On this week’s political talk shows, we found false and questionable statements about Rand Paul, unemployment and then-Sen. Obama’s impact on immigration legislation.
Paul Didn’t Go That Far
On CBS’ "Face the Nation," Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine twisted the words of Rand Paul, the Republican nominee for Senate in Kentucky. Kaine claimed that Paul, a tea party member, "says the Civil Rights Act shouldn’t have been passed." That’s not true.
Paul did kick up a controversy when he told MSNBC host Rachel Maddow that while he personally did not agree with discriminatory practices,
Stories by Lori Robertson
Director, FactCheck.org
Minnesota Governor’s Race
In episode 24, we look at how union and corporate money is coming into play in the Minnesota governor’s race. A union- and Democrat-funded group is airing misleading attack ads against GOP candidate Tom Emmer. And in New Mexico, a wildlife group attacks a Republican nominee for the House.
For more on the stories discussed in this episode, see:
Corporate-Labor Smackdown in Minnesota Aug. 6
In N.M., Wildlife Group Mislabels Pearce Aug. 11
Tax Cuts, Medicare and Florida Democrats
In episode 23 of FactCheck Radio, we debunk a Republican talking point on the Bush tax cuts being spread by Sarah Palin and former Sen. Fred Thompson. Plus, we examine actor Andy Griffith’s misleading ad for Medicare, and false charges in the Democratic Senate primary in Florida.
For more on the stories discussed in this episode, see:
Sunday Replay Aug. 2
Thompson Wrong on Tax Cuts, Too Aug. 5
Mayberry Misleads on Medicare July 31
Democrat-on-Democrat TV Attacks in Florida
Thompson Wrong on Tax Cuts, Too
First, it was Sarah Palin. Now, it’s former Sen. Fred Thompson. They’re both touting a highly misleading Republican talking point on the expiration of the Bush tax cuts.
Thompson, who ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, warns in a new ad sponsored by the conservative League of American Voters: "Folks, America’s economy is struggling and Congress is about to make it a whole lot worse." He’s talking about the "massive automatic tax increase at the end of this year, when the Bush tax cuts expire,"
Democrat-on-Democrat TV Attacks in Florida
In a Senate race chock full of attack ads, the Florida Democratic primary pits Rep. Kendrick Meek against billionaire investor Jeff Greene. Both men carry heavy political baggage; Meek did favors for a developer who is now under indictment, and Greene …
Arizona and Florida Senate Races, Plus Government Spending
In episode 22 of FactCheck Radio, we look at an ad attacking Sen. John McCain in the Arizona Republican Senate primary, a spot falsely claiming Florida Gov. Charlie Crist supports the new federal health care law, and a whopper of a statement by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.
For more on the stories discussed in this episode, see:
Hayworth’s Misleading Attack on Immigration July 28
Rubio Misfires on Crist’s Health Care Shift July 29
Geithner’s GDP Whopper
Context Matters and Mailers Mislead
In episode 21 of FactCheck Radio, we look at the well-known case of USDA employee Shirley Sherrod — an incident that shows, once again, context matters. Plus, we highlight false and misleading claims by President Obama, Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold and his GOP opponent Ron Johnson, and New York Democratic congressional candidate Reshma Saujani.
For more on the stories discussed in this episode, see:
Shirley Sherrod’s Contextual Nightmare July 21
Obama Wrong on GOP, Small Business Criticism
Obama Wrong on GOP, Small Business Criticism
In his weekly address, President Obama blasted Republicans for using "procedural tactics to block a simple, up-or-down vote" on loan help for small businesses. But that’s false.
Democrats have proposed no such "simple, up-or-down vote" on the small business benefits alone. What Republicans have blocked are votes on extending unemployment benefits, something Democrats once packaged with one part of Obama’s proposals to benefit small business. (And a number of Republicans say they’re not opposed to extending unemployment insurance benefits —
Guns Found South of the Border
Q: Did border patrol recently discover a large cache of guns on the Arizona border?
A: No. A chain e-mail making that claim shows pictures of a seizure by the Mexican Army about 70 miles south of the Texas border.
Sunday Replay
Politicians didn’t take a holiday from false and misleading statements on July 4. We found misstatements on the Sunday talk shows that touched on Afghanistan, Michael Steele and immigration.
A Firm Date for … What Exactly?
On ABC’s "This Week," Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona made it sound as though President Obama would pull all troops out of Afghanistan in July 2011, regardless of what happens in the country. But the president never promised that all troops,