Republican challenger Mariannette Miller-Meeks is accusing Democratic Congressman Dave Loebsack of “flip-flopping”on a key issue. Miller-Meeks says Loebsack has changed his position on the Bush-era tax cuts.
“I would say a flip-flop is when in 2006 you say on television you would not have voted for the Bush tax cuts. Then you say that you would not have extended the Bush tax cuts — you say that when you’re in office, repeatedly,” Miller-Meeks says. “And then all-of-a-sudden this year while it’s not popular and the majority of Americans say that the Bush tax cuts should be extended, now you’re for extending the Bush tax cuts.”
Loebsack is offering this rebuttal. “First of all, I guess I’d dispute the assertion that I’ve flip-flopped on this,” Loebsack says. “I said that I’m open-minded, obviously, about this and where we might go, but where I’ve been very consistent all along is making sure that we do extend those tax cuts for the hard-working, middle-class Iowans and we also do everything we can to benefit small businesses.”
The income tax reductions approved during President George W. Bush’s administration are set to expire at the end of the year. Loebsack says he disagrees with his Democratic leaders in congress who have decided to delay a vote on this issue until after November 2.
“You know, look, folks are frustrated — obviously — about not extending the tax cuts at this point and I’ve said first and foremost that it would be irresponsibily if congress didn’t take action on this before we come back to campaign for reelection,” Loebsack says.
The two candidates made their comments during a joint appearance this morning on Iowa Public Television. After the show’s taping, Miller-Meeks returned to the issue during a conversation with reporters. “The most recent information, data, and what I’ve heard him say is he would now consider extending the tax cuts for all income groups,” Miller-Meeks told reporters.
Moments earlier, Loebsack had said he wanted to “broaden the discussion” about the tax cuts and focus on the middle-class and small businesses, but he did not mention an income level at which he believes the higher tax rates of 2001 should kick back in.