Joe Biden calls it 'patriotic' for the wealthy to pay more taxes

Democrats have been loudly complaining about John McCain, Sarah Palin and other Republicans routinely misrepresenting Barack Obama's tax plan by asserting the Democrat would raise the levies that Americans hate to pay across the board. In a true shocker, even a Fox News anchor gave a McCain aide flack on the matter earlier this week.

Obama's running mate, Joe Biden, today sought -- in his inimitable way -- to stress that the Democratic platform calls for increasing income taxes only for those making more than $250,000 a year. But in the process, he delivered a line sure to be mocked far and wide by the GOP.

"You got it," he said on ABC's "Good Morning America" when his interviewer noted that Obama was targeting the affluent. "It's time (for the well-off) to be patriotic." (See the clip below.)

Already, the Republican National Committee has sent off an e-mail flagging the quote. And we're betting it shows up quickly as a laugh line in McCain and Palin stump speeches.

[UPDATE: Right on cue, Palin scoffed at Biden's comment as she and McCain stumped late this morning in Iowa. Telling her typically adoring crowd what the Delaware senator had said, she parried that raising taxes isn't about patriotism, it's "about killing jobs and hurting small businesses and making things worse."]

[UPDATE II: McCain, taking the stage after Palin, said of raising taxes in tough times: "It's not a badge of honor. It's just plain dumb."]

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Barbara]

Mr. Biden, The government takes checks, and credit cards. How much e-xtra tax money did you contribute last year or any year?

[Thumb]

GET OUT OF MY POCKETS!

This is my money that i have worked hard for!

SOCIALISM = OBAMA

[Pamela]

It's about time the wealthy were patriotic??? Mr. Biden, The wealthy already pay the majority of the taxes!! How dare you say it's about time!! Socialist ass.

[DAVID SHARMA]

Marx and Lenin also thought taking from the rich was PATRIOTIC.

[cspolj]

Biden and SoetoroObama are morons who deserve each other.

[ziggy turtle]

Middle class Republicans do not care about the facts over misquoting Obama relating to taxes; they do not care about Palen's lack of experience, or authoritarian practices in Alaska, the firings, intimidation, and attempted book bannings. They care only about one thing: having others agree with them in lockstep concerning their fundamentalist ideologies. They ignore the separation of church and state, and they would certainly revise the Constitution in this regard if they could.
They are more concerned that Obama rhymes with Osama, or that his middle name is Hussein. To ideologues, these are "messages" from God.
The rich Republicans use these fundamentalists. The rich Republicans care only about one thing: Staying Rich.
Ideologues are dangerous, be they Islamic, Christian, New Age, or whatever. Grow up people. Use the brain you have, and don't confuse your deities with reality. Fundamentalists are embarrassing. Can I emigrate to Mars or something and get away from these jackleg humans?

[Cross Mooradian]

So if you play by the rules, work hard and pay your taxes, John McCain thinks you're a dummy

[art]

Why the RICH will not complie. "I made I keep it." "You get your's, I got mine." Or , The workers will suffer Because I had to pay more taxes PLUS pay them.
This is so selfish. Give it up Well to do'ers. It is time to Spend what you have been Given so FREELY. Or under handedly? I wounder? Does Mcain get it?

[jb wilson]

Joe Biden is a typical communist who wants to spread the wealth with everybody else's money.. If it were not for big corporations this country would be down the drain.. If a guy gets lucky and get rich he or she should not be penalized for their endeavors. We have enough welfare people on t he roles now and there will be more if there is more money.. The cream rises to the top not the bottom.. The big problem with America is that Black American won't work and they keep feeling that they need to be paid back for slavery,.. Since the 40's the USA has spend trillions and the blacks haven't progressed one bit. Black's in this country have been treated far better thanl any place on the face of the earth..

[JMSP]

Gaffe of the year. Epic fail.

[PJ]

Biden is right. It's time to give to your country and frankly giving some of your vast wealth is the easiest way. The rest of us will serve in your military, police your streets, put out your fires--you just need to open up that huge wallet a bit more.

[Dean]

Go ahead, Biden -- keep talking! You'll be sure to put McCain in the White House if you just keep talking.

Does anybody else think that maybe... just maybe the Republicans pushed so hard on Obama's lack of experience to force Obama to put Biden as his VP, just so they could maybe... just maybe switch the young and women vote to McCain and his VP choice?

Maybe... just maybe?!?

[PJ]

Biden is right. It's time to give to your country and frankly giving some of your vast wealth is the easiest way. The rest of us will serve in your military, police your streets, put out your fires--you just need to open up that huge wallet a bit more.

[Laura]

Wait a minute...Joe Biden was just revealed as the least generous of the U.S. presidential candidates in his giving. McCain is actually the most generous. Biden needs to put his money where his mouth is. WHAT A HYPOCRITE! Apparently, he doesn't give barely ANY MONEY TO CHARITY!!!!!

[Josqueline]

How is raiseing taxes for RICH people hurting the economy??? The republicans are playing it off as the democrats want to raise everyones taxes.

The republicans protect the rich because thats who votes for them. the rich and the conservative

[Deez]

Actually, whats dumb is cutting taxes then fighting two wars. The wealthy have seen their average income double in the last 16 years, while the middle classed has been lucky to keep pace with inflation. It IS patriotic for those who are well off to start paying their way to help a country from who they've benefitted in a way they could never have done ANYWHERE else on the planet.

PONY UP!!

[Anthony]

Yes! Go Biden. The man speaks the truth. It's time for the ultra-rich to put up or shut up. Even Gates and Buffet have said to the Bush cronies -- "You don't tax me enough."

God Bless Obama. God Bless Biden. And God Bless America!

[tizzyfit]

You've got to hand it to Biden! It took way less time than I thought before he put his foot in his mouth - AGAIN! If you follow his "patriotic" logic, all those making $250,000 should just ante up right now. Oh, wait a minute, I guess several hundred did a few nights ago in Hollywood when they gave $30,000 to NOBAMA for dinner and live (I think she's still alive, hard to tell looking at her) music. How PATRIOTIC those left wingnuts are.

[Nick Steele]

Are Mccain and Palin so out of touch with the average man that they believe raising taxes on people making $250k/year will hurt jobs. It might hurt jobs at Rolls Royce, Rolex, and a few yacht companies but not your average blue collar workers job.

I think it is time for trickle up economics; let the rich start paying there share of the taxes and use that money to help create jobs for the middle class who really make a difference in this country.

As a small business owner I believe it is my duty as an American to pay my share of the taxes. I just wished the Republicans believed it was there duty.

[Barbara]

This is called stealing. If our government was run like a corporation they would be bankrupt and fired. No one is entitled to anything except freedom and the pursuit of happiness. It isn't up to me or anyone else to take care of you, that's your job. America is about being rewarded for success not punished. But, the government does take personal checks, money orders, cash and credit cards if you want to give more.

[Michael Busby]

No, Joe! You have it all wrong. It is patriotic to pay your legally obligated taxes. It is fair to pay your fair share, not patriotic.

[L Richards]

Obama-Biden will kill jobs created by small business by taxing them- they are taxed as individuals and by taxing $250,000 limit they have to let go workers or close down business. What a stupid idea to tax $250,000 income.

[Damon]

You know why Biden can get away with saying dumb crap like this? Because the McCain/Palin ticket is lying so damn much that they honestly believe people will believe them.

This is shameful.

Can someone, ANYONE in the McCain campaign tell this idiot that he really needs to stop making himself look like Homer's dad on The Simpsons?

[derek]

interesting train of thought......so if you don't vote for Obama youre racist and if you dont advocate higher taxes on those earning $250k+ you re unpatriotic.

As an aside, whilst $250k may go a long way in Idaho for example, in NYC with a family, it doesnt make you wealthy

[David]

When was the last time we saw Washington's elite stick it to their biggest contributors for campaign finance? Does anyone really think that taxing those that make more than $250K is going to fix trillion dollar deficits. Even if either candidate pulled off some tax reform to hold the "wealthy" more accountable two things would happen. Money would be invested overseas beyond the reach of the IRS. and any loses suffered by these wealthy individuals would be passed on to the average citizen.
The real kicker is that each of these candidates are talking about raising taxes on a large portion of their peers in Congress. How many of them are millionaires and beyond? I have not seen one running for the office of President yet that is not a multi-millionaire. So, when the rich are no longer running things in Washington we might actually see changes that would benefit the average American. Oh, I'm sorry. That situation won't happen until they are turning over the keys to the country because we no longer own it. Foreign countries will after buying up all our debt and calling in the markers. Yes I am somewhat pessimistic after nearly 50 years of watching the same old game. The answer to real reform is term limits for all positions in Washington to clean out the 30-40 year stagnant residents that never have to live with the legislation they pass on the masses. But, that is another issue.