This video from FlackCheck.org helps readers identify “Key Characteristics of Bogusness” in chain emails.
FlackCheck.org Video: Spotting Bogus Claims
Checking Inhofe’s Energy Statistics on China
Sen. Jim Inhofe scoffed at the suggestion that China could shift 20 percent of its energy to non-fossil fuels by 2030, in part, he said, because China “has no known reserves of natural gas.” But Inhofe is wrong about that.
Rick Perry’s Talking Point on Defense Cuts
Rick Perry says the U.S. is at risk because “our spending on defense has declined 21 percent over four years.” But that includes war funding, which has sharply declined now that U.S. combat troops are out of Iraq and leaving Afghanistan.
Midterm Mudslinging Not Yet Over
An ad from the National Republican Senatorial Committee continues the relentless effort to tie Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu to President Barack Obama, who is not very popular in Louisiana. But the ad stretches the facts on several points.
Boehner’s ‘Bipartisan’ Bunk
House Speaker John Boehner exaggerates when he says “almost all” of the 46 “jobs bills” awaiting action in the Senate “passed the House on a bipartisan basis.” Exactly half of those bills got less than 20 Democratic votes, including two that got no votes.
Final Week Spin
With the midterm elections now just days away, many campaigns and outside groups are making their final appeals. And, as has been the case all election season, some of the claims miss the mark.
Still Spinning Wisconsin Voters
In Wisconsin’s pivotal race for governor, both sides are still spinning voters.
NARAL’s ‘Edgy’ Condom Ad in Colorado
A TV ad in the Colorado Senate race says Republican Rep. Cory Gardner wants to “ban birth control,” so “you better stock up on condoms.”
NRA’s ‘Slick’ Ad Links Braley to Bloomberg
The National Rifle Association implies Iowa Rep. Bruce Braley lied when he said he “never met Michael Bloomberg,” but there’s no evidence of that.
GOP Whacks Weiland Over Payroll Taxes
A Republican TV ad says Senate candidate Rick Weiland is going across South Dakota saying “he’s one of us” when “Weiland supports higher payroll taxes.” Not for all, he doesn’t.