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Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist on the 2012 Republican candidates’ tax plans.
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Meanwhile each of the Republican hopefuls is trying to claim the mantle of the most conservative candidate to on the support of a key voting brought just days before the first.
Nominating contest joining me now is influential conservative Grover Norquist president of Americans for Tax Reform and -- thank you for being with us tonight.
Let me just ask you this which of the candidates plans do you like.
Well let me start by saying all the candidates except Jon Huntsman have put -- written statement the American people that when they approach.
The challenges of the country they will not raise taxes they're gonna go to Washington.
To rein in spending and reduce the spending that Obama's put in place so all except Huntsman conscience and he'll raise taxes if he wants to.
-- -- -- -- But all the others -- and that's off the table.
Now given that.
-- -- a couple of great plans out there that have been put forward I particularly like Rick Perry's plan which is a 20%.
Flat tax gets ready capital gains tax front of the doubt that would be very very pro growth.
I speaker Gingrich -- put out a plan.
That 15% flat tax.
So there aren't and Romney put out a plan early in the season.
And it was sort of it in.
A little more timid than it was sort of a first by I assume that will see as this campaign goes forward.
Something closer to the flat tax that Rick Perry and -- -- or Gingrich -- put forward.
-- immediate candidates conservative enough for you.
Oh I think first of all the candidates would do much better job than Barack Obama because they're not gonna raise taxes they want to rein in spending.
And Obama's job and and read and hello -- job is to raise taxes up to.
The new debt and spending levels that Obama has -- so.
The two parties are moving completely different directions that obviously Ron Paul is is a longtime advocate of dramatically.
Lower taxes and less government spending so.
All the candidates are moving in the right direction I think Romney needs to flesh out his.
Tax proposals -- In -- in more -- well especially with regard to the flat -- -- -- -- Romney's been a little more vague on that.
I don't I you're a supporter of the flat tax and -- -- is there's appeals to you the most.
Well and I'm.
Originally from Massachusetts which in its state constitution requires a flat tax -- when -- liberal Democrat George McGovern had Kennedy Massachusetts.
Has a flat tax in its constitution state.
That's income tax and five times the advocates of bigger government have tried to get -- of the the single rate flat tax -- go to a progressive.
Or graduated income tax -- The voters of Massachusetts have voted it down so moving to a flat tax has strong.
Popular support I think -- -- you go to a single rate tax because it treats everybody the same.
And it means we all face the same government.
And the government can't divide us into different groups and modest one at a time which is what they do.
With lots of different rates.
About your thoughts on the payroll tax cut extension that whole fiasco we only got two months -- extension what are your feelings on that.
Well the Republicans to run the House of Representatives passed a full year extension they paid for the hundred billion dollar.
Tax cut the fight a tax cut like a tax holiday by reducing spending.
-- across the board and so that was a very very good step forward Obama who wants to keep this issue alive.
And not actually reduce spending he wants to raise taxes.
To pay for a tax cut.
Has demanded only a two month extension and I think we're gonna continue the fight Republicans wanna spend last to pay for the hundred billion dollar tax holiday.
And Obama has asked for permanent tax increases to pay for a temporary.
Tax holiday right which would of course be a massive tax hike over time.
Five were at a time because so quickly -- Grover Norquist president of Americans for taxable -- -- thank you so much for joining us tonight appreciate it thank.
