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Who Are You Calling a Socialist?

McCain: Obama's tax cut plan is 'welfare'; Dem: Mac 'out of touch'

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 19, 2008 9:21 AM CDT

(Newser) – Values and socialism dominated the sharp rhetoric on the campaign trail yesterday, as the presidential candidates exchanged fire over Barack Obama’s plan for middle-class tax cuts, Politico reports. At rallies in North Carolina and Virginia, two traditionally red states where Obama has made inroads, John McCain accused him of planning to “convert the IRS into a giant welfare agency.”

“At least in Europe, Socialist leaders are upfront about their objectives,” McCain added. But at a St. Louis rally, drawing 200,000 people, Obama portrayed taxes as a “values” issue, calling McCain “out of touch” for insisting tax cuts “for working people” amounted to welfare. McCain’s health care proposal uses a similar philosophy as Obama’s tax cuts, a non-partisan website says.

Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, speaks during a Road to Victory Rally Saturday, Oct., 18, 2008, in Cabarrus County, N.C (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)

John McCain said, "Raising taxes on some in order to give checks to others is not a tax cut; it's just another government giveaway." (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Barack Obama insists he's not %u201Cgiving tax cuts to folks who don%u2019t work. I%u2019m giving tax cuts to folks who do work." (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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Who Are You Calling a Socialist?

McCain: Obama's tax cut plan is 'welfare'; Dem: Mac 'out of touch'

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Mock Her at Your Peril: Palin Speaks Real American

Accent 'dissed' by elites is same tune favored by humble, common-sense majority

Obama Pushes Don't-Let-Up 'Closing Argument'

'We are one week away from changing America,' Dem says in Ohio

Poll: Obama 53%, McCain 43%

McCain too busy with attack ads; losing support among base

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Obama's tax rate for the rich no steeper than in the '90s

Most Popular National Politician Today Is ...

Hillary Clinton, as 'buyer's remorse' plagues a third of the country

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Who Are You Calling a Socialist?

McCain: Obama's tax cut plan is 'welfare'; Dem: Mac 'out of touch'

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • John McCain • taxes • middle class • socialism • welfare • values • Election 2008

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Mock Her at Your Peril: Palin Speaks Real American

Accent 'dissed' by elites is same tune favored by humble, common-sense majority

Obama Pushes Don't-Let-Up 'Closing Argument'

'We are one week away from changing America,' Dem says in Ohio

Poll: Obama 53%, McCain 43%

McCain too busy with attack ads; losing support among base

Not So Fast With Those Numbers, David Brooks

Obama's tax rate for the rich no steeper than in the '90s

Most Popular National Politician Today Is ...

Hillary Clinton, as 'buyer's remorse' plagues a third of the country

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Site

Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?