May 2, 2008
Posted: 10:12 AM ET

From
Obama is running a second Indiana ad making his case against a gas tax holiday.
Obama is running a second Indiana ad making his case against a gas tax holiday.

(CNN) – The Obama campaign released another Indiana response ad Friday to a Hillary Clinton spot that takes aim at his opposition to a gas tax holiday.

“Pennies” – his second ad on the issue — includes quotes from critics who accuse the Clinton campaign of “political pandering.”

On a Thursday conference call with reporters, Clinton senior adviser Geoff Garin said that internal polling suggested her proposal was resonating with primary voters reeling from the impact of rising gas prices.

(Full script follows after the jump)

“Pennies” :30 seconds

www.indiana.barackobama.com/in_pennies

“Another negative ad from Hillary Clinton.

“But here’s what she's NOT saying.

“USA Today calls her three-month gas tax holiday "political pandering." It’s an election year-gimmick, saving Hoosiers just pennies a day.

“Barack Obama's plan? Take on price-gouging by oil companies. Tax their windfall profits. Invest in alternative energy. Give working families a permanent, thousand-dollar tax cut to help with rising costs.

“That's change we can believe in.

“I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message.”

Filed under: Ads • Barack Obama • Indiana


Max   May 2nd, 2008 12:04 pm ET

7000 people in Indiana WILL LOSE THEIR JOBS!!!! if Clintons tax-holiday was approved… Wake up, Indiana ! you are SMARTER than she thinks… Look what NY mayer said about her redicilous idea in NY times today…HRC lost! Barack won! Let's end it!! on May 6.

Fred Fernandez   May 2nd, 2008 12:04 pm ET

For a candidate proposing "Jobs, Jobs, Jobs, Jobs, Jobs"…. in Philadelphia,… why would she want to cut more than 100,000 Construction Jobs across America?

A bit whinny and I am a women   May 2nd, 2008 12:04 pm ET

I love Barack but someone needs to get a new ad person. they add should not talk about how much a day because that makes him look a little funny because $30.00 for some is alot of money even though it doesn't change much. Instead it should have highlighted the fact that this tax holiday would cost billions in needed Highway projects and then focus on real solutions… which he did.

GM from MN   May 2nd, 2008 12:03 pm ET

Anne May 2nd, 2008 11:05 am ET

Before making a judgement about Senator Clinton's support of the gas tax holiday, why doesn't everyone LISTEN to what she says about how
she wants to pay for it? Get the facts!!!

GO HILLARY!!!
—————————–

You get the facts, apparently you enjoy Hillary's half truths..

jeanA   May 2nd, 2008 12:02 pm ET

it kills me how the Hillary supporters think. what a bunch of dopes. PRICES WILL GO UP NOT DOWN! oil will raise their prices to make up for the tax and the gas station owners will certanly take their cut before you even see a change. You people are so blinded by your hate for Obama that all you see is sniper fire while running to your car w/ your daughter.

GO HILLARY….go home

Barbara - 65 yr old white female in NC   May 2nd, 2008 12:02 pm ET

Sorry for you folks that have a lot of driving to do. I don't have to go much, AND I have a hybrid. I'm not waiting for the greedy folks in DC to decide my fate while they get fat.

Felly   May 2nd, 2008 12:02 pm ET

Hillary lies all the time and can't be trusted. Remember the Snipergate.

Clinton or McCain, but NEVER obama   May 2nd, 2008 12:01 pm ET

obama…………….why don't you and your stupid, lying wife just stop telling us what the American people want. You fool…………you don't speak for me. Both of you think you're above having to answer questions about Wright and especially Ayers. Kool-aid drinkers may believe your lies but all of America does not.

Greg Pottstown Pa   May 2nd, 2008 12:01 pm ET

Doug your ideas are as dumb as Mike Mores .

bigben   May 2nd, 2008 12:01 pm ET

Hillary is trying to help. I don't think the gas tax may be right. I do think she
is trying to get congress to think what can we do to help the little guy.
To Obama: it is easy to attack , why don't you come up with solutions then. Instead of going UH UH UH

Barb   May 2nd, 2008 12:00 pm ET

THOSE WHO ARE BUYING HILLARY'S ADD ARE EITHER VERY WEALTHY BECAUSE THEY WILL BENEFIT FROM HER PROPOSAL OR EXTREMELY DUMB BECAUSE THEY ARE EASY TO BE NAMIPULATED AND THEY ARE TOO STUPID TO UNDERSTAND WHAT OBAMA IS TALKING ABOUT.

Brian Michaels   May 2nd, 2008 12:00 pm ET

et tu, CNN? thanks for the "unfiltered" moderation.

mrsingh   May 2nd, 2008 12:00 pm ET

I meant blue collars!

JD   May 2nd, 2008 11:59 am ET

Since when have the Democrats been against high gasoline prices? Al Gore wrote in his book that he thought we should all pay more for fuel.

The Democrats want to fiscally beat as many people as they can into poverty, and then "save" them with welfare.

Obama has stated that he is in favor of "economic parity", where, basically, the more you succeed by your own merits, the more the government will take away from you. This a modern euphemism for Communism.

Vig   May 2nd, 2008 11:59 am ET

Have you noticed with Obama he's always a day late, but apparently not a dollar short. He always has a reaction instead of an action.

fran   May 2nd, 2008 11:59 am ET

Once again Obama does not get it. It's not about pennies, it's about doing something to help people who count the pennies. I can bet that everyone of you Obama supporters would be lined up at a gas station that was selling their gas today for 18 cents less than the other gas stations in your area. And as for jobs lost, it's for the summer and she has a way to pay for it. At least she is trying

Ib   May 2nd, 2008 11:59 am ET

I believe we should give Obama the chance, the American people need his ideas, we need somebody who can deliver, and i think Obama can handle that. i use to be a clinton supporter but she can go back to Newyork and fix the problems there, i tell u a lot of people are suffering in that state and they really need her help if she thinks she is more electable. "CAHRITY BEGINS AT HOME"

fred   May 2nd, 2008 11:59 am ET

The tax ought to be increased to encourage alternative energy development and more conservation. Whatever you tax, you discourage. If you tax cigarettes and gasoline, you discourage consumption of those things. If you tax income you discourage earning of income. If you tax profits, you discourage businesses from running their operations efficiently.

The oil companies ought to be broken up — refining operations should be separated from exploration and producion operations.

Trina in Ohio   May 2nd, 2008 11:59 am ET

CNN has disected the Wright issue enough … why doesn't CNN now disect Clinton vs. Paul? Billery has screamed about equal time for most of the campaign … come on CNN - give it to her!! Let's see how she does under the same pressure as Barack has been under! This ad shows that Barack is caring about the people - not himself and the "political" thing to do as McCain and Billery!!!

Vivienne   May 2nd, 2008 11:59 am ET

I don't know how Hillary can justify giving the American people false hope. I would really like to see this country address this issue before it escalates out of control. As I see it, the country is in the position that Barack Obama talks about. I believe the American people are ready right now to rally around the rising price of gas. Unfortunately, we have no leadership on Capital Hill right now. A gas tax is a horrible idea. Why put any infrastructure jobs in jeopardy, just to save the American people $38.00 dollars this summer?

Crazy. No leadership.

wwf   May 2nd, 2008 11:58 am ET

Someone mentioned building more refineries. Why not just re-open the ones that have been setting idle for the past years. Oh, after reading all of the bs here about Obama, I am just about ready to committ economical suicide and vote for McCain. There is an old story about an old man who feeds a herd of wild hogs nibblets. After months of feeding, he has them trained to follow his wagon to the slaughter house. This is one voter who has not munched on any nibblets like so many of the blind here.

RealityKing   May 2nd, 2008 11:58 am ET

If it's only 30 cents a day, whyyyyy wouldn't Obama support giving some tax money back to the people hurting the most?

M   May 2nd, 2008 11:58 am ET

How and when does she think she can bring abount this gas tax holiday? she clearly is not going to be president, even if elected, before January 2009. Empty promises are even worse than pandering.

Kirk in New York   May 2nd, 2008 11:58 am ET

You know…if we would all conserve and be more green — we wouldn't have this problem. Instead of going out driving around…stay home and plant a garden.

Len in Washington   May 2nd, 2008 11:57 am ET

HEADLINE: "Hillary Plays the Gas Tax Card"

Sounds to me like the freak that offers candy to unsuspecting children.

Don't fall for the "Lure." Even Michael Bloomberg agreed.

TJ from Detroit   May 2nd, 2008 11:57 am ET

saving .30 per day, is it such a bad thing? Gas pricing is a pennies game. How many of you drive an extra mile because the station down the street is 2 cents cheaper. What is so wrong with getting a break. Clinton is not saying that this is going to solve the gas pricing problem, she's just saying lets get temporary relief. When you get a cut the first thing you have to do is stop the bleeding (you put a bandage on until you can get in and get stiches).

Joe   May 2nd, 2008 11:57 am ET

Are you kidding me? I just saw Obama on the news holding a beer can in a bar! Isn't this the guy who made fun of Clinton doing the same thing a couple of weeks ago?? Talk about pandering. I thought this guy was the politics of change. I like to see that he can have a beer and be normal but let's face it this is so fake! Not only is he disowning his Reverend but now he's disowning his "change" campaign.

dean   May 2nd, 2008 11:56 am ET

pandering as usual for the clinton's. people wake and smell the coffee. Obama 2008

Karen   May 2nd, 2008 11:56 am ET

Everyone wants to see her/his candidate win the nomination. But you can't just make up 'facts' and attribute them to a candidate because it helps your argument. Is Hillary Clinton squeaky clean?
No. Is Barack Obama? No.

Obama received a Go Card from the media while Hillary has been thoroughly trashed for months and months. Now, things have changed and it's all–once again–Hillary Clinton's fault.

Somehow,– and I don't even know how anyone justifies this–it is her fault that the Rev. Wright comments have been brought to light.

If you want to shed some light and be fair, look up Tony Rezko on the internet. If you don't know about him, you will if Obama is the nominee, as the Republicans will be more than happy to inform you on an hourly basis. Really, take the time to look it up and read it. My point being, everyone has skeletons in his/her closet.

Let's keep it real and for heaven's sake, let's keep it civil.

Hillary '08

Greg   May 2nd, 2008 11:56 am ET

" Wow!!! I don't hear anything from you poison Clinton supporters. Please justify her do anything to get elected backing of a hoax. She sure is showing her experience now. The truth is that she rushes to a Republican ploy and doesn't care about you. Of course, you don't care as long you can hide your bigotry among trivial issues for not voting for a black man, whom happens to be white as well. Oh, another defection from the carnival Hillary camp….can you spell incompetent. "

mrsingh   May 2nd, 2008 11:55 am ET

Michael Moore made good point on Larry King in that "tax" can mean 1. monetary tax on things and 2. tax on 'you' like when gas prices go up, that extra you have to pay, is a tax because it 'burdens you' and affects other things in your life like whether you'll have enough for your mortgage, food, etc.

Hey and where's Bruce Springsteen to help Obama with the white collars!

NObama   May 2nd, 2008 11:55 am ET

Look Mr Fancy Obama, not all Americans are like you! If that means somebody living from paycheck to paycheck can get a "free" gallon of milk with their fill up on gas it will be a HUGE help.

PLEASE go back to Chicago… they are missing their wind.

Hillary is the ONLY hope for democrats to win the general election.

Shawn   May 2nd, 2008 11:55 am ET

Obama's right… it's political pandering. Saving approximately 5% at the pump isn't going to help me and my family much at all.

I don't think Clinton thought this one out very well and it may come back to haunt her.
I can already see the big oil companies skirting their away around a Clinton or McCain initiated windfall profit tax. Politcs as usual.

Yalivee   May 2nd, 2008 11:55 am ET

Hillary, please drop out and stop being selfish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you cannot win this democratic nomination at this point! enough is enough!!

Ernie Sr.   May 2nd, 2008 11:55 am ET

Come on Obama, come up with some ideas of your own and stop being negative about everything Senator Clinton comes up with. Remember you are the one who's supposed to be positive. Now you're showing your true colors. Hopefully the people will see you for what you really are and choose the person who will really help this Nation!

bigben   May 2nd, 2008 11:54 am ET

So what is Obama plans? He never has any , he just enjoys shooting everyone else down. This guys is not the king of policy.

Greg Pottstown Pa   May 2nd, 2008 11:54 am ET

Beverly,

In most states money going to that states DOT comes mainly from state withholdings in worker's pay .Except money for national roadways like 95

ExPat   May 2nd, 2008 11:54 am ET

I'd vote for Hillary if we could tap into her personal gas and wind reserves. However, it's debatable it could be called "clean energy". She'll say and do anything, and obviously put up with anything, to get ahead. The Hill and Bill Show (featuring Chelsea) has to go.

pro Mike   May 2nd, 2008 11:54 am ET

We need more people like MIke with the RIGHT answers! Maybe you should run for President…..

Ernie Sr.   May 2nd, 2008 11:54 am ET

Come on Obama, come up with some ideas of your owbn and stop being negative about everything Senator Clinton comes up with. Remember you are the one who's supposed to be positive. Now you're showing your true colors. Hopefully the people will see you for what you really are and choose the person who will really help this Nation!

Tyler in Raleigh, NC   May 2nd, 2008 11:54 am ET

You know what I love…. Pepsi. I just hate that food has a tax on it. If only someone would help my pain by elminiating the soft drink tax, they could charge those greedy grocery stores making a profit at my expense.

Also, charge farmers making money off my buying milk. I also don't like cigarette taxes although I do not smoke. Alcohol… I want a drink and I get taxes, charge the makers and give me a break Clinton.

Why not pay for my student loans, credit cards, car and house while you are at it??? Come to think of it, I HATE PAYING BILLS. I just want free stuff, where is the politician that will offer me FREE STUFF in exchange for my vote???

John   May 2nd, 2008 11:53 am ET

When all this election nonsense is over BEN BERNANKE and the privately owned Federal reserve Bank will still be running the place, its a joke that these people mean anything at all.

Ernie Sr.   May 2nd, 2008 11:53 am ET

Come on Obama, come up with some ideas of your ideas and stop being negative about everything Senator Clinton comes up with. Remember you are the one who's supposed to be positive. Now you're showing your true colors. Hopefully the people will see you for what you really are and choose the person who will really help this Nation!

Jesse   May 2nd, 2008 11:52 am ET

~~

Believe that a president who doesn't want to lie about how he can help.

Strange how when someone tells the truth other people want to find fault with what he said?

Truth and not playing the same old political games is why everyone is flocking to Obama and why he is able to unite people

Obama is the right choice and is the honest choice!

Marine   May 2nd, 2008 11:52 am ET

BO's sure makes HIS program seem easy. The only thing that everyone does not realize is that it takes more than just his rhetoric to accomplish what he says. I am sure that big oil has contributed to his coffers as well as others so do not expect him to do anything if elected, which thank God we won't have to worry about. All he is doing is doing what every politician say and that is to say what people want to hear but whent he chips are down "Do Nothing"./

African for Hillary   May 2nd, 2008 11:52 am ET

What a sanctimoneous idiot …

Bridgette   May 2nd, 2008 11:52 am ET

She wants to pay for it by taxing the windfall profits on the oil companies. That is not going to happen. By the time she gets in the office the America public will have forgotten all about this so call tax on the oil companies and she is never going to do it. Wake up people she and McCain are trying to say they are going to do something that they have absolutely no control over. That is the state's decision if they can give a tax break on gas. And it really will hurt more than it will help. Because immediately the money comes out of the infrastructure fund. And as you can clearly see we need to fix our infrastructure. So I want Hilary and McCain to stop suggesting things that they know right now they have no power to do anything about. America is scared of an honest man who speaks to them as though they are adults.

Jason - KY   May 2nd, 2008 11:52 am ET

Oh, so your not going to post my last comment. That's O.K. this is not the only RAG in town.

Brian M., Allentown, PA   May 2nd, 2008 11:51 am ET

Hillary want to cut the tax so we can get an extra half-tank of gas over the course of the summer. If the windfall profits of the oil companies are taxed, the price of gas will only go up, possibly to more than what it would be without her tax cut. There's no winning solution here for her. Either we pay the high cost now, or we pay a higher cost over the summer.

At the end of the summer, when the federal tax is added back in, do you really think the oil companies will lower the price? No, they'll be raking in even more money.

What we need is someone who will go after these companies for price-gouging. In the nine years I've lived in PA, the price of gas has quadrupled. I've had to cut corners on almost everything else in my life just to fill my tank to get to work. Is that really fair to us?

Hopefully, if Hillary loses the primary on Tuesday, she'll bow out of the race. There is no way she can win this election, and she's proving that with every tantrum she throws.

DonnieJ   May 2nd, 2008 11:51 am ET

Rick - California, you hit the nail right on the head.

The oil companies will transfer the costs of their new tax burden to the consumers. Do you Hillary supporters actually think the oil companies will not react to this?

Net result = same gas prices yet drastically reduced budget for bridges and other highway infrastructure.

The 18 cents per gallon just ends up back in the oil companies' pockets, and not in domestic contractors' pockets. Construction workers suffer. Nice job Hillary. You're a real champion of the working man. Watch out for chuckholes and Minnesota bridges on your pandering crusade.

A CANUCK   May 2nd, 2008 11:51 am ET

Abraham Lincoln said 'What is morally wrong can never be right" and he proved that values and judgment trump experience. Obama is proving this as each day gets closer to the nomination. He will make a decent , caring President.

vic nashville,Tn   May 2nd, 2008 11:51 am ET

Sen Obama I am working two jobs, after all the deduction I left with average of $ 500 a week
Per month average of $ 2000
Rent & bills average of 900 to 950 per month
My gas bill average of $250 per month
My child food average of $ 300 per month
Other expenses for my child $ 100 per month
We have to live with $400 to 500 per month for food, laundry ,other staff for me and wife
I am telling you for me every penny like Dollar for me
If I see a penny in the parking lot I pick that also when I write this comments my eyes are with tears
Do you know how hard to live ?
Sorry you don’t our feelings
Please understand us don’t play the politics with us

African for Hillary   May 2nd, 2008 11:51 am ET

People can use any relief they can get , offcourse you cant understand that Mr Obama , you are too busy improving your saggin image , oooh i am diffrent!! ooooh see my brand new politics!!! , well we have seen it my brother and it is not flattering.

UPSTATE NY   May 2nd, 2008 11:51 am ET

I think Obama should just give up now and let Clinton stand up and fight for the American public…its been shown by Obama that he can't stand up for himself let alone the whole nation!

Barack Chalk Jayhawk   May 2nd, 2008 11:51 am ET

CNN should further expose this blatant pandering to voters; the Clinton/McCain gas tax holiday saves you a total of half a tank of gas and changes nothing long-term, other than lowering tax revenue by $9 billion and potentially costing 300,000 highway construction jobs, with our roads and bridges already crumbling.

To battle high gas prices long-term, we need to raise fuel standards and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, among others. Barack Obama's plan calls for investing $100 billion over 10 years in clean energy, and he already has a strong track record on fuel economy standards. Obama’s one overriding quality is that he speaks the truth, not just what we’d like to hear. His solutions are practical, taking into consideration that in order to actually implement them, they need broad support in Congress, and they have to be paid for. Empty promises, like Hillary Clinton’s promise of 5 million jobs to New York some time ago, which she was never able to deliver, won’t get us anywhere.

IndependantQ   May 2nd, 2008 11:50 am ET

CNN, Why won't you post any of my comments on your numerous sites?? I am just going to go to ABC and all of the other news blogs to let everyone know that you sensor the AMERICAN peoples thoughts so that you only post those that you FAVOR. CNN has really went down hill!!

Mike - Texas   May 2nd, 2008 11:49 am 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.

Congress, both Democratic and Republican have FAILED us on this issue.

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

Doug R.   May 2nd, 2008 11:49 am ET

Let's see…when Bill Clinton was President gasoline was $2/ gallon.
Under Bush/ Cheney (the two Oil Guys whose best friends in the world are the Saudi's and 17 of the 19 Sept. 11 hijackers were Saudi), gas is now almost $4/ gallon. Bush said he didn't know what the price of a gallon of gas was/ is. Either he's clueless, a liar, or both.

independant   May 2nd, 2008 11:49 am ET

Lets fix the problem, not just slap another band-aid on it !!!!!!!!!!!

undecided   May 2nd, 2008 11:49 am ET

Something is better than nothing …………… Nobody said it was a cure. In the meantime a savings is just that a savings.

Clinton or McCain, but NEVER obama   May 2nd, 2008 11:49 am ET

Well, I see this "unfit" is taking Roland Martin's and Rowe's advise about how he can "try" to bring his campaign back up. People can see right through this empty suit. I do not believe one word that comes out of your mouth and I would not vote for you if you were the only one running. I know how you want to change this country and I say NO…..NEVER obama. NEVER!

Jon, Pittsburgh, PA   May 2nd, 2008 11:49 am ET

I drive 100 miles round-trip to and from work - this saves me considerably more than pennies. I don't think it's the end-all solution but, it should be part of a broader effort.

John   May 2nd, 2008 11:49 am ET

American voters are very cheap John McSame and Billary Clinton is offering to buy you at 30cents per gallon.

You really do deserve the President you get

busterdog   May 2nd, 2008 11:49 am ET

Clinton's comment about a gas tax freeze sounds good but in reality serves absolutely no purpose and does not solve any problem. Again, she makes a statement that sounds good but is so off base. This continues her way of doing and saying anything to become the nominee. She is just more of the same but Obama can and will make a positive difference for all Americans. I am counting on the intelligent people of Indiana and North Carolina to put an end to this primary race and support the next President of the U.S., Obama! I'll gladly give up Clinton's $30 gas rebate to me for a longer term solution that will really pay off! She is becoming more pathetic as the days go on.

Carl   May 2nd, 2008 11:49 am ET

It's about time Obama sends out the message that this whole gas-tax holiday is a ploy - a sugar coated political ploy which sounds good but looks awful on paper. Our we so desperate as to need to say 50 cents max, money that will go to our highway fund (I think). Our country, if anything, needs more taxes on those that lavish in the Bush tax cut, while the working man and woman need those tax cuts. Do the right think and give Obama the chance to cut through the political games and make some real changes.

Tony   May 2nd, 2008 11:49 am ET

Hey Hillary - —- Right here buddy! U suck

Rob   May 2nd, 2008 11:48 am ET

c'mon people CNN is market driven the same as the rest of the MSM. They aren't going to raise questions about the Clintons that would end this media circus. If the MSM were true journalists with any integrity what-so-ever they'd be exposing the Clintons - the way they set up Wright on Monday - the Paul vs Clinton trial now occuring in California which Bill was used fraud to procure 200k for Hills run for the senate. But talking about Obama's Pastor is news!
the Clintons history of lies, deceipt, pandering etc. etc. will only come out if they manage to steal the nomination and it will be the Repugs that do it not the media.
- I"ll be suprised if this post sees the light of day here -

OBAMA SUPPORTER IN IOWA   May 2nd, 2008 11:48 am ET

Pull out the stops folks. We're going to have a nominee sooner, rather than later.

Obama '08

Anne   May 2nd, 2008 11:48 am ET

What's wrong with wanting to give people a little break? This $4.00 a gallon is obscene. Maybe it's only $30 over the summer but that buys ten dozen eggs! A pittance yes, but a psychological boost. $30 still means something to some of us. We're in a recession, remember?

Jan   May 2nd, 2008 11:48 am ET

Obamabots should stay on Cafferty file–he loves their anti-HILARY COMMENTS AND USES THEM ALL. I have been moderated every time on Cafferty and finally, decided to stay away from that blog. Let us Hillary people express our thoughts on political ticker in our own "uneducated" and Hillbilly way.We deserve a voice as much as the Obama people! Thanks, CNN.

MANDY, CA   May 2nd, 2008 11:48 am ET

Obama voted for the tax holiday in Illinois and knows first hand that it doesn't work…

So he is speaking from EXPERIENCE!

Therefore, if experience is the key word, then Clinton and McCain should be listening to Obama.

Bob, Seattle   May 2nd, 2008 11:48 am ET

Forget the gas tax holiday. Give a 25% tax credit to all of the frucking freight companies to hedge the soaring cost of diesel that is affecting higher prices on all of the goods we purchase. Such a tax credit will end up giving more to every American and stifmulate the company much quicker and much surer. Offset temporary tax credit with temporary tax on gas companies. $1 for $1.

Now this makes sense.

Angela - Florida   May 2nd, 2008 11:47 am ET

Pennies, well now a days pennies can help feed your family with some ramen noodles. The gas break is not so people can take a holiday but people such as myself that have to drive a total of 70 miles round trip in Jacksonville sit and stall rush hour traffic. I would hope that everyone on here is smart enough to know that congress will do nothing to help until after the election. The fact is one party does not want to make the other party look better. But if you can atleast fight and show you are fighting for it, that tells me you are a leader. But to give me every reason why you would rather not try shows poor leadership. To say NO without even another solution or attempt at a solution is selfish. All 3 candidates do not worry about their gas because we the tax payers, pay for that, but atleast 2 acknowledge our struggle while one says too bad, conserve your gas. Conserve in my case = unemployement.

Vince - Phoenix   May 2nd, 2008 11:47 am ET

This is a tired gimmick that has been tried and has failed.

Remember, Obama will not tell people what they 'want' to hear… he tells people what 'has' to be heard…….

no pandering allowed….

!!!!!

Bobby tray   May 2nd, 2008 11:46 am ET

I hope people are listening and thinking. . . it is time for this madness to end.

Adam   May 2nd, 2008 11:46 am ET

It is so interesting that Obama and his supporters always forget to mention the savings this will bring to shipping, thus lowering costs on products nationwide and helping to slow inflation. Typical, I guess . . . lots of ideas and no solutions. Obama, why don't you tell us who you plan to get your ideas accomplished? Great ideas with no execution leave you no accomplishments and only failures.

Norm Townsend   May 2nd, 2008 11:46 am ET

It has been proven that Obama does not show the best judgement on matters that mean the most to the people of the USA. The 1st is his church…he did not show good judgement there at all…2nd is Health Care for everyone…his plan read just like Clintons did two weeks before he even uttered a word on a universial health care plan…and 3rd…His speach on the Iraq War…about not voting for it and all…point to something that hasn't been said before…just maybe he's against fighting…maybe you can conclude from his campain that he doesn't know how to fight…I know that I would never vote for a person that tucks his tail and runs…get a back bone Obama! Be a man…learn how to fight…because Ms. Clinton has bloodied your nose the last month or so…

Amanda M - Chicago, IL   May 2nd, 2008 11:46 am ET

This gas tax holiday is a dumb idea. Its the same as if you cut off your arm and then put a band-aid over it. This is a minor fix, if you could even call it that, and its not going to help us next year when gas hits $5 a gallon, which it will.

Cammi317   May 2nd, 2008 11:46 am ET

Ummm a $1000 tax break per year does a whole lot more for a family than saving $30 over 3 months…….do the math.

LIZ   May 2nd, 2008 11:46 am ET

Clinton cannot win the PLEDGED DELEGATED COUNT, thus she cannot win the nominee.

Just ask Al Gore, who won the popular vote but lost the pledged delgate count and thus lost the white house.

The media is attempting to drag this race to increase their viewing rating, thats why they play this race as being close.

Clinton supporters: im sorry to break your hopes, but you can find new ones in obama. there is plenty of space.

RanDe   May 2nd, 2008 11:45 am ET

Im sure that this idea means nothinf to any of the candidates who could probably afford $20 a gallon gas. But at least its something. I kown it probably wont even happen but Obama who played into it whith his approved message continues to expose his elitist tendency by not realizing that the poor wiil benfit the most with somethinhg this. It could be the diffrence weather poor families vist one another this summer. Whats obama's shot term idea?

southerndem   May 2nd, 2008 11:45 am ET

James stop talking sense with the whole House and Senate make the laws and the President signs them. Clinton supporters seem to think Hillary would be Queen and just do whatever she wants. Ask the families of the people killed and injured in Minneapolis if a $20-$30 "break" in their gasoline bills are worth gutting our countries infrastructure. My guess would be no.

Milwaukee for Obama   May 2nd, 2008 11:44 am ET

StatusQuo,

In my honest opinion, Hillary thinks that we blue collar voters with no college education that she thinks she is speaking on behalf of are dense, thick and cannot analyze stuff for ourselves. She thinks she will dictate to us what she thinks is right not what we blue collar voters think is right. She cannot be my leader because a leader is supposed to be a servant to its people. Hillary is dictator. She does not even care to ask her supporters what they want it is all about what she knows is right for the people. No. she does not know what is right for the people. She needs to learn to talk to people to find out without necessarily thinking that she is the go getter, fighter, BS … and I can go on and on…. Her temporary gas tax does not reflect to so many people as you can read in so many other threads but she is trying to shove it down our throats. Who would not want extra money in the their pockets? who? the question is why should you talk about something that is not beneficial in the long run? Why in the world would she desperately want votes in this manner and are you wondering why the super delegates are not turning her way? this is the reason. By the way, google her case Paul vs Clinton and you learn what a fraud of woman she is. I used to support her but not anymore but I would vote for her if she earns the nomination in a clean and not fraudlent way.

Leo from NV   May 2nd, 2008 11:44 am ET

What's wrong with attacking somebody who has an idea? Although Obama does not offer any short term solution, there's nothing wrong with attacking somebody who does. A sign of a good president is to attack everyone who does not sit still in a crisis facing America now. No body knows for sure if the idea can or cannot work until they try it. He claims to be an agent of change, but turns around and attacks everyone else who offers an immediate solution. What a hypocrite!! A typical politician!! This man is not ready to be president period!!

John from New York   May 2nd, 2008 11:44 am ET

You know what's gonna happen???

1) We remove the tax that saves the individual basically nothing.
2) The government loses all that tax money that they could've spent on fixing highways and bridges.
3) Our demand goes up because everyone is rushing to the pumps.
4) The price then goes up with the demand
5) After the tax break is lifted, we have little individual savings, less money in the government spending pool, and higher gas prices in the end.

HOW DOES IT MAKE SENSE!?!?!?!?!?!

Tired of W, OH   May 2nd, 2008 11:44 am ET

A big reason that the tax holiday is a bad idea:

The "savings" of 30 cents/day may actually be less, if any. Follow this logic… If people are encouraged to drive more because of the slightly lower price at the pump, the country's oil consumption goes up. With higher demand, the price at the pump will actually INCREASE and any savings will be lost.

Don't fall for Clinton's and McBush's political pandering! This does nothing to fix the underlying problem!

mrsingh   May 2nd, 2008 11:44 am ET

Why not just get rid of the gas tax, tax oil company profits, and that money distribute to states for their infrastructure repair etc. If Obama says that he'll totally wipe out Clinton and McCain temporary solution to this issue. If they don't pay up, if roads are not fixed, hey, blame the oil companies. Bridge falls, blame the oil companies.

Cars are a necessity in American society. Oil/gas fuel our economy. If we don't work because gas prices are too high or there's no jobs then there's no disposable income for anything! Economy will tank! It's odd how we have republicans in office for many years, yet we are taxed in utilities: power, cable, phone, gas, etc. I thought republicans were against taxes!

Things that are necessities like power, gas, healthcare, food, etc. should not be traded in stock market for profit. Are they trading water now!! It should be controlled by the government not by a few greedy individuals. The healthcare the president, McCain and all congresspeople have is government run isn't it? Is McCain receiving social security? Did his mother? Is that government run? Just because it's government run doesn't make it bad, socialism or big government; that's smart government to take care of its dwindling resources, and citizens!! The republican terms "socialised medicine" 'big gov't' "liberals" etc. are old thinking and it gets very tiring just hearing it! If they want to talk about 'big gov't', republicans have done a good job of creating 'big gov't' and gargantuan deficits!

Dave W.   May 2nd, 2008 11:44 am ET

I once thought Americans were stupid. Otherwise, how could you account for them electing Goerge w Bush twice. It was mind boggling. I thought maybe somebody had doped your drinking water.

Then this election I thought "Ah, they have woken up". You have someone running for the Presidency that can make a diifference, and fix all the damage Bush has done to your country. A person who can reach across the aisle or borders to work with Republicans or his neighbor to make the USA and the world a better place to live. Obama has the quiet strength, determination and the knowledge to know that Washington cannot keep operating the way it has, and that drastic changes have to be made to make the goverment work for citizens, not corporations and the lobbyists.

Now because of something his preacher said, not him, you are turning away. You are instead starting to turn to a Bush in disguise. She offers short term solutions, negativity, not knowing the difference between sniper fire and flowers, countless scandals the republicans are just waiting to use against her and her adultering husband. She is now starting to quote Bush, 'Are you with us or against us". Her gas tax savings is totally ridiculous and will just end up with the oil companies raising prices to make up for the tax she is going to put on them, which will drive fuel prices even higher. Clinton supporters say Obama is a wolf in sheeps clothing, I say Clinton is a Bush in sheeps clothing. I cannot beleive you haven't noticed that she will say or do anything to get back in the White House.

I am starting to think Americans are stupid again.

Dave from Canada

"Cheap tricks" Clinton   May 2nd, 2008 11:43 am ET

Clearly, CNN and other tv media engines are biased towards Hillary, because they downplay/give no press to her scandals. Moreover, she has yet to be vetted in this primary season.

CNN has clearly offered a pillow to Hillary. Is there a payoff involved?

Experience for Texans   May 2nd, 2008 11:43 am ET

How long will BHO's plan take to implement? A few years! I need relief now Barak Hussein Obama!

Inexperience never pays!

Clinton 08!

concerned   May 2nd, 2008 11:43 am ET

This is exposing the truth!!!!!! I wish he had shown a clip of the bridge that collaped and the fact that lives were parished as a result, and to add what about the 300,000 jobs that would be lost.

For Gas Tax Relief   May 2nd, 2008 11:42 am ET

Hard working Folks Just Don't Understand How Michael Bloomberg, a "Billionare" says giving the American people a gas tax relief is the Dumpest thing he ever heard, and Sen Obama Agrees with him. Why ????????????????????????????????

Bitter - New Orleans, LA   May 2nd, 2008 11:42 am ET

The gas tax holiday is a stupid idea. but…Not nearly as stupid as not drilling and refining our own oil.

Why don't we stop growing rice and import all of it from the far east AND let them set the price for it.

Lets stop making cars…

See where I'm going with this?

I know, Oil is not the future nor should it be. It sure as hell is the present! and we (congress) better get with it soon or OPEC WILL collapse our economy.

Son of Liberty   May 2nd, 2008 11:41 am ET

Anne, how she 'wants' to pay for it and how it 'will' be paid for are two entirely different things. So yay, $30 whole extra dollars this summer? That'll get me what exactly? How will that help with my rising cost of everything? I know, I'll put a dollar towards my skyrocketing electric, a dollar towards groceries and the rest of the $28 bucks towards the other bills! Whew! That $30 bucks sure helped me out so much! Thanks McCain and Clinton for your generosity and really knowing how to help the little guy! Meanwhile the roads wont get repaired because there isn't any money coming in from the tax suspension and MORE jobs are axed because theres no work for those construction workers. Hooray gas tax holiday! Just give me the Cheese! Thank you so much for failing us yet again with a band-aid fix to stop a hemorrhage! Pathetic.

barackobama44thpresidentofusa.blogspot.com   May 2nd, 2008 11:41 am ET

It's good that Clinton's deceptive ways are being displayed for the American people to see. We just can't afford to have her nor McCain's kind of politics anymore. The people need the truth, and that's why Sen. Obama will be our next president.

It's time for REAL change in Washington, it's time for Barack Obama for president !

Debbie   May 2nd, 2008 11:41 am ET

Ever wonder why republicans and the media Wolf Blitzer (CNN), Joe Scarborough, Dave Gregory, Andrea Michell (all of MSNBC) keep the Rev Wright story alive linking him to Obama? Because that's all they have against him. Obama is ahead in all of the counts except Superdelegate and he's gaining on that. Poll don't win elections counts do. Ever wonder why republicans are pushing Hillary more than McCain? Because McCain is not conservative, Hillary used to be a republican and they want to get back in the house. This battle doesn't stop in Nov. The superdelegates are going for Obama because they remember, the Democrats lost control of the House, Senate, and Governorship while the Clintons were in the white house.

ShannonL   May 2nd, 2008 11:41 am ET

30 cents a day could feed a starving kid in Africa….

PK   May 2nd, 2008 11:41 am ET

We don't need a quick fix that's going to hurt us in a long run. Obama has sound judgement and has the foresight to know what will be best for the country. He's not in this race to deceive voters but rather to tell them the raw truth! Sometimes the truth hurts and "if you can't take the truth, you should get out of the kitchen!" He's running to help the American people live good lives.

GO PRESIDENT OBAMA!

Gas break makes no sense!   May 2nd, 2008 11:41 am ET

The gas tax pays for highway/road construction. Taking away the gas tax temporarily would hurt us all in the long run. Many construction workers would lose their jobs. The oil companies would use it as a justification to spike gas prices after Clinton/McBush's little grace period. Obama's plan to tax the oil companies and make them responsible for their actions is a real solution!

Steve, Eugene, OR   May 2nd, 2008 11:40 am ET

Hillary said, "as president, I *will* immediately lower gas prices [by repealing the federal gasoline tax]." She's essentially telling the public that as president, she would have the power to "immediately lower gas prices." That is either wishful thinking or dishonest political expediency. You would be living in a fantasy world if you think that the president could lower gas prices at will. Don't you think Jimmy Carter would have tried that? Barack Obama is the only one of the three candidates who is grounded in reality. He is the only candidate who is willing to be honest with the American people. He has shown good judgment with his proposal, as evidenced by the litany of economists who have praised it and criticized those of his rivals. Indiana voters, please put an end to our agony now and end this primary! Obama '08!

Emmaddy   May 2nd, 2008 11:40 am ET

Check it out people. Obama voted for the same gimmick in Illinois in 2000. Can anyone say flip-flop?

Damion K. Miles   May 2nd, 2008 11:40 am ET

Listen, no one says that we don't all need a break from the gas prices. Hillary is proposing that we get a break for a few months and that's fine. But, what happens after the summer. She's not addressing that part of it. Obama is! Okay, so you save about $30 over the next 3 or 4 months. That's great. Then, when the "holiday" is over, the tax will be added back on. But the price of gas is still going up. That's not a long term solution, that's an election ploy.

Watchman   May 2nd, 2008 11:40 am ET

If Obama don't care the pennies in my wallet, how do he care about my dollars in my pocket. I don't think he has a sense on what normal people feel about.

Brian Michaels   May 2nd, 2008 11:39 am ET

The gas tax holiday will benefit the oil companies because a) they will sell more oil and b) they will not be taxed on the product that they sell during the "holiday."

Instead, what should happen is that there should be a moratorium on oil companies for marketing their products. That would have a more direct impact on the cost of oil. Why does Exxon or Chevron need those expensive ads on TV anyway? Does that really change anyone's consumption patterns?

The Fed should then consider doing something with its strategic reserve, whether that be selling it off completely or replacing the reserves with crude oil. That would also reduce the cost of fuel, while also sending a signal to the oil speculators.

Another bad unintended consequence of the gas tax moratorium is that the gas tax usually goes to fund federal highway and infrastructure projects. With bridges falling down and motorist's lives at risk, we need to be responsible for a change. So, shame on John McCain, who up until now has been calling for more infrastructure spending, for going against his straight talk!

deborah   May 2nd, 2008 11:39 am ET

Fact: None of the candidates have the power to put their plan in action THIS summer. So no matter what any of them say they can't put their plan into action until after Jan of 2009 when one of them will be president (unless Ralph Nader pulls off the upset of the millenium).

Fact: Barack Obama consistently puts forth plans with very vague specifics and very little info on how he will PAY for his plans.

Fact: John McCain is losing it, he stutters and is confused more often than not on the campaign trail

Fact: Every single proposal that Sen Clinton has made she gives detailed information on how she would PAY for that plan.

The fact is they are all POLITICIANS and are all saying what they and their campaign believe will POLL well with voters in NC and Indiana. Barack Obama proved he was a politician when he first defended his pastor in Philadelphia and then threw him under the bus last week. Reverend Wright's message hadn't changed, just voter's perception of Reverend Wright's message, so because he was not affected in the polls three weeks ago he supported his pastor, now that the polls are affected he is showing his POLITICIAN colors.

Y'all decide what you really want for President: The politician you know or the politician you don't know. End of story.

Bacio83   May 2nd, 2008 11:39 am ET

Hillary drop out? Why cause she's going to win? People only urge others to drop out when they're scared. As far as the gas tax holiday this is a good idea. The oil companies need to be held accountable. Have you heard Senator Clinton say that? There's no reason why they should hike up the prices without justification, have you heard her say that? She has, the gas tax holiday will put more money in your pocket and as far as raising the prices Senator Clinton has already said she will hold the oil companies accountable and make them justify why they're raising the prices. She also wants to release our oil reserves to relieve the prices. She also wants to go green. Look at the whole picture Obama just wants to oppose Clinton, he has no ideas except ones he opposes or copies. He should have voted present like he has in the past on this one. Obama = just words.

James   May 2nd, 2008 11:39 am ET

It's all well and good that she wants to pay for it with a windfall profits tax on oil companies, but there are some problems with the whole idea:

1) In order to levy that windfall profits tax, you'll have to convince a veto-proof majority of the House and Senate to go along with it, because Bush sure won't sign that bill. She shows me 291 House votes and 67 in the Senate, I'll consider supporting it.

2) Attempting to lower the cost of gas by such artificial means is tilting at windmills. Removing the $0.18 gas tax will lead to increased demand from consumers thinking they're getting a better deal, leading to higher prices as demand outstrips supply.

They tried this idea in Illinois in 2000, and it didn't work.

Susie   May 2nd, 2008 11:39 am ET

Okay, let's say the holiday on the gasoline tax will not make a long-term difference. You decide if it will make a short-term difference in your life based on fact–the price at the pump. There are both state and Federal taxes. If the states also gave a holiday for gasoline taxes, you would save between 26 cents and 55 cents (depending on your state). If your state does not also give a holiday on gasoline taxes (Texas may raise the tax), you will save about 18 cents per gallon. If you use less than two gallons per day, Obama is right about the 30-cent per day savings. If you are a trucker, have a long commute, or use a lot of gasoline in your business, multiply that 18 cents by the number of gallons you use per day. You decide if it will help you or not. Don't just hop on a band wagon–depending on your preference of candidate.

wolfie   May 2nd, 2008 11:39 am ET

How can Obama state this when he hasn't a clue what his issues are. All I hear is change. Change to what? Let him debate Hillary without his writers then lets see what he's made of. MOre stammering and stuttering. This man scares me!

DD, New York   May 2nd, 2008 11:39 am ET

I repeat myself from post that never got entered here, and not even listed as being moderated!

I would not mind a gasoline reprive this summer! I really don't think many people would mind either. I don't think this would necessarily mean that a summer gasoline break would not mean that Clinton does not have something else in the work in the long term to fix the problem.

Sorry, but Obama does not have what it takes, and she does.

douadavid, PA   May 2nd, 2008 11:38 am ET

Clinton should play the race card like obama and ask all white voters to voter for her. If she play the dirty politic , she probably won the race by now. Obama never did any thing for all races in this nation and didn't deserve to be our leader. We need to see your work before you talk and talk. It is time for you to walk and walk now and wait for 8 more years. 2008 is forBillary.

common sense   May 2nd, 2008 11:38 am ET

All her so-called "experience" and she still suggest ideas that don't make sense for the American people

WHY? Because she puts politics first - whatever polls well is her solution.

Joe   May 2nd, 2008 11:38 am ET

Save me some money and make the big oil companies pay for (as Clinton has proposed) while we wait for the politicians to find a solution (of which Obama has proposed no solutions to help us NOW when we need it) is far superior to waiting for them to finally get around to it. He is just as bad by promising something that he does not have to actually account for by saying we need to wait to do anything until he becomes president….he is a senator start doing something NOW, he has the power to propose the legislation he wants to propose now so why is he waiting. Oh thats right his political football would be gone then, TYPICAL POLITICIAN.

Olivia   May 2nd, 2008 11:37 am ET

Hillary's gas tax plan is meant to be short-term. It may come as a surprise to some of you ….that there are people out there who are that poor…..people who would appreciate what she is trying to do for them. At least she is trying to do something as she listens to the many complaints about rising gas prices.
I personally see where Obama is guilty as charged of being called an elitist. He has no short term solution or any kind of relief planned for us, so why talk about saving pennies in his attack of Hillary's plan. $30 bucks is $30 bucks and I would appreciate the break.

ne, Pa.   May 2nd, 2008 11:37 am ET

Hillary and McBush are pandering. Period.

anybody but clinton   May 2nd, 2008 11:37 am ET

She's as deluded as McCain. He said people could use the savings to by back to school supplies. That $30 would go along way to getting school supplies. If people would be helped by saving 30 cents a day, my guess is they're not doing much driving now anyway. if 30 cents a day would make that much of a difference in their lives then i can't imagine they could afford a car or to drive anywhere. I wish people would do the math for themselves and see how much they would actually save before falling for this pandering. My only hope is that the superdelegates will see that it would be of little help and would actually be hurtful in the long run. Please hopefully they will use common sense.

Mike   May 2nd, 2008 11:37 am ET

Who will pay for Clinton's gas tax holiday ? Oil company ? that is just a lie. She took money from oil company lobbyist, has no stand to ask oil company to pay for it. The poor bridge, road construction workers have to pay for it - lost their jobs for 30 cent/per day !

Brandon   May 2nd, 2008 11:37 am ET

Anne, there is no such thing as a windfall profits tax on oil companies, and Hillary is not the president, with no power to implement it, so it won't happen in time to pay for THIS SUMMERS gas tax holiday. It is pandering at its worst…

ned   May 2nd, 2008 11:37 am ET

Anne, it is not about how she wants to pay for the gas tax. If you have ever taken an economics course at any level, you would know that a gas tax increases demand for gasoline, which is the exact opposite of what we want right now. Increased demand in gas will drive the price of gas back up, meaning that her 18 cent "holiday" would probably be more like a 5 cent holiday. Meanwhile, companies will not have an incentive to create more fuel effifcient cars and the enviroment will be hurt by more and mroe people driving further and further.

Registered Independent   May 2nd, 2008 11:36 am ET

Most of the savings from this hoax would be lost to the middle men. You think they are all of a sudden going to drop their prices by the same amount as the gas tax reduction, you are out of your mind.

There is an indian reservation 15 miles from where I grew up, they never had to pay this or any other gas taxes, but low and behold their gas prices were only a few pennies cheaper. The oil companies, refineries, delivery services, and gas stations are all going to take their cut leaving everyone paying pretty much the same at the pump, except when the tax goes back into effect, they wont give up that little extra profit they had been making for 3 months. We will end up paying more in the long run as a result.

Johnny   May 2nd, 2008 11:36 am ET

OBAMA, You are 100% correct. Your policies are excellent, proactively articulated and vision driven. May the WILL of God be done in America through OBAMA in Jesus name.

Tumai   May 2nd, 2008 11:36 am ET

Go Obama you are the man, Clinton bye bye

Ilse   May 2nd, 2008 11:36 am ET

Senator Obama, please ask the truckers who pay 800 dollars to fill the tanks in their big trucks how much they would save. Ask my son who drives 4 hours round trip in heavy Washington DC traffic how much he would save. Ask my daughter the real estate agent who drives all day in heavy Miami traffic to show homes to potential buyers how much she would save.

So, Obama, don't give us this spiel about 30 cents/day savings. You are out of touch once again. Face reality. Listen to real people instead of people like Bloomsberg who never have to fill their tanks or even have to worry about it.

Please step aside, bow out of the race gracefully before you make a bigger fool of yourself than you already have.

Ben   May 2nd, 2008 11:36 am ET

Hillary and McCain are using this as a way to buy votes. The fact is that Oil is based on trading. If they did suspend the tax the trading would only raise and we wouldn't see any savings. Oil is traded just like stocks, the system is the biggest scam ever. When is Washington going to put an end to this? We all should be driving electric cars and generating our own electricity. The technology is there, the Oil companies and other corporations want us dependent on oil so they can line their pockets with more cash and sit on the patents. Hillary and McCain have sold out to the Special Interest and PAC groups. You want change end this by voting for Obama.

Tired of W, OH   May 2nd, 2008 11:35 am ET

Good ad by Obama, but he needs to go on the offensive instead of just defending himself against the negative Clinton ads.

Zachary   May 2nd, 2008 11:35 am ET

Anne:
she wants to pay for it with the same Windfall tax that Obama is talking about, which I'll admit is a better idea than McCain, who doesn't want to pay for it at all. However, there are still a lot of downsides to her proposal, first of all being that it is incredibly short sighted. Second, it doesn't promise the price of gas will go down. Third, it makes our dependance on oil even greater! Obama wants to move towards losing our dependance with his plan, which will make our lives a whole lot easier after the summer is over.

dmw   May 2nd, 2008 11:35 am ET

Obama does not understand middle America. For us, 30 cents a day is better than nothing when you are struggling each day to make ends meet.

The arrogance of Obama and the Obama supporters are breath taking. They may give him the nomination (because they can not take it from a black man) although he is not the best qualified, but there are not enough left wing liberals, blacks, and college students to give him the Presidency compared to the number of moderate and conservative Democrats, Independents, and Republicans.

He will never be President. We all know now he is a typical politician in addition to being arrogant, harboring racists ideas, and he just 'shakes off his shoulders' anyone, not matter if they are his grandmother, his pastor whom he so much loved and admired as long as he gets what he wants.

Obama is not qualified to be President and the rest of us will stop the Democats again from gaining the Presidency.

Kaye- Jacksonville FL   May 2nd, 2008 11:35 am ET

Amen to Obama speaking the truth…it's a politically motivated tactic that doesn't tackle the real issue. Why hasn't she introduced legislation? Why is the idea gaining NO traction in Congress? Because it's short-sighted and irresponsible.
Yes, it might help those in the trucking industry or companies with large vehicle fleets….but for me and my driving habits, not much.
Let's get focused folks…on the big picture! I'm not stupid - I'm insulted by these same old, old, old political maneuvers….
OBAMA '08
(52 year old white woman)

Susan   May 2nd, 2008 11:35 am ET

Any help for us is better than No help.

An Agnostic Democrat   May 2nd, 2008 11:34 am ET

We have the facts on Hillary, and they ain't pretty. Biggest political prostitute of Corporate America this election cycle. Even the economists are seeing through her shallow pandering.

Anonymous   May 2nd, 2008 11:34 am ET

He is right and he again speaks the truth. Unlike McClinton who just does political expediency.

MANDY, CA   May 2nd, 2008 11:34 am ET

HIllary wants to introduce a tax holiday for this summer but can't do anything about it until she is in the White House in January.
dering
She can't pay the tax with a windafll tax because it doesn't exist.

So, it that is not pandering, what is it?

il voter   May 2nd, 2008 11:34 am ET

when prices have gone up by dollars How is tax credit in few cents going to help? Do McCain or clinton think they can fill corporate jet fuel with those cents.

rj   May 2nd, 2008 11:34 am ET

I think the Clinton supporters should try using a little common sense at some point. It’s pretty obvious that the republicans and the media for that matter want her in the general election. Why would they want her in the general election? They know they have enough dirt on her to beat her by large numbers. What possible reason would they have for trying to kill Obama’s campaign at this point? If he is so beatable in the general election they would want him there to ensure a win. Why isn’t anything being said about the Clinton v. Paul trial? Why would they say anything about it now. She will have to testify after the November election. Wouldn’t it be much more sensational if the president elect had to testify in a trial that could put her in jail rather than just a senator testifying? Why isn’t anything said about her former pastor who was convicted of inappropriately touching a 7 year old girl? The media too is hoping that she wins because they know they are pretty much guaranteed 4 years of scandals that they can hop on. Please use a little common sense.

Oh wait, I’m trying to appeal to people who actually think that the gas tax holiday is the greatest thing. Again, common sense there tells you that in the long run that will have a deleterious effect on the price of gas. She and her partner John McCain think this will give people all kinds of extra money in their pocket. Do the math for your own situation and see exactly how much money you would save. (for those of you who don’t know how to figure out your savings, take the number of miles you drive in a month, divide that by the number of miles you get per gallon and then multiply that by .184…ex, if you drive 1000 miles a month and get about 20 miles to the gallon you will use 50 gallons of gas. 50 times .184 equals 9 dollars and 20 cents. ) Now consider the fact that with the price being somewhat less, the demand will go up and the price will go up as well. Then add your 18.4 cents back on and see how much you’ll be paying at the end of summer. The increase will probably well offset the meager savings you enjoyed. Of course that will be after the election and who will care about you then?? Certainly not Ms. Clinton. She cares about Ms. Clinton and pretty much no one else. Please use some common sense. I hope that at least some of the superdelegates have even a modicum of common sense and see through that vile attempt at getting votes.

foo   May 2nd, 2008 11:34 am ET

This is one of those desparate attempts from a crumbling campaign that feel they can deceive the American people to believing they share their pain , hardship and sufferings and are committed, no matter what it takes, to solving them.Watch out, not this time.The Clintons had 8 years in which they did not provide universal healh care amongst other promises.This is merely a vain campaign promise that will die a natural death if they get elected.Sorry,we can't be fooled all the time.Lets try something else,Ms. EXPERIENCE.

Ellie in Aurora, CO   May 2nd, 2008 11:33 am ET

For Hillary supporter who say they will vote for McCain if she doesn't win, this is not just about the presidency. Potentially there could be 3 supreme court judges selected by the next president. You do NOT want them to be McCain choices!!! Vote Democrat - please!

Dwall   May 2nd, 2008 11:33 am ET

Anne, maybe youare the one that better get the facts. It is alright to have a candidate of choice but just don't say anything when they are wrong. You, I and the American people are going to pay for it. Please do your research before responding from your heart - use your head.

Jeff in Alabama   May 2nd, 2008 11:33 am ET

Senator Clinton has already proposed taxing windfall profits and investing in alternative energy sources. The gas tax holiday is an immediate short term help. Thirty cents per day is only an average. For those of us whom have to commute long distances to and from work, it would be much more and I would welcome any decrease in the price I pay. Folks need any help they can get now. A tax exemption will not help anyone until they file their tax return after the change went into effect. That's a year away at best. What do folks do between now and then Senator Obama?

E. Brunson   May 2nd, 2008 11:33 am ET

Amazing, if we as Americans buy these gimmicks, we deserve the typical politicians like Hillary & McCain. By the way, why is no major media source covering the Paul versus Clinton case? Talk about media bias…

STOP THE MADDNESS!!!!   May 2nd, 2008 11:33 am ET

Before making a judgement about Senator Clinton's support of the gas tax holiday, why doesn't everyone LISTEN to what she says about how
she wants to pay for it? Get the facts!!!

We have and if by chance we missed something the NATIONAL FINANCIAL ANYSLISTS surely didn't, EVERYONE of them with the exception of Clinton's have went on record saing this is NOT GOOD! In fact one said "It is the dumbest thing he had EVER heard" If I'm not miss taken he was a Hillary supporter!!!!!

Why can't you just accept it, Yes it would be good to have a woman, just NOT THIS WOMAN!!! We want Obama not because he is a man, not because he is black, BUT because he is THE RIGHT ONE TO LEAD US WHERE WE WANT TO GO!! We want peace, we want someone that has the people's interest at heart and NOT one that seeks to serve herself. We want someone with morals that we and our children can look up to instead of someone that THE WORLD LOOKS DOWN ON!!!! We realize we as a nation is already the smuck of the world even to the point of being laughed at, we want our dignity BACK not more nasty scandals!!!

Steve   May 2nd, 2008 11:33 am ET

Clinton's tactics are ALL about tricking the under-educated. She's won 90% of the least educated counties across America. Isn't this how Bush won two terms and destroyed the country? Please wake up America!

dz in Austin   May 2nd, 2008 11:32 am ET

Every time the price of gas goes up acouple of pennies, everyone I know talks about how devastating it is. Please explain to me why some of those same people think it's a terrible idea to eliminate approximately 20 cents a gallon in tax? That's huge for a lot of people. Especially when she's going to trnasfer that tax to the oil companiest that can pay it from the10+ billion$ in profit for 1 quarter! Not for a year, for 1 stinking quarter. Call it pandering if you want, but don't say it won't make a difference to a lot of people. With a 20 gallon gas tank, that will save me about$4.00 per fillup. If you're a latte drinking elitist, tha't about 1 cup of Starbucks. If you're me, that's a gallon of milk and a .oaf of bread every fillup. So don't tell me it's mpandering. To me, it's helping. And I don't mind admitting I'd like to see big oil sharing in our pain, just a little.

Jim   May 2nd, 2008 11:32 am ET

So, does this mean he thinks a twenty cent increase in gas prices is no big deal either?

Chandler McGrew   May 2nd, 2008 11:32 am ET

Before making a judgement about Senator Clinton's support of the gas tax holiday, why doesn't everyone LISTEN to what she says about how she wants to pay for it? Get the facts!!!""

LOL. Yes, of course. How she PAYS for a freeze she knows has already been voted down by DEMOCRATS last week and will not work because the price of gas will just rise again to cover it is the IMPORTANT issue here… Why are we to stupid to see that?

Ron   May 2nd, 2008 11:32 am ET

Anne, I have listened to everything she has had to say about lifting the federal gas tax for three months. She's pandering. Get over it.

Donovan   May 2nd, 2008 11:32 am ET

EVEN IF Hillary is paying for it, it's STILL political pandering. It STILL does NOTHING to SOLVE THE PROBLEM. It's only saving us 1\2 tank of gas over 3 months! How is this helping us? It's not. It's pandering … plain and simple. SOLVING THE PROBLEM short term is going after Big Oil and their windfall profits. LONG TERM answer is getting off OPEC's teet and investing in alternative energy. That's not going to happen in the next election cycle people … probably not even the next DECADE. It's LONG TERM. Bush's (and most republicans') answer on this is either drilling in national parks or blowing OPEC countries off the map and STEALING their oil. Yeah … wonder why the rest of the world HATES the United States? Are you opening your eyes yet? See the big picture?

Katy   May 2nd, 2008 11:32 am ET

I am an independent; McCain and Clinton support gas tax holiday is politic pandering. They want votes from ignorant American who want short quick fix with consequencies. Wait until the bridge collapse or road with a lot of big holes, then they will be awake, but it is too late. Most of American don't think or care about the next generations that are USA future. Clintons support NAFTA & Columbia free trade, do you want to support them? Think about your children & grandchildren when you go to the voting poll.

NE 2nd District   May 2nd, 2008 11:32 am ET

Buying votes at a cost of 300,000 lost jobs is not good economic policy. What will the multiplier cost effect of these lost jobs be? Lowering the gas tax will only make it easier for oil executives to continue to raise the price of gas .

remember her campaign fraud?   May 2nd, 2008 11:32 am ET

what i fear most by this gas break is that the oil comp will rise the price even higher after it is over to compensate for the lost profits. It'll be like her vote on the war.. after she's wrong she'll ask to take her vote back..DONT PANDER TO ME! my family's financial livelihood is at stake here! dont tell me what YOU think i want to hear. I will be forced to decide whether to drive to work or ride the bus to get high priced groceries! Stop jumping on the Republican bandwagon all the time.. if you liken yourself to them so much then join and run as one! QUIT PLAYING WITH THE PEOPLE AND BE FOR THE PEOPLE!!

i am Tamika R. Hasan and i approve THIS message!

Mizan   May 2nd, 2008 11:32 am ET

Obama is an elite, “Pennies” does not matter to him. It odes matter to me.

John   May 2nd, 2008 11:32 am ET

Hillary is the best candidate. She will make a great President. It is always wise to go with a strong and brilliant leader in both domestic and foreign affairs, rather than following a know-nothi