Romney: SEN. MCCAIN ON THE BUSH TAX CUTS

In Tonight's Debate, Sen. McCain Called On Making The Bush Tax Cuts Permanent, And Said Not Doing So Would Amount To A Tax Increase:

McCain: We Should Make The Bush Tax Cuts Permanent. "I'm disappointed because I think it's very important that we make the bush tax cuts permanent. I voted to make them permanent twice already…. If we don't make the tax cuts permanent, they will have what amounts to a tax increase." (MSNBC, [Unverified Transcript], Republican Presidential Candidate Debate, Boca Raton, FL, 1/24/08)

But Sen. McCain Voted Against The 2001 And 2003 Bush Tax Cuts:

In 2001, McCain Was One Of Only Two Republicans To Vote Against The $1.35 Trillion Tax Cut. (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, McCain Was One Of Only Three Republicans To Twice Vote Against The $350 Billion Tax Cut. (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)

In 2004, Sen. McCain "Clearly" Opposed 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)

Just Weeks Ago, Sen. McCain Said His Votes Against The Bush Tax Cuts Were Not Mistakes:

Sen. McCain Still Believes He Was Right To Vote Against Numerous 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)