MCCAIN 2009 FORGETS ALL ABOUT MCCAIN 2008…. One of the lead stories on “The Page” yesterday afternoon featured a big photo of John McCain. Mark Halperin told readers, “McCain comes out guns blazing…. Sets his sights on Reid, CBO, AMA, AARP, others in Monday [health care] debate.”
It’s worth noting, though, that McCain’s guns may have been blazing, but they weren’t pointed in a sensible direction.
For example, the Arizona senator insisted that the $491 billion in cost savings from Medicare and Medicaid be reversed entirely, calling them “unwarranted cuts.” Igor Volsky noted the Republican’s short memory.
McCain was for far more drastic Medicare cuts before he was against them. In October 2008, the McCain campaign announced that the Senator would pay for his health plan “with major reductions to Medicare and Medicaid … in a move that independent analysts estimate could result in cuts of $1.3 trillion over 10 years to the government programs.” Those cuts would have reduced Medicare and Medicaid spending by as much as 20% over 10 years and cut into benefits.
In addition to policy forgetfulness, McCain also seems to have overlooked some of his associations from 2008.
McCain falsely accused the Senate health care reform of using “Enron accounting” measures. His comments are ironic, however, in light of his close, personal relationship with Phil “Mr. Enron” Gramm.
As I recall, McCain wanted to make Phil Gramm the Treasury Secretary. Maybe he should steer clear of silly rhetoric on “Enron accounting.”
