Senator John McCain joined his fellow Republicans to vote to maintain a filibuster on the minimum wage hike. This is clearly a vote to win him financial backing and support from the elites, but it is one that should come back to haunt him in his Presidential bid.A hike in the minimum wage is supported by at least 75% of Americans -- that number includes a large percentage of Republicans. And it's an issue you can use to win -- as Sherrod Brown learned in Ohio, a state where I'm guessing McCain will want to perform well.
2008 will likely be the year when the rightwing economic vision and electoral reality collide into eachother. This vote is a clear example of how that will happen.
Reader Comments ( Page 7 of 11)
91. Those in favor of the Minimum Wage hike are just kidding themselves. Can't you see how this will hurt small business owners, who will have to pay more for the same amount of work. Let's not forget about the poor college students who will not be able to find jobs because these small business owners will not be able to pay for more workers. Get a grip. By the way, I'm not a small business owner.
Stephanie Rossi at 4:35PM on Jan 24th 2007
92. MCCain, is a TRUE Republican at heart. Somehow he forgot that is the WORKING class people who vote to get him elected. But lest we forget IT'S THE BIG BUSINESS MEN WHO PAY TO GET HIM TO THE POSITION TO BE ELECTED. So unless he doesn't want to continue in politics on any level, he should really consider voting FOR the wage increase. Spreading that money around on the voting level is what REALLY GETS HIM ELECTED IN THE END. The people who will remember he VOTED FOR THEM!!!!!
Sam P at 4:40PM on Jan 24th 2007
93. I wish every American citizen would own a business for at least a year then they can talk about how much money busines's have
Deano at 4:41PM on Jan 24th 2007
94. shit
Bobby L. Edmiston at 4:42PM on Jan 24th 2007
95. Why would he do that? He is hurting himself. Not to mention all of the hard working citizens that he claims to be supporting. He wouldn't like it if he was earning minimum wage. a perfect example of why the White House doesn't need him in 2008
Pat Lamica at 4:43PM on Jan 24th 2007
96. Sad. This is the same politician who less than 8 months ago worked to
keep the filibuster from being used, declaring it should only be used
in most extreme cases. Sam Alito wasn't extreme enough, but
preventing minumum wage is. I supported McCain in primaries and he would have had
my vote in 2000. After his visits with Jerry Falwell, continued support of Bush's war plan, and now this, I've lost respect for him. For those who think only students get this raise, 7,000,000 folks do. How many senators or employers would be content with their 1998 wage? The other factor is jobs that are often $1.50 over minimum wage float on the basis of minimum wage. History has never proven job loss or inflation.
Larry at 4:43PM on Jan 24th 2007
97. Every time the minimum wage is raised, the people who worked, and slaved, to get promoted and make 10,12, or 15 dollars an hour after starting at 6.00 are getting raped. If you work 5 years, and you make it to 15 dollars an hour, then they raise the minimum wage to 8, doesnt that mean you just lost a year or two of raises? Your money wont be worth as much. There is no excuse in our country for making 5.15 anyway. Even at "terrible jobs" like wal-mart and McDonalds the average starting wage is already 7.00+. Give them a call, and ask. Oh wait, the people pushing the minimum wage increase all make 150-200k a year, so they would never call/set foot in a walmart or mcdonalds.
Dave
David at 6:39PM on Jan 24th 2007
98. Korean Veteran: My request for assistance with a problem with back compensation for paralysis from the
Korean "conflict" to McCain was met with stiff resistance and directed to several different agencies. If he is incapable of resolving such a small problem, how is he capable of resolving this countries problems?
John Mattson at 4:50PM on Jan 24th 2007
99. RAISING THE MIN. WAGE COSTS JOBS AND IS NOTHING MORE THAN A GIVEAWAY TO UNIONS. BESIDES THE VAST MAJORITY OF MIN. WAGE EARNERS ARE TEENAGERS. THE GOV'T IS NOT THERE TO PROTECT A FEW ADULTS WHO ARE SUCH LOSERS THAT THEY CANNOT EARN MORE THAN MIN WAGE! WAY TO GO SENATOR!!
pete at 4:44PM on Jan 24th 2007
100. I believe we need to look at an elevation in the minimum wage. Yet that directly impacts businesses. They must PAY the higher wage, meaning fewer jobs for those people who most need them. The big picture must be looked at, not just a single item of minimum wage.
Rose at 4:44PM on Jan 24th 2007
101. Each time the minimum wage increases so do prices. Corporations are not going to eat this loss to them, they just pass it on to us, and the folks making minimum wage
Mezza at 5:00PM on Jan 24th 2007
102. After the dems raise taxes we're all going to need a raise
Deano at 4:48PM on Jan 24th 2007
103. McCain jumps the fence so much you would think he was an illegal from Mexico. The mini mum wage needs to be raised for people to at least havea chance to try to better feed they're families. Big business needs to pay ceo's a little less and it would'nt hurt them to give employees a raise. McCain and the rest that want to block the minimum wage should be voted out of office.
Jerry at 12:09PM on Jan 25th 2007
104. McCain's as good as gone (thank god).
pat bishop at 4:52PM on Jan 24th 2007
105. Ever since Minimum Wage law went into affect, the 'Haves ' have always voted against the 'Have nots'. Funny thing is..these same 'Haves ' vote on their own raises, and pass them. They also enjoy free hospitalization, and they don't even have to pay into Social Security. And when they retire, they retire as millionairs, charge several hundred thousand for lectures..and I believe they get their salaries for the rest of their lives. Think about it people...these are the people against raising the Minimum Wage. Shame on you Mr. McCain...
Casey at 4:56PM on Jan 24th 2007