced Moose and Wolves can vote. Personally I believe this was Wolfowitz's idea. I know, they don't want her bak in Ak. I kind of feel sorry for SNL. There goes their ratings. mickey c. will soon be making dpends commercials when not being a spokesman for electric wheelchair companies. Maybe he will replace Wilford Brimley. Maybe he will go back to that hotel in Nam and get a room with a view. He is done for sure. Sad in a way. Maybe he wil be a faucks news contributor.
My spelling went south big time. Maybe I should join mickey c.