Mitt Romney on John McCain: "I Would Clearly Support Not Extending Those Tax Cuts..."

Jan 23, 2008 -- "I voted against the tax cuts because of the disproportionate amount that went to the wealthiest Americans. I would clearly support not extending those tax cuts in order to help address the deficit." – Sen. John McCain (NBC's "Meet The Press," 4/11/04)

MYTH – Sen. McCain Is Promising Floridians That He Would Make The Bush Tax Cuts Permanent:

In A New Campaign Ad Airing In Florida, Sen. McCain Says He Will Make The Bush Tax Cuts Permanent. SEN. JOHN MCCAIN: "I'll make the Bush tax cuts permanent... There is no one who will work harder to ... protect your pocket books." (John McCain 2008, "Protect," Campaign Ad, 1/22/08)

One McCain Adviser Even Claimed That Sen. McCain Has "Consistently" Supported Making The Bush Tax Cuts Permanent. FOX NEWS' SCOTT: "But Douglas, as you know, John McCain has been criticized by Mitt Romney and others for having voted against the Bush tax cuts, the first time around. Has he changed his mind on that now or is this simply because these are different times?" MCCAIN ADVISER DOUGLAS HOLTZ-EAKIN: "John McCain has said consistently that the tax cuts should be made permanent..." (Fox News' " Happening Now," 1/22/08)

FACT – Sen. McCain Was Against Making The Bush Tax Cuts Permanent:

In 2004, McCain Said He Was Against Making The Bush Tax Cuts "For Higher Income People" Permanent. SEN. JOHN MCCAIN: "They want to make the tax cuts for higher-income people permanent, and I don't want that." (NPR's "Morning Edition," 6/16/04)

- Sen. McCain: "I Would Clearly Support Not Extending Those Tax Cuts." RUSSERT: "Since the Civil War, every president who has been at war has increased taxes. Should the president consider postponing his tax cut?" MCCAIN: "I would have – I voted against the tax cuts because of the disproportionate amount that went to the wealthiest 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." (NBC's "Meet The Press," 4/11/04; www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLSookkRNIk)

FACT – Sen. McCain Voted With Democrats Against The 2001 And 2003 Bush Tax Cuts:

In 2001, Sen. McCain Was One Of Only Two Republicans Who Joined Democrats In Voting Against The $1.35 Trillion Bush Tax Cut. The bill lowered marginal rates, eliminated the marriage penalty, and doubled the child tax credit. (H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #170: Adopted 58-33: R 46-2; D 12-31; I 0-0, 5/26/01, McCain Voted Nay)

In 2003, Sen. McCain Was One Of Only Three Republicans Who Joined Democrats In Voting Against The $350 Billion Bush Tax Cut. The comprehensive bill lowered taxes by $350 billion over 11 years – including increasing the child tax credit and eliminated the marriage penalty. (H.R. 2, CQ Vote #179: Passed 51-49: R 48-3; D 3-45; I 0-1, 5/15/03, McCain Voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #196: Adopted 50-50: R 48-3; D 2-46; I 0-1, 5/23/03, McCain Voted Nay)

FACT – Sen. McCain Still Thinks He Was Right To Vote Against Real Tax Relief For Working Families:

Sen. McCain Still Believes He Was Right To Vote Against Republican Tax Cuts. NBC's TIM RUSSERT: "Do you believe that voting against the Bush tax cuts was a mistake?" SEN. JOHN MCCAIN: "Of course not." (NBC's "Meet The Press," 1/6/08; www.youtube.com/watch?v=5swpJxMNU-A)

Source: Mitt Romney campaign

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