Where are the 80% of Americans Who Support Tax Hikes?
There is no kinder way to say this; President Obama misrepresented the truth when he said today that 80% of Americans are “sold” on tax increases in a debt ceiling deal.
"The American people are sold," Obama said. "The problem is members of Congress are dug in ideologically."
A July 14, 2011 Poll by Rasmussen found that 55% of voters oppose a tax hike as part of any debt ceiling deal. So, where are the 80% of Americans who support tax hikes?
The President was disingenuous to publically imply that 80% of Americans support tax increases when he had to know this poll, taken just one day before his press conference, did not support his declaration.
So why would the President mislead the American people? And why it is such a bad thing if Republicans keep their campaign promise to voters that they will not approve any tax increases?
Clearly, the President is the person who stands to gain the most if Republicans break their 'no tax increase" pledge.
With polls showing the President losing to any generic Republican, the President appears desperate. Certainly he is aware that nothing would suppress the Republican vote any more than Republican House members voting to raise taxes, and that would be a good reason for the President to pressure Republicans to raise taxes.
So, it’s not surprising how quickly, and passionately, the Media Meltdown Over [the] GOP Pledge descended into inflammatory, “childish insults against anti-tax Republicans.”
“Republicans under a spell!”. The GOP has become “a political cult,” cried Washington Post’s Richard Cohen. The presidential field is a “virtual Jonestown”, he added.
“The GOP’s Hezbollah Wing Is Now Fully In Control,” declared New Republic’s Jonathon Chait.
Really? A politician keeping their campaign pledge is that bad?
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