DCspectator

Giuliani Slips on Social Security Tax Increase Banana Peel

Rudy Giuliani's AP interview bylined yesterday by Liz Sidoti and Libby Quaid is starting to look like there'll be a need to "re-explain" his view -- dangerous that it is if it stands -- that a tax increase might be needed to shore up Social Security.

Here's the offending article excerpt:

Giuliani "refused to rule out raising taxes to offset a Social Security shortfall. He said he would assemble a bipartisan group to develop ideas for fixing Social Security, perhaps even before his inauguration. "I am opposed to tax increases, but I would look at whatever proposal they came up with and try to figure out how we can come up with a bipartisan way to do it,'' Giuliani said, adding that potential solutions must come from both parties. "The reality is, I'm more concerned about Medicare and Medicaid than I am with Social Security, because I'm pretty sure we can solve Social Security.''

McCain "Comeback" Storyline About to Punch Through

There's enough anecdotal and real evidence in terms of an incremental polling uptick that it's inevitable the NYT, WP, WSJ or other opinion-leader will write a trend-setting "John McCain's Back" story very, very soon.

To help this along, the McCain campaign is spinning the John Kerry 2004 Iowa comeback analogy, which is somewhat overstated, but that's a good enough hook into the inevitable McCain comeback storyline.

The press wants to write it -- especially as Thompson, Romney and, now, Giuliani, encounter a few roadbumps. Seems like some of those drifting to Fred when he initially jumped in are moving over, or, back to McCain. As long as Iraq situation continues to "improve", and immigration and campaign finance reform are out of the news, the "comeback" or perception thereof will be an emerging storyline.

But you make your own luck, and the McCain guys are doing so.