Kerry Promises Not To Raise Taxes, Except In Case Of 'national Emergency'

WASHINGTON, Aug 1 (AFP) - US Democratic presidential hopeful Senator John Kerry promised Sunday he would not raise taxes on America's middle class if elected to the White House, but warned this stance could be revised if the US faces war or a 'national emergency.'
President George W. Bush has lashed Kerry on the campaign trail, charging his Democratic rival would raise taxes if he wins the November 2 presidential election.
Kerry, in an interview with ABC News, broadcast Sunday, strongly refuted Bush's claims.
Asked if he would hike taxes if elected, Kerry replied: "Absolutely solid, no new taxes on the middle class," adding that his pledge was "rock hard."
But he added one caveat, saying a "national emergency" could prompt him to revise that stance.
"War. Obvious, national emergency," the Massachusetts senator said.
"I'm talking about a national emergency beyond what we have today in Iraq, if you had something extraordinary that happened, and obviously, I want to be realistic about that," he said.
"Our plan is going to reduce the burden of this war, I've no doubt about that, none whatsoever," Kerry stressed.
In an interview with CBS' "Face The Nation" program broadcast Sunday, the Massachusetts senator said he would roll back President Bush's tax cuts for the richest US taxpayers.
"All we're doing is rolling back the tax cut for the wealthiest Americans," he said, adding this would only affect those earning over 200,000 dollars annually.
He also said that 98 percent of US small businesses would receive a tax cut under his economic plan.
Kerry said his business tax cuts would stop rewarding companies that relocate overseas or offshore, and focus on rewarding companies that create domestic jobs.