The Bush Tax and the Dean Tax Plan
The Dean tax plan is not necessarily a political loser. While pocketbook issues can influence elections, modern elections have often been influenced by personality.

By Dean saying that we all must sacrifice in repealing the Bush tax cut, he's promoting the notion that he's more interested in the "right" thing than in pandering to a particular interest or demographic.

In primary debates or in the general election, Dean can point to himself as the grown up. "Look," he can say, "I proposed this tax repeal not to win votes. If I wanted to win votes, I'd just repeal the tax cuts for the rich. This repeal is what is right for America. I'll do the right thing even if it's not popular."

Proof? Take a look at how Dean positions his signing of the Civil Union bill in Vermont.

If he's able to spin his tax plan this way, he may have a way of differentiating himself from Bush on a "I'll tell you the truth, not what you want to hear" axis.

By throwing in the "Bush Tax" angle he can also backdoor himself into the pocketbook side of things.

Like all politicians, he's trying to have his cake and eat it to. Fortunately, in this case, it just might work.
- posted by Anonymous @ 6:27 PM