Clinton calls for gas tax vote, Obama calls it 'shell' game

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-05-03 10:05

"Her base of support includes women, Hispanics, seniors, Catholics, middle and low-income Americans, and rural, suburban and urban voters. That's a formidable coalition tailor-made for victory in a November general election," they wrote.

They added that if the election were held today, Clinton would defeat Republican Sen. John McCain and win the White House. "Obama would lose to the presumptive GOP nominee," they wrote.

Polls are equivocal on that point. Moreover, they have been particularly volatile in recent weeks as campaign criticism takes its toll on the two Democrats and Obama grapples with controversy stemming from the rhetoric of his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Despite a fierce, occasionally personal campaign, to a surprising degree the former first lady and Obama have generally agreed on most policy issues.

That made the proposed suspension in the gasoline tax an exception.

And while there is little support among the Democratic congressional leadership for the plan, it was a disagreement that both presidential contenders appeared content to perpetuate.

"All I hear about is gas prices. Gas and diesel, everywhere," Clinton said in Kinston, N.C. "Some people say we don't need to get a gas tax holiday at all, it's a gimmick ... I want the Congress to stand up and vote. Are they for the oil companies, or are they for you?"

Later, in Hendersonville, she added, "I know where I stand and I know where my opponents stand. ... Senator Obama doesn't want us to take down the gas tax this summer and Senator McCain wants us to, but he doesn't want to pay for it."

Clinton has proposed making up the lost revenue by imposing a windfall profits tax on oil companies.

Obama's rhetoric grew sharper, as well.

"She even borrowed one of Bush's favorite phrases," he said dismissively of the New York senator. "She said every member of Congress should have to tell us whether they are with us or against us."

He said the average consumer would save a "quarter and a nickel" a day, and only $28 in three months.

McCain also favors the gasoline tax holiday, and Obama said sarcastically that showed Clinton "has his vote," and that the two are reading from the same political playbook.

McCain told a town-hall audience in Denver: "I want to give the American consumer a little bit of relief just for the summer. Maybe they'll be able to buy an additional textbook for their children when they go back to school this fall."

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