CPAC: Rhetoric vs. Reality

On inequality, Republicans' rhetoric doesn't match reality.

On Inequality, Republicans’ Rhetoric Doesn’t Match Reality

The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) kicks off today. CPAC, organized by the American Conservative Union, gives conservative politicians and pundits a platform to push their extreme agenda. This year, as Republicans are establishing their 2016 messaging and trying to distinguish themselves in the crowded GOP primary field, many expected candidates are feigning concern about the country’s working and middle class.

But the same GOP leaders who are now expressing concern about economic inequality have consistently voted against policies aimed at helping our country’s working and middle class. To kick off CPAC, we took a look at five potential candidates for the 2016 GOP primary and compared the rhetoric to the record.

FORMER GOVERNOR JEB BUSH:

GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER:

SENATOR TED CRUZ:

SENATOR MARCO RUBIO:

SENATOR RAND PAUL

BOTTOM LINE: CPAC will give conservative leaders ample opportunity to try to appeal to middle class voters through rhetoric, but their records show clearly that they are less committed to helping create an economy that works for all Americans, and more committed to protecting the interests of the wealthy few.

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