Republican Party of Virginia: The Taxmen Campaigneth
- Warner-Obama-Clinton Think Virginians Don’t Pay Enough Taxes

FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF VIRGINIA

April 15, 2008

CONTACT: Josh Noland
804-780-0111 Office ~ 804-201-1527 Cell
jnoland@rpv.org  


RICHMOND, VA – As Virginians finish filing their tax returns today, they can be sure that Democrats campaigning in the Commonwealth cannot be trusted to reduce their tax burden if elected.

“When it comes to taxes, the contrast between Republicans and Democrats couldn’t be clearer,” said Republican Party of Virginia Chairman John Hager.  “Mark Warner, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton have made no secret where they stand on this important issue that impacts taxpayers of every age and background.  Mark Warner advocated and pushed through the largest tax increase in Virginia history.  Obama and Clinton support massive tax increases to fund billions in new government spending.  In contrast, John McCain understands that Americans already shoulder a heavy tax burden.  That’s why he advocates pro-growth tax relief policies that entrust working Americans – rather than Washington bureaucrats – to spend their hard-earned money.” 

Virginians already know they cannot trust Mark Warner on taxes:

“[Warner] was elected governor in 2001 in part by declaring, ‘I will not raise taxes. I will not raise taxes. I will not raise taxes’; he then proceeded to make his seminal achievement as Virginia’s chief executive a $1.5 billion tax increase.” (“Re-Enter: Warner?” Richmond Times Dispatch, 12/22/06)

Clinton and Obama have also made it clear that they support higher taxes, including raising the capital gains tax rate, which adversely impacts middle-income Americans:

Clinton: "We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." (Beth Fouhy, "San Francisco Rolls Out The Red Carpet For The Clintons," The Associated Press, 6/29/04)

Obama: "I think that we can have a capital gains rate that is higher than 15 percent." (CNBC's "Closing Bell," 3/27/08)

CNBC's Maria Bartiromo: "Right now the capital gains tax is 15%. [Obama] wants to take that up to possibly 28%. ... That's a big deal. Because you're not just talking about the rich. You're talking about 100 million Americans who own stocks that will get impacted by that capital gains tax increase." (MSNBC's "MSNBC Live," 3/28/08)