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FactCheck.org analysis of 2008 primary debates

They Think You're Stupid, by Herman Cain (May 31, 2005)

FactCheck.org analysis of 2007 primary debates

FactCheck.org analysis of 2008 campaign ads

Going Rogue, by Sarah Palin

Lessons Learned the Hard Way, by Newt Gingrich

A Senator Speaks Out, by Rick Santorum (June 8, 2005)

Governor Tim Pawlenty: The Sam's Club Republican, by J. A. McClure

From Hope to Higher Ground, by Gov. Mike Huckabee

Do the Right Thing, by Mike Huckabee

The America We Deserve, by Donald Trump

FactCheck.org analysis of 2007 campaign ads

2010: Take Back America, by Dick Morris & Eileen McGann

Mitt Romney: An Inside Look, by R.B. Scott

Real Change, by Speaker Newt Gingrich

Time to Get Tough, by Donald Trump

Courage to Stand, by Tim Pawlenty (Jan. 11, 2011)

Core of Conviction, by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R, MN)

America's Mayor, America's President?, by Robert Polner

2011 Republican primary debate on Twitter.com, July 21, 2011

Survey of Gubernatorial campaign websites, 2001-2009

Washington Post, "The Fact Checker"

Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy, by Amanda Carpenter

It Takes a Family, by Rick Santorum (April 30, 2006)

It Takes A Village, by Hillary Clinton

To Renew America, by Newt Gingrich

Obamanomics, by John R. Talbott, published July 1, 2008

The Obama Nation, by Jerome Corsi

Obama's Challenge, by Robert Kuttner

No Apology, by Gov. Mitt Romney

Nine and Counting, by Catherine Whitney

A Nation Like No Other, by Newt Gingrich

Mitt Romney: The Man, His Values and His Vision, by Lisa Ray Turner and Kimberly Field

Leadership, autobiography by Rudolph Giuliani

Leadership and Crisis, by Bobby Jindal

Barack Obama: This Improbable Quest, by John K. Wilson

What Every American Should Know, by the American Conservative Union

Gold, Peace, and Prosperity, by Ron Paul

Freedom Under Siege, by Ron Paul

End the Fed, by Ron Paul

Do Not Ask What Good We Do, by Robert Draper

Courage and Consequence, by Karl Rove

Character IS the Issue, by Mike Huckabee

Change We Can Believe In

The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama

America by Heart, by Sarah Palin

Agenda For America, by Gov. Haley Barbour (R, MS)

Survey of 2012 Presidential contenders' campaign websites

PolitiFact on the 2011 Presidential Primary

2011 FactCheck

FactCheck.org analysis of 2009 political speeches

Survey of 2006 House campaign websites

Survey of 2004 House campaign websites

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Democratic
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Pres.Barack Obama
V.P.Joe Biden
Secy.Hillary Clinton

GOP
Challengers:
Gov.Mitt Romney (MA)
Rep.Paul Ryan (TX)
Rep.Ron Paul (TX)

Third-Party Challengers:
Gov.Gary Johnson (L)
Dr.Jill Stein (G)
Rocky Anderson (J)

GOP Primary Candidates:

Gov.Sarah Palin (AK)
Gov.Buddy Roemer (AE)
Rep.Virgil Goode (C)

Joe Biden on Tax Reform

Vice President; previously Democratic Senator (DE)

Click here for 27 full quotes by Joe Biden OR click here for Joe Biden on other issues.

Millionaires pay more; middle class pays less. (Oct 2012)
Not mathematically possible to cut $5T in loopholes. (Oct 2012)
Tax revenue increases must be part of budget deal. (Apr 2012)
Middle class is U.S. economic engine and needs tax cuts. (Oct 2008)
FactCheck: McCain did not vote with Obama on tax increase. (Oct 2008)
Save $150 billion in tax cuts for people who don�t need them. (Dec 2007)
Take away $85B in annual tax cuts for 1% of top earners. (Jul 2007)
FactCheck: Top 1% only got $67B in 2007 tax cuts, not $85B. (Jul 2007)
Eliminate the tax cut just for those people in the top 1%. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008)
Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 2003)
Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
Voted YES on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999)
Voted NO on requiring super-majority for raising taxes. (Apr 1998)
Rated 15% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)

Jeb Bush on Tax Reform

Republican FL Governor; V.P. prospect

Click here for 8 full quotes by Jeb Bush OR click here for Jeb Bush on other issues.

Remove Intangibles Tax on stocks, bonds & dividends. (Dec 2009)
1987: supported sales service tax; 1998: opposed it. (Feb 2007)
Cutting "intangibles tax" helps "seniors and savers". (Feb 2007)
Supports estate tax repeal, but not at states� expense. (Jun 2001)
Don�t broaden county & city taxing authority. (Jun 2001)
Voter approval of tax increases; cut taxes by $1B. (Jan 2000)
No national sales tax or VAT. (Feb 2000)
Let states independently determine estate taxes. (May 2001)

Hillary Clinton on Tax Reform
Secretary of State; previously Democratic Senator (NY)
Click here for 31 full quotes by Hillary Clinton OR click here for Hillary Clinton on other issues. Absolutely no tax increase on people earning under $250K. (Apr 2008) Perhaps raise capital gains tax, but at most to 20%. (Apr 2008) Rescind tax cuts for those making more than $250,000 a year. (Feb 2008) AdWatch: cut taxes for the middle class. (Feb 2008) Wealthy should go back to paying pre-Bush tax rates. (Jan 2008) Want to restore the tax rates we had in the �90s. (Dec 2007) Freeze estate tax at 2009 level of $7 million per couple. (Oct 2007) Why cut off payroll contribution at $95,000? (Jun 2007) Cut alternative minimum tax, not billionaire tax cuts. (Mar 2007) Expand child tax credit for child�s first year. (Dec 2006) End Bush tax cuts;take things away from rich for common good. (Oct 2006) To get America back on track, cut short tax cuts. (Sep 2005) Social issues matter; wrong time for tax cuts. (Nov 2000) NY share of federal taxes is too high. (Feb 2000) GOP tax plan would hurt New York�s students. (Aug 1999) Voting Record Just Say No to GOP tax plan. (Sep 1999) Voted YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million. (Mar 2008) Voted NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008) Voted NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008) Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007) Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007) Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006) Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006) Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006) Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006) Voted YES on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005) Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 2003) Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001) Voted YES on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001) Rated 21% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes. (Dec 2003) Rated 80% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)

Andrew Cuomo on Tax Reform

Democratic Governor

Click here for 5 full quotes by Andrew Cuomo OR click here for Andrew Cuomo on other issues.

A flat tax is not a fair tax. (Jan 2012)
Enacted NY's first-ever property tax cap: 2% per year. (Jan 2012)
NY has 2nd highest state and local tax burden in the nation. (Jan 2011)
Freeze state taxes; cap local taxes; cap spending. (Nov 2010)
Tax business based on how much business they do in NY. (Feb 2002)

Newt Gingrich on Tax Reform

Former Republican Representative (GA-6) and Speaker of the House

Click here for 19 full quotes by Newt Gingrich OR click here for Newt Gingrich on other issues.

Flat tax at 15%; reduce government to make that work. (Jan 2012)
Obama divides us by going after people who make over $250K. (Oct 2011)
Obama's "balanced approach" is code for raise taxes. (Jul 2011)
Death tax is a direct assault on civil society. (Jun 2011)
Energy taxes are taxes on people earning under $250K. (Feb 2009)
Match the Chinese and have zero capital gains tax. (Feb 2009)
Voted against Reagan tax increases & Bush tax increases. (Feb 2008)
Flat tax proposal criticized for losing popular tax breaks. (Dec 2007)
Tax hikes retard growth and depress revenues. (Dec 2007)
Change tax policies to make US companies competitive abroad. (Sep 2007)
Create tax incentives that encourage R&D. (Sep 2007)
Eliminate the capital gains tax to encourage investing. (Sep 2007)
Opposing taxes is a key conservative value. (Jul 1998)
Input of public judgement for any major tax reform. (Jul 1998)
EITC is an invitation to fraud. (Jul 1998)
Taxes are too complicated and IRS is too intimidating. (Jul 1996)
Adopt a single-rate tax system. (Jul 2010)
Repeal tax hikes in capital gains and death taxes. (Jul 2010)
Repeal marriage tax; cut middle class taxes. (Sep 1994)

Nikki Haley on Tax Reform

Click here for 4 full quotes by Nikki Haley OR click here for Nikki Haley on other issues.

Reduce tax burden every single year: eliminate 6% bracket. (Jan 2013)
Flatten individual income tax from six brackets to three. (Jan 2012)
29 taxes out of 32 create little revenue but add bureaucracy. (Nov 2010)
Supports the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. (Jan 2012)

Mike Huckabee on Tax Reform

Former Republican AR Governor; possible draft candidate

Click here for 40 full quotes by Mike Huckabee OR click here for Mike Huckabee on other issues.

In AR, eliminated marriage penalty & bracket creep. (Nov 2008)
Tax system can't be fixed, not even with Duct Tape & WD-40. (Nov 2008)
Tax system punishes people for working & productivity. (Feb 2008)
Signed tax pledge to not raise marginal tax rates. (Feb 2008)
Supported Bush tax cuts then; I support them now. (Feb 2008)
FactCheck: To be revenue-neutral, FairTax raises some taxes. (Jan 2008)
FactCheck: FairTax does not bring underground into economy. (Jan 2008)
FairTax will tax the average American much less. (Jan 2008)
FairTax and its prebate untax the poor and the elderly. (Jan 2008)
Net change as governor: same income tax; 1� more sales tax. (Jan 2008)
Raising fees is the same as raising taxes. (Jan 2008)
Raised AR net tax burden by $500M to comply with court order. (Jan 2008)
AdWatch: Your worth is from God, not your checking account. (Jan 2008)
FactCheck: 90 cuts + 23 tax increases: net $505M increase. (Jan 2008)
AdWatch: Signed first-ever broad-based tax cut in Arkansas. (Jan 2008)
FactCheck: Passed broad-based tax cut, but not �first ever�. (Jan 2008)
Raised some taxes based on court orders and voter approval. (Dec 2007)
Support FairTax with a tax credit for the poor. (Dec 2007)
FactCheck: FairTax would not eliminate IRS; just change role. (Nov 2007)
FairTax is 23%; Bush�s study missed prebate & other aspects. (Nov 2007)
FairTax untaxes productivity & things which we export. (Oct 2007)
FairTax eliminates all taxes on productivity & saving. (Sep 2007)
Gut this incredibly complex and arcane tax code. (Aug 2007)
Attacked as tax-and-spend by several anti-tax groups. (Aug 2007)
Tax system penalizes productivity; needs complete overhaul. (Aug 2007)
FairTax puts Going-Out-of-Business sign on IRS. (May 2007)
FactCheck: FairTax requires 34% sales tax +$600B entitlement. (May 2007)
Flatter, fairer, finite, family friendly overhaul: Fair Tax. (May 2007)
First governor in Arkansas history to ever lower taxes. (Jan 2007)
Wouldn�t propose new taxes, but won�t pledge against taxes. (Jan 2007)
Raised Arkansas taxes 5 times, but lowered taxes 94 times. (Jan 2007)
Supports national flat tax to keep up with globalization. (Jan 2007)
Eliminated AR marriage penalty & capital gains on home sales. (Jan 2007)
Illustrated hypocrisy with �Tax Me More Fund�. (Jan 2007)
We ought to un-tax innovation, un-tax income. (Jan 2006)
Remove the poorest taxpayers from the tax rolls. (Jan 2001)
Remove sales tax on food; it's regressive. (Sep 1997)
No tax increase under any circumstances. (Nov 1992)
No national sales tax or VAT. (Feb 2000)
Let states independently determine estate taxes. (May 2001)

Bobby Jindal on Tax Reform

Republican Governor; previously Representative (LA-1)

Click here for 12 full quotes by Bobby Jindal OR click here for Bobby Jindal on other issues.

Overhaul our tax code and eliminate income taxes. (Apr 2013)
Simplify our complicated tax code by blowing it up. (Mar 2013)
The more you pay in taxes the less you are free. (Nov 2010)
Create jobs by lowering tax rates for families & business. (Feb 2009)
Federal tax rebate should be exempted from state income tax. (Mar 2008)
Eliminate the permanent tax on business utilities. (Mar 2008)
Speed up the elimination of the tax on capital debt. (Mar 2008)
Use vehicle taxes & license fees for transportation expenses. (Mar 2008)
Make the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts permanent. (Nov 2004)
Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Dec 2005)
Rated 0% by the CTJ, indicating opposition to progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)
Supports the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. (Jan 2012)

Gary Johnson on Tax Reform

Libertarian presidential nominee; former Republican NM Governor

Click here for 8 full quotes by Gary Johnson OR click here for Gary Johnson on other issues.

23% national sales tax while eliminating the IRS. (May 2012)
Get rid of income tax and capital-gains tax. (Feb 2012)
FairTax on all new goods & services, with prebates for poor. (Feb 2012)
FairTax would absolutely reboot the American economy. (Sep 2011)
Replace tax system with a FairTax. (Sep 2011)
Replace job-killing tax code with FairTax. (Sep 2011)
Reduce state personal income tax from 8.5% to 8%. (Jul 2011)
No national sales tax or VAT. (Feb 2000)

Martin O`Malley on Tax Reform

Democrat

Click here for the full quote by Martin O`Malley OR click here for Martin O`Malley on other issues.

$12B in federal economic stimulus as state block grants. (Jan 2008)

Barack Obama on Tax Reform

Democratic incumbent President; IL Senator (2004-2008)

Click here for 49 full quotes by Barack Obama OR click here for 9 older headlines OR click here for Barack Obama on other issues.

Tax cuts won't help us compete with China; invest instead. (Oct 2012)
I've cut taxes for middle-class families & small businesses. (Oct 2012)
We got middle-class tax cuts of $3600. (Oct 2012)
No tax breaks for millionaires; GOP always wants tax cuts. (Sep 2012)
We need a tax code where everybody pays their fair share. (Sep 2011)
2011 budget calls for top bracket of 39.6% to replace 35%. (Apr 2010)
We cut taxes 25 times, for 95% of Americans. (Jan 2010)
FactCheck: Tax cut only helps 75% or workers, not 95%. (Feb 2009)
Yes, earmarks are abused, but small compared to tax cuts. (Sep 2008)
Trickle-down economics has failed. (Aug 2008)
Adjust capital gains tax up to where Reagan set it. (Aug 2008)
Tax cut for middle class and relief to struggling homeowners. (Jul 2008)
Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit. (Jul 2008)
Maintain the inheritance tax on wealthy. (Jul 2008)
Middle class tax cut helps offset rising cost of gas & food. (Jun 2008)
Under Bill Clinton, rich people didn�t feel oppressed. (Apr 2008)
Stimulus package: $500 tax cut, & Social Security supplement. (Jan 2008)
Restore progressive tax; close loopholes; relief to seniors. (Oct 2007)
Tax incentives to create jobs at home instead of offshore. (Jun 2004)
Last thing we need now is a permanent tax cut. (Jan 2008)
Taxing the Wealthy
Bring back the Clinton tax rate for income above $250,000. (Oct 2012)
It's unfair for a nurse to pay a higher tax rate than Romney. (Oct 2012)
47% who don't pay income tax pay many other taxes. (Sep 2012)
Buffett rule: millionaires pay minimum of 30% in taxes. (Jan 2012)
No across-the-board tax cuts for the wealthy. (Jan 2010)
Tax cuts for wealthy got us into the current deficit. (Jan 2010)
No $300 billion on tax cuts for those who don�t need them. (Sep 2008)
Tax cut for 95% of all working families, not corporations. (Aug 2008)
I will raise CEO taxes, no doubt about it. (May 2008)
No tax increase if earning under $250K; tax cuts under $75K. (Apr 2008)
Raise capital gains tax for fairness, not for revenue. (Apr 2008)
I�m not bashful about it: wealthy will pay more taxes. (Jan 2008)
Trillion dollar giveaway: the Paris Hilton Tax Break. (Oct 2007)
Reduce Bush tax cuts to pay for health care & other programs. (Jun 2007)
Estate tax only affects the wealthiest 1/2 of 1%. (Oct 2006)
Bush tax cuts help corporations but not middle class. (Jun 2004)
Voting Record
FactCheck: Voted for non-binding tax increase on $42K income. (Sep 2008)
GovWatch: didn�t vote to raise taxes 94 times; at most 54. (Jul 2008)
Voted YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008)
Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)

Sarah Palin on Tax Reform
Republican Governor (AK); 2008 nominee for Vice President
Click here for 17 full quotes by Sarah Palin OR click here for Sarah Palin on other issues. Core GOP belief is limited government and limited taxation. (Feb 2010) 1992: First campaign focused on reducing property taxes. (Nov 2009) To end recession: slay the death tax and cut capital gains. (Nov 2009) FactCheck: No, Reagan didn't end 1980s recession by tax cuts. (Nov 2009) Under Obama plan, small businesses will see tax increases. (Oct 2008) FactCheck: Undoing Bush tax cut only hits families over $83K. (Oct 2008) No Alaska sales tax; and $3,200 payments annually. (Sep 2008) Everybody benefits when government takes less. (Sep 2008) Raising taxes hurts small business and hurts jobs. (Sep 2008) Elected mayor based on tax cut promise. (Aug 2008) As mayor, cut property taxes & increased sales tax. (Aug 2008) $60M annually for municipal revenue sharing. (Mar 2008) Eliminate taxes that inhibit business. (Jan 2008) Repeal �nuisance taxes� including the tire tax. (Jan 2007) Mitigate impact of new $50M annual cruise ship tourism tax. (Oct 2006) No income tax; no taking the people�s dividends. (Oct 2006) Would support a seasonal sales tax, but no income tax. (Oct 2006)

Ron Paul on Tax Reform

Republican Representative (TX-14); previously Libertarian for President

Click here for 35 full quotes by Ron Paul OR click here for Ron Paul on other issues.

Ideal tax rate is 0%; especially the "inflation tax". (Jan 2012)
Tax code is the symptom; spending is the problem. (Nov 2011)
You don't "pay for" tax cuts; they give people's money back. (Sep 2011)
Disastrous tax code contributes to underground economy. (Sep 2009)
AdWatch: Taxpayer�s best friend: never supported an increase. (Feb 2008)
Repeal 16th Amendment and get rid of the income tax. (Feb 2008)
Spending money doesn�t stimulate economy; reduced taxes do. (Jan 2008)
Get rid of IRS; get rid of income tax; get rid of spending. (Dec 2007)
The most sinister of all taxes is the inflation tax. (Dec 2007)
I have never voted for a tax increase; and never will. (Nov 2007)
GovWatch: Zero income tax reverts to 1990 budget, not 2000. (Nov 2007)
Immediately work to phase out the IRS. (May 2007)
Get rid of the inflation tax with sound money. (May 2007)
Campaign slogan in 2004: The Taxpayers� Best Friend. (Jan 2007)
1986 tax simplification made tax code more incomprehensible. (Dec 1987)
Inflation is a form of taxation on poor & middle class. (Dec 1981)
Voting+Sponsorships
Doesn�t want flat tax or consumption tax. (Dec 2007)
Voted NO on extending AMT exemptions to avoid hitting middle-income. (Jun 2008)
Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Dec 2005)
Voted YES on providing tax relief and simplification. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on making permanent an increase in the child tax credit. (May 2004)
Voted YES on permanently eliminating the marriage penalty. (Apr 2004)
Voted YES on making the Bush tax cuts permanent. (Apr 2002)
Voted YES on $99 B economic stimulus: capital gains & income tax cuts. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years. (May 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax"). (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the "marriage penalty". (Jul 2000)
Voted YES on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business. (Mar 2000)
Overhaul income tax; end capital gains & inheritance tax. (Dec 2000)
Phaseout the death tax. (Mar 2001)
Rated 89% by NTU, indicating a "Taxpayer's Friend" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 0% by the CTJ, indicating opposition to progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)
Repeal the Death Tax. (Jan 2009)
Taxpayer Protection Pledge: no new taxes. (Aug 2010)
Supports the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. (Jan 2012)

Rob Portman on Tax Reform

Republican Jr Senator; previously Representative (OH-2)

Click here for 15 full quotes by Rob Portman OR click here for Rob Portman on other issues.

Any tax increase would hurt the fragile economy. (Oct 2010)
Voted YES on providing tax relief and simplification. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on making permanent an increase in the child tax credit. (May 2004)
Voted YES on permanently eliminating the marriage penalty. (Apr 2004)
Voted YES on making the Bush tax cuts permanent. (Apr 2002)
Voted YES on $99 B economic stimulus: capital gains & income tax cuts. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years. (May 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax"). (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the "marriage penalty". (Jul 2000)
Voted YES on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business. (Mar 2000)
Phaseout the death tax. (Mar 2001)
Rated 60% by NTU, indicating "Satisfactory" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Taxpayer Protection Pledge: no new taxes. (Aug 2010)
Supports the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. (Jan 2012)
Repeal marriage tax; cut middle class taxes. (Sep 1994)

Mitt Romney on Tax Reform

Former Republican Governor (MA); presidential nominee-apparent

Click here for 32 full quotes by Mitt Romney OR click here for Mitt Romney on other issues.

Limit the number of tax deductions for everyone with a cap. (Oct 2012)
We need to cut taxes and reduce regulations for businesses. (Oct 2012)
I am not proposing a $5T tax cut for the rich. (Oct 2012)
To close loopholes: Perhaps allow any deductions up to $25K. (Oct 2012)
Reduce top income tax from 35% to 25%. (Jan 2012)
2002: refused to sign gimmicky "no new taxes" pledge. (Nov 2011)
Tax rate flatter & simpler but still progressive for now. (Nov 2011)
I don't want to raise taxes in the middle of a recession. (Nov 2011)
Rich are doing fine; Poor have safety net; Middle needs help. (Oct 2011)
$200,000 income threshold for no interest & dividend tax. (Sep 2011)
FairTax is structured poorly against the middle class. (Sep 2011)
Eliminate taxes on dividends & interest but not via FairTax. (Mar 2010)
Fees are appropriate for the government to provide services. (Jan 2008)
I support the Bush tax cuts. (Jan 2008)
Avoid recession with immediate middle-income tax cuts. (Jan 2008)
Zero tax rate on capital gains, for incomes up to $200,000. (Jan 2008)
Lowering taxes, like Bush tax cuts, grows the economy. (Jan 2008)
FactCheck: Never opposed 2003 Bush cuts, but never supported. (Jan 2008)
Reduce the tax burden on middle-income families. (Dec 2007)
Signed no-tax pledge; Dems pledge to raise taxes. (Sep 2007)
Death tax just doesn�t make sense. (Aug 2007)
Commission studied FairTax and found serious flaws. (Aug 2007)
Pledges no new taxes in 2007 after refusing pledge in 2002. (May 2007)
End taxes on interests, dividends & capital gains. (May 2007)
My pledge: no freeze on tax rollback. (Mar 2002)
Pledges not to raise taxes. (Nov 1994)
Massachusetts
1996: flat tax is unfair to the middle class. (Nov 2011)
I cut taxes 19 times as MA governor. (Aug 2011)
Raised MA taxes by 5%, via $700M in fees. (Nov 2008)
Raised service fees like highway ads, from $200 to $2,000. (Jan 2008)
Raised $240M in MA fees, but only covering cost of services. (Jan 2008)
FactCheck: Did not raise MA taxes, but DID raise MA fees. (May 2007)

Paul Ryan on Tax Reform

Republican nominee for Vice President; U.S. Rep. (WI-1)

Click here for 24 full quotes by Paul Ryan OR click here for Paul Ryan on other issues.

FactCheck: JFK cut rates by 20%, but from twice today's rate. (Dec 2012)
Tax cuts grow the economy and create jobs. (Oct 2012)
20% across-the-board tax cut via bipartisan negotiation. (Oct 2012)
Eliminate double taxes like the death tax and AMT. (Aug 2012)
CBO: Ryan increases revenue to 19% of GDP without saying how. (Apr 2012)
Road Map: simplified two-level flat tax. (Jul 2009)
Voted NO on extending AMT exemptions to avoid hitting middle-income. (Jun 2008)
Voted NO on paying for AMT relief by closing offshore business loopholes. (Dec 2007)
Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Dec 2005)
Voted YES on providing tax relief and simplification. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on making permanent an increase in the child tax credit. (May 2004)
Voted YES on permanently eliminating the marriage penalty. (Apr 2004)
Voted YES on making the Bush tax cuts permanent. (Apr 2002)
Voted YES on $99 B economic stimulus: capital gains & income tax cuts. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years. (May 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax"). (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the "marriage penalty". (Jul 2000)
Voted YES on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business. (Mar 2000)
Phaseout the death tax. (Mar 2001)
Rated 72% by NTU, indicating "Satisfactory" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 0% by the CTJ, indicating opposition to progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)
Taxpayer Protection Pledge: no new taxes. (Aug 2010)
Member of House Ways and Means Committee. (Mar 2011)
Supports the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. (Jan 2012)

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