Conference call with the RNC's Frank Donatelli

This morning I participated in a bloggers' conference with Republican National Committee Deputy Chairman Frank Donatelli, a former Reagan administration official.

I'd like to comment first on the professionalism of the citizen journalists who took part. We're witnessing the dawning of a new era.

The question I was able to ask regarded Barack Obama's claim that his tax increases "would only effect the rich."

Donatelli replied that, and I agree with him, that this election comes down to "who should be the arbiter of these large economic issues."

John McCain believes it should be individuals, Obama believes it should be the federal government.

Donatelli brought up some good talking points to hit back against Obama supporters, several of whom I encountered last night at a gradation party. I'll have plenty of opportunities to hammer back over the next five months.

"McCain has never voted for a tax increase."

(McCain's) number one goal is to restore fairness to the tax system."

Overzealous Congressional spending? Donatelli said McCain "would veto appropriation bills if necessary."

Change of course is a word being thrown about a lot this year. Donatelli commented that McCain stands for "Change that works versus change that doesn't work."

Obama was been trash-talking the economy for months--I've called it a sluggish economy, Donatelli refers to it as "soft," and that it is "an open question on which way it will go."

Tax increases will make things worse, Donatelli adds.

Finally, Donatelli, in his opening remarks to the bloggers he declared, "I have to go back to the first Reagan election when the difference between the candidates are as stark as their are today."

Reagan's first presidential victory was in 1980, his opponent was the hapless Jimmy Carter.

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