Rendell: McCain, GOP 'lying' about Obama's tax plan

Gov. Ed Rendell Monday blasted the GOP and Republican presidential nominee John McCain for what he says is their "dishonorable" attempt to mislead the American public about Barack Obama's tax plan.

"The entire Republican National Convention, virtually every speaker lied about Senator Obama's tax plan," said Rendell, speaking on a conference call to reporters. "Their TV ads continue to lie.

"It's the big lie strategy," he continued. "Say if often enough and it will stick."

Rendell said Obama's tax plan would provide relief to 95 percent of American families, as opposed to McCain's, which would continue to reward the rich, he said.

He spoke to reporters a day before McCain and his runningmate, Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin, campaign in Lancaster. The governor held a press conference there Monday to show a letter that asks McCain to stop 'misleading the American people about taxes."

A state committee member, Rendell said, will try to deliver the letter to McCain Tuesday.

Sarah Palin's inclusion on the ticket has electrified the Republican base but also led to questions about her background, which is largely unknown to the public.

Rendell attacked Palin's record, saying Republican criticisms of Obama are clearly hypocritical now in light of McCain's vice presidential selection. He disputed her record of rejecting earmarks, balancing the budget and involvement in "Troopergate," an investigation into whether Palin illegally fired the state police commissioner.

"Can you imagine if I did the same thing in Pennsylvania?" Rendell asked. "You'd be calling for my impeachment."

The former governor said he's met Palin before and that he liked her.

"I think she has tremendous potential," he said. "But in no way, shape or form is she ready to be president of the United States, and that's something we gotta get across to the American people."

He expanded his criticism to include all Republicans, and he said that's why they must lie about Obama's plan to gain support.

"The Republicans can't govern worth a damn," he said. "They can't govern their way out of a paper bag. But they sure do campaign well."