As
a candidate in 2008, Barack Obama took to heart the lesson that Democrat Walter
Mondale taught liberals 24 years earlier while running for president: Never
admit you're going to raise taxes, or you will lose. Obama went a step
further and repeatedly attacked Republican candidate John McCain for openly
hinting at the possibility of new taxes on health benefits.
Obama's
devious plan worked. He convinced America that he was the more conservative
candidate, the one who wouldn't impose a new and painful tax on tens of
millions of workers.
But
now, as president, Obama needs money if he is going to fund the massive,
government-run healthcare system he hopes to create. The idea of a tax on
health benefits suddenly doesn't sound as sinister as he presented
it
in $44 million worth of ads.
The
president's budget director and a key economic adviser are open to
the idea; Obama senior adviser scoffed at the notion
that Obama should stick to his pledge by drawing a line in the sand as Congress
negotiates a healthcare bill; and twice in the past week, Obama himself has refused
to
rule out such a tax.
"This is something that's going to be debated in the
House and the Senate," Obama answered vaguely yesterday at a town-hall
event in response to a direct question about whether he would support the tax.
"We're all going to have to weigh in on it."
You
might think that a man who weighed in so forcefully as a candidate would
reassert his promise now as he theoretically leads the healthcare debate. But
it has become increasingly clear that as president, Obama is a George H.W. Bush
"read my lips" kind of leader.
The
waffling has put White House press secretary Robert Gibbs in the uncomfortable
position of dodging
questions about a pledge that likely will be broken. As David Freddoso said
earlier this week at Beltway
Confidential, "Brace yourself for higher taxes."