Sunday, July 13, 2008

A Goal, Not A Promise


ON MEET THE PRESS, SEN. MCCASKILL DEFENDS OBAMA'S IRAQ POLICY, TOUTS HIS TAX CUTS, CALLS FOR A RE-TINKERING OF NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND AND SAYS NOT TO BET ON HER FOR V.P.

ON IRAQ: "There is nothing inconsistent about Barack Obama's position on Iraq . . . Part of getting out quickly and carefully is listening to commanders on the ground. That's all he's said is he's going to listen in terms of how we get out." McCaskill goes on the stress the "two different mindsets" of McCain and Obama on Iraq. Also hits McCain on his "shifting" position on Bush's wartime leadership. Won't promise a 16-month timetable for withdrawal. "He has a goal of 16 months. Obviously a goal is a goal . . . Sixteen months is his goal. It would be irresponsible for a commander in chief to set in stone a date."

ON THE ECONOMY: "Barack Obama will not raise taxes on anyone whose incomes are under $250,000. . . 95% of the working people of America are going to get a tax cut from Barack Obama . . . John McCain's tax cuts are not for middle America." Says Obama can pay for his plan, but argues McCain can't balance the budget. "If anybody believes John McCain can balance the budget on his plan right now, I've got a meeting they need to have with the tooth fairy." Effective line: "John McCain's tax cuts include $1.2 billion for Exxon Mobil. Gimme a break."

When pressed on where Obama will cut spending, McCaskill offered up her least effective response: "He's going to obviously going to have to cut spending in some ways in the defense, in terms of the war in Iraq."

ON EDUCATION: McCaskill calls for re-authorizing No Child Left Behind, but with changes. "We need to measure progress and reward progress -- not hit some one number that's one size fits all." Doesn't think teachers unions have too much power over education policy.

ON THE VICE PRESIDENCY: Starts with a good line in response to Brokaw assertion that she could help with women of a certain age . . . "I think you just said I was old" . . . Says she's not getting into whether she's being vetted because the campaign has asked her not to. "I'm going to be very honest, I'm extremely honored to even be mentioned." Yet adds, "If I were a betting person, I wouldn't bet on me."

1 comment:

Matt said...

I think only thing worse than McCaskill as senator is McCaskill as VP...