Washington Post: Democratic presidential candidates engage in ‘arms race to the left’ in first debate

On taxes, many of the candidates also emphasized their more left-leaning ideas to raise rates on corporations and make the tax system more progressive, while none touted plans to keep taxes low for businesses, noted Steve Wamhoff, director of federal tax policy at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.

Wamhoff noted that Delaney did not discuss his plan to cut taxes on repatriated earnings, while Klobuchar did not bring up her push to repeal a tax on the medical device industry — two more centrist ideas.

Instead, Delaney spoke of his desire to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit — which primarily benefits low- and middle-income families — while Klobuchar emphasized her willingness to challenge pharmaceutical companies.

“Many of these candidates had held these positions in the past but are not talking about these things now,” Wamhoff said. “They’re talking much more about progressive policy.” Read more

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