Politics | Barack Obama Who Are You Calling a Socialist? McCain: Obama's tax cut plan is 'welfare'; Dem: Mac 'out of touch' By Wesley Oliver Posted Oct 19, 2008 9:21 AM CDT Copied Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, speaks during a Road to Victory Rally Saturday, Oct., 18, 2008, in Cabarrus County, N.C (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek) Values and socialism dominated the sharp rhetoric on the campaign trail yesterday, as the presidential candidates exchanged fire over Barack Obama’s plan for middle-class tax cuts, Politico reports. At rallies in North Carolina and Virginia, two traditionally red states where Obama has made inroads, John McCain accused him of planning to “convert the IRS into a giant welfare agency.” “At least in Europe, Socialist leaders are upfront about their objectives,” McCain added. But at a St. Louis rally, drawing 200,000 people, Obama portrayed taxes as a “values” issue, calling McCain “out of touch” for insisting tax cuts “for working people” amounted to welfare. McCain’s health care proposal uses a similar philosophy as Obama’s tax cuts, a non-partisan website says. Read These Next A space capsule carrying ashes of 160 people crashed in the ocean. A lesson in minding your own business ... at 30,000 feet. The death toll in the Texas floods has risen to 27, including 9 kids. Desperate search for missing campers continues in Texas. Report an error