Comments on: Clinton Camp May Rethink Gas Tax Strategy http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:16:53 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Mark Walker http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/comment-page-1/#comment-49915 Mark Walker Fri, 09 May 2008 21:23:11 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/#comment-49915 There is only one way for Hillary Clinton to emerge from this debacle with her reputation intact. And that's to stay in the race <i>just long enough</i> to establish herself as the candidate of ideas, effectively pulling an Al Gore. She should talk up livable streets, health care, and other quality-of-life issues. Then she should bow out in a dignified fashion. Otherwise, she's degraded herself so much -- especially with this gax-tax gambit -- that I wonder whether she can even win re-election to the senate. There is only one way for Hillary Clinton to emerge from this debacle with her reputation intact. And that's to stay in the race just long enough to establish herself as the candidate of ideas, effectively pulling an Al Gore. She should talk up livable streets, health care, and other quality-of-life issues. Then she should bow out in a dignified fashion. Otherwise, she's degraded herself so much -- especially with this gax-tax gambit -- that I wonder whether she can even win re-election to the senate.

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/comment-page-1/#comment-49783 Larry Littlefield Thu, 08 May 2008 12:50:31 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/#comment-49783 (The gas tax debate really helped Obama transcend race in North Carolina. I'm glad policy finally has gotten beyond race and religion in national politics.) It sure did. It enabled him to recast the race the way he wants it -- old politics vs. real leadership, rather than people like us versus people like them. And it came at the right time -- when his former pastor seemed determined to take him down. (The gas tax debate really helped Obama transcend race in North Carolina. I'm glad policy finally has gotten beyond race and religion in national politics.)

It sure did. It enabled him to recast the race the way he wants it -- old politics vs. real leadership, rather than people like us versus people like them. And it came at the right time -- when his former pastor seemed determined to take him down.

]]> By: Niccolo Machiavelli http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/comment-page-1/#comment-49775 Niccolo Machiavelli Thu, 08 May 2008 02:01:08 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/#comment-49775 I'm really impressed by the African American voters who supported Obama's determined policy position of gas taxes by about 92% but a little disappointed at the NASCAR families who only supported it by 40%. By the same token apparently the 8% of African Americans who supported Hillary were really backward by falling for this blatant pandering and still fully 60% of NASCAR people were that gullible. The gas tax debate really helped Obama transcend race in North Carolina. I'm glad policy finally has gotten beyond race and religion in national politics. I'm really impressed by the African American voters who supported Obama's determined policy position of gas taxes by about 92% but a little disappointed at the NASCAR families who only supported it by 40%. By the same token apparently the 8% of African Americans who supported Hillary were really backward by falling for this blatant pandering and still fully 60% of NASCAR people were that gullible.

The gas tax debate really helped Obama transcend race in North Carolina. I'm glad policy finally has gotten beyond race and religion in national politics.

]]> By: Mark Walker http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/comment-page-1/#comment-49758 Mark Walker Wed, 07 May 2008 20:21:08 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/#comment-49758 I voted for Hillary Clinton. I now regret my vote. I voted for Hillary Clinton. I now regret my vote.

]]> By: Josh http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/comment-page-1/#comment-49752 Josh Wed, 07 May 2008 18:20:08 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/#comment-49752 It's too late for her to "rethink". At this point it's obvious that she's changing her stance because her position was unpopular and cost her votes. It's too late for her to "rethink". At this point it's obvious that she's changing her stance because her position was unpopular and cost her votes.

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/comment-page-1/#comment-49749 Larry Littlefield Wed, 07 May 2008 17:36:50 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/#comment-49749 (Still no word, by the way, from Weiner's camp.) Really. And as it happens, Bloomberg is being nice by not calling him out on this. Never let him or anyone else forget, he promised an extra $5 billion in federal transit money for New York if CP was voted down, over and above the $8.5 billion the MTA was counting on (without giving up other things in trade). With the gas tax cut, where will the money come from? Hey Weiner, while I believe you are a ambition-first pol who panders to existing privilege at the expense of the future, I am always willing to be persuaded to change my mind by the facts. To get my vote (or at least reduce my outraged opposition) all you have to do is come through. (Still no word, by the way, from Weiner's camp.)

Really. And as it happens, Bloomberg is being nice by not calling him out on this.

Never let him or anyone else forget, he promised an extra $5 billion in federal transit money for New York if CP was voted down, over and above the $8.5 billion the MTA was counting on (without giving up other things in trade). With the gas tax cut, where will the money come from?

Hey Weiner, while I believe you are a ambition-first pol who panders to existing privilege at the expense of the future, I am always willing to be persuaded to change my mind by the facts. To get my vote (or at least reduce my outraged opposition) all you have to do is come through.

]]> By: Gary http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/comment-page-1/#comment-49747 Gary Wed, 07 May 2008 17:22:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/#comment-49747 I think the Gas Tax Holiday pander sealed her fate. A few weeks ago she was blowing him out in IN. This move was rightly perceived by undecided voters as insulting to their intelligence. It's still incredibly bad policy. It happens that it was also incredibly stupid politics. And that is largely because Obama had the courage to call it what it was. Still no word, by the way, from Weiner's camp. I think the Gas Tax Holiday pander sealed her fate. A few weeks ago she was blowing him out in IN. This move was rightly perceived by undecided voters as insulting to their intelligence.

It's still incredibly bad policy. It happens that it was also incredibly stupid politics.

And that is largely because Obama had the courage to call it what it was.

Still no word, by the way, from Weiner's camp.

]]> By: Paul Tinker http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/comment-page-1/#comment-49746 Paul Tinker Wed, 07 May 2008 17:19:07 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/#comment-49746 Hillary, I hope you have a great career as a senator. Now get out. Hillary,

I hope you have a great career as a senator. Now get out.

]]> By: Car Free Nation http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/comment-page-1/#comment-49745 Car Free Nation Wed, 07 May 2008 17:00:29 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/#comment-49745 It's easy to see this as a national issue, but Hillary does represent us as a Senator to New York, and this would be very bad for the city. As her constituents, we have the responsibility to write her to let her know. http://clinton.senate.gov/contact/ It's easy to see this as a national issue, but Hillary does represent us as a Senator to New York, and this would be very bad for the city. As her constituents, we have the responsibility to write her to let her know.
http://clinton.senate.gov/contact/

]]> By: Missy http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/comment-page-1/#comment-49739 Missy Wed, 07 May 2008 14:45:00 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/#comment-49739 I think you've put it rather gently here (about polls showing Americans not thinking of the gas tax holiday as a solution). The truth is, she's flat-out wrong about the intended impact. Her desperation is embarrassing. I think you've put it rather gently here (about polls showing Americans not thinking of the gas tax holiday as a solution). The truth is, she's flat-out wrong about the intended impact. Her desperation is embarrassing.

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/comment-page-1/#comment-49738 Larry Littlefield Wed, 07 May 2008 14:43:30 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/#comment-49738 If this guy is right, they'll be borrowing money to subsidize gasoline by the end of the year. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24482312/ If this guy is right, they'll be borrowing money to subsidize gasoline by the end of the year.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24482312/

]]> By: john http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/comment-page-1/#comment-49737 john Wed, 07 May 2008 14:22:55 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/#comment-49737 Hillary's quick route to the House depends on cheaper fuel? She's out of gas...and ideas. Hillary's quick route to the House depends on cheaper fuel? She's out of gas...and ideas.

]]> By: d http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/comment-page-1/#comment-49735 d Wed, 07 May 2008 14:12:43 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/05/07/clinton-camp-may-rethink-gas-tax-strategy/#comment-49735 Gas prices have risen by about 9 cents per gallon since the end of last month, which, coincidentally, was around the same time that McCain and Clinton started pushing for the gas tax holiday. By the time June and July rolls around, gas prices could very well go up by more than 18 cents per gallon. It's not as if gas prices were all that low six months or one year ago. They've been high for a while, so most people see this plan for what it is: straight up political pandering. Gas prices have risen by about 9 cents per gallon since the end of last month, which, coincidentally, was around the same time that McCain and Clinton started pushing for the gas tax holiday. By the time June and July rolls around, gas prices could very well go up by more than 18 cents per gallon.

It's not as if gas prices were all that low six months or one year ago. They've been high for a while, so most people see this plan for what it is: straight up political pandering.

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