Thompson Flip Flops on Taxes?
I guess the Democrats aren’t wasting any time.
Written by GussFormer Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., appears to have flip flopped on his pledge to sign federal legislation replacing all federal taxes with a 23 percent sales tax, according to an unedited FairTax.org video reviewed by ABC News.
“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.
“Fumbling Fred Thompson’s flip flop on the ‘Fair Tax’ issue shows once again that his presidential campaign is just not ready for prime-time,” said DNC spokeswoman Amaya Smith. “Next time Thompson should make sure that he’s on the same script as his advisors before changing his position on an issue.”
~J~ Says:
July 31st, 2007 at 8:37 pmVisit ~J~
I hope Thompson does get into this race. By the time he does the Democrats will have used everything they have against him.
He must pose a threat to them according to their internal polling or they wouldn’t be attacking an unannounced candidate.
david Says:
July 31st, 2007 at 9:19 pmVisit david
A 23% sales tax on top of state gross receipts taxes. That sounds like a horrible idea. At least income taxes are based on earned wages. Am I missing something? This could hurt the working poor tremendously.
~J~ Says:
July 31st, 2007 at 9:24 pmVisit ~J~
Seems pretty high. Let’s wait and see what he says on the campaign trail and in his position papers. This sounds like a “gotcha” moment to me. No conservative Republican likes high taxes.
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August 1st, 2007 at 4:59 amVisit University Update - Fred Thompson - Thompson Flip Flops on Taxes?
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Guss Says:
August 1st, 2007 at 8:05 amVisit Guss
He has definitely lost my vote. Any consumer tax is a lousy idea because it affects mostly the middle and lower income wage brackets. 26 percent is a lot of money to someone making less than 30,000 a year . It will never happen.
Sue Says:
August 1st, 2007 at 8:15 amVisit Sue
If a 23% additional sales tax were implemented, there would be no protection for those surviving on Social Security only. I cannot imagine how these folks would survive in many instances.
If Thompson gets in the race it will be interesting to hear his thoughts on this but if he agrees with any tax across the board at these percentages then he mights as well forget winning the Presidency.