Romney: SEN. MCCAIN VS. FLORIDA TAXPAYERS

Against Tax Relief For Millions Of Working Floridians

"How can American taxpayers trust John McCain to defend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts and push for new tax cuts, necessary for stimulating the economy, when he would vote against the tax cuts all over again? … That’s not straight talk; that’s double talk." – Club For Growth President Pat Toomey (The Club For Growth, "The Straight Talk Express Takes A Detour," Press Release, 1/25/08)

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

In 2001, Sen. McCain Joined Florida 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, Graham, McCain, and Nelson Voted Nay)

In 2003, Sen. McCain Joined Florida 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, Graham, McCain, and Nelson Voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #196: Adopted 50-50: R 48-3; D 2-46; I 0-1, 5/23/03, Graham, McCain, and Nelson Voted Nay)

In 2004, Sen. McCain "Clearly" Opposed Making The Bush Tax Cuts Permanent:

In 2004, Sen. 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)
Sen. McCain Recently Said He Is Still Glad He Voted Against Tax Relief For Working Families:

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)

Sen. McCain Voted Against Real Tax Relief For Florida Families:

In 2004, The U.S. Treasury Estimated The Effect Of The Tax Cuts Sen. McCain Voted Against On Florida:

6.1 Million Florida taxpayers would see "lower income tax bills" because of the tax cuts McCain voted against.
Nearly 1.4 million business taxpayers in Florida saw tax relief which they could invest in "new equipment, hire additional workers, and increase pay" due to the tax cuts McCain voted against.
"More than 5.4 million taxpayers in Florida will benefit from the new 10-percent bracket enacted" because of the tax cuts McCain voted against.
"More than 1.2 million taxpayers in Florida will benefit from the … reduction in income tax rates above 15-percent" because of the tax cuts McCain voted against.
"Nearly 1.8 million married couples in Florida will benefit from" elimination of the marriage penalty, which McCain voted against.
"1.5 million married couples and single parents in Florida benefit from the increase in the child tax credit" that McCain voted against.
"More than 1.2 million taxpayers in Florida will benefit from the reduced tax rates on capital gains and corporate dividends" that McCain voted against. (U.S. Treasury Website, www.treas.gov, Posted 4/1/04)
Conservative Florida Politicians Supported The 2001 And 2003 Bush Tax Cuts:

Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) Called The Passage Of The 2001 Bush Tax Cuts "A Historic Day For Taxpayers In America." "'Today is a historic day for taxpayers in America. I just returned from the White House, where President Bush signed into law the most comprehensive tax relief in 20 years,' said Ander Crenshaw." (Rep. Ander Crenshaw, "Crenshaw Applauds Signing Of Tax Relief Bill," Press Release, 6/7/01)

Rep. Crenshaw: "Everyone Who Pays Taxes Is Going To See Their Taxes Go Down …That's Real Money Put Back Into The Hands Of Families For Them To Use As They See Fit." (Rep. Ander Crenshaw, "Crenshaw Applauds Signing Of Tax Relief Bill," Press Release, 6/7/01)
Rep. Crenshaw Said The 2003 Bush Tax Cuts Were "About Jobs And Growth And Kick-Starting The Economy." "'This package is about jobs and growth and kick-starting the economy,' said Crenshaw. 'Everybody who pays taxes is going to get tax relief.'" (Rep. Ander Crenshaw, "House Adopts Jobs And Growth Tax Relief Act Of 2003," Press Release, 5/23/03)

Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL) Said The 2003 Bush Tax Cuts Helped "Stimulate The Economy." "Tonight the House stated in very clear terms the immediate need to return tax dollars to the citizens of the United States in order to put our country on the right path for the future … I am proud to have supported President Bush in his mission to stimulate economic growth and prosperity now and for years to come." (Rep. Tom Feeney, "House Passes Tax Relief Legislation," Press Release, 5/23/03)