McCain won't raise taxes, ever, unless he has to, then he will, but he can't imagine ever having to, so he won't, probably, unless he does

CNN reports on the madness that is John McCain. Transcript below.



WOLF BLITZER: Meanwhile, John McCain has been drawing some harsh criticism from conservatives over his plans for social security and a fresh hint, just a hint right now, that he possibly would even consider raising taxes in order to help save social security. As they say. Mary snow has been working this story for us. It’s generated some unusual criticism from the -- for the Republican candidate from some conservatives out there, hasn't it Mary?

MARY SNOW: It has, wolf, because senator McCain is drawing fire from one group that supports his economic proposals over rival Barack Obama. The anti-tax group says McCain is sending a mixed message and needs to not blur any lines.

MCCAIN: First person –

SNOW: High on John McCain's to-do list should the Republican presidential hopeful be elected - fix Social Security.

MCCAIN: Sit down with the Democrats and say, look, let's fix social security. We cannot mortgage our children's future.

SNOW: But exactly how McCain plans to save the system is gaining scrutiny. In an interview with ABC’s "This Week" he left open the possibility he may raise payroll taxes for social security.

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: So that means payroll tax increases are on the table as well?

MCCAIN: There is nothing that's off the table. I have my positions and I’ll articulate them, but nothing is off the table.

SNOW: That statement drew fire from the fiscal conservative group the Club for Growth. It wrote a letter to McCain saying it's shocking as McCain has been vocal about not raising taxes.

MCCAIN: The choice in this election is stark and simple. Senator Obama will raise your taxes. I won't.

ANDREW ROTH: John McCain is trying to have his cake and eat it, too. He’s trying to appeal to both conservatives saying that he will be against tax hikes, and then he's trying to appeal to independents saying that he'll work with Democrats in order to reform social security. He needs to get off the fence and pick a side, basically.

SNOW: We asked an economic adviser for McCain to clarify, is there a contradiction between saying he doesn't want to raise taxes but saying he'll leave open the possibility for higher payroll taxes for social security?

KEVIN HASSET: I know that he doesn't want to increase taxes. He thinks social security can be fixed without raising tax rates. And he also wants to sit down at the table and negotiate in good faith with Democrats. So -- so I don't see how those are inconsistent at all.

SNOW: But adding to the confusion, the McCain campaign spokesman earlier today said in an interview, quote, there is no imaginable circumstance where John McCain would raise payroll taxes, adding it's absolutely out of the question. Separately today in Sparks, Nevada, McCain was asked by a young girl if he would raise taxes if elected. He said flat-out, ‘no’. Wolf?

Thanks, Mary, for that update. Mary Snow working this sensitive story for us.