Student Question
What caused President Bush to break his "no new taxes" campaign pledge?
Quick answer:
President Bush broke his "no new taxes" pledge due to economic challenges and pressure from Congress. The economy underperformed, leading to reduced government revenue. Faced with a choice between raising taxes or cutting popular programs, Bush encountered resistance from the Democrat-controlled Congress, which refused significant spending cuts without tax increases. Thus, Congress effectively compelled Bush to compromise on his campaign promise.
The best answer to this question (of those given) is D, Congress.
When George H. W. Bush was running for president, he told people to "read my lips" and promised that there would be no new taxes imposed on them. However, the economy did not do as well as Bush's people had projected and there was not as much revenue available to spend on government programs. Bush then faced the choice of raising taxes or cutting spending on programs that were quite popular. The Democrats who controlled Congress would not agree to any major spending cuts unless some taxes were raised.
Because of this, it is most accurate to say that Congress forced Bush to break his promise.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.