Posted on 03/02/2008 10:32:31 AM PST by SupplySider
NEW YORK (Fortune) -- Now that the faltering economy has replaced national security as the overriding issue in the presidential campaign, John McCain is portraying himself as a budget-shrinking, flat-tax-embracing, healthcare-privatizing champion of free markets. But is this Reaganesque zealot the real John McCain? The big question is whether McCain's radical agenda is simply designed to rally the Republican base, or would prove a blueprint for a McCain presidency. Given the Arizona Senator's maverick record, voters have every reason to distrust the new McCain. He twice opposed the Bush tax cuts and keeps dropping disturbing lines like, "I don't know as much about the economy as I should." But economic conservatives should take heart. McCain's chief economic adviser - and perhaps his closest political friend - is the ultimate pure play in free market faith, former Texas Senator Phil Gramm.
(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...
You mean they want to get the federal government completely out of it?
Had McCain truly not supported the tax cuts because of the ballooning budget, then I could cut him some slack, but it’s his statements at the time regarding “tax cuts for the wealthy” that make me distrust him. We’ll see how it plays out when another issue replaces the economy. :) I do miss seeing ole Phil Gramm every once in a while though.
That’s very fortunate, because McCain graduated fifth from the bottom of his class an the Naval Academy.
Phil Gramm...another ego.
It's too bad W never admitted his economic ignorance, then he could have sought help.
True, but he had charisma....or character....or maybe just plain ole stage presence. At least I listened when he talked, instead of drinking every time he said “my friends”.
If McCain will stick to these principles, I can vote for him without holding my nose.
McCain's (i.e., Gramm's) health care reform proposal is simplicity itself. No business tax deduction for offering health insurance. Instead, a yearly tax rebate of $2,500 per individual or $5,000 per family that can be used used on health insurance only. And fewer, not more, regulations of how insurance companies can structure their products.
Doesn’t matter how many shiny baubbles McCain offers, I’ll still never support him.
By the time McCain got done wheeling and dealing with his good buddy Teddy Kennedy, his program would look like HillaryCare anyway.
This is indeed good news. I think Arthur Laffer is also advising him. There is hope.
McCain also has the endorsements of Steve Forbes and Jack Kemp. Wendy Gramm, Phil's wife, is also a leading supply-side theorist, and was once named by Pres. Reagan as his favorite economist.
No amount of material gain is worth supporting a George Soros-financed traitor to our God-given rights.
That doesn't mean he'll listen to him. McCains biggest obstacle is his ego and actually believing past Chrissy Matthews bloviations of his importance.
Sounds like more RINOs arranging the deck chairs of the Titanic aka the McPain campaign.
Possibly, but not likely in my estimation. Gramm almost single-handedly defeated HillaryCare the first time around. He went to the mat and destroyed her, with the media howling all the way. It's an important part iof his legacy. I think McCain would have to fire Gramm if he went for HillaryCare Lite, and Gramm is one of if not the closest friend of McCain.
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