TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

McCain Could Be Known As 'Bush 44,' Biden Says

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

Published: September 16, 2008

ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. - The once independent-minded Sen. John McCain has adopted the serve-the-rich policies of President Bush and the divisive tactics of former Bush strategist Karl Rove, Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden said Monday during a campaign stop in Michigan.

Biden blamed the Bush administration for inaction in the face of sharp cuts in automotive jobs and said McCain, like Bush, was out of touch with the economic suffering of ordinary Americans.

Speaking to hundreds of people in a sweltering high school gym in the Detroit suburb of St. Clair Shores, Biden decried what he said was "a culture in Washington where the very few wealthy and powerful have a seat at the table and the rest of us are on the menu."

Biden said McCain's economic programs are virtual copies of those of the past eight years under Bush and said they serve the rich while ignoring ordinary Americans.

"If you're ready for four more years of George Bush, John McCain is your man," said Biden, who pointed out that George H.W. Bush was the 41st president and his son is the 43rd. McCain "could easily become known as Bush 44."

"John McCain stands with George Bush firmly in the corner of the wealthy and well-connected," Biden said. "He stands with the oil company CEOs who swore to me, under penalty of perjury, that they didn't need tax breaks to explore for oil."

Republican spokesman Chris Taylor said Sen. Barack Obama and Biden would damage the economy with higher taxes. "Michiganders have seen what Democrat-led taxes can do to a local economy," he said.

Biden also criticized the negative tone of McCain's campaign.

"The campaign a person runs says everything about the way they'll govern," Biden said. "John McCain has decided to bet the house on the politics perfected by Karl Rove."

Biden was referring to a series of attack ads from the McCain campaign as well as misstatements that the Republican presidential candidate and running mate Gov. Sarah Palin have continued to repeat after they were debunked.

McCain "is now launching a low blow a day," Biden said.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT