Washington D.C., Sept. 26, 2008
Reality Check On The Debate
CBS News Fact Checks Barack Obama And John McCain
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.
By Laura Strickler
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See all 95 CommentsMcCain is a liar
THE FACTS: Obama did vote for a 2005 energy bill supported by President Bush that included billions in subsidies for oil and natural gas production. McCain opposed the bill on grounds it included unnecessary tax breaks for the oil industry. Obama voted for the overall measure but has said he supported the legislation because it provided money for renewable energy.
THE FACTS: Obama did vote for a 2005 energy bill supported by President Bush that included billions in subsidies for oil and natural gas production. McCain opposed the bill on grounds it included unnecessary tax breaks for the oil industry. Obama voted for the overall measure but has said he supported the legislation because it provided money for renewable energy.
Posted by SCgirl7 at 10:58 PM : Sep 26, 2008
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Completely agree. Obama couldn''t answer a question fully until the end of the debate & he always hesitated. We should fire on Pakistan? Alright, let us just open up a new front of the war. Personally, I am quite happy with both choices, but McCain is more experienced. However, I would like to have both lead the nation.
Posted by jh6379 at 11:04 PM : Sep 26, 2008
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All politicians lie, get over it. Now look at Obama, he has lied more about important things. Obama has lied about the 2005 Energy Plan which he supported, him saying he voted for the bill that gave health care assistance to veterans (supported it, but never voted on it), & so many other things. Your savior Obama is not the honest boyscout that you portray him to be.
We should be honest McCain is a lying scumbag not just a liar... notice how he could not come up with a straight answer, never looked at his audience or Obama, and even at the end when Obama shook his hand and tried to look him in the eye, McCain could not make eye contact.
McCain is paternal, patronizing, and robot like. It was sad.
Posted by Xalen54
This coming from a nazi wannabe neocon...get a grip.
McCain should be ashamed when he says he supports Vets when he''''s voted against them the majority of the time in the last 10 years.
Posted by jh6379 at 11:12 PM : Sep 26, 2008
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I am a Nazi wanna-be? How childish is that? You are telling me that just because I am not fooled by the illusions of Obama that I am a Nazi? Can you honestly prove that? I believe that Obama does follow the same lines as Hitler & Mussolini of "Stop thinking & believe in me!" You quite prove that any desperate person will turn to anyone who says what they want to here. Please grow up.
yes. I saw the debate. I watched McCain flat out lie and do so on things where he obviously knew he was being intentionally misleading. I saw Obama correct McCain and explain the truth, only to have MCCain continue his talking point blather and mis tatements.
McCAIN REPEATEDLY WARNED OF THIS CRISIS AND TRIED TO PASS LEGISLATION TO PREVENT IT.
"I join as a cosponsor of the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005, S. 190, to underscore my support for quick passage of GSE regulatory reform legislation. If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole." -Sen. John McCain
OBAMA TOOK MORE LOBBYI$T MONEY THAN ANY OTHER SENATOR. INCLUDED IN THOSE MILLION$ WAS MONEY FROM HIS FRIEND AND ADVISOR FRANKLIN RAINES AT FANNIE MAE WHO MADE $90 MILLION HIMSELF. OBAMA WAS PAID TO STOP McCAIN''S LEGISLATION SO THE CORRUPTION COULD CONTINUE. HE DID.
Posted by Gartl at 11:15 PM : Sep 26, 2008
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Agreed, finally someone on these posts doesn''t prove themselves to be a complete idiot
"Stop thinking & believe in me!"
That IS the GOP mantra...8 recent years of proof there.
Posted by jh6379 at 11:19 PM : Sep 26, 2008
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My friend, you are a complete idiot. At least do research & back up your facts. Never make any assumption without proof. It is reckless, dangerous, & above all you just make yourself look like an *** xP
Posted by jh6379 at 11:19 PM : Sep 26, 2008
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Yes & I believe you live in this country, & that you do have a voice. It is called your Congressman. You voted for him. You can''t blame everything on Bush because he doesn''t control the government. Bush does not walk into the House of Representatives & says we are going to war with Iraq. No, it is the vote of all the states that decided to go to war, not the President. President can ask, but he doesn''t demand.
I am looking for a new direction for this country. This debate solidifies my support for Barack Obama as the man to lead America into the future.
signed -- an independent, registered non partisan voter
I''ve had enough to make me consider a straight ticket for the first time in my life. No more.....enough.
Posted by jh6379 at 11:25 PM : Sep 26, 2008
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Now who said I was voting for McCain? I haven''t made my decision yet, as I previously stated early. I do not believe November is here yet.(Assumptions) All I''m saying is that so far McCain proves to be the better candidate & that you should at least get facts before voting. You, as an American, have a responsibility to at least know each candidate & come to a decision, not just favor one because someone waves a banner with "Change" on it.
Massive bad call by McCain in chosing Palin.
The serial liar Palin claims she did not support sucessionist party ''Alaska First'' -- watch youtube to see her support speech at their convention. Todd Palin a member 1995-2002. She regularly attends their conventions...
Joe Vogler, The founder of the AIP once said, "The fires of Hell are glaciers compared to my hate for the American Government, and I won''''t be buried under their damned flag!" Listen for yourself palintruth (dot) org.
Then there is the Palin foreign experience.
Claimed she visited Iraq. Oops, Army records show she was only in Kuwait. Same difference, I guess.
But, at least she is funny: When questioned on foreign policy experience? She says 17 times..."I won''''t blink!" -- But, when pressed notes mostly that she has seen the Russian coast from Alaska. Ha, ha, ha...
She probably calls the ''lower 48'' a foreign country like the rest of the Alaska First crackpots...
Then there is the Anti-Semitism in her church (they *can* be saved)...the book banning (and lies about it)... and, btw, the state plane was sold at a steep loss to an insider...
But, the scope and extent of her lies is astounding. Does she actually believe what she says? Does she have any sense of decency?
Then there is the corruption and cronyism. Will she be indicted before the election? I bet she resigns within 10 days...
Tim McVeigh would be proud !
Posted by jh6379 at 11:27 PM : Sep 26, 2008
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You live in the United States & you have no idea how the government works? That is a shame.
MSNBC poll Obama wins.
Stunning !
Municipal clerks across the state are reporting fraudulent voter registration applications, most of them from a nationwide community activist group.
The majority of the problem applications are coming from the group ACORN, Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, which has a large voter registration program.
ACORN''s Michigan branch, based in Detroit, has enrolled 200,000 voters statewide in recent months, mostly with the use of paid, part-time employees.
"There appears to be a sizeable number of fraudulent applications," said Kelly Chesney, spokeswoman for the Michigan Secretary of State''s Office. "And it appears to be widespread."
Recently, ACORN''s voter registration programs have come under investigation with some employees convicted of voter fraud.
In Pontiac, where several thousand applications have been submitted by ACORN in the last few weeks for the November election, the clerk''s office is finding that numerous applications are sometimes filed under one name. "They''re steadily coming in, and we are finding a huge number of duplications.
In Oak Park, clerk Sandra Gadd said they have been seeing "lots of duplication" from ACORN in recent months.
ACORN is the nation''s largest community organization for low-income families.
Lagstein said ACORN''s Detroit office has hired dozens of employees for the voter registration program.
MORE OF OBAMA''S GOOD OLD "COMMUNITY ORGANIZING".
Stunning !
Then there is Palin. This video says it all...Alaska Independence party info: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmYqRfp6-x8
Todd Palin a member 1995-2002. She regularly attends their conventions...
Joe Vogler, The founder of the AIP once said, "The fires of Hell are glaciers compared to my hate for the American Government, and I won''t be buried under their damned flag!" Listen for yourself palintruth (dot) org. Vogler was killed procuring plastic explosives. Tim McVeigh would be proud !
Tim McVeigh would be proud !
Posted by cakemanjb at 11:06 PM : Sep 26, 2008
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I believe McCain is a Senator, so is Obama. That is what they do. A piece of legislation is passed by Congress then goes to Senate to be voted on. I believe that is what Senators do.
McCAIN REPEATEDLY WARNED OF THIS CRISIS AND TRIED TO PASS LEGISLATION TO PREVENT IT.
"I join as a cosponsor of the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005, S. 190, to underscore my support for quick passage of GSE regulatory reform legislation. If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole." -Sen. John McCain
OBAMA TOOK MORE LOBBYI$T MONEY THAN ANY OTHER SENATOR. INCLUDED IN THOSE MILLION$ WAS MONEY FROM HIS FRIEND AND ADVISOR FRANKLIN RAINES AT FANNIE MAE WHO MADE $90 MILLION HIMSELF. OBAMA WAS PAID TO STOP McCAIN''S LEGISLATION SO THE CORRUPTION COULD CONTINUE. . . HE DID.
...
http://www.youtube.com/watchv=4qNi7tPanUA&feature=related
Listen this -- shocking !
Stunning !
Then there is Palin. This video says it all...Alaska Independence party info: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmYqRfp6-x8
Todd Palin a member 1995-2002. She regularly attends their conventions...
Joe Vogler, The founder of the AIP once said, "The fires of Hell are glaciers compared to my hate for the American Government, and I won''''t be buried under their damned flag!" Listen for yourself palintruth (dot) org. Vogler was killed procuring plastic explosives. Tim McVeigh would be proud !
Tim McVeigh would be proud !
McCain accepted the endorsement of Pastor Hagee, before he rejected it:
Listen to this -- shocking !
http://www.youtube.com/watchv=4qNi7tPanUA&feature=related
McCain - Palin are nuts !!!
job than he did. He appeared unsure of himself at times and then kept repeating himself over some of the issues. He seemed to be very uncomfortable overall and at times would throw out some campaign message, like an afterthought. I was surprised and disappointed. He reminded me of Nixon at the first televised debate with Kennedy. He also made some comment about helping out Vets, which would have been nice, if it were true. He has opposed most of the Bills needed to iron out the problems of the Veteran''s Administration, particularly on veterans benefits. This has been a bone of contention with me, because he gets HIS compensation. One, recently told me that he thought that McCain was afraid that,if the VA paid out the compensation that was due, that there would not be enough left over to continue paying him. It is no joke to those who really need the care and pensions. At any rate, I thought that he would do much better than I think that he did.
As Americans, we expect certain liberties and rights that were granted us by our forefathers. WE THE PEOPLE expect that these fundamental rights will always be protected.
In the Democratic Primary, this was not the case. The DNC deprived voters of their choice of Hillary Clinton as Democratic nominee. Senator Clinton, by all accounts, except caucuses, won the Primary Election and, therefore, should be the 2008 Democratic Nominee.
That didn%u2019t happen, due largely to illegitimate and illegal acts. We have many accounts from caucus states recounting threats, intimidation, lies, stolen documents, falsified documents, busing in voters in exchange for paying for %u201Cdinners, I-pods",etc.
There are at least 2000 complaints, in Texas alone, of irregularities directed towards the Obama Campaign.
This documentary is about the disenfranchising of Americans by the DNC and the Obama Campaign. We the People have made this film. Democrats have sent in their stories from all parts of America.
We believe Obama''s Chicago Machine of dirty politics encouraged and created an army to steal caucus packets, falsify documents, change results, allow unregistered people to vote, scare and intimidate Hillary supporters, stalk them, threaten them, lock them out of their polling places, silence their voices and stop their right to vote, which is all documented in WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED.
http://wewillnotbesilenced2008.com/video/index.htm
...
And it really is about time too! So while you will not be silenced.....you will be ignored. Preach to your followers......the rest of us don''t want your hands laid on us.....Go back to Palin''s witch hunting preacher ok?.....Enough....the rest of us have a life to put back together after 8 years of republican rule.
Did you forget to take your medication again, shame on you!
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