Blackwell doesn't even know his own tax policy!

Blackwell Makes Embarrassing Gaffe of Not Knowing his Own Tax Policy

Columbus, Ohio – In a desperate attempt to spin his support for tax polices that would result in higher taxes for middle-class Ohioans, the Ken Blackwell campaign tried to suggest its candidate doesn’t support a national flat tax.

“The record is clear,” said Strickland Campaign Spokesperson Keith Dailey. “Ken Blackwell supports a flat tax on a state and national level and both would lead to eliminating deductions and higher taxes for middle-class Ohioans.”

“At a time when economic growth has stalled and tuition and health care costs in Ohio have skyrocketed, Mr. Blackwell has advocated for a tax increase for the middle-class at both the state and federal levels,” Dailey said. “Ohioans just can’t trust Mr. Blackwell to speak honestly about his extreme plans to increase taxes on Ohio’s already struggling middle class.”

Despite suggestions otherwise, Blackwell has made clear his support for a flat tax both at the national and state levels. Speaking on a national conservative talk radio show to a national audience Thursday, Ken Blackwell responded to a question regarding his tax proposals:

PRAGER: What type of tax system – out of curiosity, should you ever, as I’m hoping, enter the national political scene – what type of tax would you like?

BLACKWELL: A flat tax. I’m comfortable with moving to a consumption tax, but I just don’t see us getting there.

PRAGER: But that’s your ideal?

BLACKWELL: That’s right.

“It’s not surprising that his own tax policy is lost on Mr. Blackwell,” said Dailey. “After all, this latest proposal to increase taxes on Ohio’s middle class comes after Mr. Blackwell abandoned his TEL amendment after campaigning on it for more than a year and after his flip-flop on the state’s CAT tax. Before the primary Mr. Blackwell said he was against the CAT tax and now he says it must stay. Clearly, Mr. Blackwell is having a hard time keeping track of what his positions are on a daily basis.”

Studies by nonpartisan think tanks like Policy Matters Ohio and the Joint Tax Center sponsored by the Urban and Brookings Institutes have found that middle-class families would be hit hard by replacing income taxes with a flat income tax or a consumption tax. Whether federal or state, flat taxes are harmful to the middle class because they shift the burden from wealthier Ohioans to average Ohio families.

Last week was not the first time Blackwell has advocated for a federal flat tax:

Cleveland Plain Dealer
February 11, 1996
Ohio Treasurer Kenneth Blackwell has become an evangelist for the flat tax since he served on a national tax reform commission that presented a proposal to Republican congressional leaders Newt Gingrich and Bob Dole last month.

The Cincinnati Enquirer
February 10, 2000
Mr. Blackwell said his preference for Mr. Forbes was based on Mr. Forbes’ support for a flat tax, less government and school vouchers.

Cleveland Plain Dealer
December 14, 2000
As a frequent guest on the TV talk show circuit, Blackwell belittled Bush’s proposals and pitched Forbes’ call for a flat tax.

The Cincinnati Enquirer
January 27, 2004
Blackwell has been a devoted follower of the conservative ideal, pushing for a flat tax and smaller government throughout his career.