‘Cafe Obama’ Serving Up Waffles

‘Cafe Obama’ served up waffles on Iraq, capital gains taxes and payroll taxes during an appearance on the Fox News Channel’s Fox News Sunday this afternoon.

IRAQ

Speaking to host Chris Wallace, Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama said that it would be “stupid” of him to ignore Gen. David Petraeus’ recommendations on Iraq:

“I will listen to General Petraeus given the experience that he’s accumulated over the last several years. It would be stupid of me to ignore what he has to say.”

But Obama previously said the U.S. should begin to withdraw from Iraq immediately, just one day after General Petraeus warned against a premature withdrawal:

“In describing the recommendations I have made … I believe Iraq’s problems will require a long-term effort. … Our assessments underscore, in fact, the importance of recognizing that a premature drawdown of our forces would likely have devastating consequences. (Gen. David Petraeus, Committee On Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, Testimony, 9/11/07)

The day after General Petraeus’ testimony, Obama called for the U.S. to “immediately begin to remove our combat troops” from Iraq:

“So let me be clear. There is no military solution in Iraq. There never was. The best way to protect our security and to pressure Iraq’s leaders to resolve their civil war is to immediately begin to remove our combat troops. Not in six months or one year, but now.” (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks On Iraq, Clinton, IA, 9/12/07)

PAYROLL TAXES

Obama said he would raise payroll taxes on Americans and small businesses earning over $102,000:

“And in terms of raising the payroll tax, raising the cap on the payroll tax, right now everybody who is making $102,000 or less pays 100 percent, payroll tax on 100 percent of their income. There are about 3 to 4 percent of Americans who are above $102,000 in income every year. So if you want to talk about who’s middle class, me giving cuts to folks making $60,000, $70,000 and potentially asking more from friends of mine like Warren Buffet who I have no idea what he made last year, you know, that’s a debate I’m happy to have with John McCain.”

Only two weeks ago, however, while responding to a question from ABC’s George Stephanopoulus, Obama pledged he wouldn’t raise taxes on Americans earning less than $200,000:

“Well, I not only have pledged not to raise their taxes, I’ve been the first candidate in this race to specifically say I would cut their taxes.” (ABC Democrat Candidates Presidential Debate, Philadelphia, PA, 4/16/08)

CAPITAL GAINS TAXES

Finally, Obama waffled on his position regarding a capital gains tax hike, claiming he would only raise capital gains taxes as high as 20 percent:

“In terms of capital gains I’ve suggested we might go back up to 20 [percent].”

After CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo asked him how he planned to change the tax code when it comes to capital gains, he replied as follows:

“I haven’t given a firm number. Here’s my belief, that we can’t go back to some of the, you know, confiscatory rates that existed in the past that distorted sound economics. And I certainly would not go above what existed under Bill Clinton, which was the 28 percent. (CNBC’s “Closing Bell,” 3/27/08)

Waffles like these leave a bad taste in my mouth.

-- Bob McCarty Writes