Hughes makes case for Obama on economy, while McCain unveils Palin attack ad

Brian M. Hughes, Mercer County executive: Politicker file photo 

Arguing for why voters should choose Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes today contrasted the tax cut proposals of both Obama and his Republican rival, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Simultaneously, the McCain Campaign unveiled their new television ad, "Lipstick," which punches back at Obama in defense of McCain running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

In his Statehouse press conference this afternoon, Hughes argued that Obama’s plan cuts taxes for 95 percent of American workers and provides tax relief to middle class families, while McCain’s plan offers zero relief to 2.8 million New Jersey families, and offers only a $125 benefit to others.

"John McCain doesn’t get it, he think a $5 million income is middle class, he thinks the economy is fundamentally strong and he thinks $125 is substantial tax relief," said Hughes. "That’s not tax relief, these days that’s barely a trip to the grocery store. John McCain’s offering more of the same, not the change we need.

"Senator Obama has proposed substantial relief for middle class families faced with the rising price of food energy and just about everything else," Hughes added. "That’s why he’s proposed a making work pay tax cut of $500 for individuals and $1000 for families, a $1000 energy rebate, as well as tax credits for college tuition and child care costs. That’s the change we need."

Burnished by the New Jersey campaign in a mass email, McCain’s new ad quotes from Palin’s acceptance speech in St. Paul last week, when the Alaskan noted the difference between a Hockey mom and a pit bull as "lipstick."

This week, Obama said, "You can put lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig," and the ad features that sound-bite followed by the Republican rejoinder, "ready to lead, no; ready to smear, yes."