At a forum today for journalists sponsored by the AP, all four candidates for VA Gov. in ‘09 appeared – GOP nominee Bob McDonnell and Dem hopefuls Brian “Don’t Call Me Jim” Moran, Creigh “Dirty” Deeds, and Terry “Global Crossing” McAuliffe. The big news out of the forum — taxes.
“The worst thing you can do during a recession is try to tax yourself to prosperity.” — Bob McDonnell
“Everything should be on the table,” said Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria. His position was echoed by state Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath.
The third Dem, McAuliffe, agreed with McDonnell, saying, “You don’t raise taxes in a down economy.” Of course, I wouldn’t trust McAuliffe any further than I could throw him. I can just imagine him parsing those words (like his old boss Bill Clinton did as opposed to Mark Warner’s outright lies that he told.) I said you don’t raise taxes in a down economy. But now that the economy has picked up, hide your wallets, because I’m a coming!!!
(On a side note, you’d never know that Moran and Deeds still hold out the possibility of tax hikes if you read the WashPo article that incredulously stated, “All four agreed that Virginia would have to continue cutting the budget but they ruled out raising taxes in a poor economy.”)
The choice for Virginians is clear in 2009.
Bob McDonnell
Governor for Virginia
Filed under: "Journalists", 2009 Elections, Bob McDonnell, Brian "Don't Call Me Jim" Moran, Creigh "What's In Your Wallet?" Deeds, Taxes, Terry "Global Crossing" McAuliffe, Virginia Politics
So, tax increases in a good economy is on the table for McDonnell then?
I doubt that – but the inference is there. I think all the GOP candidates are embracing the Grass roots and will not raise taxes – no matter what!
McDonnell had no problem with supporting an [unconstitutional] tax hike in 2007.
And when the 2008 special session came along, he was supporting the same plan with some minor changes to make it constitutional.