The Two Dumbest Statements in Political History

deacon blues · #1 10-11-2008, 01:22 AM

"I will raise taxes" - Walter Mondale

"Read my lips, no new taxes" - George HW Bush

Both statements caused these men to lose elections. Mondale's was made while campaigning against Reagan in 1984. He lost 49 out 50 states to Reagan. Bush made the statement in 1988 against Dukakis, simarily won but then broke the promise in a compromise with Congressional Democrats and signed a tax increase bill. In spite of winning the first Gulf War in 1991 and enjoying 90% job approval ratings as a result, the tax increase caused a mild recession that opened the door for Clinton and the Dems to criticize his broken promise and it cost him the 1992 election.

Obama is promising tax increases during a time of economic crisis. Will it be added to the list of dumb campaign promises that comes back to haunt the candidate?

Sam · #2 10-11-2008, 05:17 PM

Another dumb one, in my opinion, was how Ted Kennedy explained how a universal medical coverage plan would not cost us anything.

He said, "If you work, your employer will pay for the plan. If you do not work, the government will pay for the plan."

rgcraig · #3 10-11-2008, 05:23 PM

One of the dumbest questions was:

What does "is" mean?

Jermyn Davidson · #4 10-12-2008, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deacon blues

Obama is promising tax increases during a time of economic crisis. Will it be added to the list of dumb campaign promises that comes back to haunt the candidate?

I don't think so.

In a time where our country is TRILLIONS of dollars in debt, infrastructure is crumbling and we're fighting two wars, Americans should be able to accept the reality that taxes will have to increase, eventually, to help our country regain its footing.

deacon blues · #5 10-12-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1399

I don't think so.

In a time where our country is TRILLIONS of dollars in debt, infrastructure is crumbling and we're fighting two wars, Americans should be able to accept the reality that taxes will have to increase, eventually, to help our country regain its footing.

Well its good to know that there are some people willing to pay more in taxes. I personally am tapped out. We pay 9.25% in sales tax here, we pay about $3,000 a year in SS and Medicare, another $2,000 in income tax, plus other local taxes, and with 5 mouths to feed, clothe, medicate, doctor, send to school etc I don't know how we'll pay more. But its good to know other Americans want to pay more.

There should be a rule that if you didnt vote for the guy you dont have to pay his tax increases.

Regan and Bush proved that tax cuts produce higher revenues for the gov't. Reagan coupled his tax cuts with cuts in spending. Bush spent more than the gov't brought in and hurt the economy. Obama will destroy this econmy further and insure that we will be in this hole even longer if he raises taxes. It will rank up there with Mondale and Bush Sr.

Jermyn Davidson · #6 10-12-2008, 07:06 PM

I feel your pain, a little bit. I am not the sole provider for little 'uns yet.

But honestly, I read what you typed and with the amount of debt our country has, there's just but so much that can be done to fix our situation, in a timely fashion, without raising taxes.

Now if they just don't concern themselves with balancing the budget or paying our debts off within four or five years, then maybe we can get by without raising taxes.

But I've got myself already mentally prepped: regardless of who wins, taxes are going to have to be raised eventually.