By Jeremy Herb - 04/15/12 09:50 AM ET
Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod on Sunday defended the
president's attacks on the House Republican budget and push for the
"Buffet rule" as the general election campaign gets underway.
In a "Fox News Sunday" interview, Axelrod hit Republicans for trying
to lower taxes for the wealthy, cutting Medicaid and not offering tax
offsets.
"This is not the direction our country should go, so of course we're
going to critique that," Axelrod said. "That's part of the process and
it's a legitimate one."
Host Chris Wallace pressed Axelrod on the Buffet rule, comparing the
$47 billion in deficit reduction to the overall level of U.S. debt.
Axelrod said that the Buffet rule was one of many elements of the
president's plan to lower the deficit, and he defended its importance.
"I remember when $47 billion seemed like a lot of money. It is a lot
of money," Axelrod said. "When you eliminate the Bush tax cuts for the
very wealthy, that adds another $800 billion. This is a piece of a
larger pile."
Axelrod argued that likely GOP nominee Mitt Romney was calling for
cuts to Planned Parenthood and foreign aid, and his campaign couldn't
have it both ways if those were only smaller-ticket items as well.
The Buffett Rule proposal, named after billionaire investor Warren
Buffett, states that those making seven figures a year should pay a
higher tax rate than middle-class families. But Republicans have
criticized the proposal, saying it promotes "class warfare".
Obama's campaign has also sought to make an issue of Romney's tax
returns, repeatedly criticizing him for his effective tax rate of 14
percent, using his as an example of their argument that the wealthiest
need to contribute more in taxes.
President Obama released his tax returns this week, which showed he
paid a 20 percent tax rate on income.
Wallace asked Axelrod about the campaign rhetoric that Warren Buffet's
tax rate is lower than his secretary's, when it also emerged this week
that Obama's rate is lower than his secretary.
Axelrod acknowledged that was true, but argued that Obama wanted to
change the system to make his rate higher, while Romney's plan would
lower it.
"Gov. Romney would have him pay a lower tax rate in the future,"
Axelrod said of Obama's taxes. "We're arguing for a system that is
fair. He's arguing for a system that exacerbates great gaps in our
system today."
A Senate vote on the Buffett Rule is scheduled for Monday.
--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy
--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy
--
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