McCain: Americans Are "Better Off" Under Bush Economics

John McCain's campaign accused Democrats of unfairly splicing McCain's statements from a debate on 1/30/08-- where he repeatedly said that Americans are "better off" now than they were before President Bush took office. In response, here's the full clip.

COOPER: Senator McCain, are Americans better off than they were eight years ago?
MCCAIN: I think you could argue that Americans overall are better off, because we have had a pretty good prosperous time, with low unemployment and low inflation and a lot of good things have happened. A lot of jobs have been created.
But let's have some straight talk. Things are tough right now. Americans are uncertain about this housing crisis. Americans are uncertain about the economy, as we see the stock market bounce up and down, but more importantly, the economy particularly in some parts of the country, state of Michigan, Governor Romney and I campaigned, not to my success, I might add, and other parts of the country are probably better off.
But I think what we're trying to do to fix this economy is important. We've got to address the housing, subprime housing problem. We need to, obviously, have this package go through the Congress as quickly as possible.
We need to make the Bush tax cuts permanent, which I voted for twice to do so. I think we need to eliminate the alternate minimum tax that sits out there and challenges 25 million American families.
COOPER: It sounds like that we're not better off is what you're saying.
MCCAIN: Pardon me?
COOPER: It sounds like you're saying we're not better off.
MCCAIN: I think we are better off overall if you look at the entire eight-year period, when you look at the millions of jobs that have been created, the improvement in the economy, et cetera.
What I'm trying to emphasize, Anderson, that we are in a very serious challenge right now, with a lot of Americans very uncertain about their future, and we've got to give them some comfort.
We've got to give them some stimulus. We've got to give them some tax relief. We've got to stop this outrageous squandering spending that causes us to have to borrow money from China, and we've got to get our fiscal house in order.
I think we went on a spending spree that, frankly, betrayed Ronald Reagan's principles about tax cuts and restraint of spending.

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[mindlessmissy]

McCain IS a Moron ... Talking from both sides of his mouth at us like we are all as stupid as those hardcore supporters of his ...

Maverick my AZZ ...

[jimmycapp29]

Here's a fun fact:

The Dow Jones was at 11,500 in Jan. 2000 when Bush took office.

Today, nearly eight years later, it's at 11,370 and still falling!

Heck of job Bush!

[ponyboy316]

Even worse, people are still stupid enough to listen to him.

[LarryB1984]

I swear this man has dementia and thinks its 1960, and I cant believe that after hearing this, that people were still stupid enough to vote for him!

[jess672005]

Sounds like we agree more than disagree, politically speaking. Personally, I despise the religious right's agenda, and think spending political capital on abortion and gay marraige issues is a big waste. In fact, I support gay marraige as better insurance against domestic partner benefit tax fraud. But mostly I'm disgusted with how personal gain and partisanship is now the primary objective of politicians. I'm considering going Independent or Libertarian for these reasons.

[toepro]

I agree, we have seen what 6.5 years of having a conservative president, conservative senate and a conservative congress has gotten us, I'd like to have a conservative congress during Obama's admin along with a neutral senate!

[toepro]

Gotcha, (and not in a so-called sarah palin way) Of course you can point fingers on both sides of the fence but I've never seen a Republican spend the way GWB opened the taxpayers check accounts, If only "TRUE" Republicans would return to the Party's core values and not continue to get hi-jacked by far right wing neo-conservative christians! I honestly think the basis of the Republican Party Platform is best for the economy hopefully the party can make a comback based on it's "TRUE" values.

[jess672005]

Yes, how CAN one administration ruin the country? Thats why we have checks and balances, in addition to elections by the people. What about the CONGRESS? Are they somehow guilt free? Bashing Bush is so easy and popular, and also so much being a part of the problem instead part of the solution. Down with partisinship!!!

[jess672005]

Actually, I meant to say 'recession'. My bad.

The tech bubble was on its way to bursting when Bush took office. It can't be blamed on him. The surplus then turned into a defecit. Of course, politically motivated economists on both sides of the fence can try to argue it was Clinton's or Bush's fault, but presidents alone cannot have such huge impacts on economic trends. If you want to argue the current crisis we are in, their is plenty of blame to go around, in both parties.

[toepro]

Jess, Bush didn't inherit a deficit, he inherited a surplus!

[raksman]

What economy are you talking about Sen. Mcbush. This is from a man who has seven houses and forgets how many he owns. Where is Joe the Plumber his economic adviser. He believes health care is a privilage and not a right. Tell that to the millions of American who doesnt have it. Politics of fear and division is all I see.

.

[esgranny]

Hopefully, in light of the last week, he still doesn't support extending the tax cut, everyone will be taxed more for generations. HOw can one administration ruin a country so fast, really how did we the public allowed it to happen.