Biden Misrepresents McCain

Matt Lewis | October 08, 2008 12:11 PM

At a speech in Tampa today, Joe Biden said that during the second debate last night, McCain didn't say the words "middle class.”

Here's what Biden said today:

JOE BIDEN well, folks, speaking of obama, again in the debate last night what was most notable to me was what you didn't hear, what you couldn't hear. on the middle class, john mccain's silence was deafening again. you didn't hear john mention the words middle class one single time again after the second debate. more importantly, the questions from the people in that town hall last night i believe, personally believe reflected what a majority of the american people are looking for, a steady hand, leadership, an opt mist, not an angry man lurching from one position to another.

While this is technically true, McCain did say “middle-income” several times!:

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, (R) PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: I think you have to look at my record and you have to look at his. Then you have to look at our proposals for our economy. Not $860 billion in new spending, but for the kinds of reforms that keep people in their jobs, get middle income Americans working again and getting our economy moving again.

Then later,

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, (R) PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: I've got some news, Senator Obama, the news is bad. So let's not raise anybody's taxes, my friends, and make it be very clear to you I am not in favor of tax cuts for the wealthy. I am in favor of leaving the tax rates alone and reducing the tax burden on middle-income Americans by doubling your tax exemption for every child from $3,500 to $7,000.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, (R) PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: When he ran for the United States Senate from Illinois, he said he would have a middle-income tax cut. You know he came to the Senate and never once proposed legislation to do that? So let's look at our record. I've fought higher taxes. I have fought excess spending. I have fought to reform government.

Also, of interest, perhaps recalling Joe Biden’s offer to run on John McCain’s ticket, the opening speaker at Biden’s rally in Tampa today introduces “the next Vice President of the United States, John McCain.”