Study Tests Candidates’ Debt Plans

[Puppycow]

Study Tests Claims of Republican Candidates’ Debt Plans

WASHINGTON – A centrist budget-watchdog group is punching trillion-dollar holes in the claims of Republican presidential candidates that they would rein in the mounting federal debt if elected, according to an analysis to be released on Thursday.

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a group of former members of Congress, former administration officials, budget experts and business leaders of both parties, analyzed each candidate’s agenda under three scenarios – most optimistic, intermediate and most pessimistic, depending on the specificity of the candidates’ proposals.

Newt Gingrich is the biggest budget-buster. His plan would increase the debt by $7 trillion over baseline (the baseline here means the amount that debt is already projected to increase under current policy). Rick Santorum's plan would increase the debt by $4.5 trillion over baseline, and Mitt Romney's proposal would increase the debt by $250 billion. Ron Paul is the only candidate whose proposal would actually reduce the debt, by $2.2 trillion under the intermediate scenario. (All figures for the intermediate scenario).