May 1, 2008
Posted: 03:18 PM ET

From
John McCain said there should be a federal gas tax holiday.
John McCain said there should be a federal gas tax holiday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio (CNN) — John McCain continued his push Thursday for a federal gas tax holiday that would eliminate the 18.4-cents-per-gallon gas tax and 24.4-cent diesel tax during the summer travel season.

McCain is framing the gas tax debate as a simple choice between helping working families or continuing to stifle their income with high prices at the pump.

“The lamentations of people about the draconian consequences of giving Americans just a little relief for the summer continues to amaze and amuse me,” McCain said at a press conference here, after touring the Cleveland Clinic to learn about new health information technology.

“I’d like to see families in America have a relief from ever increasing costs of gasoline,” he said, “so maybe at the end of the summer after this tax holiday they could buy school supplies for their children as they start the school year.”

Despite a chorus of criticism from independent experts who believe a gax tax holiday amounts to nothing more than ploy for votes that will do little to address long-term energy concerns, McCain and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton have held firm in their calls for a temporary suspension of the tax.

Barack Obama opposes the plan, calling it a “gimmick” and arguing that it would divert revenues away from crucial infrastructure maintenance nationwide. The Republican National Committee took Obama to task for that position Thursday, releasing a Web ad calling him a hypocrite on the issue because he once supported a gas tax holiday while a state senator.

In many ways, the debate over summer gas tax relief is moot, because none of the presidential candidates would take office until next January. But the back-and-forth has given each candidate a means to appeal to voters concerned with high fuel prices.

McCain said as president he would pay for a gas tax holiday with “general revenues” and the removal of needless pork barrel projects and earmarks from government spending bills.

The Arizona Republican dismissed analysts and critics of the gas tax holiday as out of touch with working Americans who are often forced to drive long distances to work.

“Some of wealthiest people live a very short distance to where they work,” he said. “They live in Georgetown. Some of the people who do really hard work and are low income people live as far as 40 or 50 miles away, and they drive older automobiles. It’s time to give them a little break.”

Filed under: Barack Obama • John McCain


R2   May 1st, 2008 7:15 pm ET

Hillary: I will obliterate Iran.
McCain: I will stay in Iraq for 100 years and bomb Iran.

You decide '08

ShannonL   May 1st, 2008 7:14 pm ET

You people don't think deep enough…
You people don't know what this really is…

Ok…for you morons….

100,000,000 americans drive saving 50 dollars over the summer.
That is 5 billion dollars.

American's have not stopped driving, they have stopped spending in other places.

This is…in effect…an economic package from the economy…5 billion dollars will be put back into our summer economy because of this.

YES…that money is lost tax revenue…
but if you are not complaining about the tax rebates…then you have nothing to complain about here.

kathleen retired Professional w/woman for obama   May 1st, 2008 7:10 pm ET

Bloomberg say that would
be only a temporary fix but would take money away from repairing our crumbling bridges and infrastructures. Don't you remember, People were driving off into the sunset into Lake Superior onto their deaths? Or did you forget, already?
And, if we continue in the war in Iraq, and possible bomb Iran-Obliberate them as Hillary said on National T.V., With the Debt of the war.Do we have anything left? No. and we owe China 10 Billion with
interest. Is our Country gone, yet?

After further review,Texas   May 1st, 2008 7:09 pm ET

Nationalize the oil companies.

Bob, Seattle   May 1st, 2008 7:06 pm ET

Give the relief where it will affect all Americans the fastest and the greatest. Allow all trucking companies tax credits on diesel fuel for 25% of their useage. That will keep the price of all goods from increasing due to the cost of transportation. This will in turn provide more savings than any gas tax savings for the folks at the pump.

Ilona Proud Canadian   May 1st, 2008 6:58 pm ET

Folks,

google…………….Paul vs Clinton

google……………..paul vs clinton

google……………..Paul vs Clinton

google……………..paul vs clinton

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease

Nunya   May 1st, 2008 6:49 pm ET

It is a bad, stupid thing to do. Lowering the price wil increase the demand for it, and you will see very little if any difference in what you pay for gas. You won't save the pitiful $25 and you will pay more in car repairs because the gas tax funds road repairs. Of course, most people don't understand the concept of penny-wise, pound-foolish any more, but at least you would hope that the presidential candidates would be smarter than the average…

Chris in Va.   May 1st, 2008 6:49 pm ET

i support the right of Cam of Kentucky to post his post here (see 4:33). The first amandment provides the right of every American to open his mouth and prove he's an idiot.

Chris in Va.   May 1st, 2008 6:47 pm ET

I support the right of Cam of Kentucky to post his post above(see 4:33)
The first amendment provides the right of every American to open his mouth and prove he is an idiot.

Jocely   May 1st, 2008 6:43 pm ET

I want be surprise if they were to elect McCain after all they elected george Bush twice because the american like the idea of a president who like to pretend our country is safer when we go to war, increase the deficit tremendously than cut tax while they are doing it, forget about the economy, healthcare, housing crisis, education which are the core of keeping our nation economy and what makes America the great leader of the world. Should we vote the republican again I think we should go to rehab after that.

Jocely,
North Carolina

DHW   May 1st, 2008 6:43 pm ET

Jack,

No one dies a Republican. In the end they fear a God that's bigger than themselves. They start out as Democrats when the world is fresh, and they think about others, which is a good thing. Then slowly, they start believing that they're better than everyone else, make a little money, follow in Karl Rove's footsteps…until one day they say "hey I don't need anybody, I'll be a Republican. They skate threw life like a charm, it's me and only me and that's it.

Then they start getting old. They start thinking…I mean really thinking about their lives, and just before they are about to meet their maker. Wow, they don't want to hedge their bets. So they slowly start thinking about other people and before you know it, they're Democrats again. Just in the nick of time–and then they're gone.

zelda gross   May 1st, 2008 6:42 pm ET

Jeusus loves the sinner but hates the sin. This man is a SINNER with the biggest of them. This is just another sin. Why continue paying his oil friends millions and act like a few dollars in gas is going to make a big difference? How is the goverment supposed to maintain roads. I don't even drive very much so how will this help me? You have to stop robbing from the poor and giving to the rich!

Free Handouts   May 1st, 2008 6:41 pm ET

For the love of God, I don't want to be taxed MORE to pay for YOUR healthcare. Sorry but you are not entitled to my money!

Beervana   May 1st, 2008 6:38 pm ET

Obamination…………..Hilidiot…..McSame/McShame/McLame……..good golly miss molly…..I'd say the good ole US of A is in fer a rough ride……………..yeehaw

Jodie from Idaho   May 1st, 2008 6:38 pm ET

Are people actually voting for this retard? Where are your medical records? Lets play John Hagee's comments over and over on the TV. If America elects this guy than you are all dumber than I thought. Not to mention gullable. Wake up! YOu will only save $30 with this plan, and that $30 adds up in the government especially since that is the money used to build our roads and bridges. Oh right! We should be paying to build Iraq's roads and bridges, but not ours. Gotcha. I wondered why i worked so hard. Seriously! Has everyone already forgotten about what happened to the bridge in Minnesota?

STOP THE MADDNESS!!!!   May 1st, 2008 6:36 pm ET

“I’d like to see families in America have a relief from ever increasing costs of gasoline,” he said, “so maybe at the end of the summer after this tax holiday they could buy school supplies for their children as they start the school year.”

Does this guy even have a clue!? EVERY financial analyst has said that this is CRAP!! Obama is doing his best to tell us the Truth, but there are those that fall for ANYTHING! I am no great mathematician, but I tried to tell you guys in these blogs that this SAVINGS don't amount to much of NOTHING! What on the avage you will save $9 bucks a month? Then prices goes back up, but get this even higher!! Give me a REALBREAK save the BS, it's bad enough we have to go through this mess must we have some RICH ELITIST SNOBS throw pennies at our feet in disguise of a win-fall.

WHO????? IN THEIR RIGHT MINDS WANTS TO PUT UP WITH EITHER HILLARY OR MCCAIN FEEDING THEM LIES FOR ANOTHER 4 YEARS, I'M ALREADY TO THE POINT I DON'T TRUST EITHER, EVERYTIME THEY OPEN THEIR MOUTHS I EXPECT A LIE. MY NERVES COULD NOT TAKE MUCH MORE OF THIS!

LORD HELP US!!!

I hate people BSing me!!

Ken   May 1st, 2008 6:36 pm ET

McPinhead: Vote for me, and I'll cut your taxes by giving you $0.25 back for every gallon of gas you buy, while I continue to implement policies that will raise it by $1.00. I know what's best for you — I spent time in a POW camp.

Obama-bots: Its Hillary's fault. Wait, what are we talking about…….? God those Hillary people are hateful ….. I hate everyone of them.

NOTICE TO THE PEOPLE — My god, the price of a gallon of gas is about to exceed your average IQ, with or without the fed. gas tax. Get a grip.

Dan (TX)   May 1st, 2008 6:33 pm ET

What will the politicians give us next year when gasoline is $6/gallon? A rebate based on consumption? :)

James in Oregon   May 1st, 2008 6:31 pm ET

Looks like John and Hillary have been smoking out of the same pipe.

Jack in ND   May 1st, 2008 6:27 pm ET

It's the stupidest ideas that are clung to with the most tenacity.

Chris in Va.   May 1st, 2008 6:18 pm ET

So John, there are 25 days left until Memorial day. Do you have so much power as to get this scheme enacted by then, or are you simply pandering (lying) to the American people for votes. The ball is now in your court, it's one or the other.

Ian   May 1st, 2008 6:18 pm ET

So if the price of gas is ever increasing shouldn't one deduce that this is not a good plan? And where is the money going to come from when we can no longer afford to fix our roads?

Is no one else furious that we are spending billions of dollars a day repairing Iraq's roads, buildings, and bridges while ours are falling apart????

RB   May 1st, 2008 6:14 pm ET

Isn't this also the McSame who is preaching about supporting our troops, but won't sign on to an education bill because it will cost $2B. Well, McSame, what do you say we take a week off from Iraq? That will more than cover the cost. Is he saying our kids are good enough to die for their country, but not good enough to educate!?

Shannon   May 1st, 2008 6:13 pm ET

I'm not a McCain supporter, Hillary gets my vote, but I love how Obama trashes this idea, it's a small amount of money he says, unimportant. I guess when you don't have to worry about money, it's ok to be condescending. Lucky Obama. Well, I say it's something while we try to work out more long term solutions. Obama's solution was to give big oil a tax break when he voted for the Cheney Energy bill. Which is better, a little money in our pockets, our a tax break for big oil. We know which one Obama agrees with.

RB   May 1st, 2008 6:11 pm ET

Isn't this the McSame who said it was not a good idea to bail out homeowners, but it was OK to bail out the investors who made a bad investment in the companies that invested in the mortgages of the homeowners??? Hmmm. Well, who's going to pay the mortgage on all those foreclosed homes? Doesn't he know that if homeowners can't pay the mortgage, the companies that invested in the mortgages can't make money, and the people who invested in the companies can't make money! Seems elementary to me that you'd want to help the ones who support the entire system: the homeowners!! And, this is the best the repubs have to offer?? Bring it!

canuck   May 1st, 2008 6:10 pm ET

This may appeal to those who need instant gratification. what i don't understand is, McCain suggest you drive a little further. To where might i ask, when you fill your tank to drive to a nice campsite on a crumbling highway, buy some slurpees for the kids and have nothing left to pay for the site. you can only make a weak dollar stretch so far.

Chuck, Oregonians for Obama makes a good point.

i'd like to point out that when you go to buy food ie: cereal, coffe, etc. prices go up, then for a week, select items go "on sale" while they raise prices on other items. then a week later, those items go "on sale" to previous prices and the so called bargains are only temporary to hide the spike in the "new price". in the long run, our need for lower prices increases the demand on certain things, hence the price goes up . same thing with gas.

Teddy   May 1st, 2008 6:06 pm ET

McCain's market based economic and health care plans are not attactive when economy is not good. When time is tough, a lot of people want help from governments, instead of standing up on their own. Therefore, McCain needs to propose something to show he indeed care about lower income people. He knows the gas tax holiday idea will not be adopted. Even Bush rejected it. Clinton is politically savy enough to propose a similar idea. Therefore, Obama is put on defensive on the issue. Maybe he should also propose something new, but different, to put Clinton and McCain.

Obama has been on defensive in the past several weeks.

Maybe McCain's market based appoaches are better. But the ideas will be tough to sell this tough year. You should expect McCain's campain to try to direction discussions to some small policy differences like the gas tax holiday. This general election will be determined by economy discussions. Both Obama (Clinton too) and McCain will be very careful on the Iraq issue. Obama (or Clinton) does not want to remind people he (she) is not experienced enough in national security issues while McCain knows Iraq war is not popular at all. No one knows who will actually benefit talking Iraq.

There are differences on a lot of big issues. But they will be careful on those issues. For instance, they have a huge difference on the abortion issue, but they all want to avoid the topics.

Therefore, you will see a lot of fighting on the small issues like gas tax holiday.

MD   May 1st, 2008 6:05 pm ET

This is why McStupid should not be elected as anything, let alone as the president. Actually, at the next election, the good people of Arizona should replace him in the senate.

He is just as stubborn as Bush. Even after he admitted he doesn't know anything about economics, and yet comes up with a "plan," which economists say is a stupid plan, he still doesn't yield.

MORE CLINTON SPAM   May 1st, 2008 6:02 pm ET

CLINTON and MCAIN SOLUTION TO THE ECONOMY?

Give taxpayers $30 dollars in tax savings to SHUT THEM UP!

Steve   May 1st, 2008 6:00 pm ET

If we really want to off-set the price of gas lets all go on strike May, 2, and not buy any gas for that day. If they really wanted to save energy why not stop the US Postal Service from Saturday mail delivery. Make saturday a nation holiday for the truck drivers. We could really save gas if we really wanted to!

Steve
Ky

justsayit4u   May 1st, 2008 5:57 pm ET

The Holiday Tax break is a joke. Even if gas is decreased by 18 cent per gallon, it will to stop the oil companies from increasing the fuel prices. If the holiday tax was imposed on May 5 and gas is decreased by .18, the gas companies will increase their prices by May 9.

Oil prices has to be regulated. Oil companies are recording record earning at a time when the economy is at its weakest. Something has to give…….

Obama 08……justsayingit4u Mississippi…..

I have spoken   May 1st, 2008 5:55 pm ET

Lower the price of gas you idiot! Start with that!

Mike from Calgary, Canada   May 1st, 2008 5:55 pm ET

He can promise anything now – to do something before Bush leaves office. Instead of the BS, get fellow Republican Bush moving – just don't move along I-35 Highway or ove any bridges on the Interstate highways.

Mike

Sharon Minnesota   May 1st, 2008 5:55 pm ET

Just watching Wolf's Situation Room. Why is it that on this show the Obama guy gets to call Hillary's plan for relief of gas price a fairy tale when Bill Clinton was called a racist when he said those two "controversial words"?

Hillary Clinton is the only candidate who has addressed both short and long term solutions to the gas price crises.

What's up with Barack Obama and his negative and snarky remarks on this subject?

Frank   May 1st, 2008 5:52 pm ET

Wow. So McCain and Hillary persist in saying this is a good thing, despite all the independent economists? That's because they think people are too stupid to investigate themselves, or that we don't read or pay attention to anything other than Fox News.
People who persist in voting for those two deserve them.

Sadly, they are right about some people.
Witness on this very post – Marg, Cam of Kentucky, Uncle Sam, Shirley P, Jon, DC Insider (yeah right), Spider, and Sharon of Minnesota who thinks economists are fortune tellers….
Hillary Clinton has taken more money from lobbyist and special interests than any Democrat or Republican in this race, and we all have heard how John McCain has been in bed with the lobbyist – if you believe these 2 people are interested in you, then you are sadly mistaken.

Chi4Obama   May 1st, 2008 5:49 pm ET

I would trust Rev. Wright with economic issues, before I would McCain (well almost). But nonethless, McCain's proposal reaffirms his short-sightedness. He has readily admitted that he doesn't know "much about the economy". Every notable analyst has called this gas tax holiday a bad idea. And yet he is still the Republicans' best option for President?

I'm casting my ballot for the "inexperienced", "elitist" from Chicago. At least he has the judgement to see the big picture.

DJ, LA, CA   May 1st, 2008 5:48 pm ET

Memo to John:

You can drill all the Alaskan oil, pander to the special interest oil lobbies,
and talk about election year gimmicks all you want however guest what?

Drilling more oil, tax breaks, and more perk for your oil executive golfing pals won't reduce demand 1 bit.

Obama '08 & '12   May 1st, 2008 5:47 pm ET

PETER PAUL VS CLINTON!!!

PLEASE PEOPLE, GOOGLE THIS AND LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR BELOVED HILLARY CLINTON

mario   May 1st, 2008 5:46 pm ET

I heard Hillary will switch to the Republican party and offer McCain to be her Vice President ;-)

kathleen retired Professional w/woman for obama   May 1st, 2008 5:46 pm ET

Bill will continue to make Millions from Dubai and Columbia and
Hillary won't even notice!!!! Right in front of her nose and a quick
walk to the Lobbyists, Congressmen, and Senate and Judges.
Worlds greatest scam artists.

kathleen retired Professional w/woman for obama   May 1st, 2008 5:46 pm ET

Bill will continue to make Millions from Dubai and Columbia and
Hillary won't even notice!!!! Right in front of her nose and a quick
walk to the Lobbyists, Congressmen, and Senate and Judges.
Scam. Scam. Scam.

kathleen retired Professional w/woman for obama   May 1st, 2008 5:44 pm ET

He doesn't have a clue and he don't care!!!!
All of a sudden, he cares about Katrina, jobs and gas prices!
Wonder Why, Oh, Why!!!!!

AJ, IL   May 1st, 2008 5:43 pm ET

AMEN Kim!!!!!….I feel like we are in the middle of a presidential general election already with three candidates, Democrat Obama, Republican McCain, and "don't-know-what-she-wants-to-be-a-Republican-or-Democrat " Hillary.

The media wants the Democratic primaries to continue due the revenues and ratings they are generating. When Hillary was the front-runner the media pushed her campaign gaffes. When Obama is now the front-runner the media is pushing his campaign gaffes.

Cable news channels like CNN, FOX, and MSNBC have spent much of their shows covering the 2008 Presidential race, mostly on the Democratic side.

If Obama's poll numbers rebound over the three weeks with wins in Guam, North Carolina, and Indiana, he will regain presidential momentum.

Donald from SC   May 1st, 2008 5:43 pm ET

Mike,

If the American citizens need the extra 20 bucks to pay their cell phone bills, then maybe they don't need the cell phone. STOP CALLING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE STUPID!

Trollmaster   May 1st, 2008 5:37 pm ET

McCain must think Americans are stupid if he thinks the people are going to fall for his plan. (or lack of one actually)

There's no plan at all about what to do with the lack of revenue that will occur, and there's no reason the gouging oil companies won't raise gas prices up even further.

Ken   May 1st, 2008 5:36 pm ET

You neo-nuggets who support this "gas tax holiday" are probably the same ones who elected our current disaster-in-charge to office, TWICE. You believe the snakeoil man when he sells you his relief — but in this case he's the same person who made you sick in the first place. The price rise in a gallon of gas over the last year alone is triple the value of the gas tax — so by all means, take your $0.25 rebate, while they rasie the price by another $0.75 – $1.00 — by all means let's take the quick money, and ignore the fix to the real problem.

McCain and his party supports policies that will tend to keep the price of oil on the rise. They will put billions more money in the pockets of big oil corporations and foreign governments, while saving you pennies on the backs of your fellow hardworking Americans — construction workers who are paid to do useful work on our American infrastructure out of those taxes. And you people call yourselves patriotic — pathetic!!!! You represent the decaying of Americ from within.

Lonnie H.   May 1st, 2008 5:36 pm ET

Is the media ignoring this? CNN, what's the problem? At least post this one…

Los Angeles Judge Saves Hillary's Presidential Bid

In the landmark civil fraud case against Bill Clinton in Los Angeles, where the former President is charged with defrauding a Hollywood dot com millionaire to help Hillary Clinton obtain more than $1.2 million from him for her 2000 Senate campaign, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Aurelio Munoz ruled on Friday, April 25 that Hillary Clinton would not be required to testify in a sworn deposition as a material witness in the case until AFTER the November election!

Lonnie H.- Toledo, OH

tina   May 1st, 2008 5:32 pm ET

When will he realize that this is NOT going to help. Its so obvious that the gas tax WILL be recouped by the oil companies. We need real change! Did you hear this morning how much profit they are making per hour? And this is total profit. They only care about the bottom line, and McCain only cares about who is padding his wallet, not ours!!

GARY   May 1st, 2008 5:30 pm ET

Please remove "cam from kentucky"

GL   May 1st, 2008 5:28 pm ET

Dave-

It's not just the $5.00 a gallon price we'll be left with after summer. Add the $5.00 loaf of bread and the $6.00 gallon of milk that will immediately follow. How do you think anything that you purchase gets to market? (It is driven there). When freight companies wind up paying $6/$7 a gallon for diesel at the end of summer, who do you think is going to cover that increase? Certainly not them, nor the retailers they deliver too… we'll be paying for that as well.

Brilliant plan McCain. I see you've really thought this one through.

Way past BITTER.

joe   May 1st, 2008 5:28 pm ET

People, wake up. tell them to keep their lousy gas tax.
Stop trying to feed me your table scraps and cut out the nonsense.
real issues- trade imbalance, corporate corrupttion & bailouts. how about a real energy policy? How about a national vision and goal of diversified energy sources by 2020. say 50% non oil or coal.
a rising tide raises all boats. and pleeeease, stop insulting our inteligence with nonsense from washington and their insiders. time to let everyone sit at the table again boys.

Hans-Erik Iken   May 1st, 2008 5:26 pm ET

That 'tax break' will not help anybody except maybe the oil companies to sell a little bit more.

Unbelievably naive to think this would have any impact on the very real economic problems the country is having.

Want to save money? Stop wasting it in Iraq and invest that in the USA.

12 Billion dollars a month will buy a lot of relief for the suffering people of the USA…….

Pat   May 1st, 2008 5:25 pm ET

What an out of touch elitist. The $18 savings means nothing. When's the last time he looked at the price of school supplies. What a joke and an insult to the American public. Stop with the band-aid tactics and get to work on a credible solution.

Betty SC   May 1st, 2008 5:25 pm ET

Did Bush agree to this plan that you and Hillary is pushing. You are traveling in you wife jet so why you think the American people will think you and Hillary can do anything.

Kim   May 1st, 2008 5:25 pm ET

I am SO happy to see that the American public isn't falling for this idiocy!!!! Obama is right — and is a MUCH stronger politician than the other 2 — because he is standing up against this even with tabloid-esque headlines like "Clinton and McCain want to provide relief at the pumps; Obama against it". If this isn't sensationalist media, I don't know what is.

When will people see that this race is over? The media are keeping it alive because they are RAKING IN THE DOUGH in ad buys!!!!

Obama '08

JJ   May 1st, 2008 5:23 pm ET

I think McCain might be missing the point – heard an interview on fox where he said "Listen, we gave that negro a holiday over my objection. Now it's only fair that the oil companies get a holiday, too. They've done a lot for this country".

Adam   May 1st, 2008 5:20 pm ET

When are the republicans (and apparently now hillary too) going to stop telling us that we can buy our way out of this recession? Is that really the only solution that they have?

"Here, America, go spend the little money you have left so that you can 'stimulate' the economy."

Give me a break. How about having a president that actually understands our needs?

NoBama   May 1st, 2008 5:19 pm ET

Obama-Bots…stop with your Obama '08 posts. New polls show he is now in a deadheat with Hillary nationwide. His once huge lead has dwindled to nothing because every time he opens his mouth he says something dumb and every time a reporter asks him a tough question he gets all flustered.

McCain's gas tax holiday is a dumb idea but he will still win 40+ states.

Juliet   May 1st, 2008 5:18 pm ET

TO ALL THE OBAMA SUPPORTERS:

Since the media is refusing to reveal/report the Paul vs Clinton fraud case in court right now, we need to create our own movement and flood every blog on CNN and every blogging website on the World Wide Web with information from the case regardless of what the topic is. For those that don't know – Google Paul vs Clinton and hold on to your shirt with what you read!!

OBAMANACS UNITE!!! LET'S DO THIS!!

Jack from Texas   May 1st, 2008 5:17 pm ET

Edgar said:

"LETS GET REAL PEOPLE AND USE OUR BRAINS AND NOT FALL FOR THIS SOUND GOOD POLITICS.

OBAMA 08″

Irony at its finest…

MJM   May 1st, 2008 5:17 pm ET

Is this site just for Obama supporters?

Cutting the FEDERL gas tax for the summer is a good move. I'd like to see the state tax cut as well. There is close to $.38 in taxes on a gallon of gas! Low taxes is what America is all about. That's the American way.

Then there's Obama. He wants to raise the Capital Gains Tax to 25-28 just because….

Nathaniel Holton   May 1st, 2008 5:16 pm ET

If the voters of North Carolina and Indiana fall for the gas gimmick, then this country is in worse shape than I thought. I don't think it's going to happen though, people are smartening up and desire a better politics.

John   May 1st, 2008 5:15 pm ET

Since the media is refusing to reveal/report the Paul vs Clinton fraud case in court right now, we need to create our own movement and flood every blog on CNN and every blogging website on the World Wide Web with information from the case regardless of what the topic is. For those that don't know – Google Paul vs Clinton and hold on to your shirt with what you read!!

JF in Sota   May 1st, 2008 5:14 pm ET

While the savings to the average driver would be modest, the impact on the overally economy would be very beneficial. Truckers and farmers that spend thousands of dollars on fuel would be looking at significant savings. This translates into cheaper transportation costs and savings for businesses and would ease some of the worry of inflation to the overally economy. We are flirting with a recession NOW! Those of you throwing out your own personal savings to this plan are very short sighted and are not looking at the overall impact this could have. Go ask some of the truckers driving around the capitol and ask them if they want to see this go into affect!!

Furthermore, these comparisons to Bush are comical. Do some homework and look at his record and then tell me he's like Bush!!

Go McCain!!

Tom, St. Paul   May 1st, 2008 5:14 pm ET

Either he doesn't understand economics, or he's betting that the voters don't!

FOOLS FOR Mc CAIN!!

Mike,Iowa   May 1st, 2008 5:13 pm ET

Maybe McCain should choose Hillary as his running mate….

Tony B B.C.Mich   May 1st, 2008 5:13 pm ET

iF THIS IS A HOLIDAY BREAK, IMAGINE WHAT THANKSGIVING AND X-MAS WILL LOOK LIKE?

merle 7   May 1st, 2008 5:12 pm ET

A vote for Hillary is a vote for McCain. Bush didn't listen to anyone either,and look the disaster he created and have the nerve to blame it all on congress. A hillary or McCain administration would be the same.

Obama 08!

Doc   May 1st, 2008 5:11 pm ET

Yeah its amazing to me to see this all go down. People are more worried about their candidate winning than resolution for the country to some of the worst times seen in this country since the depression era. This simple minded gas tax relief is that to NYC people not buying gas for a day. What do you think will happen tomorrow?????
MC-Clinton (I got jokes) both thinks this is a good idea. Several economists have all shot the idea down as rehetoric. I will believe an economist before i do a politician of the old poltical machine. Oh yeah I would believe a politician of change who also diagreed with Mc Cain and Clinton, and who has announced today what he would do as opposed to his running mates.

OB1 4 President (I can't even recognize McCain as a potential candidate not when he says this and you couple it with the war)

Chi4Obama   May 1st, 2008 5:10 pm ET

Wow,
McCain is proposing to save me a whopping .18 – .20 cents each time I fill up my gas tank over the summer. He definately gets my vote now.

bb   May 1st, 2008 5:10 pm ET

Where is this country headed? Has anybody looked at the Globe Magazine which hit the news stands today. It showsHillery Clinton clinging to this young Muslim woman by the name of Huma Abedin with the title "Hillery Gay Love Scandal". A repeat of the Bill Clinton scandal when he was president. How disgusting and shameful. Should we not set higher standards for our oval office candidates?

GL   May 1st, 2008 5:10 pm ET

How much is he getting from Big Oil in donations for his "unyielding support"? (Same for Hillary)

Both just need to go away so we can get to fixing this country.

Randal NYC   May 1st, 2008 5:08 pm ET

I dont know about the rest of you. But Ill take Michael Bloomberg's word that:
"It’s about the dumbest thing I’ve heard in an awful long time from an economic point of view."
He didnt get that rich by not knowing about money.

And Hillary has already made plans for the windfall tax
And its only $30-$50

Kevin, Illinois   May 1st, 2008 5:08 pm ET

This is such a joke. The state of Illinois suffered tremondously due to the lost tax revenue, and this chucklehead governor of ours had to raise fees to make up some of the loss, which it didn't even dent. Obama's right

gary   May 1st, 2008 5:08 pm ET

HRC AND MCCAIN ARE RIGHT ABOUT THE FUEL. YOUR LITTLE BOY O.B. HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OR EVEN CARES ABOUT HELPING THE FUEL PROBLEM. HE IS ALL TALK. ATLEAST HRC AND MCCAIN ARE SHOWNIG SOLUTIONS AND PLANS. O.B. JUST WANTS THE WORLD TO WRAP AROUND HIM ,AND DO NOTHING ABOUT ANYTHING. HE JUST WANTS TO MAKE HISTORY WHERE HRC WANTS TO GET THINGS DONE. HE IS SUCH A BIG JOKE. GO HRC.

Chuck, Oregonians for Obama   May 1st, 2008 5:08 pm ET

This does nothing for me personally. I use 25 gallons of gas every "2″ weeks, that is a savings of $4.6 in that two weeks. Hmmm, I can afford another gallon of milk. Sen McCain needs to do a lot more that save me $9.20 a month. With the cost of groceries, utilities and gas I can not afford any vacations like camping this summer, guess I will have to pitch my tent in my back yard.

voice of reason, NC   May 1st, 2008 5:07 pm ET

at least he's trying to find something, a solution….which is more than what i can say about obama. rather pre occupied with winning and sending people under the bus.

i won't vote for mccain that's for sure but i do admire the fact that he is trying to solve some real problems while running for office. the same can be said about hilary. in fact, her senate attendance is amazing while campaigning.

obama is falling fast because people are seeing things like this. seeing him as a typical politician no more no less. problem is he took a holier than thou stance, therefore the falling distance is greater.

Lynnette   May 1st, 2008 5:06 pm ET

Here's the savings for me, keeping in mind that it would go from Memorial Day to Labor Day. That's approximately 3-1/2 months.
I fill up my gas tank every other week [twice a month] and use 22 gallons to fill up the tank. So here goes.
Federal taxes on gallon of gas $.185
Number of gallons – 22.

$.18.5 per gallon x 22 gallons = $4.07 per fillup
$4.07 x 8 fillups = $32.56 total savingings

How in the world is this amount going to help me? It's not even enough for half a tank of gas.

Foreign observer   May 1st, 2008 5:06 pm ET

Education in the US is expensive and sometimes bad. People even don´t understand the basic math. 30 $ for 3 months to buy a 4 years term without future gaining perspective ! Really bad deal.

Wake up America!   May 1st, 2008 5:06 pm ET

Well, he did say economics is not his thing. Proof positive this elitist is out of touch with the American People.

Obama '08

Andrew   May 1st, 2008 5:06 pm ET

Oil companies make 8 cents per gallon.
Fed makes 18 cents per gallon.
Which makes more sense?

White Independent   May 1st, 2008 5:05 pm ET

This man is an idiot. Cut gas prices by 5% so oil companies can raise it by 5%. He must have quite a bit of stock in Shell.

Farrell, Houston, Tx   May 1st, 2008 5:05 pm ET

MCCAIN SAYS DON'T BLAME BUSH FOR "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" BUT BLAME RUMSFELD, ADD MCCAIN'S NAME TO THAT LIST.

Tony B B.C.Mich   May 1st, 2008 5:05 pm ET

If Big oil was making money 5 years before the war in Iraq and gas and oil, were still used for the same purposes, and if Big oil was making money when the war began in Iraq, and they are still making money a record highs to this date, And hightway and transportation were also doing the same functions, then I believe that a Back To The Past 5 years ago Tax break should be proposed………………. We can do anything elese, I KNOW WE CAN TRAVEL BACK IN TIME TO 2.45 A GALLON!!!!!!

NOBAMA   May 1st, 2008 5:04 pm ET

The hypocrisy in the country makes me want to vomit…

We whine about high gas prices, yet we still drive around in gas guzzling SUVs and hot rods.

Instead of looking at alternative methods of transportation (car pools, hybrids, bikes, public transport, etc…) Americans complain that solution inconveniences them and drive their gas guzzlers up like sheep to the pump and fill up while cursing and blaming the government it is their fault that gas prices are so high….never bothering to think that always increasing demand against limited supply could actually be driving the prices up????

GL   May 1st, 2008 5:03 pm ET

This from the man who admits he doesn't know much about economics? Good grief we're doomed…

Roofin Reality, Houston, Tx.   May 1st, 2008 5:03 pm ET

Remember, our current President (just recently renowned as having worst ratings in history) was also dogmatic in his beliefs – no matter how many people told him his position was wrong.

For all you Clinton or Obama supporters,
IF your candidate doesn't get the nomination, just remember how much it cost to buy gas, put food on the table, pay for healthcare. Then think, do I really want more of the same?

Stacy Clarks   May 1st, 2008 5:03 pm ET

can someone tell McCain to just disappear, he is irrelevant!

Mike,Iowa   May 1st, 2008 5:02 pm ET

I think the federal gas tax holiday is just plain patronizing to the consumers. what are they supposed to do before and after the summer? Like Obama said a quick fix that could cost us more money in the end.

Tim   May 1st, 2008 5:02 pm ET

Paul Vs Clinton??? What gives???

Chi4Obama   May 1st, 2008 5:02 pm ET

Shame on CNN for posting the following blog above from :

"Cam of Kentucky:"
Neither that BOY nor that GAL will be running the White House of this US of A. McCain 08
****************************************************************************
This is the type of racism and sexism that should not be tolerated in this country. Hey Cam, what are you going to do when either "that boy", or "that Gal" is sworn into the oval office….

Go Democrats!

Steve   May 1st, 2008 5:02 pm ET

Simple anwser,,, the gasoline companies will just raise the price of gas to cancel out the gas tax! How stupid can we get! Go Obama

Steve

Kentucky

truthurts   May 1st, 2008 5:01 pm ET

Obama voted for something like this in 2000 in Illinois. Guess what? It didn't work. So this time around he knows to not offer the same plan because it failed the first time. No one with a half a brain would believe a windfall tax wouldn't be offset by higher gas prices in the fall.

Terrible idea…but some americans will eat it up. OBAMA has to do a better job throwing the numbers out their so people can see how they are being hoodwinked…

Griff   May 1st, 2008 5:01 pm ET

A Dollar in the Pocket. is better than a Dream

Margie   May 1st, 2008 5:00 pm ET

If they Barrack is the democractic nominee, McCain will be the president, they can wait for healing all they want, but from what I am hearing (I live in Pennslyvania) the predictions is McCain will be the president, we are told that Wright shouldn't be an issue, well sorry it is, 20 years is an awfully long time to display such bad judgement that include choosing a pastor who preaches hatred to your children, the bitter remarks and oh yea, if a girl makes a mistake she shouldn't be punished with a child. Oh and I wonder who the the people and Flordia and michigan are going to vote for knowing that O'bama did not want their votes to count at the last election…?If Barrack is the deocratic nominee I will turn the channel when he is on and wait for the nest election.

Al   May 1st, 2008 5:00 pm ET

Mike – Getting rid of the gas tax will only make gas prices go up. So in reality, you're not saving anything. Time for you to remove your lips from Hillary's behind and get with the times. And come out of the closet. No real man would support Hillary.

Cindy Lou   May 1st, 2008 4:59 pm ET

And I will be unyielding in voting against this man. I want the soldiers out of Iraq–he wants to set up a permanent base. Not my kind of president.

mitch from ark.   May 1st, 2008 4:59 pm ET

he just doesn't get it! what a numbskull!

bdc   May 1st, 2008 4:58 pm ET

still calling for this even after everyone says it's a bad idea… thats foreshadowing if I've ever heard it

Liz   May 1st, 2008 4:58 pm ET

He is doing better than he should. I cant believe that people still support him this much. I guess that some people are not good reading between the lines. If the shoe were on the other foot Hillary and McCain would be done. After 20 years of listening to Reverend Wright, Obama says that he doesn't "subscribe" to the thoughts and feelings of the reverend? Why was he there than, just for show? Is this how good a listener this guy is? Is this how he is going to listen as president? Oh and how about his wife she sounds to me like she "subscribes' to the reverends thoughts, didn't she say that " for the first time in my life I'm proud of this country? I just don't trust this guy. At least with McCain we know what to expect, and Hillary she is just so much more prepared for this job that I cant understand why people don't see it. Just wait until Reverend Wright pops his head up again,
hopefully it will be before the primary's are over, because if Obama wins over Hillary than we are going to have McCain for the next 4 years. Wake up people read between the lines he is just a politician.
GO HILLARY GO !!!!!!

DJ in TX   May 1st, 2008 4:58 pm ET

To Jon – when the bridge you may drive falls or potholes on your street don't get fixed because this gas tax holiday took the money for the repairs and also possibly could put even more workers out of jobs (won't be able to pay the ones who actually repair the roads), let me know then how that little bit helped you.

BTW – I'm not well off and struggle at the pump as much as the next guy. But listen to the "independent economists" who have no allegiance to either party. They all state is a bad idea and could drive up cost even more.

Chi4Obama   May 1st, 2008 4:56 pm ET

And yet, another reason why Obama gets my vote.
What McCain and Hillary are promoting is purely political spin. People don't realize that "suspending the gas tax" doesn't even mean that we will be paying lower prices in the short run. Oil companies will do nothing more than just increase the price of gas, in order to compensate for the tax.

Let's work on attacking the "root" cause of why gas prices are so high to begin with. Not encourage some short term band-aid that will not solve are long term problems. Obama in '08

Video Guy   May 1st, 2008 4:55 pm ET

This should be enough to show that Mr Obama is the real thing. His numbers are down a little, he had a little Pastor trouble and still he does not take the easy way out. He tells it like it is.

Donovan   May 1st, 2008 4:55 pm ET

Give em hell McCain!

truthurts   May 1st, 2008 4:55 pm ET

we don't need $30 and the same problem facing us right after summer.

If anything it will cause more people to consume gas during the vacation and raise prices anyway due to demand.

A better solution is to release the reserves and force the price down and stop speculators from pricing gas based on a week dollar

Al   May 1st, 2008 4:54 pm ET

Both Clinton & McCain are ignoring every single reputable economy expert. They all agree this does basically nothing. Saving $25 over the course of the summer amounts to nothing. Its a terrible idea that they are using for political gains only. Obama's the only one who see's this.

Ed   May 1st, 2008 4:54 pm ET

When will we wake up and recognize that Hilary has tried to come up with something for every primay just for the vote. I am so tired of her messing with our minds…..Hilary will do or say anything to win. I was fooled before, but not anymore.

I admire Barack for his good judgment and telling us what we need to know even if it is not popular.

Come on Indiana and North Carolina….let's put this honest, genuine man in the White House to work for all Americans.

wyliffe   May 1st, 2008 4:53 pm ET

When it comes to economy McCain simply doen't get it

Rick   May 1st, 2008 4:52 pm ET

wow, i just calculated it, its a savings of 38 dollars, wow, maybe I can go eat at Mcdonalds with my family of 6.

David in Illinois   May 1st, 2008 4:52 pm ET

Hillary has a plan for everything, doesn't she? Ugh. How about coming up with a plan to be optimistic, to tell the truth, to not "move the goal post" every day, to not have a campaign wallowing in debt and then say she has tremendous economic experience.
The gas tax holiday is a pandering nonsolution gimmick for somebody who touts real solutions for nation.
Hillary and Bill CANNOT legitimately win the nomination. They should exit the stage immediately.

Tony B B.C.Mich   May 1st, 2008 4:52 pm ET

What is the 18.4 cents….. what will that cover? The fumes of gas?……………………………………. This is Outrageous and Offensive!!!!!…….. Get it together McCain…………………………………..Huhnnnnn!

NickNas   May 1st, 2008 4:52 pm ET

Stupid is as Stupid does. How Bush like. Experts say it is a BAD IDEA but he wants to do it anyway. Sound femiliar?

R.I.F.   May 1st, 2008 4:51 pm ET

Mike May 1st, 2008 4:46 pm ET

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU JOHN MCCAIN!
First of all, do your research, the oil companies are making the same percentage profit they made 10 years ago, your slander only shows your ignorance. Second of all, every cent counts. This shows Obama's isolation from middle America and how he doesnt understand how 20 bucks a month can make a difference, thats a cell phone bill right there! Time to grow up Obama supporters
The honeymoon is over, welcome to earth.
____________________________________________________

And that cell phone will be cut off the after the gas tax holiday is over because that "holiday" will drive up the cost of gas sue to the increase in demand during the "holiday"
Ever take Econ 101? If not, try gooling "gas tax" and you can read from about 1000 articles from every economist why this is a bad idea. Stop taking everything so perssonal everyone and research things yourself.

Tony, Rochester NY   May 1st, 2008 4:51 pm ET

If "ordinary" Americans believe this plan will work and actually fall for this, then ordinary Americans are dumb. It makes sense complete sense then that those (rightly) speaking out against the plan are out of touch with "ordinary," Americans. It's times like these that I finally realize how we ended up with such a dumb president for the last eight years.

Docb   May 1st, 2008 4:50 pm ET

This is a gimmick to lure voters and I never thought I would see McCain stoop to the same level as Clinton -oh–she jumped on his bandwagon..That's not new.

priscilla from new jesey   May 1st, 2008 4:50 pm ET

ok now the gas is too high the food is getting high to what do they want from us. we should be able to control how much gas is. gas wasnt high then but they say there isnt much oil left thats y its so high they say which 1 is it because the money we spend everyday these oil companies are makin like 20 billion dollars and what are they doing with this money?

Huey Long   May 1st, 2008 4:49 pm ET

When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. When all you are is a Republican, everything looks like a tax break.

McCain has no real answers to fix the economy, so this is the only thing he can come up with.

Obama '08

Alonzo Demetrius   May 1st, 2008 4:49 pm ET

I agree with any little bit of relief that is possible. I think that the states should also give relief, as well as other government involvements such as possibly counties, cities.

Thank You Democrats   May 1st, 2008 4:48 pm ET

Why do you think the Republicans have been voting for Clinton after their primary was decided? There is so much dirty and nasty politics that can be brought about about Billary. If you think Rev. Wright is bad, then everyone must have forgotten about the Billary years in the White House. The Republicans have done a perfect job and will end up winning a election that they had no right to win. Keep the fighting Democrats all the way to the convention. Don't give up Hillary.
If I was a democrat, I would give up and sit out this year's election. I heard if Clinton wins, she will ban all cigars in the D.C. area and Bill will have to wear a body suit without a zipper.

Thank You Democrats.

OlvrWhit   May 1st, 2008 4:48 pm ET

For you headline reading bloggers, you really don't know what Hillary's plan is. Her gax tax holiday would be payed for by a windfall tax on the huge profits of the oil companies. Obama is misleading people on the stump when he claims it would cost jobs and take money from infrastructure. Hillary has a plan to cover this. Plus, this is a non-issue as niether of the three will be in a position to deal with this until January.

However, please know someone's plan before you bash it. I think its time the oil companies had to pay. If you look at Hillarys overall plan, it also calls for investigations into why the oil companies are making so much money as the price of gas goes up. This is a fighter, willing to take on the big boys.

BobW   May 1st, 2008 4:47 pm ET

I favor Clinton since Obama just doesn't have the experience yet. He should be resigned to be Hillary's VP. However, I like his stance on the gas tax. All that Bush's 2001? Tax rebate, and most likely the 2008 tax rebate and then a possible gas tax break will do is put us in more debt. We had a balanced budget and the debt was being paid off real quick when Bill Clinton was in office. We need to reverse this trend quick most of our money is simply being put into paying off the interest on the national debt. Hillary should make Bill her economic advisor – this may be her weakest area.

Mike   May 1st, 2008 4:46 pm ET

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU JOHN MCCAIN!
First of all, do your research, the oil companies are making the same percentage profit they made 10 years ago, your slander only shows your ignorance. Second of all, every cent counts. This shows Obama's isolation from middle America and how he doesnt understand how 20 bucks a month can make a difference, thats a cell phone bill right there! Time to grow up Obama supporters
The honeymoon is over, welcome to earth.

Mike - Texas   May 1st, 2008 4:46 pm ET

Put together a comprehensive ENERGY POLICY that includes;

1) building more refineries
2) allow jour companies to drill offshore where other nations are currently drilling
3) build nuclear power plants
4) allow drlling in AWNR
5) allow drilling in Colorado

Our reserves in ANWR, Colorado, and offshore are greater that that of Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia combined. And congress will not allow us to drill there.

Punishing oil companies with a 7%, yes I said 7%, profit margin which is below the industry average in this country is sheer stupidity.

Dave   May 1st, 2008 4:45 pm ET

This guys beginning to scare me.

Donald from SC   May 1st, 2008 4:45 pm ET

Hey Mary,

Can you teach Senator McCain and his campaign folks logic? It seems that he has missed that basic principle that you just gave.

anon   May 1st, 2008 4:44 pm ET

TO ALL THE OBAMA SUPPORTERS:

Since the media is refusing to reveal/report the Paul vs Clinton fraud case in court right now, we need to create our own movement and flood every blog on CNN and every blogging website on the World Wide Web with information from the case regardless of what the topic is. For those that don't know – Google Paul vs Clinton and hold on to your shirt with what you read!!

OBAMANACS UNITE!!! LET'S DO THIS!!

Gas Tax Gimmick   May 1st, 2008 4:44 pm ET

Do the math senator McCain! If the average driver drives 1,000 miles per month and gets roughly 20 miles per gallon, that equates to 50 gallons of gas per month.

Waving the 0.184 federal tax for 3-months will save the average driver (50 gallonx x 0.184) $9.20 per month. Do you really think that savings will pay for a holiday trip?

No intelligent analyst is fooled by the gas tax gimmick: it will do more harm than good with lost highway projects, major delays in project completions and lost jobs.

Why would anyone want to elect a person to the presidency who is so grossly inempt as to propose such a Gas Tax Gimmick?

Spider   May 1st, 2008 4:44 pm ET

Clinton and McCain have both suggested the "tax vacation" as a short term relief from the high cost of gas, during the summer vacation season. Hillary, however, has suggested a tax increase for the oil companies at the same time, to maintain the funds for highway repair/improvement. She also has suggested long term solutions to the problem.
Obama just brushes this off his shoulder, tells us this is just old Washington politics. "This wouldn't work. Might just end up costing more. We need some change."
So, Barack, you want to stop any small short term relief for the American people in favor of a long term solution. But, I don't hear any ideas from you on either, short or long term.
Barack Obama's whole campaign has been, "We need a change. We can make a change." But, he never tells us his plans for that change.

Uncle Sam   May 1st, 2008 4:43 pm ET

What American wants is a presidential candidate who loves his country enough to be attacked by both conservatives and liberals.

Americans for Mccain '08

Dave   May 1st, 2008 4:43 pm ET

Have fun when your plan gives us $5/gallon gas when summer's over. Just in time for the general election.

Enough   May 1st, 2008 4:43 pm ET

This is the same type of snow job we've seen from bush over the last 7+ years. I wonder if he thinks it's worth it to sacrafice his credibility and principles for the gop nomination. "Maverick" – what a joke.

jeff   May 1st, 2008 4:43 pm ET

Clinton and McClain's tax moratorium is a joke. I buy about 20 gallons of gas a week. If they suspend the 18.4 cent tax during the 12 weeks in the summer months, I will save a whopping total of $44.16!
Be real! The government needs the $44.16 more than I do. Take it and invest it in alternate energy research.

50 year old college educated white Texan for Obama.

MD in OK   May 1st, 2008 4:43 pm ET

I have to agree with Obama. This is only a short term fix. We need long term solutions. Saving $10. a month for 3 months is nothing. Some of my utilities have already increased, so that's where my meager savings will go.

Don't believe the polls when they say Obama is losing support. A lot of these polls are biased against Obama, especially ARG. Just do your reasearch and you will be surprised. One of these candidates has to drop out ,and CNN is hoping that it's Obama. Shame on you CNN!

Fran Martin   May 1st, 2008 4:43 pm ET

McCain's dimwitted populist idea has drawn fire from thinking Americans and economists as well. After the oil companies exploit such a tax decrease with an increase of their own, it is projected that the average family of 4 will save far less than $100 across the summer months, even as the oil companies rake in even higher profits. Meanwhile Americans will be discouraged from doing the right things to mitigate the impact of higher gas prices and the nationwide system of roads will further erode from a failure to properly fund upkeep from the fuel tax. Good move Johnny Boy, only Bush could have come up with a more foolhardy plan.

tidho   May 1st, 2008 4:42 pm ET

Nothing is free, who's paying for it?

McCain wants to use infastructure funds meaning less projects and less jobs.

Clinton wants to tax big oil which probalby means an offsetting price increase, but could mean corporate layoffs or less alternative fuel research too.

Idiotic, but uninformed voters will lap it up!…or at least Clinton and McCain hope so.

Annette Smith   May 1st, 2008 4:42 pm ET

Why do never bring up John Mccann's affair with his present wife when he was married to his first wife. Are all of you told not to talk about his past? All we here is what Clinton and Obama did or might do.

dianne, nc   May 1st, 2008 4:42 pm ET

I think I saw a poll on CNN this morning, where 85% of people are against the federal gas tax holiday. People are not being fooled!

Edgar   May 1st, 2008 4:42 pm ET

From $20 to $30 in Three months is going to make peoples life so much better. Its going to make people catch up on their bills and high food prices.

COME ON GET REAL

McCAIN+HILLARY= $25 SAVINGS IN 3 MONTHS YEHHHH

BARACK+ECONOMIST=SMART PRESIDENT, ITS A DUMB IDEA

LETS GET REAL PEOPLE AND USE OUR BRAINS AND NOT FALL FOR THIS SOUND GOOD POLITICS.

OBAMA 08

Unfooled Patriot   May 1st, 2008 4:41 pm ET

Grandpa monster , please stop pandering to the un willing. We see and smell your tricky ways or is that your Man Diaper. Come on Grandpa monster you can't fool us , we know you crashed your plane , and then almost drowned , but got saved by a Vietnamese farmer( Or what you call peasant). Then after this guy saved your rear you bailed on him. Plus when you where in Jail for blowing up kids and old folk. They treated you good because your daddy was a high ranking Military guy. I wonder have you ever earned anything In your life.

Beltway Insider   May 1st, 2008 4:40 pm ET

Can someone close to this moron please put him in touch with an economist? Imagine the damage this idiot will do the economy if he actually gets elected president.

Mandy, California   May 1st, 2008 4:40 pm ET

Pander, pander, pander…Hillary and John! You can't do anything until you are President and that will be WAAAAYYYY past this summer.

So lots of empty promises…good solution!

The Gas Man (VA)   May 1st, 2008 4:40 pm ET

Absolutely ridiculous. What about the construction and design employees who are going to be laid off because there's no work for them because there's no roads.

Oh, and you can use that $30 and then some to fix the tires and suspension and other damage to your vehicles because the roads aren't being maintained. Oh yeah, new construction may be cut too, so roads will be more crowded than now.

Get rid of the federal gas tax altogether and let the states manage all the road money. Hell, VA is a donor state anyway (we receive something like $.82 for every dollar we send to DC). I don't want my extra $.18 to pay for Alaskan Bridges to Nowhere anyway.

Darth Vadik, CA   May 1st, 2008 4:40 pm ET

What is this SM fascination Republicans have with tax cuts?

Here is what this duffus proposed:

You buy your own health insurance, cost $12,000 (avg family)

You get a tax rebate for $5000

Your total cost in one year $7000

Median US income $50,000

Cost of raising your tax 2% to cover universal healthcare.

That is $1000.

So according to McCain your cost would be $7000

Universal Heathcare Plan $1000

7000 vs 1000

Do you get it yet?

DC Insider   May 1st, 2008 4:40 pm ET

To Pandering – Obama was just afraid to back the tax relief and be 3rd in line for doing so. He is slow to act – indecisive – and just plain dumb. and by the way Pandering, Obama supported this very tax relief from the federal fuel tax just 12 months ago — So take your mister flip flop and buy a hybrid …. seems Kerry is having an efffect on barack

To Venus   May 1st, 2008 4:39 pm ET

You are in a different planet. McCain will clean Obama's clock in November.. It won't even be close.

Rev Wright and his Wife's comments will haunt him throughout the election. The American people will not stand up for this charlatan.

Jim - Tucson   May 1st, 2008 4:38 pm ET

McCain needs to get his buddies at the FED to stop dropping interest rates so the dollar will quit declining and oil will become less expensive. That is a long term solution, not a "holiday" solution.

Kathryn Irby - Metairie, LA   May 1st, 2008 4:38 pm ET

Yeah! Right! Next!

Mary   May 1st, 2008 4:38 pm ET

Save 18 cents a gallon
Tax Oil Corps for our savings
Oil Corps raise prices to cover tax
End of summer — 18 cent a gallon tax on higher costing gas.

Yep — this makes sense

More Tricks   May 1st, 2008 4:38 pm ET

John McCain is as much of a liar and a fool as Bush. I'm not trusting another Republican, let alone one thats just like Bush. Plz dems decide the nomination quickly, we need a dem to win for the people in the general election, and the longer you take the harder it will be to win.

Clinton or Obama '08

Donald from SC   May 1st, 2008 4:38 pm ET

“I’d like to see families in America have a relief from ever increasing costs of gasoline,”

Translated: When are you stupid people going to vote for me? The last time I pumped gas was after returning from the big V. Hurry up and give me MY Presidency because I waited 20 years to get it. If I don't get it now, I will destroy America so no one else can have her.

If John McCain truly cared about the people he would have stuck to his beliefs and win his own party conservative voter support. But, alas he can't because they don't trust him. Is this what the rest of America really want?

rwinstl   May 1st, 2008 4:38 pm ET

So we can comment on a McCain article, but the Obama and Clinton comments sections are closed? Interesting. Well, I was trying to post in response to the article about Obama's poll numbers. They reference Rev Wright's approval at 40%, or 59% unfavorable. 60% of the people don't trust Hillary Clinton, the ACTUAL candidate. Which matters more?

Beth   May 1st, 2008 4:37 pm ET

Carly Fiorina is advising McCain on economic issues? Seems like the blind leading the blind, no offense to the blind! Fiorina says McCain will pay for fixing bridges after suspending the federal gas tax by paying for it “out of reserves”. WHAT reserves? Did I miss something? Did the US balance the budget and pay off the trillions we owe in national debt since I last watched the news? Good grief! How could Wolf allow that to go unchallenged?? AS IF Clinton or Obama could make such a comment and not have it highlighted over and over.

Pam   May 1st, 2008 4:37 pm ET

Oh good. Another stubborn old white guy running for president.

Leo in Nevada   May 1st, 2008 4:37 pm ET

I think Obama's plan might be better. It looks far into the future without dealing with the problem facing people at the moment. He will be such a great president. A president should not deal with the nitty gritty non-sense of details and immediate solutions, they should talk about what to do in the far future. .His message of hope and change will keep people looking to the future and forget about their current pain.

Sharon Minnesota   May 1st, 2008 4:36 pm ET

It's a short term relief for mostly the truckers, farmers and long commuters. If you think about it, it could even help out in product mobility and eventually your pocket book. Why should he listen to all the fortune tellers who don't have any suggestions of their own. Don't always believe what the propagandist are spreading around.

Jon   May 1st, 2008 4:36 pm ET

Money is money. This is a good idea.

The Obamabots are fully drinking the Koolaid.

shirley p.   May 1st, 2008 4:34 pm ET

i have allways voted democrat. i wii not vote for obama, i will go replubican. the senator that just decideedto endorce obama.
just hurt the democrat party.

thank you

John Wa   May 1st, 2008 4:34 pm ET

Another Clinton /McCain pander srategy. Old time trickster politics. Are Americans this stupid—Not.

Cam of Kentucky   May 1st, 2008 4:33 pm ET

Neither that BOY nor that GAL will be running the White House of this US of A.

McCain 08

Uncle Sam   May 1st, 2008 4:32 pm ET

The money saved to our economy could well be in the billions due to the impact the gas tax holiday would have on the transportation of goods.

Dan (Kirkland, WA)   May 1st, 2008 4:32 pm ET

This IS nothing but a political tactic. Do the math.

Let's even round it up to 20cents for regular gas.

If I fill up once a week on a 15 gallon tank, how much does that save me? $2.25.

You've got to be kidding… So I'll save, what, maybe $10 a month through the summer? Big deal!

Even if I end up driving double that it's not a significant enough savings to even be talking about, let alone hammering the crap out of us with it on the stump.

Scott, Cincinnati   May 1st, 2008 4:31 pm ET

It's kind of like giving a homeless person a nickle, what the heck am I going to buy for a nickle. Nothing. Any more lame ideas McBush. FYI – while the fed gas tax is 18 cents the state tax in Ohio is 28 cents.

Dave   May 1st, 2008 4:30 pm ET

What hogwash. If you do the math, this "holiday" will save the average person perhaps $12 over three months. Whoo-hoo! I'm gonna vote for McCain and buy me some GUM!

This is typical Republican tactics: try to distract the populace with something that SOUNDS good but doesn't really amount to much. Meanwhile, that lost tax money lets our bridges and highways rot away, and puts the people who'd be fixing them out of work. Great idea, McCain! Keep pushing for more like that one and the Democrats will have an easy time getting the White House despite this primary mess!

Ryan, New York, NY   May 1st, 2008 4:30 pm ET

McCain freely admitted a few weeks ago that he wasn't very good at economics. So now he comes out with an economic plan that's widely attacked by economists everywhere and he's "amused" by it? Sounds frighteningly similar to Bush's reactions to criticism over the past 7 years.

Tanya Kujath   May 1st, 2008 4:30 pm ET

Democrats, please stop fighting amongst ourselves. McCain is the promising us more of the same. I'm not very happy with the shape our Country is in, are you????? Regardless of who the Democratic nominee is vote for them, I am. Atleast things might get better. Opposed to the same ole, same ole.

r pomerantz   May 1st, 2008 4:30 pm ET

What a looer, he should be a man and drop out, before the entire country turns against him. He has no chance in the National Election, McCain is hoping for this, because he knows he can't beat HILL, but he can certainler beat this loser. For 20 years he was a member of Wright's Church, his mentor and he never heard him say anything, What kind of morals does Obama have. Go back under the rock you came from and take your thankless wife with you. Stand up Americans and fight, don't be afraid of being called a racist, this is what this is all iabout. He has divided the country 20 time worse than the 50's and 60's/. Everyone is afraid to tell it like it is. This is all about race and Obama's campaign started it all. STEP DOWN LOSER.

Pandering   May 1st, 2008 4:29 pm ET

McCain and Clinton are pandering to uneducated voters with feel-good do-nothing solutions.

Obama is standing on principle. At a time when he is hurting in the polls, he is showing true character and a focus on the real issues.

It remains to be seen whether America wants real solutions or easy answers.

Go Obama!!

Yes we can!   May 1st, 2008 4:29 pm ET

we'll be saving an average of $25-$30 over 3 months Woo Hoo!….Both Mccain and Clinton, must think we're crazy….it takes money away from transportation and infrastructure funds….all we hear is 18.5% and people jump on board with Yeah, they are giving solutions…and then Obama is slammed for voting against it…that doesn't stop the oil companies from jacking up the prices….sounds like the vote on the iraq war all over again…mccain and hillary vote for it and looses….obama votes against it stating we need long term solution and not a quick fix….sounds like great judgement all over again.

murry   May 1st, 2008 4:29 pm ET

April 15, McCain ask for the gas-tax for the summer, no one has mentioned that the gas prices has risen ever-day…if they get it..the gas is going to be higher than the 18% anyway….

Mfelder   May 1st, 2008 4:29 pm ET

Senator McCain, the President is about to give us a $600 stimulus check. I think that will go a lot further than the $30 we will save over the next 3 months.

McCain Is Too Old!   May 1st, 2008 4:28 pm ET

Is it me or doe? he look like the Fire marshall in In living color.

honkey white guy from cali   May 1st, 2008 4:28 pm ET

boy is he out of touch or maybe he has not bought school supplies for his kids in many many years! because last year i spent over 150 bucks on supplies and the gas tax is only going to amount to 18.76 in the end for me so please tell me how it is going to help especially when i start to drive my kids to school and then gas will be back up and even more than it was before!

Go Obama 08 Yes We Can

sue   May 1st, 2008 4:28 pm ET

THIS MAN DOES NOT UNDERSTAND BASIC ECONOMIC PRINCIPLES!!!

Why cant he get a couple experts to tell him that Americans are not stupid enough to believe that this is a solution?!!

Its obviously a campaign tactic.

Obama in 08, 12   May 1st, 2008 4:27 pm ET

A fossil talking about fossil fuels.

John M (PA)   May 1st, 2008 4:27 pm ET

Obama is right. This gas tax relief is a joke. People would save $30 tops IF the price of gas doesn't go up due to increased demand (because of lower prices). That would only serve to bump up the price of gas after the taxes break is done with.

This plan would not significantly help anyone and would only allow the nation's highway infrastructure to further deteriorate.

James   May 1st, 2008 4:26 pm ET

Go Obama… Tell McCain and Hillary that you know the economy better.

R.I.F.   May 1st, 2008 4:26 pm ET

He and Clinton make a perfect pair. They are both only pushing this so hard because Obama opposes it and they are trying to continue to potray him as someone who is out of touch and its sad that some voters won't bother to pick up a newspaper or watch a respectable news show.

Every economist in the free world thinks that this is a stupid idea that will only drive gas prices up after the summer. If voters fall for this crap then they deserve Clinton or McBush. Hope they spend that $28 wisely.

Obama '08

Carrie   May 1st, 2008 4:26 pm ET

This gas tax holiday is such a gimmick. Can McCain not come up with something better?

Is this the sort of thing we can expect from a McCain presidency? And a Clinton presidency, since she's on board with this gimmick too?

Go Obama!

Erik   May 1st, 2008 4:25 pm ET

We can lose fuel taxes PERMANENTLY after reducing the size of state and federal government over the next five years by at least ten percent. Instruct your representatives to prohibit bureaucrats from replacing the retiree who spent endless hours pushing Form XQ-345-R12 across his desk on a hefty government salary. Stop spending tax dollars on pork-barrel projects and silly legislation. Reduce that budget! Lower your fuel taxes!

Keith R.   May 1st, 2008 4:25 pm ET

20$ isn't going to make/break families who are already well enough to be able to afford cars. But it will cause more economic turmoil.

It's just an appeal to the "discounts!" voice in people. It's a cheap attempt to curry favor. A cheap attempt with a costly price.

Toki   May 1st, 2008 4:25 pm ET

Another unpopular president in the making!!!!

Venus   May 1st, 2008 4:24 pm ET

You can already tell Mc Cain and Hillary are a lot like Bush! They do not want to listen to the real facts!

Go Obama! Can't wait to see you take on Mc Cain!

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