Tax Reform: 2008 contenders' views

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Joe Biden on Tax Reform

Democratic Sr Senator (DE); Vice President-Elect

Click here for 24 full quotes by Joe Biden OR click here for Joe Biden on other issues.

Middle class is U.S. economic engine and needs tax cuts. (Oct 2008)
FactCheck: McCain did not vote with Obama on tax increase. (Oct 2008)
Save $150 billion in tax cuts for people who don�t need them. (Dec 2007)
Take away $85B in annual tax cuts for 1% of top earners. (Jul 2007)
FactCheck: Top 1% only got $67B in 2007 tax cuts, not $85B. (Jul 2007)
Eliminate the tax cut just for those people in the top 1%. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008)
Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 2003)
Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
Voted YES on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999)
Voted NO on requiring super-majority for raising taxes. (Apr 1998)
Rated 15% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)

Hillary Clinton on Tax Reform

Democratic Jr Senator (NY); Secretary of State-Designee

Click here for 30 full quotes by Hillary Clinton OR click here for Hillary Clinton on other issues.

Absolutely no tax increase on people earning under $250K. (Apr 2008)
Perhaps raise capital gains tax, but at most to 20%. (Apr 2008)
Rescind tax cuts for those making more than $250,000 a year. (Feb 2008)
AdWatch: cut taxes for the middle class. (Feb 2008)
Wealthy should go back to paying pre-Bush tax rates. (Jan 2008)
Want to restore the tax rates we had in the �90s. (Dec 2007)
Freeze estate tax at 2009 level of $7 million per couple. (Oct 2007)
Why cut off payroll contribution at $95,000? (Jun 2007)
Cut alternative minimum tax, not billionaire tax cuts. (Mar 2007)
Expand child tax credit for child�s first year. (Dec 2006)
End Bush tax cuts;take things away from rich for common good. (Oct 2006)
To get America back on track, cut short tax cuts. (Sep 2005)
NY share of federal taxes is too high. (Feb 2000)
Just Say No to GOP tax plan. (Sep 1999)
GOP tax plan would hurt New York�s students. (Aug 1999)
Voted YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008)
Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 2003)
Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
Voted YES on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
Rated 21% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 80% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)

Tom Daschle on Tax Reform

Former Democratic Senator (SD); Secretary of H.H.S.-Designee

Click here for 9 full quotes by Tom Daschle OR click here for Tom Daschle on other issues.

Good cuts create jobs-Bush�s cuts created economic exodus. (Jan 2004)
Bush�s tax plan is like Reagan�s, which caused national debt. (Feb 2001)
Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 2003)
Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
Voted YES on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
Voted NO on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999)
Voted NO on requiring super-majority for raising taxes. (Apr 1998)
Rated 15% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)

Rahm Emanuel on Tax Reform

Democratic Rep. (IL-5); Chief of Staff-Designee

Click here for 8 full quotes by Rahm Emanuel OR click here for Rahm Emanuel on other issues.

Voted YES on extending AMT exemptions to avoid hitting middle-income. (Jun 2008)
Voted YES on paying for AMT relief by closing offshore business loopholes. (Dec 2007)
Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Dec 2005)
Voted NO on providing tax relief and simplification. (Sep 2004)
Voted NO on making permanent an increase in the child tax credit. (May 2004)
Voted NO on permanently eliminating the marriage penalty. (Apr 2004)
Rated 23% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)

Robert Gates on Tax Reform

Secretary of Defense-Designee

Click here for Robert Gates on other issues.

No stance on record.

Timothy Geithner on Tax Reform

Secretary of Treasury-Designee

Click here for Timothy Geithner on other issues.

No stance on record.

Eric Holder on Tax Reform

Attorney General-Designee

Click here for Eric Holder on other issues.

No stance on record.

John McCain on Tax Reform

Republican nominee for President; Senior Senator (AZ)

Click here for 61 full quotes by John McCain OR click here for 10 older headlines OR click here for John McCain on other issues.

Keep tax rates the same; let�s not raise anybody�s taxes. (Oct 2008)
FactCheck: Obama voted for taxes 76 times, not 94 times. (Oct 2008)
Worst thing in bad economic climate is to raise taxes. (Sep 2008)
Double the child tax exemption from $3,500 to $7,000. (Sep 2008)
FactCheck: $7,000-per-child tax EXEMPTION, not tax CREDIT. (Aug 2008)
Double the personal tax exemption for every dependent. (Jul 2008)
Terrible mistake to raise taxes during an economic downturn. (Jun 2008)
Veto any tax increase; worst thing now is to raise taxes. (Feb 2008)
2001: tax package with spending restraint, against Bush cuts. (Feb 2008)
Require a 3/5 majority vote in Congress to raise taxes. (Feb 2008)
FactCheck: Against Bush tax cuts in 2003; for them in 2006. (Jan 2008)
Romney raising fees a quarter-billion dollars is a tax hike. (Jan 2008)
Opposed to the Bush tax cuts as spending got out of control. (Jan 2008)
Supported Reagan tax cuts because matched by spending cuts. (Jan 2008)
Reform the tax code that nobody trusts and believes in. (Dec 2007)
We need a simpler, fairer tax code, but not FairTax. (Nov 2007)
Tax system is fair; wealthy pay bulk of taxes. (Oct 2007)
Won�t sign no-tax pledge; focus on cutting spending. (Sep 2007)
Make tax reform commission & vote yes-or-no on outcome. (Aug 2007)
FactCheck: Families spend $20B on tax prep, not $140B. (Aug 2007)
Opposed Bush tax cuts, but must extend them now. (May 2007)
New tax cuts account for contingencies and over-spending. (May 2007)
Alternative minimum tax is eating Americans alive. (May 2007)
Bush tax cuts fiscally reckless & favored rich;but keep them. (Apr 2007)
Consistent on focusing tax cuts more toward middle class. (May 2002)
Tax plan: $238B over 5 years; $500B over 10 years. (Feb 2000)
Double child tax credit; add family incentives. (Feb 2000)
�Balanced approach�, and starts a flat tax system. (Feb 2000)
Reagan Republican: simplify taxes; cut waste. (Feb 2000)
Big money interests fear closing loopholes. (Jan 2000)
Remove charitable deduction; it only benefits rich. (Jan 2000)
Replace employer-provided benefits with a tax cut. (Jan 2000)
Middle-class tax cut: expand 15% tax bracket. (Jan 2000)
Don�t promise tax cuts from future surpluses we may not have. (Jan 2000)
1st step to simplify taxes: close special interest loopholes. (Dec 1999)
Supports flat tax; stop complexity by special interests. (Oct 1999)
Keep lump-sum earned income tax credit. (Oct 1999)
Cut marriage tax, inheritance tax, & earnings test. (Sep 1999)
Taxes should be flatter, lower, and simpler. (Apr 1999)
Voting Record
GovWatch: 2001: against tax cut that went to rich. (Feb 2008)
Voting against Bush cuts then for them: not a mistake. (Jan 2008)
Voted against Bush tax cuts for not reining in spending. (May 2007)
Voted YES on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008)
Voted YES on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
Voted YES on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 2003)
Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
Voted NO on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
Voted YES on phasing out the estate tax ("death tax"). (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on requiring super-majority for raising taxes. (Apr 1998)
Rated 72% by NTU, indicating "Satisfactory" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 50% by CTJ, indicating a mixed record on progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)
Implement socially fair, broad-based tax cuts. (Sep 1998)

Janet Napolitano on Tax Reform

Democratic AZ Governor; Designee for Secretary of Homeland Security

Click here for the full quote by Janet Napolitano OR click here for Janet Napolitano on other issues.

$12B in federal economic stimulus as state block grants. (Jan 2008)

Barack Obama on Tax Reform

Junior Senator (IL); President-Elect

Click here for 37 full quotes by Barack Obama OR click here for Barack Obama on other issues.

FactCheck: Yes, McCain wants Bush cuts in place after 2011. (Oct 2008)
My plan cuts taxes for most small businesses & 95% of people. (Oct 2008)
Yes, earmarks are abused, but small compared to tax cuts. (Sep 2008)
No $300 billion on tax cuts for those who don�t need them. (Sep 2008)
Tax cut for 95% of all working families, not corporations. (Aug 2008)
Tax cut for middle class and relief to struggling homeowners. (Jul 2008)
Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit. (Jul 2008)
Middle class tax cut helps offset rising cost of gas & food. (Jun 2008)
I�m running against failed policy of profligate GOP spending. (May 2008)
I will raise CEO taxes, no doubt about it. (May 2008)
Under Bill Clinton, rich people didn�t feel oppressed. (Apr 2008)
No tax increase if earning under $250K; tax cuts under $75K. (Apr 2008)
Raise capital gains tax for fairness, not for revenue. (Apr 2008)
Tax cut for seniors and those making $75,000 a year or less. (Feb 2008)
I�m not bashful about it: wealthy will pay more taxes. (Jan 2008)
Stimulus package: $500 tax cut, & Social Security supplement. (Jan 2008)
Restore progressive tax; close loopholes; relief to seniors. (Oct 2007)
Trillion dollar giveaway: the Paris Hilton Tax Break. (Oct 2007)
Reduce Bush tax cuts to pay for health care & other programs. (Jun 2007)
Estate tax only affects the wealthiest 1/2 of 1%. (Oct 2006)
Specific tax relief for families making $75,000 or less now. (Jan 2006)
Bush tax cuts help corporations but not middle class. (Jun 2004)
Tax incentives to create jobs at home instead of offshore. (Jun 2004)
Last thing we need now is a permanent tax cut. (Jan 2008)
Voting Record
FactCheck: Voted for non-binding tax increase on $42K income. (Sep 2008)
GovWatch: didn�t vote to raise taxes 94 times; at most 54. (Jul 2008)
Voted YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008)
Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)

Sarah Palin on Tax Reform

Republican Governor (AK); ; nominee for Vice President

Click here for 13 full quotes by Sarah Palin OR click here for Sarah Palin on other issues.

Under Obama plan, small businesses will see tax increases. (Oct 2008)
FactCheck: Undoing Bush tax cut only hits families over $83K. (Oct 2008)
No Alaska sales tax; and $3,200 payments annually. (Sep 2008)
Everybody benefits when government takes less. (Sep 2008)
Raising taxes hurts small business and hurts jobs. (Sep 2008)
Elected mayor based on tax cut promise. (Aug 2008)
As mayor, cut property taxes & increased sales tax. (Aug 2008)
$60M annually for municipal revenue sharing. (Mar 2008)
Eliminate taxes that inhibit business. (Jan 2008)
Repeal �nuisance taxes� including the tire tax. (Jan 2007)
Mitigate impact of new $50M annual cruise ship tourism tax. (Oct 2006)
No income tax; no taking the people�s dividends. (Oct 2006)
Would support a seasonal sales tax, but no income tax. (Oct 2006)

Bill Richardson on Tax Reform

Democratic Governor (NM); Secretary of Commerce-Designee

Click here for 6 full quotes by Bill Richardson OR click here for Bill Richardson on other issues.

End unfair & unequal tax structure for wealthiest 2%. (Dec 2007)
Replace Bush tax cuts with cuts for middle class. (Jun 2007)
Cut NM capital gains tax & income tax from 8.2% to 4.9%. (Nov 2005)
Continue to cut taxes and reform the tax code. (Jan 2004)
Reduce income tax; create Taxpayer Bill of Rights. (Oct 2002)
$12B in federal economic stimulus as state block grants. (Jan 2008)

Eric Shinseki on Tax Reform

Secretary of Veterans Affairs-Designee

Click here for Eric Shinseki on other issues.

No stance on record.

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