10/05/2008

FactChecking Biden-Palin Debate

The candidates were not 100 percent accurate. To say the least.

From FactCheck.org:

Biden and Palin debated, and both mangled some facts.
  • Palin mistakenly claimed that troop levels in Iraq had returned to “pre-surge” levels. Levels are gradually coming down but current plans would have levels higher than pre-surge numbers through early next year, at least.

  • Palin repeated a false claim that Obama once voted in favor of higher taxes on “families” making as little as $42,000 a year. He did not. The budget bill in question called for an increase only on singles making that amount, but a family of four would not have been affected unless they made at least $90,000 a year.
  • Biden wrongly claimed that McCain “voted the exact same way” as Obama on the budget bill that contained an increase on singles making as little as $42,000 a year. McCain voted against it. Biden was referring to an amendment that didn't address taxes at that income level.
  • Palin claimed McCain’s health care plan would be “budget neutral,” costing the government nothing. Independent budget experts estimate McCain's plan would cost tens of billions each year, though details are too fuzzy to allow for exact estimates.

  • Biden wrongly claimed that McCain had said "he wouldn't even sit down" with the government of Spain. Actually, McCain didn't reject a meeting, but simply refused to commit himself one way or the other during an interview.
  • Palin wrongly claimed that “millions of small businesses” would see tax increases under Obama’s tax proposals. At most, several hundred thousand business owners would see increases.
For full details on these misstatements, and on additional factual disputes and dubious claims, read to the Analysis at FactCheck.org.

3 comments:

preacherman said...

Thanks for sharing this with us. I didn't watch the debate.
I watch IRON MAN with my 3 boys.
It was a lot more entertaining.
I thought I could get scoop on blogs and other sites.
The boys enjoyed IRON MAN. It was a great movie. Again, thanks for sharing. I hope you have a great Sunday!

Anonymous said...

Honestly, I'm amazed that they are accurate as much as they are. All the facts they need at their fingertips, to get through. And never knowing quite which ones they'll need ahead of time. It impresses me that they carry themselves as well as they do. (Sometimes I try to imagine doing what they do, and the thought is sobering, challenging! : )

Kaye said...

You would think they would check facts better, but at least they are more accurate than I would be! I would SO freeze!

Found you today via Higher Calling and wanted to say hi.