TPM Reader YF finds this whole gas tax debate unsettling:
I have to say that I am really very surprised by the oddly rational, and near universal, condemnation of Hillary’s gas tax plan by the mainstream media. It’s been a long time since the TV talking heads were so focused on reality and for just a moment I actually got my hopes up that they might begin working their seriously atrophied logic and reason muscles and apply this new rigor to, say, the situation in Iraq. Ok- I won’t hold my breath . . .
And how pathetic is the Clinton campaign that they cannot come up with the name of just one freakin’ economist to throw back at the talking heads when they ask their favorite question of the moment “Just name one economist that agrees with the gas tax holiday.” You can’t find some hack Econ prof at East Jesus State University that will go on the record in favor? Are you kidding me? And this is the “grown up” campaign that is ready to roll on “day one”? I wouldn’t hire these people to wash my car.
Also- please note that no one on television seems to be mentioning that the gas tax plan is also favored by a little known individual by the name of John McCain. You’d think, watching the teevee, that Hillary is the only person favoring this notion . . . .
Late Update: TPM Reader GP takes it one step farther:
Something else that nobody on television seems to be mentioning is that Hillary’s plan WON’T CHANGE the price of gas. This is a key point. Now, I don’t want to totally pile onto the media because at least they are somewhat challenging her on this which is more than I expect, but when they keep asking “Can you name one economist that supports your plan?”, the Clinton campaign keeps firing back with “I don’t care about economists, I care about the people and this will save them money, which might not seem like a big deal to you…”, etc, etc.
The media is allowing the Clinton campaign to frame the narrative as “Clinton’s proposal will save the common man money, and that’s all that matters.”
But it WON’T save them money. That’s the point people should be making. It’s not just that economists think it’s an overall bad plan. They are saying that it won’t even do what you say it’s going to do!
If her plan was simply a matter of “saving the common man money” at the expense “ignoring long-term advice from economists”, she might even have a point. It might actually be a GOOD idea to help the average American save a few cents even if overall the plan isn’t a great idea.
But her plan won’t do what she says it will. It won’t save the average American money. At all.
Why doesn’t the media say THAT?
