The Hiller Instinct: Candidate Tax Plans

Mitt Romney, (R) Gubernatorial Candidate
"My opponent has raised taxes time and again."

Shannon O'Brien (D) Gubernatorial Candidate
"Mitt Romney is the only major party candidate, who's proposing new taxes right now."

But Romney makes his commitment sound like a promise:

Mitt Romney
"We're not going to have a tax increase. I'm going to veto any tax increases."

...while O'Brien hedges:

Shannon O'Brien
"I'm going to do everything I can to keep taxes as low as possible."

But push Romney, and his hard line turns soft:

Andy Hiller
"Would you say read my lips, no new taxes?"

Mitt Romney
"I'm going to absolutely fight tirelessly to assure we do not increase taxes. I oppose tax increases. We're going to balance our budget by cutting unnecessary costs."

Andy Hiller
"Sir, that's wiggle room. Would you sign a no new taxes pledge?"

Mitt Romney
"You already know the answer to that one."

Andy Hiller
"No. The answer's no."

Mitt Romney
"I don't need to sign anything to tell people what I believe and what I'm going to do."

O'Brien says that makes them the same:

Shannon O'Brien
"Like my opponent, I will not take a no new taxes pledge because I understand the severity and the nature of the budget crisis may force us to look at cuts as well some revenues."

Mitt Romney
"I oppose tax increases. They hurt families. They kill jobs."

Andy Hiller
"Then why won’t you promise not to raise them?"

Mitt Romney
"I told you exactly what I'm going to do, and that is I'm going to fight any tax increase."

Memo to Mitt Romney: fighting tax hikes isn't the same thing as pledging there won't be any. Memo to Shannon O'Brien: get off the fence! Without new taxes, the state can't afford all the programs you support. And a memo to voters: whoever’s elected, read my lips, there will be more taxes.