Posted on 11/18/2002 6:36:27 AM PST by elenchus
[RUSSERT PRESSES LANDRIEU ON TAXES:]
MR. RUSSERT: Senator Landrieu, would you vote to make George Bush’s tax cut permanent?
SEN. LANDRIEU: I will vote to make $1.3 billion of that tax cut permanent, and if we can make all of it permanent, Tim, I will. But let me say something about my opponent’s campaign. That is the first positive commercial she ran the entire campaign. Our own Republican governor said, “Her campaign was a cesspool.” Her opponent said that they won’t even support her because of the negative distortions of my record. And one thing on taxes I’d like to say is, as you know, and as the record reflects, I have voted to reduce taxes. I have voted for the president’s tax cut and will support if we can afford to make permanent the president’s tax cut.
MR. RUSSERT: What parts won’t you make permanent?
SEN. LANDRIEU: Well, I would like to make all parts permanent, but in addition, I would like to make sure...
MR. RUSSERT: But you cap it at $1.3 trillion.
SEN. LANDRIEU: Well, I would like to also make sure that we have the money to fund our military operations, both here at home and abroad, and that we don’t dip into the Social Security Trust Fund.
MR. RUSSERT: But if there was an up-or-down vote on it, should we make the president’s tax permanent, would you vote yes or no?
SEN. LANDRIEU: I have supported extending the president’s tax cut, yes, but I will tell you that that goes into effect, as you know, in 10 years. What we need to do, and what I think Democrats and Republicans want to do, is get this economy stimulated now. Those tax cuts, as popular as they sound and are, don’t even go into effect until the next 10 years, the bulk of them. The rebates have gone into effect this 10 years.
MR. RUSSERT: So would you vote for it, yes or no?
SEN. LANDRIEU: I will vote to extend the tax cut if we can afford to do it, if our military doesn’t need the money or Social Security, but what Ms. Terrell...
MR. RUSSERT: In your mind, can we afford it as we speak today?
SEN. LANDRIEU: We can if we get this economy going again. And that’s one of the differences between...
MR. RUSSERT: But if we don’t get the economy going as of today, can we afford it?
SEN. LANDRIEU: Let me say this. I don’t know what we can afford right now based on the fact that we don’t know, Tim, what this war on terrorism is going to cost. We have a war here at home to fight against terrorism on our home ground with our first responders on the front lines, and we have a war in Afghanistan to finish. We have a war in Iraq. We have terrorist cells all over the world. And so I think even the president would tell you there is great uncertainty out there. The most responsible...
MR. RUSSERT: But he’s going to push for an up-or-down vote.
SEN. LANDRIEU: Well...
MR. RUSSERT: You sound like you have grave reservations.
SEN. LANDRIEU: ...the most responsible thing that we can do is try to cut as much taxes as we can but also leave room to support our military. Let me tell you one thing. This senator is not going to leave our guys in the middle of Afghanistan without the weapons they need or the support they need. I’ve supported an increase in the military budget and will continue to do so. It’s very, very expensive.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.com ...
Terrell can achieve the same if she presses on the weakness which Russert exposed in Landrieu: that Landrieu will not unequivocally support making the Bush tax cuts permanent. Her weasel words, equivocation and outright disgraceful evasions and attempts to change the subject to a defense of our soldiers in the Middle East are quite transparent in the transcript. See how she shamelessly tries to shift from her unwillingness to commit to make the tax cuts permanent to her concern that tax cuts will jeopardize soldiers in battle.
What a patriot Landrieu is!
Terrell should be informed that this is her most potent weapon: if she exploits this fundamental weakness and exposes Landrieu's duplicity and evasion on taxes, her victory will be all but guaranteed.
Perhaps the best thing Terrell could do is develop a commercial showing what a double-talking quibbling weasel Landrieu is by doing nothing more than reproducing Landrieu's exchange with Russert. Armed with this, Terrell's victory would be virtually guaranteed.
I am impressed.
MS. TERRELL: Well, I think what we’re talking about is making the temporary taxes permanent, temporary tax reductions permanent reductions,
The commercial is even more confusing. I think I know what the point is, but it ain't real clear. "Making taxes permanent" doesn't sound as clear as "making taxcuts permanent."
When? We were there for Pregame, and didn't see any plane.
Michael
I know that, but she said it in a completely incorrect way. Tax relief builds and builds - and then ENDS in 10 years. Plus, from her answers, it was obvious she didn't have a grip on the details AT ALL.
Michael
The demographic data breakdown that NCLB requires, can be easily accomplished at any time, by using good software at the state level. Looks like "academic achievement" is most important to this Governor. She would be wise to AGREE with him because lots of voting parents do. An offer to work with him in reaching "an alternative to the same destination" might be wise.
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