McCain, Thompson, and All Dems Fail to Make No-Tax Pledge

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – For two decades, Americans for Tax Reform has asked all presidential candidates to commit to their constituents, in writing, to oppose any and all efforts to raise income taxes.  Every Republican presidential nominee since Ronald Reagan has made this commitment, including President George W. Bush. 

Among the 2008 presidential field, all but two of the Republican candidates – Sens. John McCain and Fred Thompson – have made this commitment to the American people, while none of the Democrats have done so.  Sen. McCain did, however, signed the pledge as a candidate for president in 2000, and has signed and kept the Pledge as a Senator. Why won’t he take this commitment now?

“There is a real danger the next president will face a Democrat-controlled Congress determined to raise taxes on the American people,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform.  “If the Presidential candidates don’t say “no, never” now; they’ll say yes soon enough.”

After years of working within the conservative movement Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, and Ryan Ellis, ATR’s Director of Tax Policy, possess the unique knowledge and insight to discuss this issue or any other issue related to conservative politics, taxes, and fiscal policy.

*Giuliani did not sign the Pledge per se, but has put in writing his commitment to oppose and veto all tax increases (as did George W. Bush) and ATR considers this to achieve the spirit and letter of the Pledge.