AP: Clinton Knocks Obama Plan She'd Consider

[BeyondGeography]

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton is accusing rival Barack Obama of proposing a $1 trillion tax increase with a plan to require high income earners to pay more Social Security taxes. Clinton outlines the charge, which she previously has made, in a mailing to voters ahead of Saturday's presidential caucus.

Obama tried to describe his position at a campaign stop outside Las Vegas on Wednesday, saying the worst part about the mailer is that Clinton has said she would consider doing the same thing he wants to do.

He said he thinks requiring high-income earners to pay more Social Security taxes is the best way to prevent a cut in benefits.

Currently, workers pay Social Security taxes on the first $97,500 in income — anything above that is exempt. Obama said he would consider keeping the exemption for up to around $200,000, but anyone earning more than that should have to contribute more. He was not specific about what he would do.

"There might be some exemptions, but once people are making over $200,000 to $250,000, they can afford to pay a little more in payroll tax," Obama said.

Clinton told reporters later Wednesday that at times Obama has advocated lifting the payroll tax completely, which could affect a Las Vegas police captain, a school superintendent and many of the people she represents in New York who have advanced in their careers but live in high-cost areas.

"It doesn't just fall on the wealthiest of Americans ... It would be a trillion-dollar tax increase on middle class families, and I think there are better approaches to solving the long-term challenges we face in Social Security," she said, without elaborating.

Three months ago, Clinton told an Iowa voter privately that she would consider raising the income limit as long as there was a "gap," with no Social Security taxes on income from $97,500 to around $200,000. An Associated Press reporter overheard the conversation.

The idea of a gap was first proposed in the campaign by former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.

Clinton's flier says she would provide middle class tax relief, "address Social Security without putting burdens on hard working families or seniors" and "strengthen Social Security and the economy by returning to balanced budgets."

The mailer says Obama has "a plan with a trillion dollar tax increase on America's hard working families. Lifting the cap on Social Security taxes to send more of Nevada families' hard-earned dollars to Washington."

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i7iVuMYMBS7APNmjOu4pffsmoy2wD8U7BS200

[HeraldSquare212]

1. The sign of an impoverished campaign: nothing left but lies about her opponent

edit typo

[Kittycat]

2. Darn those nosey AP reporters and their eaves dropping.

ROFLMAO. I actually hope this one gets a little air time. With all the finger pointing she's done.

[annie1]

3. But didn't she later say she's not considering it? during the debate in fact...

didn't she it wasn't on the table. i think.

[Barack_America]

5. Or is it what she's willing to admit publicly versus privately.

I suspect that is the more likely scenario.

[Barack_America]

4. Is this really the campaign she wants to run?

Is winning at all costs worth losing all integrity? If she keeps this up I don't see how she could have a scrap of self-respect left by Feb. 5th.

She must really think we *need* her badly. Is that the excuse she's giving herself for this behavior?

[regnaD kciN]

6. Obviously...

Is winning at all costs worth losing all integrity?

...the answer is "yes."

She must really think we *need* her badly.

I'm pretty sure she feels that, after all she had to put up with as First Lady, she deserves the Presidency, no questions asked. That's the only explanation I can find for the air of arrogant entitlement she gives off.

[Diane R]

9. We're learning a lot about Hillary, aren't we?

[AtomicKitten]

7. Wow. I am exhausted from all the sh*t she's creating and stirring up.

Seriously. I am so over this kind of politics.

Thanks to Edwards and Obama (and Kucinich when they let him speak) for behaving like gentleman engaging in relevant spirited debate. In them lies the hope of a new, much better day in America.

[Barack_America]

8. And it's only the middle of January....

I'm going to be absolutely burnt out by Feb. 5.

I really feel sorry for Obama having to endure dirty attack after dirty attack. It's almost like she's trying to win by attrition. I don't believe she has 35-years worth of experience, but it certainly seems as if she has 35-years worth of built up bile.

[AtomicKitten]

10. He is truly a decent man in the way he is dealing with this.

It reinforces why I support him.

[BeyondGeography]

11. It's called standing in the way of political progress

And it's also a reminder of what they did to the party last time they were fully in charge and, as now, they didn't stand for anything larger than themselves. By the end of Bill's term, we had fewer Democratic congressmen, governors and the party was broke.