McCain waffles on sensible tobacco policy
There was a point, a couple of personas ago, at which John McCain didn’t mind showing some leadership skills on matters pertaining to public health. It’s what led him to work with John Edwards on a Patients’ Bill of Rights (which he has since given up on) and, for many years, support efforts to crack down on the tobacco industry.
But as is too often the case, the new McCain has little use for the positions taken by the old McCain. (thanks to A.B. for the heads-up)
Ten years ago, Senator John McCain took on the tobacco industry, saying he would never back down from legislation to regulate the industry. He also supported a $1.10-per-pack tax on cigarettes to fund programs to cut underage smoking. “I still regret we did not succeed,” he said as recently as last October.
Now, McCain’s longtime effort to crack down on tobacco is being put to a new test. Within weeks, the Senate is expected to vote on legislation to allow the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco. McCain agreed months ago to cosponsor the current bill with Senator Edward M. Kennedy, but McCain’s policy adviser said the senator won’t commit to voting for it until he sees the final legislation.
McCain has also dropped his support for increasing cigarette taxes. Last year, McCain voted against legislation that would have used a 61-cents-per-pack tax to expand a children’s health program.
On the Hill and in policy circles, McCain was known as one of the “good guys” in the Republican caucus on this issue. The tobacco industry hated him, his fellow GOP lawmakers knew he’d vote with Dems on regulation, and public-health advocates came to see him as a reliable ally.
And then McCain decided he wanted to be the Republican presidential nominee in 2008.
Reading about the crusading McCain in 1998 serves as a stark reminder of how far he’s fallen. At the time, working with the Clinton White House, McCain championed a $1.10-per-pack tax increase, insisting that it would prevent illnesses and provide resources for public health programs.
The industry ended up spending an estimated $40 million to defeat the bill, one of the most expensive campaigns against a piece of legislation at the time, with McCain as the primary target.
“Is there anybody left in Washington who thinks that the McCain Tobacco Tax Bill is all about kids? . . . Contact your member of Congress now and tell them you oppose the McCain Tobacco Tax,” said a typical newspaper advertisement, paid for by Philip Morris and several other tobacco companies.
In response, McCain barred tobacco lobbyists from his office, and fought Republicans to pass the tax increase. Appearing on “The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer” on April 21, 1998, McCain was asked whether he would give up in the face of objections from the Republican leadership. McCain replied, “Never.”
A month later, with the measure on the Senate floor, McCain upbraided the tobacco industry for its opposition to his tax proposal: “They have sacrificed the truth and our children to their greed.”
That was a decade ago. Now, McCain opposes a $0.61-per-pack tax increase, won’t commit to supporting a regulation bill he’s co-sponsoring, and has hired Philip Morris’ former lobbyist as his senior campaign adviser.
I suspect there are some people who still have positive impressions of McCain, shaped by his work on issues like these. It’s time for these folks to realize that this simply isn’t the same John McCain.
Vote whore. McCain/Hillary 08.
But he smokes on sensible waffle policy.
Well, McCain's a dope but you'll NEVER get any mileage trying to say that "waiting to see the final legislation before deciding which way you'll vote" is a bad thing.
Dick Morris never got over the fact that the blue dress with the stain on it belonged to Monica and to himself. This little twerp who never got laid without paying for it is consumed with his hate of and jealousy for the Clintons . He is a sad little man in so many ways , a perfect FAUX pundit .
mcfuck-every-one-over-now is willing to throw
away all his moral values just to be president.
this is just another bushco buddy willing to
lie for his reichwingneocon buddies and the greedy rich.
look, i don't like tobacco executives either, but essentially labeling someone a bad person by taxing them for smoking is bullshit.
you want better healthcare for kids? stop fighting these fucking wars.
McCain will continue to suck up to the far right while the media focus on the Clinton/Obama horserace. Unfortunately, it looks like he'll have a long time to shore up that support.
I wonder how much McCain is in for Tobacco...Haven't heard about money problems lately...
Really why go for increasing tobacco regulation? The people who want to use it will do it regardless. Everyone who smokes knows its bad for them- but they made that decision on their own and its their right to do it. Who the hell are these people to tax them more just because they don't like what they do. I don't see them going for tax-hikes on dangerous prescription drugs or beer.
How about these guys focus on real issues, we have an economic crisis and two occupations going on right now. Don't be surprised that people want to smoke cigarettes to feel some relief from their stress.
What? I just was at this site and there were two other posts ahead of this one. Did we go through a time warp or a site warp? Oh well no matter.
Over the years McCain has learned that republicans must say whatever is necessary to win the white house. Even if it makes them look like two different people, they know their base isn't paying attention for more than two seconds at a time so they forget the candidates previous statements.
Ryan From Portland @ 6:
would you mind clarifying what you are saying? what fucking wars. that is
too general a statement. war on tobacco? war in iraq? war on proverty in
america? war on drugs? war on corporate rape of america?
war on all our jobs going overseas? and the list goes on, what are you complaining about?
For crying out loud, chill out. The bill has yet to be voted on. Perhaps you should wait until then to sanctimoniously castigate him.
pissed off patricia @ 10:
thank you for saying this for me. as usual you are right on the mark.
Don't believe the hype;
Can't vote Hillary, vote McCain - at-least we know who they really are & what they have really accomplished.
Ryan From Portland @ 6:
The government already pays about 40% of our health budget through programs like Medicare and others. Smokers on average have higher medical bills. If we don't tax cigarrettes, we are essentially subsidizing people's bad health choices - are you for that?
McWaffler
pissed off patricia @ 10:
Probably just a glitch. The site seems to be having technical problems today.
Luckily, though, the posts by the asshole whose favorite words are "whore" and "bitch" were saved.
ObamaBinLying @ 14:
so you are saying we should continue to let the gop
dry-fuck us for 4 more years. maybe that's something you like,
but not me.
dadams @ 5:
I gave up on him when he let the bush people abuse his adopted daughter.
?Pro-life" Republicans for pro-death tobacco. Pro-drug war Republicans for one of the most addictive and deadly drugs on the planet. Hypocrisy thy name is Republican.
Walter @ 8:
He got linked into Bush's fundraising network, which of course Big Tobacco is a part of. Large sources of money always come with strings attached.
Flip-flopping, lying, freak of a wimp knuckling under to his conservative pals and compromising anything he ever claimed to stand for.
All I want now is to see the old man do jumping jacks just to see his lil' tyrannosaurus arms a-flappin' around, struggling to get above shoulder height.
What? Was that mean and ad hominem? Feh. This man wants to do his part to ruin the country I love and live in, so I feel no motivation to be nice or respectful.
This is once again a very fiery issue. I detest McCain but on this one I am for him. You want better health care, don't ask smokers to subsidize the health care program. That is just crazy. Remember that Big Tobacco settlement, you want to know where that money went? It went for roads (smoking didn't cause erosion), it went to fund programs for abused women and children, and it went to almost everything in a state EXCEPT providing positive support for quitting smoking. Last time I checked only one state provided the necessary support to smokers to quit.
Where are the laws to enforce businesses to reduce their smoke pollution? Where are laws to reduce pollution from cars, trucks and buses?
Really, you want to see death reduction, then regulate alcohol. Tell the family of murdered victims that alcohol is okay, tell them it is not as bad as smoking a cigarette.
Can you say McHypocrite?! Thought you could...
X @ 12:
hmmm I read that as castrate the first time through
ObamaBinLying @ 14:
Accomplished? Now that's hype. At least you're honest with your Hillary/McCain association.
aquarius2 @ 23:
Non-smokers subsidize smokers - whether it is done through private or public insurance. alcohol is regulated just like cigarettes. Tobacco is also responsible for many more deaths than alcohol.
unfrozencaveman @ 21:
and an ass to kiss and a dick to
dadams @ 18:
X @ 12:
Hey ,someone's gotta do it. The McCainStream media is constantly ball tickling him.
Sounds like old McSame spent too much time listening to the sounds his VC sandals made as he walked around his POW cell - flip-flop, flip-flop, flip-flop.....
I dunno know about y'all, but I prefer Brer Rabbits molasses on my waffles rather than tobacky.
ObamaBinLying @ 29:
Illogical troll. If McCain isn't a "Bush Republican" why did he he put his entire tongue up Dubyah's ass at that press conference praising the Prez a couple of weeks ago?
"And then McCain decided he wanted to be the Republican presidential nominee in 2008."
He already has the nomination. You can't write off his drift to further and further extremes as simply pandering to the base anymore. The truth is he's getting older and older and crankier and crankier and more and more clueless all the time.
THE Winning Slogan for the Democrats!
By Don Davis
JOHN McCAIN: THIS IS YOUR BUSH’S DADDY!
He's running for president and needs the torture, racist, bigot, closet homosexual, bible thumping, Qur'an burning, wife beating, tree cutting, oil slurping, tax cutting, French hating, foreigner hating, Fox Viewing, Bush sucking votes that he can get.
Do you think he can waste the trailer trash and chain smoking votes?
Dont be cruel to McCain. The contract with america is just starting to kick in. The trickle down theory is just about to trickle to us. Mission is acommplished. We are known as liberators across the universe and the surge is paying off big time. VOTE McSame 2008.
StirFry @ 30:
I am now dumber as a direct consequence of your response.
X @ 38:
Your comment was an oxymoron when you consider dumb also means speechless.
dadams @ 5:
#704, thanks!
;-}
gwen @ 34:
He's got the nomination but he doesn't have the support of the base. He needs their votes and, more important, his campaign needs their cash.
Ryan From Portland @ 6:
That's certainly an interesting compromise in the controvery over to Make Love, Not War.
But afterwards, wouldn't they wan't a cigarette?
Controversy want
Left&Left @ 33:
HaHa!!
Your turn to spank the pubetroll today, I'm busy. After yesterday, ya'd think the little McMonkey would go back ta spanking himself for awhile, LOL!
CoIntelPro - against Divisive Democrats @ 16:
#705, thanks C!
;}
StirFry @ 30:
OOoooh, good one wokman!
#706, thanks!
;-}
mmmmm waffles
McCainAintKeynes
I get tired of this tax-evil-smokers meme. Yes, the tobacco companies suck, but don't punish smokers: they are addicted. Food, gas, heat, everything is going up and they already pay far too much in taxes!!!!!!!!!!
The governemnt could stop, say, blowing $300 million on shady arms contratcors if they are short of funds.
I recently quit, but was addicted from age 15 (for 32 years). Smokers are not evil, they are addicted. They don't deserve to be punished. I've already paid $8 zillion in "sin" taxes over the years!!!!
How about jack up the tax on BOOZE????
X @ 38:
About the same I think. While it is true that we may someday find an issue besides war that McWhat'sthatyousayJoe? has not flipped on we at C&L prefer to play the odds and pre-castigate. It saves time.
Jack up booze taxes?? Uncool, right? Leave smokers alone, is what I'm sayin'.
Edwin Hussein (not a scary black Reverend) @ 49:
Um, people are addicted to that, too.
I can't believe that the MSM still call this nutty old sellout fuck a "maverick".
ObamaBinLying @ 29:
well, we know who you bend over for.......
enjoy you stay in gitmo and bring some baby wipes
you'll need them for you dry-fucking.
Left&Left @ 53:
Here's a theory: He's a maverick among mavericks -- meaning he's not afraid to act like everyone else.
Best I could do.
Rusty Hussein-Legged Mack Daddy Shackleford @ 52:
Nevertheless he has a point. The last time a settlement was reached between various state governments and the tobacco companies the states got paid,the lawyers got paid (massively) the tobacco companies got to boost prices to cover the settlement costs and the addicted smokers got squat.
Samson- @ 47:
There, I fixed it for you.
Do you eat waffles with caramel, smoke flavoring, and wrap it around a stick of butter?
Joementum @ 55:
Err . . still a "maverick" because he serves grilled beef to the hacks?
I don't like kids smoking, but I'm more morally opposed to sin taxes. If we're going to go after corporations which pollute our lungs with second-hand smoke, we should be fining factories, not individuals who are already being kicked out of buildings for their personal habit. The only reason the feds are targeting tobacco and junk food is that the drug war is no longer profitable, and they need more excuses to violate our civil liberties. Meanwhile, people around the country are getting turned into swiss cheese by assault weapons, and yet there's no outcry against something that can kill you instantly versus gradually.
Isnt Obama a smoker? I bet the Tobacco lobbys love his a lot. Clinton taught our kids it is okay to bet a BJ but Obama will set a lovely example of "Gee mom, even the president smokes!" Personally, I think tobacco should be illegal period.
I was born into a smoking family. My father smoked, my mother , my four uncles, my four aunts, my older brother and my older sister; many cousins and others. when I started smoking, it not only seemed cool and the way to go, but, the Beatles were smoking, the Rolling Stones and countless other rock & roll stars, movie stars, and everybody else around me. I have tried to quit a couple of times but , seriously, I have loved every cigarerette I have ever smoked. Not one of them have I not totally enjoyed.
I am now 55 years old. I have Heart disease, lung disease and liver disease(sp). Do I regret? Not one moment.
I've seen The Beatles live on Aug. 18, 1965. I've seen the Who open for Hermin's Hermits, I've seen every band of the English Invasion live. I've seen so many of the the bands between 1965 and 1984 live, that it doesent matter to me that I might die because of it!!! I have loved every minute of every day: And cigarettes and beer have been a big part of it.
I guess my basic point is: This world, at this moment, is about to collapse. Cigarretts good; Hunger bad. Hungur without cigarettes, Worse.
If you want to live forever in this particular world, have at it and don't smoke. But if you think that things are even half as bleek as you think I do: buy a pack or carton of smokes and get the with the program.
the always cynicle, dpd
If we're stupid enough to elected this guy, we deserve what we get. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice shame on me; fool me three times?
Crap. If I want to be a liberal, I've got to want to punish myself for smoking? How about motorcycle helmets and seatbelts? Do I really have to want to make hurting myself a criminal offense? So hard to be a good liberal some days.
McCain is a whore.
I know this post is more about pandering for votes but I'll take the opportunity to say my right to smoke (even though I don't smoke regularly) is I think the only issue that kills me about my party.
Why should a smoker have to pay for someone else's health care when they couldn't possibly generate the same amount of carbon monoxide as a single car (nevermind a factory) if they chain smoked from now til the end of time?
And now every local government in the country is weighing up anti-smoking laws yet somehow I doubt they're weighing up turning down the tax dollars they get from people who buy cigarettes. (google burbank smoking laws or calabasas)
Don't worry I wouldn't let that trump my stronger feelings about the war, economy, health care, scotus, etc... but what's the DEAL man?! Why can't a bar owner decide how to run his/her own biz? Aren't there occupational hazards at lots of jobs? I'm sure tarring roofs in Burbank isn't healthier than serving drinks in Nevada.
I'm sick of being reduced to a teenager now that I'm an adult because someone, probably a dem, decided it's the greatest health evil to our society. Hell the only reason you hear talk about air pollution caused by industry is the effects it has on the earth or the dependency on foreign oil. Rarely does it get lumped with cigarettes and trans fats as a cause of failing health.
Sorry to vent to you guys...I just see "red" when my party is advocating smoking restrictions/taxes on business owners and citizens. The latest ad on tv now is pitting citizen on citizen saying even in your apartment second hand smoke is coming through your neighbor's pipes and ducts and giving you cancer.
Food for thought (albeit cheap, fast food): Churchill smoked, Hitler didn't.
I guess Big Tobacco has decided that McCain is their man and they've made him an offer that he can't refuse. It's too bad, I though that McCain was more honest than that. In the past he was one of the few Republicans who refused to play the tobacco company games and he didn't accept their lies and deception as being the truth. Oh well I guess people who like consistency will have to look somewhere else to place their vote.
You know, if we need health care for children, why don't we say we need to cough (no pun intended) it up. Having the few smokers in our society pay for it really doesn't make sense. What's wrong for paying for important things like children's health care? We sure can raise money to fight wars.
Since the cigarette tax failed, perhaps we should tax something else; or we could just expand the tax to include wine. It'd be interesting to see how many ivy league liberals would stand up for a tax on their precious grapes. I bet that would bring about some McCain like waffling on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program. You know, blue collar workers are Democrats too. We vote and we smoke, and we're tired of being targeted.
where the hell is the tax on BAROQUE LIGHTER FLUID PROPANE AND BRICKETTS? Those NASTY UN SAFE POLLUTING BACK YARD INFERNOS! Put that in your pipe and smoke it the next time you want to infringe on an individuals rights to have a smoke once in a while. You will be next! Your car maybe, your man biting cat or dog, it might even be the pollution the internet creates because all those nasty servers need electricity. Think about it before you get so damn righous about smoking. Burger eating fast food freaks. What the hell. if not for tobacco we would all still be American Indians.
This nicotine-addicted smoker says "tax something else for once, damn you all! Tax your fattening, caffeine-fortified sodas and greased fast foods. Tax the selfish, polluting bastards who drive SUVs and oversized pickup trucks which provide no actual use to these people in their jobs or private lives. Tax a group of people for once who will be a *growing* group, not a dwindling, dying group. Stop trying to fund everything with tobacco, morons! SCHIP uses tobacco taxes, a *fine* way to treat your children, basing their educational funding on this same, dwindling, dying-out group! Americans are always on the hunt for a new group to be the "them" to their "us", with the sole purpose of making themselves feel better that they've got some kind of scapegoat to assuage their guilt-ridden minds about all the other idiotic, ill-advised decisions, like electing Reagan, Clinton, and Bush two times.
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