Loughlin Comes Out Swinging
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Republican John Loughlin came out swinging in the first day of his general election campaign against David Cicilline, claiming his opponent was a tax-and-spend Democrat and would be a shill for Nancy Pelosi in Congress.
Loughlin yesterday pledged to vote for renewing the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts - which expire next year - and called on Cicilline to do the same. “I pledge that I will not vote to raise taxes on any Rhode Islander, plain and simple,” Loughlin said. “To raise taxes on anyone - including investors and small businesses - in the midst of a recession is a major mistake.”
He said renewing the tax cuts would give businesses they money they need to avoid layoffs.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTQuestions Cicilline’s Record as Mayor
“As mayor of Providence, David Cicilline has already shown that he is predisposed to raising taxes and irresponsible spending. So, if elected, he would fit in with Nancy Pelosi’s clique and be just another rubber stamp for her extreme left-wing agenda,” Loughlin said.
Loughlin seized on some of the attacks leveled at Cicilline during the Democratic primary, saying he thought there was merit to a lot of what Cicilline’s primary opponent, Anthony Gemma said during the race. Loughlin said that Cicilline will have to continue defended his record. “Just drive around Providence, the roads look like Baghdad,” Loughlin said. “The city has not been managed well over the last few years.”
Cicilline Says He Opposes Middle Class Tax Increases
Cicilline responded in a statement yesterday, saying he opposed any tax increases on “hard-working middle class Rhode Islanders.” But he also said he would fight against continuing the “extra tax breaks” created under the Bush administration to those making more than $250,000 a year. Ending the tax cuts, he said, would be a responsible reduce the deficit.
The state Democratic party also launched a broadside against Loughlin yesterday, saying he had an “anti-seniors, anti-middle class agenda.” The party said Loughlin favored tax cuts for the wealthy and privatization of Social Security.
“With Rhode Island’s unemployment rate over 11 percent and with seniors and families struggling to get by, Rhode Islanders simply cannot afford John Loughlin,” said party chairman Ed Pacheco. “Time and time again, Loughlin’s record points to preserving tax cuts for the wealthiest on the backs of the middle class, and jeopardizing Social Security benefits for Rhode Island’s seniors. Rhode Islanders must ask themselves who John Loughlin is really standing with - and I think they will find that it’s not Rhode Island families.”
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