AP: Flat tax renews fight on ‘trickle-down economics’
On October 26, 2011, the Associated Press reported:
The flat tax is making a comeback among Republican presidential candidates. But it faces tough opposition in Congress because it tends to favor the rich at the expense of other taxpayers, renewing an old debate about “trickle-down economics.’’ Most of the top GOP contenders — Mitt Romney’s an exception — offer a variation of the tax plan in which everyone pays the same rate. Businessman Herman Cain has his 9-9-9 proposal, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry unveiled a 20 percent flat tax on income this week. Even Romney foresees a flatter tax system in the future, though he favors something closer to the current setup in the short term...
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Pollster to Berkley: Heller vulnerable on China
On October 6, 2011 The Las Vegas Review-Journal wrote:
U.S. Senate hopeful Shelley Berkley could have a winning issue on her hands by continuing to pound China over its currency manipulation, according to her advisers based on their polling. A memo to Berkley from pollster Mark Mellman provides an answer to why the Las Vegas Democratic congresswoman has been all over the issue this week as a China bill is being debated in the Senate.
Oakland Press: Pete's Tune Changes
Pete Hoekstra's flip-flop on the no-tax pledge was covered by the Oakland Press:
Not only was the news release a tad misleading, it lead to a rehash of the fact that Mr. Hoekstra had done a somersalt on the issue or if your prefer, which the current Hoekstra campaign does not, he flip-flopped.
AP: Democrats working to undercut Perry, Romney
On September 23, 2011, the Associated Press wrote:
To hear Democrats tell it, Gov. Rick Perry's economic record in Texas is nothing more than a mirage and his views on Social Security make him "America's Most Dangerous Cowboy." In Massachusetts, President Barack Obama's allies say job creation lagged under Mitt Romney, whose policies would undermine the middle class.
AP: Candidates Bash Stimulus, Campaign At Companies
On September 15, 2011, the Associated Press reported:
More from the Associated Press after the jump."Republican presidential contenders have crisscrossed the nation bashing President Barack Obama's economic stimulus plans as a colossal waste of taxpayer money. But with an awkward frequency, these same candidates are campaigning at businesses that benefited from the president's landmark stimulus package.
With the cameras rolling, the Republicans celebrate the hard work of local entrepreneurs in places like Pella, Iowa, and Milford, N.H., while later condemning the federal resources that helped those entrepreneurs navigate the economic downturn..."
MEMO: Questions For The Republican Debate
Last month, the Republican Presidential candidates met on a debate stage about a week after the resolution of the debt ceiling debacle. In their attempts to top one another in their pandering to the Tea Party, their political brinksmanship outlined a vision for America that would have assured default and advocated dangerous economic policies that would push our economy over the edge. Tonight, the candidates meet while jobs are at the forefront of national attention. The American people want to see if these Republicans can offer something other than the failed policy prescriptions that got us into this mess. While Republicans want to talk about cutting taxes for corporations with record profits at the expense of the middle class, the American people expect answers to these questions...
Salt Lake Tribune: Huntsman pitches wholesale tax overhaul
"Democrats also pointed to the former Utah governor’s family-owned Huntsman Corp., which now has a majority of employees overseas. Of the company’s 12,000 employees, BusinessWeek recently reported, only 2,174 are in the United States while some 1,100 are in China. "Desperately flailing to gain any type of traction in the race, Jon Huntsman is out today pushing ‘Made In America.’ But with him, it is ‘Made in China’ that has made him millions," says Ty Matsdorf, a spokesman for the liberal group, American Bridge 21st Century. "This appears to be just one more desperate attempt to breathe some much needed life into a floundering campaign."
AP: Huntsman offers tax, trade plan to create jobs
On August 31, 2011, the Associate Press reported:
"The location of the announcement and emphasis on American manufacturing prompted critics to challenge Huntsman's record at the Huntsman family business. Huntsman Corp., a chemical company, employs far more workers overseas than in the United States.Huntsman's campaign conceded that fact, but said the jobs plan would improve the business climate in this nation and help Huntsman Corp. and other businesses hire more American workers.
That did little to quiet Democratic criticism.
"It's ironic that Huntsman is pushing 'Made in America' so hard when 'Made in China' has made him millions," said Ty Matsdorf, spokesman for American Bridge, a political group allied with Democrats. "Desperately flailing to gain any type of traction in the race, apparently he will try anything to breathe some much needed life into a floundering campaign."
PolitiFact Virginia: Allen says he reined in state spending as governor
On August 22, 2011 PolitiFact Virginia reported: Republican George Allen is promising his unrelenting effort to curb federal spending…
Rick Perry Compares Civil Rights Movement To Lower Taxes And Deregulation
At an August 20, 2011 meet and greet at the Old Town Bistro in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Gov. Rick Perry seemingly likened the struggles of the civil rights movement to fighting for lower taxes and deregulation. As AMERICAblog's Kombiz Lavasany wrote, "The statement is historically inaccurate, Martin Luther King Jr. fought for unions and regulations."