Republican U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon responded today to the concerns raised by President Kennedy's nephew regarding her new online campaign ad.
The ad features archival footage of the former president speaking about how a tax cut would stimulate the economy. Edward M. Kennedy Jr., a resident of Branford and supporter of McMahon's Democratic opponent, took issue with the ad, saying it distorts JFK's legacy. Kennedy sent a letter to the McMahon campaign, asking that the ad be pulled and a retraction issued.
"While I appreciate your interest in my campaign, I must disagree with your characterization of the tax situation,'' McMahon wrote in response.
Kennedy said there's a huge difference between the state of the U.S. economy today and the early 1960s, making any comparison moot.
McMahon responds with a history lesson. "The debate in Washington is not about tax cuts, but surrounds the extension of tax law and preventing tax increases. I do not support raising taxes. However, to give you some perspective on the effects of tax cuts versus tax increases, which you, my opponent and the Administration advocate, I suggest you take a look at history. President Hoover, followed by President Roosevelt, raised taxes, and we all know how things went in the 1930's. The President Lyndon Johnson surtax, joined with bracket creep, resulted in the 1970's decade of stagflation. And the tax rate hikes under Presidents George H.W. Bush and William Clinton are linked with what was the slowest economic growth in 50 years.''
20100922_LEM_Letter_To_Kennedy.pdf