All but two GOP presidential candidates have committed to voters to oppose income tax increases

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Among the 2008 presidential field, all but two of the Republican candidates -- Sens. John McCain and Fred Thompson -- have made a written commitment to the American people promising to oppose and veto income tax increases.

Sen. McCain signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge as a candidate for president in 2000, and has signed and kept the Pledge as a Senator.

For two decades, Americans for Tax Reform has asked all presidential and federal candidates to commit to their constituents, in writing, to oppose any and all efforts to raise income taxes. On the presidential level, every Republican nominee since Ronald Reagan has made this commitment, including President George W. Bush. In the current Congress, 42 Senators and 195 members of the House of Representatives have made this commitment, including SC Sens. Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham.

Visit www.atr.org/pledge to access a full matrix of all 2008 candidates and their respective tax reforms and economic plans.

2008 Presidential Candidates

Name Party Affiliation Taxpayer Protection Pledge Status

Rudolph Giuliani Republican Yes *

Mike Huckabee Republican Yes

Duncan Hunter Republican Yes

John McCain Republican No

Ron Paul Republican Yes

Mitt Romney Republican Yes

Fred Thompson Republican No

*Giuliani did not sign the Pledge per se, but has put in writing his commitment to oppose and veto all tax increases (as did George W. Bush) and ATR considers this to achieve the spirit and letter of the Pledge.

South Carolina Senate Delegation

Name Party Affiliation Taxpayer Protection Pledge Status

Sen. Jim DeMint Republican Yes

Sen. Lindsey Graham Republican Yes

Americans for Tax Reform is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose all tax increases. For more information or to arrange an interview please contact John Kartchat, jkartch@atr.org or via telephone at 202-785-0266. SOURCE Americans for Tax Reform

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