Democratic incumbent President; IL Senator (2004-2008):
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OR click here for Barack Obama on other issues.
- Tax cuts won't help us compete with China; invest instead. (Oct 2012)
- I've cut taxes for middle-class families & small businesses. (Oct 2012)
- We need a tax code where everybody pays their fair share. (Sep 2011)
- We cut taxes 25 times, for 95% of Americans. (Jan 2010)
- FactCheck: Tax cut only helps 75% or workers, not 95%. (Feb 2009)
- Yes, earmarks are abused, but small compared to tax cuts. (Sep 2008)
- Trickle-down economics has failed. (Aug 2008)
- Adjust capital gains tax up to where Reagan set it. (Aug 2008)
- Tax cut for middle class and relief to struggling homeowners. (Jul 2008)
- Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit. (Jul 2008)
- Maintain the inheritance tax on wealthy. (Jul 2008)
- Middle class tax cut helps offset rising cost of gas & food. (Jun 2008)
- Under Bill Clinton, rich people didn’t feel oppressed. (Apr 2008)
- Stimulus package: $500 tax cut, & Social Security supplement. (Jan 2008)
- Restore progressive tax; close loopholes; relief to seniors. (Oct 2007)
- Tax incentives to create jobs at home instead of offshore. (Jun 2004)
- Last thing we need now is a permanent tax cut. (Jan 2008)
Taxing the Wealthy
- Bring back the Clinton tax rate for income above $250,000. (Oct 2012)
- It's unfair for a nurse to pay a higher tax rate than Romney. (Oct 2012)
- 47% who don't pay income tax pay many other taxes. (Sep 2012)
- No tax breaks for millionaires; GOP always wants tax cuts. (Sep 2012)
- Buffett rule: millionaires pay minimum of 30% in taxes. (Jan 2012)
- No across-the-board tax cuts for the wealthy. (Jan 2010)
- Tax cuts for wealthy got us into the current deficit. (Jan 2010)
- No $300 billion on tax cuts for those who don’t need them. (Sep 2008)
- Tax cut for 95% of all working families, not corporations. (Aug 2008)
- I will raise CEO taxes, no doubt about it. (May 2008)
- No tax increase if earning under $250K; tax cuts under $75K. (Apr 2008)
- Raise capital gains tax for fairness, not for revenue. (Apr 2008)
- I’m not bashful about it: wealthy will pay more taxes. (Jan 2008)
- Trillion dollar giveaway: the Paris Hilton Tax Break. (Oct 2007)
- Reduce Bush tax cuts to pay for health care & other programs. (Jun 2007)
- Estate tax only affects the wealthiest 1/2 of 1%. (Oct 2006)
- Bush tax cuts help corporations but not middle class. (Jun 2004)
Voting Record
- FactCheck: Voted for non-binding tax increase on $42K income. (Sep 2008)
- GovWatch: didn’t vote to raise taxes 94 times; at most 54. (Jul 2008)
- Voted YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million. (Mar 2008)
- Voted NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008)
- Voted NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008)
- Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
- Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
- Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
- Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
- Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
- Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
- Voted NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
- Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)
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