This morning, Ross Kaminsky critiques the merits of Herman Cain’s “9-9-9″ plan. Kaminsky particularly objects to the introduction of a national sales tax stating, “Here’s the important history lesson: Sales taxes almost never fall.” Kaminsky is wise to qualify that statement because Canada’s
I’m not going to keep pounding the drum on this, but I want to clear up some things based on the responses to my skepticism about a Paul Ryan presidential candidacy. My basic argument is that he is already in a good position from which to advance entitlement reform and that losing either the nomination or the general election would likely set his causes back. Aaron seems confident that a primary campaign spent disagreeing with the base on TARP, Medicare Part D, the auto bailout, etc., followed by a general election focused on cutting future Medicare benefits, will work out well. I just don’t see anything in the last 30 years of American politics that should inspire this confidence. The Republicans’ best chance is for this election to be a referendum on Obama’s presidency. Enter Ryan and it automatically becomes something else. Quin argues that the country would benefit from having entitlements fought out in the open during a presidential election and that Ryan is the best man to do that. I agree on both points but wonder if the electorate is truly ready for such a discussion. I’d be delighted to be proven wrong about Ryan’s chances.
Read the original post:
My Last Word on Ryan
Filed under: Barack Obama , Deep Background , 2010 Elections , Campaigns Democratic strategists say the president is doing little to help imperiled incumbents win votes on the most important concern to the electorate — jobs — and that he needs to come out swinging.
