The endorsement could hardly have been stronger. On Monday, John McCain's campaign released a statement signed by 300 economists who "enthusiastically support" his "Jobs for America" economic plan, providing a heavyweight testimonial to the presumptive Republican nominee's "broad and powerful economic agenda." Full Story »
Posted by Kaizar Campwala
An example of bait and switch political advertising. None of the economists quoted in the article enthusiastically supported McCains economic plan, picking at bits of it. Indeed, most who responded admitted they hadnt even read all of it. As for Bushs giveaway to the ultra rich, not only has McCain flip-flopped now endorsing it to make it permanent, he wants to increase it. Some economists estimate McCains economic package would result in more than a $500 trillion deficit by the end of his term. As for the quote about the advantages of less government, Bushies have amply demonstrated that gutting government and destroying regulatory agencies are endangering this country.
I see. In a clear bait-and-switch move, the campaign sent around a chain email with a 400-word synopsis of a 15-page plan that most haven't read yet. Still, McCain is presenting this as a wide endorsement of his economic ideas. Can we expect more honesty once he is in the White House? Can we expect more attention to detail? Those pesky details can cause trouble, as we've seen in Iraq. Thanks to Politico for doing the work journalists are supposed to and checking the facts.
The article presents some opinions of economists who signed on to McCain's economic package. Many had reservations and second thoughts about the wisdom of endorsing it. It's amazing that some signed without reading all 403 words, or in spite of disagreeing with important planks in the package. There needs to be a more comprehensive accounting of how many supported what aspects. Although the tax and spending cuts were viewed favorably, nobody believes a balanced budget in four years in the realm of reality. It reads as a list of reactions without structural coherence.
Rather than simply accept the McCain campaign's press release as good (something far too many news outlets do), Politico actually goes back and interviews economist who had signed unto McCain's economic plan, finding not all are totally on board.
A nit picking article that could have been written by the Obama campaign. The truth is that Obama's program is a collection of stupidities (soak the rich even more, restrict free trade, socialized medicine) and it's not surprising that economists would prefer McCain.
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