Carnahan Flips On Extending Bush Tax Cuts
In another sign that the Democratic brand - and platform - is struggling in Missouri, Senate contender Robin Carnahan has reversed her position on extending the Bush tax cuts - opening herself up to charges of flip flopping.
"We're still in the midst of a downturn in the economy, so we need to keep those tax cuts in place - all of them," Carnahan said at the Missouri State Fair on Thursday, per the AP .
The remarks contrast a February radio interview in which Carnahan said she favors extending the tax cuts for the middle class, but not on the country's wealthiest.
With the statement, Carnahan now has a very similar position on the issue as her GOP opponent, Rep. Roy Blunt. The Blunt camp welcomed the reversal, and campaign sources said they are considering hitting Carnahan for flip flopping.
"With only about 11 weeks left in the election, Missourians won't be fooled by Robin Carnahan's last-ditch gimmicks," said Blunt spokesperson Rich Chrismer.
The Carnahan camp says the reversal is not a sign of Carnahan distancing herself from DC Dems or Obama. If that were the case, they insist, Carnahan would be turning her back on the party on every issue. The new position, they say, is simply a result of the economy continuing the sputter along, which she blames on the economic policies that Blunt supported in DC.
Carnahan "believes we must do everything we can to help our small businesses create jobs and get our economy back on track - not raise taxes on families," said Carnahan spokesman Linden Zakula .
Still, there is little question that MO is not very hospitable to Dems right now. Pres. Obama is hanging on to an approval rating in the 30s and other polling shows that this purple state appears to be trending red.
That is forcing Carnahan to chart her own path, especially on economic issues like taxes. But it's also a sign that Dems may have trouble playing in MO - one of their few opportunities to pick up a seat in the Senate.
See also: DSCC Planning Ads For Carnahan, Conway
Carnahan NOW backs Bush tax cut extension
Yawwwwnnn! And Missouri is surprised by Carnahan's nod to the right because?!?!? She knows that she will have to shed the far left party line & Dingle Barry. Prop C woke most dems up - well, all but those still Kool-Aid drunk. Missouri promises the USA a November to Remember!!
Don't Tread on Missouri
@ ground zero Roy: You have now shown your true self. A ZERO. It's a shame there isn't a good independent candidate to trounce you.