Reality Check On The Debate

CBS News Fact Checks Barack Obama And John McCain

(CBS)  CBS News Reality Check Team wrote this story for CBSNews.com.

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McCain Knew Where the Weapons Were?:

Obama says John McCain said that he knew where weapons of mass destruction were in Iraq. But that appears to be an exaggeration of what McCain said in the lead up to the war. On October 1, 2002 McCain said, “I think we know where there are at least some of these weapons stored and being developed. I think it would -- we have sufficient evidence, if we were allowed to go in, that we could uncover at least some of his capabilities, certainly not all.” Six months later McCain was asked about the same issue on NBC on April 9, 2003 and replied, “I think we'll find weapons of mass destruction."

Obama Cut Funding for Troops?:

McCain says Obama cut off funding for the troops. Obama did vote to cut funding for troops-- exactly once. It was the 2007 supplemental funding bill for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama voted against the $94 billion bill because he said it sent additional troops to Iraq without conditions. He proposed instead a de-escalation act to fund troop deployments, reverse the surge and send troops to Afghanistan in phases. But Obama supported all other troop financing bills.

McCain on Reagan Meetings, Not Quite:

McCain distorts the history of Ronald Reagan not meeting Soviet leaders without preconditions. Fact: Reagan tried to reach out to Leonid Brezhnev, Constantine Chernyenko and Yuri Andropov in private letters---some of which suggested total nuclear disarmament, in what historians agree was an attempt to arrange summit meetings, well before Mikhail Gorbachev came to power.

How Much Would Obama Spend? McCain Might Be Too Low:

Senator John McCain says that as president, Obama wants new spending adding up to $800 billion over four years. The McCain campaign tells CBS News this is the total you get by adding up Obama's proposal on his website. When we did this we found Obama's spending would indeed go well over $800 billion but some of this depends on the number of years each promise lasts.

But a new non partisan assessment is even tougher than McCain. The non-partisan , anti-deficit spending group National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF) says Obama would spend $1.172 trillion over four years. But the McCain campaign doesn’t get off lightly either. In the eyes of the NTUF, McCain would spend $369 billion over the same period. The NTU study also takes the candidates' proposed budget cuts into account. For example McCain's plan to cut earmarks or Obama's proposal to cut the budget line by line. Bottom line, NTU says both candidates are big spenders with Obama being worse than McCain.

McCain Saw It Coming?:

John McCain: "A lot of us saw this trainwreck coming." As the CBS Evening News reported on September 17 John McCain told a New Hampshire newspaper editorial board in December of 2007 that neither he nor his advisors saw the mortgage crisis coming. "I'd like to tell you I did anticipate, but I have to give you straight talk, I did not."

Did McCain Call Obama Naive?:

On August 1, 2007, Obama said as president he would be willing to fire on Pakistan if he knew terrorists were there, “Let me make this clear. There are terrorists holed up in those mountains who murdered 3,000 Americans. They are plotting to strike again...If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President (Pervez) Musharraf won't act, we will.”

The Obama campaign notes in a pre-debate memo that Senator John McCain called that position “naïve”. But the campaign neglects to mention, the first Senator to call that position “naïve” was Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY). McCain first called Obama’s position on this “naïve” on February 20, 2008.

And McCain did not quite call the whole idea naive, he said it shouldn't be announced, here is the full quote in the Washington Post:

"The best idea is not broadcast what you are going to do. That's naive. You make plans and you work with the other country that is your ally and friend, which Pakistan is...You don't broadcast and say you are going bomb the country without their permission or without consulting them. This is the fundamentals of the conduct of national security policy. I believe in working with the other country."

Campaign Spin Starts Before Debate Begins:

The Obama campaign sent a memo today to reporters before 8:00 PM highlighting Obama's sound judgment on foreign policy. The memo notes Obama's speech against the war in 2002 and reads, "Obama was right about Iraq. McCain was wrong." But one fact missing from the document is that while Obama spoke out against the war, his running mate Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) voted to authorize the use of force in Iraq.

[rickwar]

Read previous post regarding code of conduct

Quotes from his book in his own words:

"O.K, I''ll give you military information if you will take me to the hospital."

I signed a confession and declared himself a "black criminal who performed deeds of an air pirate."

Cuban Radio 11/9/1967: Rebroadcast of Radio Hanoi interview

%u201CThere is not any doubt for me; things are taking place in a favorable way for North Vietnam. In particular, before world opinion at present, the United States is (? virtually ?) standing alone.%u201D

%u201CFor me, there is no longer any doubt. Things are taking place in a favorable opinion. The United States at present seems to be standing alone, so much is its isolation.%u201D

Broadcast to South Vietnam, 2 June 1969

%u201CI was a U.S. airman engaged in the crimes against the Vietnamese country and people. I had bombed their cities, towns, and villages and caused more injury even death for the people of Vietnam.

"I am a war criminal," McCain said on "60 Minutes" in 1997. "I bombed innocent women and children."

Hero? Stuff together?

[rickwar]

"I''''d rather have the guy who has already put his life on the line ---- than the guy who talks a big job."

Really? Perhaps you should do some more study on McCains claims of "hero" It''s not quite what you think. As to life on the line any member of our forces does that anytime they are called out.

McCain a hero? No, not when you violate the code of conduct, he did and says so in his own book and it''s well documented. POW yes, hero, far from it. Read about Lance Sijan a real American hero and Medal of Honor winner. The circumstances are very close after reading then compare to "Hero" McCain.

[blackwee]

To the person from East Texas (near where I grew up), there are different theories of human evolution.
http://anthropology.si.edu/humanorigins/ha/sap.htm
The theory with stronger supporting evidence at present purports that we all - every last person living on the planet - can trace his/her genetic origin to the plains of Eastern Africa. Just some food for thought.

To anyone else reading this...

In any case, both campaigns have had their moments of stretching the truth and outright misstatements.

If any others posting here can suggest serious sources outlining a history of Senator Obama changing positions conveniently for the sake of winning votes, then please do so. Since the US is a representative democracy, it is absolutely defensible for a lawmaker to vote on a measure based on the majority position of his/her constituency even if it contradicts with his/her personal preference.

I believe Senator Obama has strong personal values and opinions and also has the mental prowress to make good, carefully reflected decisions. Furthermore, he strikes me as a consensus builder and an inspiring individual. Little could do more for minority communities than to have such a role model.

- blackwee (caucasian on the outside, the same as everyone else on the inside)

[lottobee]

Every four years the American voter has a chance to do something for the good of this country BUT every four years the majority of American voters choose to believe the biggest liar and the slickest phony to take command of our great country. If you''re still thinking that Obama is the answer then you should do a little homework and learn how many times he has changed his positions in order to appeal to the most voters and do a complete con job on the American public. I''m finding that the same Independent voters who fell for Bush the Nightmare are now falling for Obama. You''d think they would have learned something from voting for the new guy on the scene who doesn''t know a think about governing this country and just goes forward saying what his coaches tell him to say. I am a Democrat who follows very closely what these candidates are saying and I''m not voting for anyone who cannot be trusted to tell the American people the truth. This guy doesn''t know what the truth is anymore. When confronted with his previous statements he contradicts them every time. Thank goodness for videotapes which prove him a liar every time. You really should pay attention and check this stuff out for yourselves before you vote. If this guy is lying to you now --- then he''s going to be lying to you in the future.

[dicktracy200]

I am writing this message to inform people of the injustice being perpretrated by Fox News against Barack Obama. For the past two weeks there has been nothing but negative reporting against senator Obama by the Fox News network, which is unfair to listeners and the candidate. This networks seemingly biased opinions are not of interest to us viewers. My concern is that negative reporting like this will influence voters that are undecided of which candidate best express their wishes. I depend on these news stations for fair, accurate and just reporting regardless of the outcome whether it be a debate or any other current event and if that cant be accomplished I feel that it is grounds for that station (Fox News network) to be boycotted until they learn and understand that those types of injustices will not be tolerated. If anyone else can relate to the unfair reporting of Fox News I suggest that you join us in a boycott of this news station. PASS THIS MESSAGE ALONG.

[lenayunes]

Sarah Palin, is scary, if this is representation of woman inteligence and "Woman Power", It makes us the real women look real bad. Another thing that is scary is the fact that John McCain would be so callous in choosing this woman as a VP! Shows this was a desperate move on his part to gain the vote of people that did not agree with Hillary Clinton not being nominated for VP. What can we really expect from this ticket??? Just more BS talk. Arrogant and full of bulling words. So we would be moving on from Texan cowboy to Maverick! OMG we cant have 4 more years of beating around the bush! Look where we stand today! Total financial disater because the cowboy didnt want to tell us the truth! Wake up America!

[lottobee]

I still say that Obama is a big risk. He may have all his ducks in a row when it comes to presenting himself to the American people but I see him as the salesman who sells you the basement waterproofing contract and after the job is done and your warranty has run out ---- you learn that your basement is still leaking. I''ve dealt with lots of salesmen over the years and this guy is far too slick and smooth. I''d rather have the guy who has already put his life on the line ---- than the guy who talks a big job.

[kerrycharles-2009]

SARAH PALIN IS A WONDERFUL MOTHER , A SMART GOVERNOR.
MC CAIN IS A HERO , A SMART SENATOR.
HUSSEIN OBAMA IS A TALKER, EMPTY PROMISES MAKER. CHANGING HIMSELF FOR EVERY DAY, DEPENDING HIS GOALS & AMBITIONS .
USA IS A SUPER POWER NATION , A GREAT COUNTRY.
WHO WILL BE OUR LEADER.

[kerrycharles-2009]

SARAH PALIN IS A WONDERFUL MOTHER , A SMART GOVERNOR.
MC CAIN IS A HERO , A SMART SENATOR.
HUSSEIN OBAMA IS A TALKER, EMPTY PROMISES MAKER. CHANGING HIMSELF FOR EVERY DAY, DEPENDING HIS GOALS & AMBITIONS .
USA IS A SUPER POWER NATION , A GREAT COUNTRY.
WHO WILL BE OUR LEADER.

[kerrycharles-2009]

SARAH PALIN IS A WONDERFUL MOTHER , A SMART GOVERNOR.
MC CAIN IS A HERO , A SMART SENATOR.
HUSSEIN OBAMA IS TALKER, EMPTY PROMISES MAKER. CHANGING HIMSELF FOR EVERY DAY, DEPENDING HIS GOALS & AMBITIONS .
USA IS A SUPER POWER NATION , A GREAT COUNTRY.
WHO WILL BE OUR LEADER.

[alxcom]

Obama clearly has better judgment than McCain. He thinks before he acts -- and he thinks quickly. McCain, on the other hand, acts before he thinks -- and I''m not sure he really ever thinks things through.

We need a president who thinks and acts. Not one that
acts and reacts and reacts, and then acts and reacts...

[brownpride46]

Senator Obama is not naive. He''d make a fine president. We need a Democrat in the White House. However, in this age of predatory lending, due diligence is in order. There is a lawsuit pending in Philadelphia (Berg vs Obama)that alleges Mr. Obama is not eligible because he is not a natural born citizen. Mr. Obama is refusing to produce a certified vault copy of his birth certificate. See www.obamacrimes.com or GOOGLE: obama lawsuit. Do the same for McCain. Both candidates have issues. I hope that the Democratic party is vindicated of these serious charges. --concerned democrat

[nottellin1]

Obama is naive. He said he would review each bill "line by line" and remove the bad pieces. Sadly, the president has always wanted but doesn''t have the power of line item veto. Oops.

[robert2237]

ERoosevelt08- Sorry to tell you but estate taxes put very little money into the federal goverment. VEry few people have to pay it. Do you know what it really is??

[robert2237]

evie78- Thats easy what we are trying to prevent is Iran from having nuclear weapons. If we do negotiate and can''t work it out with them then we should inform them that they stop or they will be eliminated. That is the only out come there can be stop one way or the other.

[robert2237]

nmiller17 - It wasn''t on his telepromter are I am sure he would have read it right off. Neither one of them or any politician has a completly clean back ground. The only thing I can say about McCain is that he does love this country. Haven''t been able to see that from the chosen one Obama with his wife statements and his assocciations with some very shady charters.

[luciball]

I like Senator McCain and thinks he is a fine gentleman. I believe he likes to tell old stories because his short term memory is declining, and is not very reliable. I believe this would be a great disadvantage to a president with all the challenges we are facing in a global world. I also believe this is part of the reason President Bush has difficulty with public speaking. I believe Senator McCain''s selection of Sarah Palin shows a significant lack in good judgment. I''m sorry he didn''t choose one of his talking heads, i.e., Ms. Fiorina, perhaps.

[dinslc]

McCain was too chicken to even look at Obama- no wonder he doesn''t want to meet face to face with any adversaries.

Avoiding mean guys is NOT tough, McCain.

[kimmyjo4]

McCain could only look at his notes while obama was speaking probably to keep himself from calling him a flat out liar & fraud. It is scarey to think there is so many stupid and ill informed people out there that get to vote at all.

[x-polygamist]

This bailout is the biggest HEIST in America''s history!

Where have the good Shepherds gone?

BANKING ON HEAVEN . COM