April 16, 2008
Posted: 08:45 PM ET

From
CNN

Watch Sen McCain discuss gas prices.

(CNN) – A day after Sen. John McCain, the Republican Party’s presumptive presidential nominee, unveiled his major economic proposals, CNN Chief National Correspondent John King sat down with McCain to discuss the proposals in more detail.

“Americans need some relief,” McCain said of his proposal to temporarily suspend the federal tax on gasoline and diesel fuel. “I just think it’s kind of a good thing to do so people can have a little more enjoyable summer during tough times,” he added.

McCain, long an advocate of cutting wasteful federal spending, also explained why he was pushing certain measures that would likely delay achieving a balanced federal budget if he wins the White House. “The best way to have a balanced budget is to have a recovering economy,” said McCain.

Filed under: Economy • John McCain


Grif   April 16th, 2008 9:16 pm ET

And not Just..l. 'Breaking Wind'….

carmen   April 16th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

He is right about americans needed relief from gas. He is giving it to them

Fred   April 16th, 2008 9:26 pm ET

Yah we need relief from his Republican ways

rezagui1@hotmail.com   April 16th, 2008 9:28 pm ET

"Americans need some relief" Wow, he really is a genius. Apparently, he feels this way, because the summer is a time to have fun and not have to feel the reality of republican rule just before an election.

Apaul   April 16th, 2008 9:38 pm ET

Now that's thinking outside the box. All that experience really helped him on that issue. Thank you Captain obvious.

Henry Miller, Cary, NC   April 16th, 2008 9:45 pm ET

I strongly suspect the Iraq War is directly responsible for the current price of gas. If McCain is serious about giving Americans some relief of such expenses, maybe he should drop his Hundred Years War plan.

Chris in Va.   April 16th, 2008 9:56 pm ET

Great idea John. Once th federal tax is "temporarily suspended" the oil companies will jack up their price to fill the void. Then when the temporary wears out and the tax is reinstalled we will be paying even MORE for fuels with winter approaching. Admit it John, you are out of touch AND clueless. Disgusting!

Susan MO   April 16th, 2008 10:00 pm ET

It does not take a 'rocket scientist' to know Americans need relief from the soaring gas prices.

This is going to hurt our country…….the tourist places will see less business.

Something needs to be done!!

OZ   April 16th, 2008 10:08 pm ET

That's right, Relief, and it ain't no "Plop Plop fizz fizz oh what a relief it is".

Leeban   April 16th, 2008 10:20 pm ET

Yeah just keep slashing taxes. u think were in this mess to begin with because of high taxes?

J. Forbes, Texas Independent   April 16th, 2008 10:32 pm ET

McCain's gas tax 'holiday' is a brilliant idea that will help nearly all Americans and will aid many facets of the economy.

ANTI CLINTONS   April 16th, 2008 10:36 pm ET

It's astart, but a long way to go still.

Not Voting McSame.   April 16th, 2008 10:37 pm ET

I am sure this old man needs some gas relief with his old man prunes!

Ian   April 16th, 2008 10:39 pm ET

We need relief alright…from McCain!!!!

Grif   April 16th, 2008 10:40 pm ET

You have to: Save you're Country" Mr, from these ' Arab Loving Idiots'.
$4 a Gallon? No… America, for couple dozen Barrels… Any Bids???

Bernice   April 16th, 2008 10:45 pm ET

Continuation

But in truth I will spend my off time trying to get the gust of growing different fruits and vegetables. May even see what the city codes are for livestock.
I can't help but wonder if gov had helped those small farmers if we would have been paying so much for food now

D.W.; Miami, FL   April 16th, 2008 10:47 pm ET

Does the word INFLATION mean anything to you John McCain?

Anonymous   April 16th, 2008 10:49 pm ET

Once agqain McCain speaks with a forked tongue and a know nothing old mind. He has no grip on reality and offers empty rhetoric of coal to people how are going hungry and can;' afford their hous gasoline or food.
Shame on you McCain, take yourself back to Arizona.

Willy   April 16th, 2008 10:51 pm ET

That tax should have gone away years ago.

Jed in Texas   April 16th, 2008 10:52 pm ET

I thought "to the victor go the spoils", Johnny?Wheres all that Iraqi oil we went to war for?

Michael   April 16th, 2008 11:05 pm ET

This is hollow political pandering - election year nonsense. This gas tax "holiday" would exacerbate an already reeling transportation infrastructure funding situation while not doing much for the average driver. Hey John, how about giving the taxpayers some relief from this idiotic war?

Karen - Branson   April 16th, 2008 11:14 pm ET

Gee, that's big of him. Nice for vacations that we worked hard all year long and need a break. But how about the government getting rid of the taxes and tax the oil comany profits in addition?????

True American   April 16th, 2008 11:20 pm ET

Let's add just one thing: Let's have the oil corporations PAY the taxes reduced!

reader   April 16th, 2008 11:25 pm ET

How will the U.S. economy recover if we keep throwing our money away in Iraq? McCain couldn't balance a brick on a tennis court.

Tatty Alan   April 16th, 2008 11:27 pm ET

The Democratic Senate and Congress are misleading the American People. There is no valid economic reason to reject the free trade agreement with Columbia. Colombia's exports already enter the U.S. market duty-free under the 1991 Andean Trade Preference Act. But most U.S. exports to Colombia face big tariffs; 35 percent on autos, 15 percent on tractors and 10 percent on computers. The agreement would reduce these to zero; therefore it has no impact on imports, but will significantly help our exports. Why are the Democrats opposing it? Just to be popular and look to oppose free trade? It certainly doesn’t have any economic reason.

reader   April 16th, 2008 11:27 pm ET

If he wants to lower gas prices then why doesn't he invest all that money flowing to Iraq into alternative energy technologies?

Floyd Leveridge   April 16th, 2008 11:31 pm ET

Let's take the 17 billion in earmarks and fix the roads and do away with the fuel tax and the earmarks for good.

vicki   April 16th, 2008 11:37 pm ET

Americans need relief from Bush and McSame.
End the war , SAVE BILLIONS.That would be cutting Wasteful Federal spending.
No more Bush , no more McWar.

Prayu   April 16th, 2008 11:43 pm ET

Gee, how about another 300$ check?

These idiotic short term schemes the GOP candidates come up with are great for idiotic short-term memory citizens, but does nothing to really help the economy.

And while you're cutting wasteful spending, hows that war going there buddy? Still letting Halliburton get paid 60$ to do a load of laundry while the soldiers can't get new helmets?

Mark   April 16th, 2008 11:46 pm ET

We need the relief from republicans like McCain!

Sean   April 16th, 2008 11:54 pm ET

Decreased revenue without decreased spending equals increased debt.

Peter Kuhn   April 17th, 2008 12:01 am ET

The gas tax pays to repair our deteriorating infrastructure. To get suspend the gas tax, billions of dollars would have to be diverted from the general fund and would raise the deficit. This could be done, but John McCain and his Republican Party lead us into a bogus and costly war in Iraq costing us more than the Fed takes in for the gas tax.

ummm....   April 17th, 2008 12:02 am ET

…i agree with reader.

I'm stymied that it's perceived to be more important for people to have a more enjoyable summer than they would dealing with the reality of living an unsustainable future.

Brock   April 17th, 2008 12:04 am ET

Evidently John McCain not only lacks an energy plan, it seems he also wants to spend time exploding the deficit as well.

Joe Juneau   April 17th, 2008 12:08 am ET

Ummm, cutting the tax on gas is a bad idea–may feel good initially, but bad move. Gas taxes are supposed to support highway/road tax and without that how can one budget for the future–oh yeah, who gives a rip about the future.

Fred   April 17th, 2008 12:08 am ET

I believe that Mr. McCain is the first politician to propose any relief, for the average American, at the gas pumps. His proposal is at best a band-aid, but will help in the short term. The real solution is to REGULATE the oil industry, and to prevent them from hiding behind, "the law of supply and demand." Is there a supply shortage?? Nope, not as long as they can charge whatever they want for their product!!!

Tony   April 17th, 2008 12:12 am ET

Mr. McCain can come up with some interesting ideas. Getting rid of the gas taxes will help the truckers, especially The Independent Truckers, our country's last cowboys in a way. Darn hard workers worthy of respect- the salt of the earth.

Michael,Ms   April 17th, 2008 12:24 am ET

You right McCain, Americans do need a relief and your not it.

bill in Oklahoma   April 17th, 2008 12:28 am ET

It would be really nice to get lower gas prices during the summer. I doubt we would feel any real lowering of prices since the station owners or distributors will take most of the tax releif.

That money goes for road and bridge construction. Since he does not have a way to pay for the lack of revenue, we will have to borrow money to pay for the road and bridge construction we really need. That will further weaken the the dollar overseas. With the weakening dollar, the price of oil will continue to grow.

So we would be stuck with a higher debt, higher oil prices, and less road and bridge repair.. It sounded really good, but McCain realy doesn't know much about the economy

Ian   April 17th, 2008 12:31 am ET

"I remember back in my day, 80 years ago, when gas was 10 cents a gallon" - John McCain

Dale Davis, Glendora, California   April 17th, 2008 12:43 am ET

I think we need alot of relief from the Republican same old same old of pandering to big oil. Reps, your days are numbered.

Smart Thinker   April 17th, 2008 12:52 am ET

Why don't we get rid of the illegal income tax? This would give relief to the poeple and the economy.

Ken Austin, TX   April 17th, 2008 12:59 am ET

I would be more impressed if he was pressuring Bush for the "temporary suspension" of taxes on gasoline right now.

Why wait until November to lower the gas prices? My pockets are hurting now.

Tatty Alan   April 17th, 2008 1:10 am ET

The Democratic Senate and Congress are misleading the American People. There is no valid economic reason to reject the free trade agreement with Columbia. Colombia's exports already enter the U.S. market duty-free under the 1991 Andean Trade Preference Act. But most U.S. exports to Colombia face big tariffs; 35 percent on autos, 15 percent on tractors and 10 percent on computers. The agreement would reduce these to zero; therefore it has no impact on imports, but will significantly help our exports. Why are the Democrats opposing it? Just to be popular and look to oppose free trade? It certainly doesn’t have any economic reason.

It's disappointing that Hillary and Barrack both oppose it. It's time for congress, senate and the white house to do the hard but RIGHT things, not just tell us what they think we would like to hear. It's time for JOHN MCCAIN.

It surely it isn't ok to be sexist or racist; so why do some people have no problem being ageist? Heres a radical idea: Lets elect the person based on their integrity, honesty, commitment to America and their POLICY.

McCain 08

frank O   April 17th, 2008 1:10 am ET

Oh yeah!
Just what I needed to hear from a Politician.
I have been feeling the pain for the past 7+ years and now this man comes around and wants to tell me the most obvious.
Get out please. and leave America alone McCain.

ds   April 17th, 2008 1:15 am ET

Charge the Iraqis.

Denny   April 17th, 2008 1:16 am ET

Stop the war.

Rashida   April 17th, 2008 1:16 am ET

Though senator McCain may claim to not up taxes, we are still spending money in Iraq. The short lived relief of gas will not help in the long run! We will still have a mortgage and home crisis,food prices will rise, and minimum wage will still be $5.15 an hour!
I rather have jobs created here, people being able to afford the cost of living, and no war making the national debt larger, than having menial tax breaks that don't help an economy in recession!

Matt Lyons   April 17th, 2008 1:21 am ET

Now maybe there's a component to this I'm missing, but the gas tax here in Chicago is, I believe, 18 cents/gallon. For a sedan with a 16-20 gallon tank that comes to…. an average of $3.20 per TANK of savings…. at least for the six or so months out of the year that McCain proposes to suspend the gas tax…. some "relief"? Man economics really isn't his strong suit!

Dan   April 17th, 2008 1:24 am ET

John McCain is a one term President, if elected and pandering ideas. John McCain will not put the blame of the Iraq war on George Bush. He is being dishonest to shift all the blame on Rumsfelt. Another 3rd term of Bush.

Bush/McCain 08

Thomas   April 17th, 2008 1:25 am ET

Because there is something known as gestation period. Easier said than done - in the time gap between obtaining a viable alternative and foolishly abandoning our stronghold on regions with rich oil deposits, the energy prices will rise high enough to butcher the economy. What's happening now would be nothing in comparison.

Let's be honest, oil was one of the reasons US went into Iraq for, and it backfired - something this administration didn't expect. Otherwise US would be sitting over two largest oil deposits in the world right now.

Jacob   April 17th, 2008 1:27 am ET

reader.

because we have to win. but what do we win?

D   April 17th, 2008 1:34 am ET

How would investing in alt. energy lower gas prices? Maybe in the long run, but he's talking short-term. Remember how this war was a supposed "blood for oil" cause?… where's the oil? We need to drain the middle east or drill Alaska

ECHEWEOZO   April 17th, 2008 1:36 am ET

MEDICINE AFTER DEATH

jimmy vekmen   April 17th, 2008 1:42 am ET

AGREE WITH READER. THE FEDERAL TAX ON GASOLINE WILL DO LITTLE TO HELP BRING THE GAS PRICES DOWN APPRECIABLY.
GAS PRICES WILL STILL KEEP GOING UP TO 4 OR 5 DOLLARS BY THE TIME SUMMER ROLLS AROUND. BEST CASE SCENARIO WOULD BE SUBSTITUTING GASOLINE WITH NATURAL GAS, ETHANOL AND BIODIESEL.. WE NEED MORE OIL REFINERIES
AND ETHANOL PRODUCERS. CONVERT MOTOR VEHICLES TO ETHANOL. OUR COUNTRY IS THE MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGICALLY AND WE ARE WONDERING WHY WE HAVE NOT DONE WHAT BRAZIL HAS DONE….USING ETHANOL TO POWER THEIR VEHICLES. RECENT NEWS REVEAL HUGE
OIL RESERVES OFF THE COAST OF BRAZIL. U.S. COMPANIES
SHOULD FORTHWITH TALK TO THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT
ON CONTRACTS TO DRILL FOR THE OIL AND BUILD REFINERIES
ON A LONG TERM (99YEAR CIONTRACTS).BEFORE cHINA, INDIA
AND OTHER COUNTRIES GET INTO THE ACT. fURTHER, HUGO CHAVEZ OF VENEZUELA IS VERY SUBTLY ENCROACHING AND
REACHING FOR A BROADENING HIS POWER GRIP AND SEEMS HEADED FOR A DICTATORSHIP AND BEYOND THAT DOMINATING HIS NEIGHBORS . LET US MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT. CHAVEZ
IS A COMMUNIST AND A THREAT TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.
HE IS USING HIS OIL REVENUES TO ARM VENEZUELA , BUYING MODERN WEAPONS FROM OUR ENEMIES.. BECASUE WE ARE DISTRACTED BY THE WAR IN IRAQ, CHAVEZ IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF IT. PERHAPS THINKING THAT WE NOT AWARE OF WHAT HE IS DOING.

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