Richardson reignites confusion over Obama tax plan

Republicans are using a statement Gov. Bill Richardson made today to accuse Barack Obama of lying about tax cuts he has promised most Americans, but a Richardson staffer says the governor simply misspoke in claiming that Obama will cut taxes for those making $120,000 and under.

Speaking about Obama’s tax plan, Richardson told a Colorado radio station today that Obama “is basically looking at $120,000 and under, among those that are in the middle class, and there is a tax cut for them.”

Obama has laid out his tax plan on his Web site: He claims no family making less than $250,000 annually would see a tax increase under his plan. In a recent TV ad, Obama said Americans who “have a job, pay taxes and make less than $200,000 a year” will get a tax cut.

Richardson spokesman Pahl Shipley said Richardson misspoke. The governor, he said, “meant to say $250,000.”

So, insert that number into Richardson’s quote, and he would have stated that those making less than $250,000 will get a tax cut. But wait: Didn’t I just write that Obama says those making less than $200,000 will get a tax cut?

I did. So now I’m confused about what the governor meant and whether he is also confused about Obama’s tax plan.

Joe Biden ignited similar confusion days ago when he said the tax break would go to “middle-class people — people making under $150,000 a year.”

Biden’s comments gave John McCain an opening to attack:

“Sen. Obama has made a lot of promises,” McCain said. “First, he said people making less than $250,000 would benefit from his plan. Then this weekend, he announced in an ad that if you’re a family making less than $200,000, you’ll benefit. But yesterday, right here in Pennsylvania, Sen, Biden said tax relief should only go to ‘middle class people — people making under $150,000 a year.’ It’s interesting how their definition of rich has a way of creeping down.”

As reported by MSNBC, the Obama campaign later said Biden was citing “an example of what someone making that amount would get under Obama’s tax plan. Indeed, Biden’s $150,000 remark came after he referred to someone making $1.4 million.”

MSNBC also points out that Obama said at one forum in August that, under his plan, “if you make $150,000 or less, you will see a tax cut. If you’re making $250,000 a year or more, you’re going to see a modest increase.”

I thought the tax-cut threshold was $200,000, not $150,000.

Republicans attack

Anyway, the furor over the various statements had begun to die down until Richardson stepped into the mess today. Here’s what Bill Riggs, the Republican National Committee’s regional press secretary, had to say in an e-mail to reporters:

“It started at $250,000, then it was $200,000, then it was $150,000, and NOW it is $120,000,” he wrote. “Barack Obama and Joe Biden continue to talk out of both sides of their mouth on their plans to raise taxes on the American people. It is only a matter of time until Obama admits the truth — he voted for higher taxes on people making only $42,000 a year. People all over New Mexico are learning that when the Obama camp comes to your door this Halloween, there will be no treats — just taxes.”

For the facts on the $42,000 claim, click here.

U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, on a conference call today with reporters, said Richardson, Biden and Obama are preparing America for a tax increase. She said she believes Obama plans to get into the White House based on a promise of tax cuts and then announce that the situation is worse than he thought and he’s going to have to raise taxes.

“I think Gov. Richardson spoke the truth this morning,” Wilson said, adding that Richardson could be a cabinet member if Obama is elected. “… Someone at that level can’t afford to make a stupid mistake like that. He’s telling the truth.”

The Obama campaign has not responded to a request for comment.