5 new political ads that stretch the truth

The ad: "Son of Boss," by Obama for America

The key quote: "Did Romney pay 10 percent in taxes? Five percent? Zero?" a narrator asks in the spot. "We don't know."

The problem?: Seizing on Mitt Romney's refusal to release more than two years of his tax returns to the public, a new ad by the Obama campaign questions just how little he might have been paying over the years. "Did Romney pay 10 percent in taxes? Five percent? Zero?" a narrator asks in the spot. "We don't know." It's certainly not a new line of attack: Romney's reticence to disclose a more extensive sample of his tax history has invited speculation from all corners about the possibility that he paid a low rate in recent years. But like everyone else, the Obama campaign has no way of proving that charge. Is the question grounding the ad a lie? No. But it certainly aims to plant in voters' minds an idea with no known factual basis.

The ad: "Right Choice," by Romney for President

The key quote: "On July 12th, President Obama quietly announced a plan to gut welfare reform by dropping work requirements. Under Obama's plan, you wouldn't have to work and wouldn't have to train for a job. They just send you your welfare check."

The problem?: According to a new Romney ad, the Obama administration's recent tweaks to former President Bill Clinton's 1996 welfare reform act eliminates the bill's work requirements, opting instead to just "send you your welfare check." That, according to Clinton, the Obama administration, and numerous news outlets and fact-checking websites, is false. According to Health and Human Services (HHS), the new adjustments allow states more flexibility in meeting reporting requirements directed at proving they're successfully sending welfare recipients back to work. The move, according to HHS, is aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing red tape, but the laws guiding welfare-to-work requirements remain strict. Romney's claim, according to Politifact, is "a drastic distortion of the planned changes" to the law.

• no previous page
• next

1/3

[sjj1222]

Re: Romney's "i'm almost a Catholic " ad.
Mitt's TRUE faith is MoreMon-eyism for the 1%.
Romney's new attack ad prominently pictures the late Pope John Paul II, saying "Be not Afraid". Mitt is obviously -and crassly- trying to garner some "posthumous" political endorsements. But the Pope was actually quoting Jesus Christ -who ALSO said things like: "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" and "whatsoever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.". Mitt, since you're the proud proud poster-boy for "I'm-not-concerned-about-the-very-poor"-Vulture-Capitalism, if I were you I'd be VERY afraid...for your soul.
Or what's left of it.

[mrjustice1]

Obama is not working in the best interests of The United States.

Obama's heart and soul lie outside The United States.

Barack Hussein Obama has supported and accommodated numerous adversaries and even enemies of The United States.

[RollotheNorman]

After a careful reading, a lot of the alleged "stretching" is a stretch. My guess this was just an exercise in filling column inches.

[wolfmagic2012]

Great article Lucy Madison! This Progressive also thinks you are hot, Hot, HOT!

[jmn122736]

by TheFoundersLive August 10, 2012 4:44 PM EDT
jmn122736, so you couldnt answer my questions.

First off, Reagan only released one.

Second, people are calling for Romney to release more because they want to believe there is something in there to get him on (even though they have no evidence at this time to suspect that).

Others want Obama to releases his college records because they want to have things they can hammer him on. Even though they have no hard evidence to suspect anything wrong, at this time.

So, they are not "apples and oranges." Think a little
--------------------------------------------

TheFoundersLive; you said: "First off, Reagan only released one."
----------
Tax returns released by the following presidents.
George W. Bush
2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007
Bill Clinton
1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999
George H.W. Bush
1989 | 1990 | 1991
Ronald Reagan
1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987
Jimmy Carter
1977 | 1978 | 1979

I must admit, however that, apparently, the only tax returns released by ANY previous president took place ONLY after taking office, and NOT during their presidential campaigns.

You further said: Second, people are calling for Romney to release more because they want to believe there is something in there to get him on (even though they have no evidence at this time to suspect that).
------------------------
Again I will ask you a question; do you include these prominent republicans in your assessment?-------------George Will. Bill Kristol, Ron Paul. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley. Michael Steele, Rep. Walter Jones, Ana Navarro. Rep. Pete Sessions, Gov. Haley Barbour, Matthew Dowd, Rick Tyler, John Weaver, Brit Hume, David Frum. John Feehery.


And lastly Founders, Comparing the importance of the college records of an incumbent president, (who was thoroughly vetted 4 years ago), to that of the past tax records of a presidential candidate who refuses to follow normal procedure, is like comparing apples and oranges, or put another it is like comparing falling off your couch to falling off your rooftop.

[RollotheNorman]

Oh, pooh, and learn to spell "furious".

[Faramir0028g]

I have no problem with the "Son of Boss" Mitt Romney dodged all the taxes he could. It is a legit issue, I agree 100%!! I had to disclose more tax returns to get a mortgage on my house then Robmey has put out.
The tax returns he did release showed that he paid 13% on $20 million, that is so wrong. He has an IRA worth 100 million and you guys want him to lead the country SAD SAD SAD

[clydealan2]

The Supreme Court in 2010 with a decision on Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission moved our electoral process into our free enterprise system. As a result political ads today are largely what individuals with vast sums of money want you to see. It is now more important than ever that we turn away from political rhetoric to impartial sources when making a decision on candidates. I spent a half hour online and found they both suck. Obama sucks less.

[computerflyer]

At risk of seeming partisan, attack ads are not new, but the far right starting with George W tok it to almost a Goebbels level of "the big lie." The democrats learned it is successful in the USA, as it was in Germany decades ago, and the right is complaining they are being matched at their own game. It appears so successful neither side can stop or reduce it. Alas, we have met the enemy and they are us - Pogo.

[UForgotPoland]

No matter who is elected we'll have the same problems and issues and both will make the same mistakes.

[dwbenum]

Stretching the truth seems fine, as long as you've got the 'I approve this message' sponsorship :) should check out some good research on how much it helps here: *****/cThxf