Fair Tax Flip Flop: Thompson vs. His Staff
The Fair Tax is a government hater’s (“Eliminate the IRS!!”) reckless fantasy (“It will eliminate the trade and budget deficits, end poverty, and cure acne!!”). I’m glad to see Thompson is at least conflicted about it—although the flip-flop is strike-5 for his campaign. Has any other Republican candidate been foolish (desperate) enough to take the Fair Tax pledge?
ABC: Former Sen. Fred Thompson, appears to have flip flopped on his pledge to sign federal legislation replacing all federal taxes with a 23 percent sales tax… “He has not taken this pledge,” Thompson spokesperson Linda Rozett told ABC News.
The Thompson camp’s denial appears to be contradicted, however, by an unedited FairTax.org video in which Thompson is asked, “Senator, if the House and Senate pass the ‘Fair Tax’ bill do you feel right now that you would sign it?” Thompson replies to the question by saying, “Yeah, absolutely.” “Fred Thompson may have spoken without thinking. But the tape is accurate,” said FairTax.org spokesman Ken Hoagland.
The Democratic National Committee seized on the all-but-announced candidate’s apparent contradiction with his own staff, questioning whether the actor turned politician is qualified for the role of commander-in-chief.
July 31st, 2007 at 7:04 pm
There’s a reason Thompson didn’t raise a lot of money. I guess this is just one of them. He has a reputation for being lazy.
July 31st, 2007 at 7:53 pm
“IF the House and Senate passed . . . ”
There’s no reason not to agree, since the conditions ain’t gonna happen.
July 31st, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Eliminates acne? Sounds pretty good.
July 31st, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Bill,
Helps with erectile disfunction in millionaires, too.
But, you’ll have to ask an expert if ‘helping’ with erectile disfunction means more erectile disfunction.
Just another way of _____
August 1st, 2007 at 4:38 am
Like progress in Iraq? The only thing worse than paying taxes is thinking about them.