FactCheck.org Bush accuses Kerry of 350 votes for ”higher taxes” — higher than what?

Summary

The President misled voters and reporters in a March 20 speech when he claimed that Kerry ”voted over 350 times for higher taxes on the American people” during his 20-year Senate career. Bush spoke of ”yes” votes for ”tax increases.”

But in fact, Kerry has not voted 350 times for tax increases, something Bush campaign officials have falsely accused Kerry of on several occasions. On close examination, the Bush campaign’s list of Kerry’s votes for ”higher taxes” is padded. It includes votes Kerry cast to leave taxes unchanged (when Republicans proposed cuts), and even votes in favor of alternative Democratic tax cuts that Bush aides characterized as ”watered down.”

Bush’s defenders will sneer at this analysis by the independent FactCheck.org, with copious supporting documentation. The Radical Right despises nuance, subtlety, anything that is not black and white. Apparently, they’re not too concerned with a President who lies. As one apologist said, ”it’s not a lie if Bush believes it.” No, that would make it a stupid remark instead of a lie. So much better. Bush may not understand everything he says, but he is responsible for its truth.

I’ve heard Republicans say Bush will say anything to get (re)elected. And yet they’ll vote for him, won’t they. mjh