The McCain Speech at CPAC
February 7th, 2008 by Peter SudermanI’ve got to run to a briefing, but the quick version is this:
Conservatives and free marketers have many disagreements with McCain, and they’re right to. McCain-Feingold, McCain-Lieberman, the votes against the Bush tax cuts — these are not exactly small matters. But what he said today should get some attention from advocates of limited-government.
On earmarks, spending, taxes, and health care, McCain vowed to pursue a sturdy, realistic limited-government agenda. Here’s a passage from a copy of the speech sent out to media:
Senator Clinton and Senator Obama want to increase the size of the federal government.
I intend to reduce it. I will not sign a bill with earmarks in it, any earmarks in it. I will fight for the line item veto, and I will not permit any expansion whatsoever of the entitlement programs that are bankrupting us. On the contrary, I intend to reform those programs so that government is no longer in that habit of making promises to Americans it does not have the means to keep.
Senator Clinton and Senator Obama will raise your taxes.
I intend to cut them. I will start by making the Bush tax cuts permanent. I will cut corporate tax rates from 35 to 25% to keep industries and jobs in this country. I will end the Alternate Minimum Tax. And I won’t let a Democratic Congress raise your taxes and choke the growth of our economy.
They will offer a big government solution to health care insurance coverage.
I intend to address the problem with free market solutions and with respect for the freedom of individuals to make important choices for themselves.
At NRO, Steven Spruiell has some video highlights of the speech for those who missed it.
February 7th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I’m protesting conservatives for voting against the only true conservative in the race (Fred Thompson) and voting against the next best thing (Mitt Romney) by voting for Ron Paul.
http://www.ronpaul2008.com
February 7th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
“Senator Clinton and Senator Obama want to increase the size of the federal government.”
When did they say that? A don’t mention health care either cuz they’d mostly just extend access to the FEHBP (which is already in place, beauracrcy and all) to all Americans.
“Senator Clinton and Senator Obama will raise your taxes.”
…if you are rich.
“I will end the Alternate Minimum Tax.”
Without raising another tax to replace it? Please…
“I intend to address the problem with free market solutions and with respect for the freedom of individuals to make important choices for themselves.”
Read that as…my plan is more of the same, failed policy…so basically, I have no plan.
February 8th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Conservatives of all types should give McCain a chance to build a coalition.
Given recent events Republicans are in a best case scenario for November; an early nominee with time to make peace within the party, an opportunity to get a clear message out before the Democrats, his appeal to swing voters in the general electorate (he’s actually leading in most polls against Clinton), and an epic battle among the Dems which will last a while. This borders on miraculous, or at least fortunate.
Conservatives should not sit this one out and expect they can just walk back into The White House in 2012. The business cycle is un-predictable and if the economy is strong at that time Reps can lose again. More important, the Dems will be taking over at a critical time of fiscal crisis, and will dramatically grow entitlements. Even if Reps. win in 4 or 8 years, do they really think they can roll back Hillarycare (or whatever else) once people have become dependant? We’re on the precipice of an entitlement cliff here.
Conservatives should expect McCain to make good on his recent discussion of fiscal responsibility, judges, build a clear economic philosophy, etc. And he will need to win conservatives’ confidence in the next few months. I believe he will.
Finally, he is an appealing candidate to many, has integrity, is a patriot, and has sacrificed for his country. And he’s a heck of a lot better than the alternative. He deserves a chance to earn the support of the coalition.
February 8th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
“Conservatives should not sit this one out and expect they can just walk back into The White House in 2012.”
No, by all means…they should sit this one out…and the next one too…
February 12th, 2008 at 12:42 am
To me the most annoying bureaucracy isn’t the government, but the niggly nickel and diming practiced by corporations (for one example, banks, who charge 10% to withdraw $20.00 dollars from an atm and who will bump a person’s interest rate on a credit card with a perfect payment record, because the card holder was late on another payment with different company). The control over our lives is significant but never mentioned by laissez-faire “the market will handle everything” ideologues. I totally agree that the tax code is absurd and unwieldy and needs change, but governments aren’t the only players who restrict the average person’s freedom.
And it isn’t entitlements that are bankrupting America, it’s the obscene proportion of national spending that goes to defense contractors. President Eisenhower was right, the military-industrial complex has become almost a shadow government which cannot be investigated or held to account because they hide (with the complicity of government) behind the veil of “National Security”.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Right on Paul…