First off, let me apologize for this not being a long, substantive diary. But as I've been talking to undecideds here in Colorado, I keep running into the same concern from undecideds: "What will Obama do to my taxes?" This is the first time I've done anything more than vote in a political campaign. And I want to make sure I have the strongest possible answer.
Here's what I've been saying so far:
"If you make under $250,000 in household income, Barack Obama will cut your taxes. If you make over $250,000, your taxes will go back to what they were under Bill Clinton. And with the debt and the deficit higher than they've ever been, do you really want to finance McCain's tax cuts for the wealthy by indebting your children and grandchildren even further?"
Here's the part I'm not sure about: I believe that if you make over $250,000, only the amount over $250,000 will be taxed at the highest rate. In other words, if you make $275,000, only the last $25,000 will be taxed in the highest bracket.
I know this is probably a really stupid question, but I'm working a big public event tomorrow, and I'd like to be clear on this detail.
I'm also open to any suggestions you have for improving my tax pitch. It's BY FAR the biggest issue (and biggest misconception) I've encountered in Colorado.
Thanks in advance for sharing any suggestions on what's worked for you on the ground talking to undecideds (or especially converting McCain voters).