Gas tax debate: Here come the editorials

Posted: Thursday, May 01, 2008 9:14 AM by Mark Murray

Is this a good or bad headline in today's Washington Post for Clinton and the gas tax? "Clinton Gas-Tax Proposal Criticized" On the one hand, it's a critical story and seems to focus on the pander part of the proposal. On the other hand, Clinton is being tied to a gas-tax cut which is exactly what the campaign wants. Here’s the story: “A growing chorus -- including a top congressional Democrat -- labeled Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's proposal for suspending the federal gasoline tax ineffective and shortsighted yesterday, even as she continued to paint Sen. Barack Obama as insensitive to drivers' woes for not endorsing the plan.”

Not surprisingly, editorial pages are siding with Obama over Clinton and McCain on this issue. But what's resonating with voters? The New York Times: "McCain and Hillary Rodham Clinton have hit on a new way to pander to American voters: a temporary suspension of the federal gasoline tax between Memorial Day and Labor Day."

The Washington Post: "We have to agree with Sen. Barack Obama, the only candidate who has refused to play this game... His opponents no doubt hope that Mr. Obama's stand will prove to be political suicide. We think it qualifies as political courage

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Comments

We shouldn't be surprised that McCain and Clinton proposed such an ineffective plan. They haven't been listening to those of us who actually have to pump our own gas and pay for it on a daily/weekly basis. They are the owns OUT OF TOUCH with the American people.
Vote for real solutions! Vote for Obama! Not the same old, same old politics.

Pam G, a white middle class suburban female who is not for Hillary (Sent Thursday, May 01, 2008 9:27 AM)

Hillary Clinton is so desperate right now she will promise the electorate anything and everything she thinks they want to hear. Suspending the Federal gasoline tax is her newest little deception. It is also an impossibiity at this late point as it would have to go through the Congress and be passed by the President. Just a small Hillary lie this time.

MikeinOhio (Sent Thursday, May 01, 2008 9:27 AM)

I think the problem with the Clinton and McCain pandering is that the American people are not as stupid as they think. In the past 7 years we have been lied to and decieved more than we can take. Also, it seems to be the same old political game. We will pretend to do something and then actually not so a darn thing. American's see the deficit, see the food prices, see the war, see our reputation going down the tubes, and are sick and tired of the same ol' junk. For the past 40 years the government has been pandering and running their administrations by polls and opinion pieces and look where that has gotten us. Two wars with billions spent, thousands killed or mamed and no good outlook for our childrens future. This gas tax thing is another distraction from the mess this country is in. We had all better wake up and stop smelling the roses and check in with the stinch comming from Washington D.C.

tina,dardanelle, ar (Sent Thursday, May 01, 2008 9:27 AM)

McClinton = pander bear on this issue.

McCain and Clinton are taking the Bush-tax-cut route to garnering votes.

A gas-tax cut is akin to a band-aid on a broken arm. It's a short-term fix to a longer-term problem.

http://thepajamapundit.com/

the Pajama Pundit (Sent Thursday, May 01, 2008 9:32 AM)

Check out this really cool Online "Gas Tax Holiday" Calculator - I save $12.94!

http://www.jabberwonk.com/flinker.cfm?cliid=13lkzo

Jimmy (Sent Thursday, May 01, 2008 9:43 AM)

"Hey, how'd ya work this thing? Is that real French vanilla? Damm! How'd work this thing? How old are the beans? Are they organic fair-trade? No really. How'd work this f***ing thing? Damm!"

Ian (Sent Thursday, May 01, 2008 9:46 AM)

Here's how much the McCain-Bush-Clinton gas holiday would help us. You drive a HUMMER - 23 gallon tank and 18 mpg. If you drive 20 miles/day for a month, you would use 33 gallons of gas. Without the 18 cent tax, you save SIX DOLLARS!

Say you are from Scranton (Or Indiana, or NY depending on where you are campaigning) and you are taking a trip to Disney World with your kids in your HUMMER. For this 2,000 mile round trip you will save TWENTY dollars! That's hardly going to dissuade people from taking such a trip.

ABC Stinks (Sent Thursday, May 01, 2008 9:49 AM)

What's resonating with voters?
Did you see the CNN poll this morning on the question of who you would back McCain and Clinton on a tax break. or Obama with no tax break.
Obama won by over 70%.
I guess the voters have spoken!

ConinPA (Sent Thursday, May 01, 2008 9:51 AM)

Anyone with an IQ of over 100 can see tis for what it is, a desparate attempt to pander to those who are truly hurting. Proposed from a women who has not paid for her own gas in years and a man who flies around in his wife' private jet.

leni,westland,michigan (Sent Thursday, May 01, 2008 9:59 AM)

Lower taxes are always better. Always.

LessTax (Sent Thursday, May 01, 2008 10:02 AM)

somebody in the media really needs to label this gas tax idea as pandering because that is what it is. mccain is right about your saving buying you a meal the problem is its a happy meal for 2.00

mike ca (Sent Thursday, May 01, 2008 10:05 AM)

If this is the best republicans and Hillary can come up with, you can take my $32.00 savings and buy yourself a one way ticket the hell out of this country, and just to add this should be more than enough to cover the ticket! according to your math!
Keep your damn holiday tax!
There should be no question now as to who should take this country forward: Obama 08

FeedUp! in Va. (Sent Thursday, May 01, 2008 10:06 AM)

That is what I like about Obama. He thinks things through, weighs the outcomes, doesn't try to "fool" the American people. What you see is what you get; even if you may not like everything you see. AT LEAST YOU GET TO SEE IT. Who knows what you're getting with 'McClinton' (on this issue anyway).

Jane of PA (Sent Thursday, May 01, 2008 10:09 AM)

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