Saturday, October 16, 2004
Clooney ads deny he would raise Social Security taxes
By Patrick Crowley
Enquirer staff writer
FORT MITCHELL - Democratic congressional candidate Nick Clooney is using a television ad to try to blunt criticism that he wants to raise Social Security taxes.
Republican Geoff Davis and the National Republican Congressional Committee in Washington, D.C., have seized on statements Clooney has made regarding the solvency of Social Security.
Clooney has said that eliminating the cap that limits Social Security payroll taxes at $87,900 of income should be considered by Congress as a way to keep the government-funded retirement system solvent.
During a Sept. 22 Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce forum, Clooney said removing the cap is "a revolutionary idea that nobody is talking about."
Clooney has made similar statements before. But he has been emphatic that he does not support eliminating the cap, only studying it.
Davis' campaign has seized on the statement, saying Clooney is advocating what would be the largest tax increase in history.
"If he opposes this tax increase, why would he want congress to 'look at it'?" said Davis Campaign Manager Justin Brasell.
Clooney answers the GOP in a television ad that began running Thursday in the 4th District.
Clooney says he does not favor raising Social Security taxes.
Debate rescheduled
The Legacy 4th Congressional District debate canceled earlier this week because of a death in Nick Clooney's family has been rescheduled.
Clooney, a Democrat, and Republican Geoff Davis will meet Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. in Regents Hall at Northern Kentucky University.
Legacy, Northern Kentucky's young professionals group, is sponsoring the debate. It was originally scheduled for last Wednesday but was canceled after the death of Clooney's son-in-law.
Clooney, Davis and independent candidate Michael Slider - who was not invited to participate in the Legacy debate - are also scheduled to debate Monday night at 9 p.m. on KET public television.
