Truth is for stretching in presidential debateBoth candidates make comments that don't hold up under microscope By JIM KUHNHENN and CALVIN WOODWARD
Associated Press
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
WASHINGTON — Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain stretched facts as they addressed the financial crisis and more during their second presidential debate. Some examples: McCain: Said one way out of the financial crisis is to "stop sending $700 billion a year to countries that don't like us." The facts: Although he didn't spell it out, he was referring, as he has in the past, to purchases of oil from countries hostile to the U.S. The figure is inflated and misleading. The U.S. is not spending nearly that much on oil imports, and roughly one-third of what it does spend goes to friendly countries such as Canada, Mexico and Britain. Obama: "I believe this is a final verdict on the failed economic policies of the last eight years, strongly promoted by President Bush and supported by Senator McCain, that essentially said that we should strip away regulations, consumer protections, let the market run wild, and prosperity would rain down on all of us. It hasn't worked out that way. And so now we've got to take some decisive action." The facts: McCain has indeed favored less regulation over the years but supported tighter rules and accountability on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac two years before the start of a financial crisis prompted in part by those giant mortgage underwriters. Obama was not a leader in that unsuccessful effort. Some of the current problems can be traced to legislation passed in 1999 that lifted many regulations over the financial industry. That deregulation was championed by then-Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas, a McCain supporter, but also by President Clinton, who signed the legislation, and by former Clinton Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, now a top Obama economic adviser. McCain: Complained that Obama's "cronies and friends" had received money from Fannie and Freddie. The facts: McCain has his own ties to the mortgage giants. Rick Davis, his campaign manager, has been a focus of attention because Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae paid him or his lobbying firm more than $2 million dating back to 2000. Obama: "Actually I'm cutting more than I'm spending so that it will be a net spending cut." The facts: Obama has many ambitious plans to spend more taxpayer dollars on a variety of federal programs, including clean energy technologies and job training. He's said he'll cut pork-barrel programs and the costs of the war in Iraq to pay for it, as well as raise taxes on the wealthy, but the specifics of his new spending plans greatly outweigh the few spending cuts he's identified. McCain: Said Obama had voted for tax increases "94 times." The facts: This inflated count, heard before, includes repetitive votes as well as votes to cut taxes for the middle class while raising them on the rich. An analysis by factcheck.org found that 23 of the votes were for measures that would have produced no tax increase at all, seven were in favor of measures that would have lowered taxes for many, 11 would have increased taxes on only those making more than $1 million a year. |
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Comments
This article has 10 comment(s)
Posted by NativeSon on October 8, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Not only is the press a joke, it is a known fact that the press is vile, contemtable, lying group who think it journalism to ruin a person over rumor and inuindo.
On the other hand, there is absolutely NO trueth to be found in congress or the white house, either and the executive and legislative branches of OUR government have stolen the government from the American people to satisfy their own self serving whims. Once elections are over, most politicians revert to paying NO attention the the constituancy until the next election when they will say anything you want to hear to get re-elected.
So, voters, keep re-electing the same thieves to office and by all means, continue to vote for the imbecils your party TELLS you to vote for. Or, for once in your life, THINK before you act! You may finally see that you vote should be cast for "NONE OF THE ABOVE"!
Posted by a_set_love on October 8, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
For the past 7 years, the Federal Income Tax for all Americans who make "LESS" than $100,000 a year has gone down.
If you don"t belive this, check the tax tables on the IRS web site.
Those who want to belive that finally, someone, "Obama", cares enough to relieve some of your tax burden are being seriously lied to.
Posted by rubin882 on October 8, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As a retired military combat soldier of Desert Storm and one that has service over twenty-three years of honorable service that has voted for President Regan, President Bush Sir and President Clinton, who all did a great job while in office. However, when it comes to this election I feel that Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin have continued to resort in negative comments about Senator Obama that are just not true. As a soldier I believe my leaders should be held to the highest standards and should display Loyalty, Respect, and Integrity for all no matter what the cost. I feel that Senator John McCain has lost all respect by allow Governor Sarah Palin to make statement about Senator Obama’s, loyalty to this great nation when she has issues of Loyalty and Respect herself with the people of Alaska. A soldier does not act like this especially one that was on the receiving end of torture as a POW like Senator McCain because he knows how it felt to be disrespected when you have not done anything wrong to desire it. Therefore, I feel that Senator John McCain should have stayed with the issues and ran a respectful campaign without resulting to a shameless display of disrespectful tactics. I will be voting for Senator Obama because I think he would be a good leader for this great nation and one that bring us together. We are all God’s children!!
Posted by jsks on October 8, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I just want to preface that I think I am a pretty independent thinker and it is obvious that if you are Pro-McCain/Palin, you are going to call the the documented distortions a lie and respond by saying the media is biased. What some of you fail to remember is that during the 2004 election, McCain was the darling of the media and he commented on numerous occasions about his positive relationship with the media. When folks start calling the campaign out on their blatant lies and fear mongering, the campaign gets all of you R's all bent out of shape. I am by no means advocating that the Obama campaign has been innocent in this campaign but it is clear as the day is long, that the McCain campaign is spoon feeding you like a bunch of new born babies.
When the big issues such as the economy, health care, and the even the war in Iraq are not working for the McCain campaign, they revert to Reverend Wright and Bill Ayers garbage. I thought the first debate was a tie, but last night was McCain's chance to show the American public he was serious about being a statesmen and our next President. Instead, he made some ill timed condescending comments to Senator Obama, Tom Brokaw and the guy who asked him about the mortgage crisis. He may have served this country well and is truly a war hero, but that doesn't mean he has the temperment to be President.
Posted by jsks on October 8, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And another thing....
Thats all we heard before the Republican convention was how inexperienced Obama was and how young and naive he is. Then the McCain campaign picks Gov Palin and we haven't heard a word. I wonder why? Most R's think that people have an issue with her lack of experience but I think that is only a small part of it. What most folks really care about is her ability to think about things in a complex manner. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but any senior communications major at the College of Charleston with 2 weeks preparation could have performed just as well as Gov Palin, but all the R's don't want to see the writing on the wall. The American people aren't stupid. When folks have to make a decision about keeping their car, their house and paying for groceries for their families, the fact that Obama is black or "mysterious" or "dangerous" as the McCain campaign puts it, will be null and void.
Posted by a_set_love on October 8, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
jsks -> Obama isn't a "Black Man", He might look black on the outside but is 100% whitey inside.
Posted by inthelowcountry on October 8, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Most of the posters on here would have you believe that any news outlet not called "Fox News" is biased against their candidate...the truth hurts (all of us)!
Posted by BlueGrits on October 8, 2008 at 9:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm retired Navy. Don't you dare tell a veteran to get a better grasp of the facts. Johns McCain has been no friend to any veterans. His choice of Gov. Avon lady speaks volumes of his Country First BS.
I too am voting for Mr. Obama. The fact that he's black is what bothers you. Get used to referring to him as President Obama.
http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmcc...
Posted by MRSCVS on October 9, 2008 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It would be grand if people would just look at the candidates for there resolutions on the troubles that this country have instead of their race.
It is astounding that in the 21st century we still have those out there with the racist idiom...
Bluegrits....very well said!
May the best man win so that this country can be thriving like it once was.
JMO
Posted by gneubeck on October 9, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In perhaps the greatest irony in American history an individual who, because of numerous long-term subversive associations and admitted heavy drug use, could NOT pass a basic FBI background check for an initial security clearance, is considered to be a serious contender for the Presidency of the United States! How is it possible that a man who is widely recognized as the least experienced; and, most radical far-left extremist ever nominated by a major political party could beguile so many simply because he's a SLICK TALKER? In perhaps the ONLY forthright moment of his extended campaign, Obama, while being interviewed on ABC, lamented the dispersions frequently cast against: "MY MUSLIM FAITH". The ascendancy of this charlatan to the Presidency would unquestionably mark the portending demise of our Constitutional Republic that so many have shed their precious blood to nurture and preserve. Greg Neubeck