Feb 09, 2012

Doherty Embraces Washington Republicans

This week the anti-Medicare, pro-super rich Washington Republican establishment renewed their support for Rhode Island Republican congressional candidate Brendan Doherty. It’s time for Brendan Doherty to take a break from wrapping his arms around Washington Republicans who are working to slash Pell Grants while protecting billionaires, and come clean about his own ultra-conservative positions.  When asked a few simple questions following his closed-door meeting with Eric Cantor and other top Republicans, Doherty bizarrely refused to take positions on issues he has already been quite clear on. For instance, Doherty has already called for an end to capital gains taxes and has advocated for the corporate tax rate to be slashed from 35% to 22%. And after running for office for almost nine months, Doherty refused to reveal whether he supports ending the Bush tax cuts for the very wealthiest Americans.

“Brendan Doherty is welcoming the support of Washington Republicans who work tirelessly to protect tax breaks for the ulta-rich and for corporations, the same stances he has staked out during his campaign for Congress but is now trying to hide,” said Josh Schwerin, Northeast Press Secretary at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Doherty owes it to the voters of Rhode Island to explain why he supports cutting taxes for big corporations and millionaires like Mitt Romney, but wants to overhaul Social Security benefits for seniors.”

Rhode Island has been hit especially hard by the economic downturn and Brendan Doherty needs to explain why he is seeking the support of leaders who have tried to implement this radical agenda.

Background

Doherty Met with House Republicans, Refused to Take Policy Positions. In February 2011, Doherty met with 30 Republican House members in a visit to the National Republican Campaign Committee in Washington, D.C. Doherty met with Majority Leader Eric Cantor and NRCC chairman Pete Sessions, among others. In an interview with the Providence Journal, he refused to a specific position on several prominent issues. [Providence Journal, 2/08/12]

Doherty Wants to Change Social Security Benefits for Seniors. In January 2012, Doherty said he wanted to change Social Security benefits for future seniors. “We need to look down the road, not kick the can down the road, but look down the road to just change those benefits for, for let’s say somewhere around 1960 and up based on a CBO, Congressional Budget Office or committee.” [WPRO, 1/11/12]

Doherty Wanted to “End” Capital Gains Tax. In September 2011, the Providence Journal reported that “Doherty called for reform of ‘the entire tax code to provide businesses with a consistent landscape in which to do business.’ He called specifically for a lower corporate tax rate, an end to capital gains taxes and repeal of the alternative minimum tax.” [Providence Journal, 9/12/11]

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