By Julia Hoppock

Jul 29, 2008 7:37am

Title – Read McCain’s Lips

My former next-door neighbor Ramesh Ponnuru of the National Review takes note of an apparent flip-flop by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., on taxes.

In March 2007 McCain told Ponnuru the following:

Ponnuru: If you could get the Democrats to agree, or at least to come to the table on entitlements or on tax simplification, are those circumstances under which you’d be willing to accept a tax increase?

Sen. McCain: No; no.

PONNURU:  No circumstances?

Sen. McCain: No. None. None.

But on This Week with George Stephanopoulos Sunday McCain sounded a bit different,  saying of Social Security, "I am a supporter of sitting down together and putting everything on the table and coming up with an answer. So, there is nothing I would take off the table. There was nothing I would demand. I think that’s the way that Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill did it. And that’s what we have to do again…

"I have said and will say, I will say that everything has to be on the table, if we’re going to reach a bipartisan agreement," McCain continued. "I’ve been in bipartisan negotiations before. I know how you reach a conclusion. We all have to sit down together with everything on the table."

Asked George: "So, that means payroll tax increases are on the table, as well?"

"There is nothing that’s off the table," McCain responded. "I have my positions, and I’ll articulate them. But nothing’s off the table. I don’t want tax increases. Of course I’d like to have young Americans have some of their money put into an account with their name on it. But that doesn’t mean that anything is off the table."

- jpt

User Comments

This would seem to be a serious breach of conservative principles and an unvarnished flip-flop. Will we see him shift on Iraq next? Oh, wait…

Posted by: matthew | July 29, 2008, 7:43 am 7:43 am

In your story there’s the quintessential philosophical one-liner from McFailure’s political book of ideas and opinions:
“I have my positions”…
He sure has! Whatever position you want to hear! LOL!

Posted by: maria | July 29, 2008, 7:44 am 7:44 am

No one has reported on McCain’s flip on car emission standards. Before he said he was for Federally regulated emission standards. But he told a crowd of GM employees that he NOW favors state regulated emission standards. That went over REAL well here in MI, LOL!

Posted by: Mayor McCheese | July 29, 2008, 8:00 am 8:00 am

Jake, if you want to see why some independents and moderate, long-term voting democrats are considering McCain see Richard Cohen’s op-ed piece in the Washington Post. This piece might explain why the polls are so close.

Posted by: rafraf | July 29, 2008, 8:09 am 8:09 am

He didn’t say he would accept the tax increase he said it was on the table. Saying something is on the table means being open to other ideas, not close minded. Does anyone else see this?
Democrat for McCain, because Obama has no experience

Posted by: Emma | July 29, 2008, 8:22 am 8:22 am

@rafraf
Do you have a link?

Posted by: Emma | July 29, 2008, 8:27 am 8:27 am

Does this guy have any “core principles” left? If he’s caught flip flopping about, he simply denies that he said what he said!

Posted by: Brooklyn Democrat | July 29, 2008, 8:32 am 8:32 am

As you libs slept, a major Shell oil pipeline was destroyed by terrorists in Nigeria. It won’t likely be the last. The cost of oil is headed up again.
This is reason enough to votr for McCain and not Barack Hussein Obama.

Posted by: Larry Clifton | July 29, 2008, 8:32 am 8:32 am

“Jukebox John keeps changing his tune”
There are 70 documented mcsame flipflops here…your article now raises the total to 71.
GMAB
He is so pathetic. First he supports bush, then he slams Bush, then he takes his fundraising money…GMAB.
More crooks..do not want.

Posted by: MariaWr | July 29, 2008, 8:33 am 8:33 am

my point exactly….McCain has flipped on everything in order to win an election. He will never get the media scrutint that Obama does.
(here they come to clean this up for flipCain)

Posted by: watching | July 29, 2008, 8:37 am 8:37 am

Changes his mind about Taxes.
Changes his mind about Immagration.
Changes his mind about afirmmative action.
changes his mind about getting out of Iraq.
Changes his mind on gas tax holiday.
changes his mind on talking to opposing leaders.
Seems like all his ideas are wrong when he first thinks them up, then after being badgered by other people about his poor ideas, he changes them.
He isn’t a flip-flopper, he just makes bad decisions. He is a trial and error kind of president.

Posted by: Tim | July 29, 2008, 8:39 am 8:39 am

Maria wrote:
There are 70 documented mcsame flipflops here…your article now raises the total to 71.
*************
Does the count include McCain’s flip on car emission standards? McCain said he was for federally regulated emission standards, but on July 18th he told a group of GM employees he is now FORD state regulated emission standards. This would be a death knell to the US Auto Industry. The Detroit newspapers have been all over this, but the MSM has ignored it.
So guess the count is now 72?

Posted by: Mayor McCheese | July 29, 2008, 8:42 am 8:42 am

Sometimes you will read comments and see something like, “Obama is an empty suit, he will say whatever it takes to get what he wants.”
I have no problem with that because i belive that what Obama wants is America to be a great country again. And by great I mean, not in debt, regarded highly by other countries, full of successful intellegent people, important in global trade, and energy independent.
If he has to say “whatever it takes” to get this job done, then so be it.
Unfortunity McCain says whatever it takes as well, but all he wants is to pay back the lobbyists that funded his campaign. If that means going further into debt, taxing poor people more without raising rich taxes, further opening the wound we call our reputation with the world, or killing inocent civilians in wars then so be it.
Obama’s lack of experience trumps McCains old style experience anyday.

Posted by: Tim | July 29, 2008, 8:45 am 8:45 am

It is a shame the alleged “lack of experience” is used like a sledge hammer whenever Sen. McCain goofs up and his supporters need to change the subject. One of our greatest presidents had similar experience to Sen. Obama and he came from Illinois to boot, President Abraham Lincoln.
I mean no offense to Sen. McCain, but he does not have the intelligence nor the judgment of Sen. Obama. I respect Sen. McCain’s service to our country, but we have had enough of the “good ol’ boys.” If you make less than $250,000/yr and you vote for Sen. McCain, you are voting against your own best interest.

Posted by: Bill C. | July 29, 2008, 8:58 am 8:58 am

Ever notice that when Obama has a problem, his supporters try to paint his opponent with that fault?
A flipflop is when a candidate changes their position from week to week and speech to speech.
A shift is when a candidate changes their position due to changing circumstances.
While nothing is absolute, overall Obama has had more flipflops while McCain has had more shifts.

Posted by: marylou | July 29, 2008, 9:00 am 9:00 am

Tim,
I agree. Experience is over-rated, I will take judgement anyday. McCain STILL wont admit that going into Iraq was the biggest mistake in the history of the United States. Wasted blood and treasure for what? So McCain and Bush could live out a toy soldier fantasy?
McCain wants to kick Russia and China out of the G8. Great way to start another Cold War. Moron!

Posted by: Mayor McCheese | July 29, 2008, 9:00 am 9:00 am

I really think it is sad that most of the people posting on this page have bought into the hype and marketing of Obama. He has done nothing to earn the job of president of the USA.
He was a senator for 1 year before he started running for office. His speeches are written by a 26 year old. He has been mass marketed by the DNC and the media. All of his “powerful words” have been stolen for other people. He is arrogant and talks down to the American people. He acts like he has this amazing judgment and that he will explain Washington to the ignorant masses. I know America has to be smarter than this. Lets hope the media’s love affair with Obama is near its end!
Democrat for McCain!

Posted by: JamesDuck | July 29, 2008, 9:00 am 9:00 am

Bill C., the last time I looked out my door it wasn’t 1860. Lincoln’s lack of experience would make him too risky a choice to tackle the national and international problems facing our next president. In that regard, Lincoln and Obama are equal.

Posted by: marylou | July 29, 2008, 9:05 am 9:05 am

@ Mayor McCheese,
I love it when you post. You show America exactly what kind of people are Obama supporters. You are so intelligent, keep up the good work.
Mayor McCheese = Obama

Posted by: JamesDuck | July 29, 2008, 9:09 am 9:09 am

marylou wrote:
While nothing is absolute, overall Obama has had more flipflops while McCain has had more shifts.
**********
Ever notice how McCain supporters claim his flips are policy shifts, instead not being able to remember what he said?
McCain’s mental accutiy will be called into question more and more in the coming days. Reporters have been noting lately how incoherent McCain’s message has been, rambling from one subject to another without any connection or point. The media has been covering for McCain by NOT covering, but then he whined about not getting enough coverage. Be careful what you wish for!

Posted by: Mayor McCheese | July 29, 2008, 9:09 am 9:09 am

How convenient for Obama that he wasn’t in the Senate to vote on Iraq (because he’s since said he doesn’t know for sure how he would have voted). And how opportune for him that he went to an anti-war rally and told a bunch of anti-war protestors what they wanted to hear. Funny, he stopped the anti-war talk when he started running for U.S. Senate and has done nothing to try to end the war as a senator.
Obama has foisted the ultimate snowjob on the American people, but you can’t blame him. A lot of people have fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. No matter how many times it’s proven that Obama is unqualified to be POTUS, they can point to a vote he never had to make a decision on and claim infallible superior judgment. Truth is, he probably would have either voted present or claimed to have hit the wrong button – that’s how he handled the tough decisions in Illinois.

Posted by: marylou | July 29, 2008, 9:10 am 9:10 am

If you Obama zombies what to be ageist then everyone else should be racist to make it even. Oh wait you all think everything is racist anyway.
THAT IS RACIST!

Posted by: JamesDuck | July 29, 2008, 9:14 am 9:14 am

McCain’s own son Andrew is caught up in a banking scandal. LOL! Like father, like son!

Posted by: Mayor McCheese | July 29, 2008, 9:14 am 9:14 am

If he is flip flopping, look at the position and the evidence and ask if you want him to change his mind on this one.
Any one out there who are paying their parents social security want some when they retire? Or are you happier to have a Windfall Retirement Tax to pay for the well-being of the illegals and war on global poverty?
Any debate on economic policies comes down to whose ox is to be gored. Despite what the frictionless economy mavens said, there is no free economic lunch.

Posted by: len | July 29, 2008, 9:16 am 9:16 am

As you libs slept, a major Shell oil pipeline was destroyed by terrorists in Nigeria. It won’t likely be the last. The cost of oil is headed up again.
This is reason enough to votr for McCain and not Barack Hussein Obama.
Posted by: Larry Clifton
Don’t you mean because the Oil industry has donated large amounts of money to McClown since he came out for more drilling? By the way, the cover of the NY Times yesterday had an article about the amount of money lobbyist have given to McCain, Obama and Clinton during this years races. Read it and weep!
Obama – $6,000 dollars
Clinton – $84,000
McCain – $181,000. The man is a joke!

Posted by: dale | July 29, 2008, 9:20 am 9:20 am

Jamesduck,
It’s not ageist to call into question McCain’s mental awareness.

Posted by: Mayor McCheese | July 29, 2008, 9:20 am 9:20 am

Could someone explain to me why Iraq war vets gave John McCain a D when it comes to troop support and Obama a B+ ?
Go ahead….I’ll wait.

Posted by: roxanne | July 29, 2008, 9:23 am 9:23 am

All of you who think experience is so important should remember one thing…Bush was a former governor and look how well that’s turned out!

Posted by: roxanne | July 29, 2008, 9:25 am 9:25 am

len wrote:
Or are you happier to have a Windfall Retirement Tax to pay for the well-being of the illegals and war on global poverty?
*************
Sure, it makes so much more sense to pay Iraqi terrorists $12 billion each month NOT to shoot at American soliders. You are right, it is a better investment to pay Halliburton, CACI, Blackwater, etc. no-bid contracts.

Posted by: Mayor McCheese | July 29, 2008, 9:31 am 9:31 am

roxanne – Yes things are very well, right now the economy is equal to that it was under Clinton, and it is considered a slowdown interesting huh!!
McCain was wrong to go on a talk show with a lib sympathizer, but it shows that he will go anywhere, unlike Obama who is willing to talk to people that want to kill us but will not talk to Americans!! or injured Troops without the media employees!!!

Posted by: spock | July 29, 2008, 10:11 am 10:11 am

Different pots of money. Budget items aren’t interchangeable.
Still, would you rather they shoot at Americans and we shoot back?
When Rumsfield put the Iraqi military on the street without jobs he put a lot of trained gun-toting family men out of work. Iran gave them jobs. How’d that work out?

Posted by: len | July 29, 2008, 10:40 am 10:40 am

LOL, is there REALLY anyone out there taking “McSame” seriously? I mean really?
JT

Posted by: John Woods | July 29, 2008, 10:49 am 10:49 am

Bill C., you wrote: “If you make less than $250,000/yr and you vote for Sen. McCain, you are voting against your own best interest.”
Sen. Obama NOW says that he will raise taxes on those with incomes of at least $250,000. Sen. Obama also says that he will lower taxes on those with incomes of $150,000 or less.
But just a couple of weeks ago, Sen. Obama said that he would raise taxes on the top 5% of wage earners. AND he would CUT taxes for the other 95%. The problem is that in 2006 (the latest statistics) the cutoff for the top 5% was $153,542. (SOURCE: Summary of Federal Individual Income Tax Data, 2006, published by the Tax Foundation on July 18, 2008 — compiled from the latest information from the Internal Revenue Service.)
SO WHICH IS IT???
Before you vote this November you should consider the following:
1) Sen. Obama and the Democrats intend to allow the 2001 & 2003 Bush tax cuts to expire. That will raise the bottom two income tax rates from 10% and 15% back to the pre-2001 rates of 15% and 25%. So when Sen. Obama and the Democrats get around to implementing their own tax cuts, will it in fact be a net tax cut? OR will you actually have a net tax hike?
2) With all of the new entitlements that Sen. Obama is advocating (not to mention any additional entitlements that the Democrats in Congress pass), you could raise the federal income tax rate to ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of income over $250,000, and it will NOT pay for all the new entitlements.
3) Will Sen. Obama VETO all tax hikes passed by a Democratically controlled Congress that EXCEED his current stated limits?

Posted by: James Danley | July 29, 2008, 10:52 am 10:52 am

I think the Mcain people should get in touch with “Reef Sandles” He should have a signture pair of Mcain flip flops LOL, I don’t care who you people vote for, Just remember The Who, Here comes the new boss same as the old boss. He says he know how to win wars? Well jon when are you going to let bush in on it? I mean we are going on a decade in this War, How many more or Americans have to die before you let everyone on your little secret?

Posted by: RaferJanders | July 29, 2008, 11:27 am 11:27 am

I would argue that it’s a agood thing that he’s finally considering raising taxes. Obviously it’sa major flip-flop, which has problems of its own. But I don’t know where that campaign was getting off thinking that his economic policies would be practicing fiscal discipline.
Tax Policy Center, an independent think tank, estimated that a McCain administration would lead to an additional $3.4 TRILLION to the deficit ovver the next ten years, while an Obama administration would actually reduce the deficit by $700 billion over that span.
You decide what the economy needs.

Posted by: Indep. Matt | July 29, 2008, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm

Hold onto your hats folks! This is going to be a wild ride! The latest polls: Rasmussen Tracking (7/26-7/28) — Obama 47 & McCain 46. USA Today/Gallup (7/25-7/27) — Obama 45 & McCAIN LEADS WITH 49.

Posted by: James Danley | July 29, 2008, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm

It’s not ageist [word missing] to call into question McCain’s mental awareness.

Posted by: Belle Starr | July 29, 2008, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm

Correction: The bottom two income tax rates pre-2001 were 15% and 28%.

Posted by: James Danley | July 29, 2008, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm

Leave a Reply

Do you have more information about this topic? If so, please click here to contact the editors of ABC News.