Posted on 04/16/2004 5:57:41 PM PDT by RWR8189
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Rhetoric |
CHYRON: “Open Immediately: Just For You … College Tuition Up 13%. Inside.”
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The Facts |
Kerry’s Education Record Is Thin
During His First Thirteen Years In Senate, Kerry Only Sponsored 5 Bills Relating To Education And Only One Passed Senate. From 1985 to 1998, Kerry was lead sponsor on 5 bills relating to education: S.1962 in 1989, which was “a bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a technology fellowship program for the improvement of graduate instruction.” In 1989, S.1961 to “amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a teacher fellowship program in the improvement of teacher education.” In 1991, S.1563 “to authorize appropriations to carry out the National Sea Grant College Program Act.” In 1997, S.756 to “provide for the health, education and welfare of children 6 years of age,” and S. 1309, similar legislation, to “provide for the health, education and welfare of children 6 years of age.” Only S.1563, the bill to carry out appropriations for the National Sea Grant College Program, actually passed the Senate. (S.1962, Introduced 11/21/89; S.1961, Introduced 1/16/90; S.1563, Became Public Law No: 102-186, 12/4/91; S.756, Introduced 5/15/97; S.1309, Introduced 10/22/97)
In 2003, Kerry Missed At Least 24 Important Education Votes. On the campaign trail, Kerry missed 292 votes in 2003, or 64%. Of those, 24 were education votes, including:
ü Increased Title I Funding By $666 Million And $2.2 Billion For Special Education. “Passage of the bill that would appropriate $472.2 billion … for the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education departments and related agencies. It would include $2.2 billion for special education and would increase Title I funding by $666 million.” (H.R. 2660, CQ Vote #347: Passed 94-0: R 49-0; D 44-0; I 1-0, 9/10/03, Kerry Did Not Vote)
ü Democrat Amendment For Excess $6 Billion For NCLB. “Kennedy, D-Mass., amendment that would provide $6 billion for provisions of the 2001 education overhaul law (PL 107-110).” (H.J. Res. 2, CQ #5: Rejected by a vote of 46-51: R 0-50; D 45-1; I 1-0, 1/16/03, Kerry Did Not Vote)
ü Democrat Amendment For Excess $1 Billion For School Construction Projects. “The Harkin amendment would provide an additional $1 billion for school construction projects through the Fund for the Improvement of Education.” (H.R. 2660, CQ Vote #329: Motion Rejected 43-36: R 1-46; D 41-0; I 1-0, 9/5/03, Kerry Did Not Vote)
Voted Against President’s 2001 Tax Relief Bill, Which:
ü Made it easier to use state prepaid tuition plans, such as allowing tax-free distributions from plans when used for college tuition.
ü Expanded and simplified Roth IRAs, which can be used for higher education expenses;
ü Provided above-the-line tax deduction for higher education expenses;
ü Expanded and made education IRAs ("Coverdell" IRAs) easier to use by preventing income from education IRAs from counting against eligibility for HOPE education tax credits. (H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #165: Passed 62-38: R 50-0; D 12-38, 5/23/01, Kerry Voted Nay)
Voted Six Times Against Expanded Education Savings Accounts, Which Would Have Provided $4 Billion In Tax Savings. Voted to filibuster this bill four times. (H.R. 2646, CQ Vote #288: Motion Rejected 56-41: R 54-1; D 2-40, 10/30/97, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2646, CQ Vote #291: Motion Rejected 56-44: R 54-1; D 2-43, 11/3/97, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2646, CQ Vote #38: Motion Rejected 55-44: R 55-0; D 0-44, 3/19/98, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2646, CQ Vote #46: Motion Rejected 58-42: R 55-0; D 3-42, 3/26/98, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2646, CQ Vote #102: Passed 56-43: R 51-3; D 5-40, 4/23/98, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2646, CQ Vote #169: Adopted 59-36: R 51-2; D 8-34, 6/24/98, Kerry Voted Nay; Senate Republican Policy Committee, “A-Plus Education Savings Accounts/Cloture,” 10/31/97)
President Bush Has Been Really Investing In Education
President Bush Has Increased K-12 Education Spending By 40% Since He Took Office - More Than During Eight Years Under President Clinton. “Typical of Washington’s Beltwayspeak, a cry has gone up, saying that the No Child Left Behind education reform bill is ‘underfunded.’ Nothing could be further from the truth. President Bush has increased K-12 education spending by 40% since he took office. That’s more in two years than it increased during the eight previous years under President Clinton. In raw terms, this president has increased education spending by $11 billion. As a nation, we now spend $470 billion dollars a year on K-12 education locally and federally-more than on national defense. What is ‘underfunded’ about that?” (Secretary Of Education Rod Paige, Op-Ed, “It’s Not About The Money,” The Wall Street Journal, 10/29/03)
Under President Bush, Number Of Pell Grant Recipients Has Grown By One Million Students. “Since President Bush took office, the number of Pell Grant recipients has grown by one million students. Included in this increase is the President’s $33 million request for new Enhanced Pell Grants for State Scholars to provide up to an additional $1,000 for freshmen who took challenging courses in high school.” (“President Bush’s Historic Investment In Education,” U.S. Department Of Education Budget Service, Dollar Estimates As Of 2/14/04)
President Bush Has Increased Education Funding For Children With Disabilities By 75% Since Taking Office. President Bush’s 2005 education budget request “represents the President’s fourth consecutive request for a $1 billion increase to support children with disabilities - a 75 percent increase over the funding level when the President took office and the highest level of federal support ever requested for children with disabilities.” (“President Bush’s Historic Investment In Education,” U.S. Department Of Education Budget Service, Dollar Estimates As Of 2/14/04)
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Rhetoric |
CHYRON: “Health Care Premiums Up 11%. Don’t Delay! Your life could depend on it!”
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The Facts |
“[Kerry] Has Not Played A Major Role In The Most Significant Health Care Debates Of Recent Years …” (David Nather, “Kerry’s Complex Record And His Pursuit Of The Presidency,” CQ Weekly, 4/24/03)
Kerry Was Lead Sponsor On Just 14 Health Care Bills During His 19 Years In Senate. (S.1112, Introduced 5/22/03; S.2795, Introduced 7/25/02; S.1967, Introduced 2/26/02; S.1738, Introduced 11/28/01; S.1304, Introduced 8/2/01; S.1303, Introduced 8/2/01; S.706, Introduced 4/5/01; S.15, Introduced 11/20/02; S.2766, Introduced 6/22/00; S.2132, Introduced 3/1/00; S.2033, Introduced 2/3/00; S.1718, Introduced 10/12/99; S.2186, Introduced 10/1/96; S.1510, Introduced 7/21/87)
None Of Kerry’s Health Care Bills Passed Senate As Introduced. Several of Kerry’s bills were incorporated into other legislation and passed as amendments. The rest died in committee. (Thomas Website, , Accessed 1/31/04)
Kerry Skipped Votes, Opposed Law That Gives Seniors Access To Affordable Prescriptions
Kerry Missed 36 Of 38 Votes On Medicare Reform And Prescription Drug Benefit, Including Final Passage Of Bill. (H.R.1, CQ Vote #459: Prescription Drug Benefit - Conference Report, Passed 54-44: R 42-9; D 11-35; I 1-0, 11/25/03; S.1, CQ Vote #262: Prescription Drug Benefit - Passage, Passed 76-21: R 40-10; D 35-11; I 1-0, 6/27/03; S.1, CQ Vote #261: Prescription Drug Benefit - Means Test, Rejected 38-59: R 3-47; D 35-11; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #260: Prescription Drug Benefit - Alternative Plan, Rejected 21-75: R 20-29; D 1-45; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #259: Prescription Drug Benefit - Retiree Fallback Plan, Rejected 42-54: R 0-49; D 42-4; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #258: Prescription Drug Benefit - Medigap Policies, Rejected 43-55: R 1-50; D 42-4; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #257: Prescription Drug Benefit - Medicaid Coverage, Rejected 47-51: R 5-46; D 42-4; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #256: Prescription Drug Benefit - Immigrant Coverage, Rejected 33-65: R 32-19; D 1-45; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #255: Prescription Drug Benefit - Experimental Drug Coverage, Adopted 71-26: R 50-0; D 20-26; I 1-0, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #254: Prescription Drug Benefit - Premium Reduction, Rejected 39-59: R 0-51; D 39-7; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #253: Prescription Drug Benefit - Additional Disease Treatment, Agreed To 57-41: R 51-0; D 5-41; I 1-0, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #252: Prescription Drug Benefit - Alzheimer’s Subsidy, Adopted 98-0: R 51-0; D 46-0; I 1-0, 6/26/03; CQ Vote #251: Prescription Drug Benefit - Asset Test, Adopted 69-29: R 22-29; D 46-0; I 1-0, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #250: Prescription Drug Benefit - Cancer Patient Coverage, Agreed To 54-44: R 51-0; D 3-43; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #249: Prescription Drug Benefit - Cancer Care, Adopted 97-1: R 50-1; D 46-0; I 1-0, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #248: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Advertisements, Rejected 39-59: R 0-51; D 39-7; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #247: Prescription Drug Benefit - Disability Services, Agreed To 50-48: R 48-3; D 2-44; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #246: Prescription Drug Benefit - Cost-Effectiveness Studies, Rejected 43-52: R 0-48; D 43-3; I 0-1, 6/25/03; S.1, CQ Vote #245: Prescription Drug Benefit - Durbin Substitute, Rejected 39-56: R 0-48; D 39-7; I 0-1, 6/25/03; S.1, CQ Vote #244: Prescription Drug Benefit - Premium Reduction, Rejected 39-56: R 0-49; D 39-6; I 0-1, 6/25/03; S.1, CQ Vote #243: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Advertisements, Rejected 26-69: R 0-49; D 26-19; I 0-1, 6/25/03; S.1, CQ Vote #242: Prescription Drug Benefit - Health Centers, Adopted 94-1: R 48-1; D 45-0; I 1-0, 6/25/03; S.1, CQ Vote #241: Prescription Drug Benefit - Employer Compensation, Rejected 41-55: R 0-50; D 41-4; I 0-1, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #240: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Cost Coverage, Rejected 41-54: R 0-49; D 41-4; I 0-1, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #239: Prescription Drug Benefit - Benefit Availability, Rejected 41-54: R 1-48; D 40-5; I 0-1, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #238: Prescription Drug Benefit - Two-Year Fallback Plan, Agreed To 51-45: R 48-2; D 2-43; I 1-0, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #237: Prescription Drug Benefit - Congressional Coverage, Adopted 93-3: R 50-0; D 42-3; I 1-0, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #236: Prescription Drug Benefit - Cost Sharing Extension, Agreed To 54-42: R 50-0; D 3-42; I 1-0, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #235: Prescription Drug Benefit - Canadian Price Equity, Agreed To 66-31: R 51-0; D 14-31; I 1-0, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #234: Prescription Drug Benefit - Open Enrollment Period, Agreed To 55-42: R 51-0; D 3-42; I 1-0, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #233: Prescription Drug Benefit - Third-Party Coverage, Agreed To 52-43: R 49-0; D 3-42; I 0-1, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #232: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Importation, Adopted 62-28: R 21-25; D 40-3; I 1-06/20/03; S.1, CQ Vote #230: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Patents, Adopted 94-1: R 50-1; D 43-0; I 1-0, 6/19/03; S.1, CQ Vote #229: Prescription Drug Benefit - Premium Cap, Rejected 39-56: R 0-51; D 39-4; I 0-1, 6/19/03; S.1, CQ Vote #228: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Cost Disclosure, Adopted 95-0: R 51-0; D 43-0; I 1-0, 6/19/03; S.1, CQ Vote #227: Prescription Drug Benefit - Benefit Within Medicare, Rejected 37-58: R 0-51; D 37-6; I 0-1, 6/18/03)
Kerry Joined Two Democrat Attempts To Kill Medicare Bill. (H.R.1, CQ Vote #457: Motion Agreed To 70-29: R 47-3; D 22-26; I 1-0, 11/24/03, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R.1, CQ Vote #458: Motion Agreed To 61-39: R 49-2; D 11-37; I 1-0, 11/24/03, Kerry Voted Nay)
Now Kerry Says He Would Repeal Medicare Law, Which Would Deprive Seniors Of Benefits They Have Been Promised. “In the Medicare bill, the big drug companies and HMO’s spent $139 million lobbying Congress and now they’re going to get $139 billion in return. If I’m President we’re going to repeal that phony bill. It isn’t a prescription drug benefit for seniors - it’s a benefit for prescription drug companies.” (Sen. John Kerry, “Ending The Era Of Special Interests,” Remarks In Nashua, NH, 1/21/04)
ü Bipartisan Law Provides Significant Prescription Drug Savings For All 40 Million Seniors And Disabled In Medicare. “For the first time in Medicare’s history, a prescription drug benefit will be offered to all 40 million seniors and disabled Americans in Medicare to help them afford the cost of their medicines. Beginning next year, seniors would save 10-25% off the cost of most medicines through a Medicare-approved drug discount card. … Beginning in 2006, seniors without coverage would be able to join a Medicare-approved plan that would cut their yearly drug costs roughly in half, in exchange for a $35 monthly premium.” (Fact Sheet, “The Bipartisan Medicare Agreement,” The White House, 11/17/03)
Kerry Voted 4 Times Against Health/Medical Savings Accounts. (S.1028, CQ Vote #72: Adopted 52-46: R 5-46; D 47-0, 4/18/96, Kerry Voted Yea; S.1344, CQ Vote #210: Passed 53-47: R 52-2; D 0-45; I 1-0, 7/15/99, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R.1, CQ Vote #457: Motion Agreed To 70-29: R 47-3; D 22-26; I 1-0, 11/24/03, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R.1, CQ Vote #458: Motion Agreed To 61-39: R 49-2; D 11-37; I 1-0, 11/24/03, Kerry Voted Nay)
Kerry Voted Against Tax Credits For Small Businesses To Purchase Health Insurance. (H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #83: Rejected 49-51: R 48-2; D 1-49, 4/5/01, Kerry Voted Nay)
Kerry Twice Voted Against Allowing Self-Employed Individuals To Fully Deduct Cost Of Their Health Insurance On Their Federal Taxes. (S. 1344, CQ Vote #202: Adopted 53-47: R 52-2; D 0-45; I 1-0, 7/13/99, Kerry Voted Nay; S.1344, CQ Vote #210: Passed 53-47: R 52-2; D 0-45; I 1-0, 7/15/99, Kerry Voted Nay)
Kerry Twice Voted Against Bill Providing $10 Billion Funding For State Medicaid Programs. (H.R.2, CQ Vote #196: Adopted 51-50: R 48-3; D 2-46; I 0-1, With Vice President Cheney Casting A “Yea” Vote, 5/23/03, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R.2, CQ Vote #179: Passed 51-49: R 48-3; D 3-45; I 0-1, 5/15/03, Kerry Voted Nay)
“Kerry … Had Tough Words For Democratic House Leaders And Clinton, Saying Their ‘Agenda Slid Into Mono-Syllabic Health Care’ Reform That Was Not Supported By Most Voters.” (Andrea Estes, “‘Rebel’ Kerry Toed Line For The Party,” Boston Herald, 12/1/94)
“[Kerry] Said Kennedy And Clinton’s Insistence On Pushing Health Care Reform Was A Major Cause Of The Democratic Party’s Problems At The Polls.” (Joe Battenfeld, “Jenny Craig Hit With Sex Harassment Complaint - By Men,” Boston Herald, 11/30/94)
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Rhetoric |
CHYRON: “En-Wrong Energy. Gas Prices Up 15%.”
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The Facts |
Kerry Supported Higher Gas Taxes At Least 11 Times
NUMBERS ONE AND TWO: Voted Twice For Clinton/Gore Btu Tax, Increasing Gas Prices 7.5 Cents Per Gallon. (S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #40: Rejected 46-53: R 43-0; D 3-53, 3/18/93, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #53: Motion Agreed To 55-44: R 0-43; D 55-1, 3/23/93, Kerry Voted Yea; Patrick Burns, “Activist Handbook 2000: Gasoline Tax,” Citizens For A Sound Economy, 7/20/00)
NUMBERS THREE AND FOUR: 1993 Clinton/Kerry Tax Plan Increased Gas Taxes. (H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #190: Passed 50-49: R 0-43; D 49-6, With Vice President Al Gore Casting The Tie-Breaking Vote, 6/25/93, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #247: Adopted 51-50: R 0-44; D 50-6, With Vice President Al Gore Casting The Tie-Breaking Vote, 8/6/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
ü NUMBER FIVE: Voted To Kill An Amendment That Would Have Eliminated Gas Tax Increase From Budget Resolution. (H.R. 1134, CQ Vote #167: Motion Agreed To 50-48: R 0-43; D 50-5, 6/24/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
ü NUMBERS SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT AND NINE: Voted At Least Four Times Against Repealing Clinton 4.3-Cent Increase In Gas Tax. (H.R. 2937, CQ Vote #111: Motion Rejected 52-44: R 52-1; D 0-43, 5/9/96, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2937, CQ Vote #112: Motion Rejected 54-43: R 53-0; D 1-43, 5/14/96, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1173, CQ Vote #26: Motion Rejected 18-80: R 16-37; D 2-43, 3/11/98, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2285, CQ Vote #80: Motion Rejected 43-56: R 43-12; D 0-44, 4/11/00, Kerry Voted Nay; Senate Republican Policy Committee, “White House Unjust Firings/Gas Tax, Minimum Wage, Team Act,” 5/9/96)
NUMBER TEN: 1994: Supported Half-Dollar Increase In Gas Tax. (Jill Zuckman, “Deficit-Watch Group Gives High Marks To 7 N.E. Lawmakers,” The Boston Globe, 3/1/94)
NUMBER ELEVEN: In 2000, Kerry Voted Against Suspending The 18.4 Cent Gas Tax For 150 Days. (H.R. 8, CQ Vote #183: Motion Rejected 40-59: R 40-15; D 0-44, 7/13/00, Kerry Voted Nay)
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Rhetoric |
CHYRON: “Paycheck. Pay To The Order Of: Your Wages Decreased $1,462. Signed W.”
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The Facts |
Household Wealth Hits Peak, Disposable Income On Rise, Homeownership At Peak
Household Wealth Beats 2000 Peak. “Rising house and stock prices pushed the total net worth of U.S. households to a record $44.41 trillion at the end of 2003, the Federal Reserve reported. That measure of household wealth surpassed the peak of $43.58 trillion reached in the first quarter of 2000, just before the bursting of the stock-market bubble began to put cracks in many Americans’ nest eggs. The recovery in wealth reflects a rebound in the stock market as well as the rapid appreciation in home values in the past few years. The figures aren’t adjusted for inflation.” (James R. Hagerty and Deborah Lagomarsino, “U.S. Household Wealth Hits Record,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/5/04)
Real Disposable Income Is On The Rise. In February of 2004, real personal income increased 4.13 percent, versus 2.28 percent in February of 1996. (Department Of Commerce, Bureau Of Economic Analysis, “Monthly Personal Income And Outlays,” Cited At “Free Lunch,” Economy.Com, www.economy.com/freelunch; Accessed 4/12/04)
“The Homeownership Rate -- At 68.6 Percent Of U.S. Households -- Hit An All-Time High In The Last Three Months Of 2003.” “New and existing home sales set records last year, while construction of new homes in December hit its highest pace in 25 years.” (Jonathan Weisman, “Economy May Work In Bush’s Favor,” The Washington Post, 2/17/04)
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Rhetoric |
CHYRON: “Bush Recorder, April 2004. Misery Index Worst Record Of Any President. Personal Bankruptcies Record Levels.”
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The Facts |
Makes Up New Index Because Real One Now Better Than At Clinton’s Reelection
Kerry Index “Cherry-Picks” Indicators, “Accentuates The Negative.” “Kerry’s campaign has invented a new ‘misery index’ that makes Bush’s economic record look, well, miserable. Why a new index? Perhaps because the classic ‘misery index’ – which adds together the unemployment rate and the rate of inflation – currently is better than it’s been in most years since World War II. In fact, it’s less than half the miserable level reached in 1980, the last year of the Carter administration, and better than in any of Clinton’s first four years … So it’s not surprising that the Kerry campaign has come up with another way of looking at the economy. … The Kerry index is, to put it mildly, selective. Rather than use all consumer prices, the Kerry index cherry-picks three items that have gone up faster than the overall rate of inflation: college tuition (at public four-year universities only), gasoline, and health care. And rather than use the overall unemployment rate – which was 5.5% at this point in Clinton's first term, only two-tenths of one percent lower than now – Kerry has used the number of jobs, which produces a more negative picture.” (Annenberg Political Fact Check Website, “Kerry’s ‘Misery Index’ Accentuates The Negative,” www.factcheck.org, Accessed 4/13/04)
Under the Real Misery Index, Bush Scores Better Than Clinton At Similar Time. The real Misery Index is “the sum of national unemployment and inflation rates, used unofficially to assess a nation’s economic health.” During his re-election year, Clinton had a Misery Index score of 8.7; last year, the Misery Index dropped to 7.9. (“U.S. Misery Index,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, Cited by Center For Applied Demography And Survey Research; Dictionary.com)
ü Kerry Himself Cited The Real Misery Index During His 1996 Reelection. KERRY: “We have the lowest unemployment rate in years. Record low interest rates. We have a combined misery index the lowest it’s been in 27 years. More business owned by women at any time in the American history. More homeownership at any time in American history. That’s the record I’m proud to run on.” (Kerry-Weld Debate, Boston, MA, 10/28/96)
Kerry Voted Against Measures To Help Americans Save
Voted Against Expansion Of Individual Retirement Accounts At Least Nine Times. (H.R. 3628, CQ Vote #295: Rejected 51-47: R 45-0; D 6-47, 11/14/89, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 3628, CQ Vote #298: Rejected 51-47: R 45-0; D 6-47, 11/15/89, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 11, CQ Vote #187: Adopted 75-25: R 28-14; D 44-11, 8/11/92, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2118, CQ Vote #160: Motion Rejected 39-59: R 35-8; D 4-51, 6/22/93, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote #178, Rejected 31-69: R 31-23; D 0-46, 5/23/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 949, CQ Vote #151: Rejected 33-67: R 3-52; D 30-15, 6/27/97, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 2014, CQ Vote #160: Passed 80-18: R 51-4; D 29-14, 6/27/97, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2676, CQ Vote #120: Adopted 56-42: R 54-0; D 2-42, 5/6/98, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #165: Passed 62-38: R 50-0; D 12-38, 5/23/01, Kerry Voted Nay)
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Rhetoric |
CHYRON: “2.6 Million Private-Sector Jobs Lost.”
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The Facts |
Economy Gaining Steam Strong GDP, Job Growth Fueled By Tax Cuts
“According To The Payroll Survey, 308,000 New Jobs Were Created In March - The Largest Monthly Increase Since April 2000 - And 759,000 Jobs Have Been Added Over The Last 7 Months.” (“Fact Sheet: 308,000 Americans Find Work In March,” The White House, 4/2/04)
2003 Ends With Strongest Back-To-Back Quarters Since 1984. “The U.S. economy grew a touch faster at the end of last year than first thought …[T]he year closed with the strongest back-to-back quarters since the first half of 1984. U.S. gross domestic product, a broad measure of the nation’s economic health, rose at a 4.1 percent annual rate in the fourth quarter, just above the 4 percent gain initially reported a month ago, the Commerce Department said. … The department said it nudged up the fourth-quarter GDP reading because business spending on equipment and software was more robust than first thought, firms added to inventories at a faster pace and exports were stronger.” (“GDP Nudged Up To 4.1 Percent,” Reuters, 2/27/04)
Democrat Commentator Said Bush Economic Policy “Stunning Empirical Success.” “I’m a Democrat … But I’m also an objective financial commentator. With stocks at two-year highs and interest rates … near all-time lows, I can’t help reach a different conclusion from Mr. Bush’s critics: The economic policies pursued by this president have been a stunning empirical success. … The Bush economic policies have worked beyond what anyone could have hoped for. Or, to put it in parlance my party might understand, This time it’s not the economy stupid.” (James J. Cramer, Op-Ed, “Bush’s Rising Stock” The Wall Street Journal, 1/15/04)
Kerry Corporate Tax Plan Would Create Few Jobs
Kerry Advisor Says Plan Would Create Few Jobs. “[P]eter R. Orszag, an economist at the Brookings Institution whom the Kerry campaign consulted about the plan … [said] the proposal would probably not create many U.S. jobs … ‘In terms of short-term employment growth, there’s very little effect,’ he said.” (Julie Hirschfeld Davis, “Kerry Offers Plan Designed To Curb Outsourced Jobs,” Baltimore Sun, 3/27/04)
Plan Wouldn’t Stimulate U.S. Hiring. “As for the Kerry plan, David Wyss, chief economist for Standard & Poor’s, says … it [is] unlikely that Kerry’s tax policy changes would bolster hiring here, even with major changes in the tax code.” (Peronet Despeignes, “Candidates Offer Competing Plans For Job Creation,” USA Today, 3/26/04)
ü Former Clinton Advisor Agrees. “[C]hristian Weller, senior economist for the liberal think tank the Center for American Progress, said he doesn’t know if the Kerry proposal will have much impact on a company’s decision about where to base a job. ‘Tax cuts typically are a very small component in company’s hiring decisions,’ said Weller, whose colleague Gene Sperling is a former National Economic Advisor in the Clinton administration and a key economic adviser to the Kerry campaign. ‘It won’t necessary slow the move of companies and jobs overseas,’ said Weller …” (Chris Isidore, “Economists Mixed On Kerry Plan,” CNN.com, 3/26/04)
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Rhetoric |
CHYRON: “John Kerry: It’s Time For A Change. It’s Time For A Change. John Kerry: Tax Cuts For 98% Of Americans. 10 Million New Jobs. Contribute!”
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The Facts |
Voted At Least 350 Times For Higher Taxes.
Against 2001 And 2003 Tax Cuts. (H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #86: Adopted 65-35: R 50-0; D 15-35, 4/6/01, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #98: Adopted 53-47: R 48-2; D 5-45, 5/10/01, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #165: Passed 62-38: R 50-0; D 12-38, 5/23/01, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 23, CQ Vote #108: Adopted 56-44: R 50-1; D 6-42; I 0-1, 3/26/03, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 95, CQ Vote #134: Adopted 51-50: R 49-2; D 1-47; I 0-1, With Vice President Cheney Casting A “Yea” Vote, 4/11/03, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #179: Passed 51-49: R 48-3; D 3-45; I 0-1, 5/15/03, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #196: Adopted 51-50: R 48-3; D 2-46; I 0-1, With Vice President Cheney Casting A “Yea” Vote, 5/23/03, Kerry Voted Nay)
Twice For Largest Tax Increase In U.S. History. (H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #190: Passed 50-49: R 0-43; D 49-6, With Vice President Al Gore Casting The Tie-Breaking Vote, 6/25/93, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #247: Adopted 51-50: R 0-44; D 50-6, With Vice President Al Gore Casting The Tie-Breaking Vote, 8/6/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
Against Major Tax Relief At Least 29 Times. (H.R. 2, CQ Vote #196: Adopted 51-50: R 48-3; D 2-46; I 0-1, With Vice President Cheney Casting A “Yea” Vote, 5/23/03, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #179: Passed 51-49: R 48-3; D 3-45; I 0-1, 5/15/03, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 95, CQ Vote #134: Adopted 51-50: R 49-2; D 1-47; I 0-1, With Vice President Cheney Casting A “Yea” Vote, 4/11/03, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 23, CQ Vote #108: Adopted 56-44: R 50-1; D 6-42; I 0-1, 3/26/03, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 1836, Roll Call Vote #165: Adopted 62-38: R 50-0; D 12-38, 5/23/01, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #98: Adopted 53-47: R 48-2; D 5-45, 5/10/01, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #86: Adopted 65-35: R 50-0; D 15-35, 4/6/01, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 83, Roll Call Vote #69: Adopted 53-47: R 4-46; D 49-1, 4/4/01, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 2614, CQ Vote #286: Motion Agreed To 55-40: R 50-1; D 5-39, 10/26/00, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 290, CQ Vote #85: Adopted 50-48: R 50-4; D 0-44, 4/13/00, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 290, CQ Vote #79: Adopted 51-45: R 51-2; D 0-43, 4/7/00, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 101, CQ Vote #68: Rejected 44-56: R 5-50; D 39-6, 4/7/00, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1429, CQ Vote #230: Motion Rejected 46-54: R 45-9; D 0-45; I 1-0, 7/29/99, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 68, CQ Vote #81: Adopted 55-44: R 54-0; D 1-44, 3/25/99, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2488, CQ Vote #261: Adopted 50-49: R 49-4; D 0-45; I 1-0, 8/5/99, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1429, CQ Vote #247: Passed 57-43: R 52-2; D 4-41; I 1-0, 7/30/99, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2014, CQ Vote #160: Passed 80-18: R 51-4; D 29-14, 6/27/97, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 84, CQ Vote #92: Adopted 78-22: R 41-14; D 37-8, 5/23/97, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 27, CQ Vote #90: Motion Agreed To 73-27: R 28-27: D 45-0, 5/23/97, Kerry Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 27, CQ Vote #77: Motion Agreed To 68-31: R 23-31; D 45-0, 5/21/97, Kerry Voted Yea; H. Con Res. 178, CQ Vote #159: Adopted 53-46: R 53-0; D 0-46, 6/13/96, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 57, CQ Vote #151: Motion Agreed To 57-43: R 50-3; D 7-40, 5/23/96, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 57, CQ Vote #140: Rejected 43-57: R 40-13; D 3-44, 5/22/96, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2491, CQ Vote #584: Motion Agreed To 52-47: R 52-1; D 0-46, 11/18/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2491, CQ Vote #556: Passed 52-47: R 52-1; D 0-46, 10/28/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 67, CQ Vote #296: Adopted 54-46: R 54-0; D 0-46, 6/29/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote #178: Rejected 31-69: R 31-23; D 0-46, 5/23/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2118, CQ Vote #160: Motion Rejected 39-59: R 35-8; D 4-51, 6/22/93, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 3628, CQ Vote #298: Rejected 51-47 (needed 3/5 majority): R 45-0; D 6-47, 11/15/89, Kerry Voted Nay)
Against Marriage Penalty Relief At Least 22 Times. (S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote # 178: Rejected 31-69: R 31-23; D 0-46, 5/23/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1357, CQ Vote #552: Motion Agreed To 53-46: R 50-3; D 3-43, 10/27/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2491, CQ Vote #556: Passed 52-47: R 52-1; D 0-46, 10/28/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2491, CQ Vote #584: Motion Agreed To 52-47: R 52-1; D 0-46, 11/18/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1415, CQ Vote #154: Rejected 48-50: R 5-49; D 43-1, 6/10/98, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 2312, CQ Vote #242: Motion Rejected 48-51: R 4-50; D 44-1, 7/29/98, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1429, CQ Vote #230: Rejected 46-54: R 45-9; D 0-45; I 1-0, 7/29/99, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1429 CQ Vote #247: Passed 57-43: R 52-2; D 4-41; I 1-0, 7/30/99, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2488, CQ Vote #261: Adopted 50-49: R 49-4; D 0-45; I 1-0, 8/5/99, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 101, CQ Vote #68: Rejected 44-56: R 5-50; D 39-6, 4/7/00, Kerry Voted Yea; H. Con. Res. 290, CQ Vote #79: Adopted 51-45: R 51-2; D 0-43, 4/7/00, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #82: Rejected 53-45: R 53-1; D 0-44, 4/13/00, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #83: Rejected 53-45: R 53-1; D 0-44, 4/13/00, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 290, CQ Vote #85: Adopted 50-48: R 50-4; D 0-44, 4/13/00, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R.4810, CQ Vote #213: Rejected 20-79: R 1-53; D 19-26, 7/18/00, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 4810, CQ Vote #214: Adopted 54-45: R 54-0; D 0-45, 7/18/00, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 4810, CQ Vote #215: Passed 61-38: R 53-1; D 8-37, 7/18/00, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #79: Adopted 50-50: R 49-1; D 1-49, With Vice President Cheney Casting A “Yea” Vote, 4/5/01, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #86: Adopted 65-35: R 50-0; D 15-35, 4/6/01, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #98: Adopted 53-47: R 48-2; D 5-45, 5/10/01, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #165: Passed 62-38: R 50-0; D 12-38, 5/23/01, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 95, CQ Vote #36: Rejected 47-52: R 1-50; D 45-2; I 1-0, 3/10/04, Kerry Voted Yea)
Against Expanding Child Tax Credit At Least 18 Times. (S. Con. Res. 95, CQ Vote #36: Rejected 47-52: R 1-50; D 45-2; I 1-0, 3/10/04, Kerry Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 23, CQ Vote #108: Adopted 56-44: R 50-1; D 6-42; I 0-1, 3/26/03, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 95, CQ Vote #134: Adopted 51-50: R 49-2; D 1-47; D 0-1, With Vice President Cheney Casting A “Yea” Vote, 4/11/03, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #196: Adopted 51-50: R 48-3; D 2-46; I 0-1, With Vice President Cheney Casting A “Yea” Vote, 5/23/03, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #179: Passed 51-49: R 48-3; D 3-45; I 0-1, 5/15/03, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 23, CQ Vote #106: Rejected 48-52: R 47-4; D 1-47; I 0-1, 3/26/03, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #165: Passed 62-38: R 50-0; D 12-38, 5/23/01, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #86: Adopted 65-35: R 50-0; D 15-35, 4/6/01, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #98: Adopted 53-47: R 48-2; D 5-45, 5/10/01, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2014, CQ Vote #160: Passed 80-18: R 51-4; D 29-14, 6/27/97, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 57, CQ Vote #151: Motion Agreed To 57-43: R 50-3; D 7-40, 5/23/96, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con Res. 178, CQ Vote #159: Adopted 53-46: R 53-0; D 0-46, 6/13/96, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote #178, Rejected 31-69: R 31-23; D 0-46, 5/23/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H. Con. Res. 67, CQ Vote #296: Adopted 54-46: R 54-0; D 0-46, 6/29/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1357, CQ Vote #552: Motion Agreed To 53-46: R 50-3; D 3-43, 10/27/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2491, CQ Vote #556: Passed 52-47: R 52-1; D 0-46, 10/28/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2491, CQ Vote #584: Motion Agreed To 52-47: R 52-1; D 0-46, 11/18/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 63, CQ Vote #66: Rejected 42-58: R 42-2; D 0-56, 3/23/94, Kerry Voted Nay)
For Higher Taxes On Social Security Benefits At Least Eight Times:
ü Twice For Clinton’s $241 Billion Tax Hike On Social Security Benefits. (H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #190: Passed 50-49: R 0-43; D 49-6, With Vice President Al Gore Casting The Tie-Breaking Vote, 6/25/93, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #247: Adopted 51-50: R 0-44; D 50-6, With Vice President Al Gore Casting The Tie-Breaking Vote, 8/6/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
ü Three Times To Keep Hike In Clinton Plan. (S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #57: Motion Agreed To 52-47: R 0-43; D 52-4, 3/24/93, Kerry Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #59: Motion Agreed To 55-44: R 0-43; D 55-1, 3/24/93, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1134, CQ Vote #169: Motion Agreed To 51-46: R 1-41; D 50-5, 6/24/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
ü Three Times Against Repealing 1993 Increase. (S. Con. Res. 57, CQ Vote #142: Adopted 50-48: R 49-4; D 1-44, 5/22/96, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #188: Adopted 58-41: R 54-1; D 4-40, 7/13/00, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 23, CQ Vote #94: Rejected 48-51: R 48-3; D 0-47; I 0-1, 3/25/03, Kerry Voted Nay)
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