FactCheck.org analysis of 2008 campaign advertisements


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EXPLANATORY NOTE by OnTheIssues.org:

FactCheck.org analyses the veracity of statements made during political races. OnTheIssues.org summarizes two sets of analyses:
1. From debates and public speeches
2. From TV & radio advertisements

Following is the self-description of how FactCheck.org works:

[FactCheck.org is] a nonpartisan, nonprofit, "consumer advocate" for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding.

The Annenberg Political Fact Check is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. The APPC was established by publisher and philanthropist Walter Annenberg in 1994 to create a community of scholars within the University of Pennsylvania that would address public policy issues at the local, state, and federal levels.

The APPC accepts NO funding from business corporations, labor unions, political parties, lobbying organizations or individuals. It is funded primarily by the Annenberg Foundation.

OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Crime     Mike Huckabee: FactCheck: AR violent crime rate increased under Huckabee.

Families & Children     Amy Klobuchar: 1996 AdWatch: my daughter endorses 48 hour stay for new moms.

Free Trade     Ron Paul: FactCheck: NAFTA Superhighway not a conspiracy; it’s I-35.

Government Reform     Hillary Clinton: FactCheck: Yes, more legislation & sponsorships than Obama.

Health Care     Barack Obama: AdWatch: My plan costs $2,500 less per family than Clinton’s.     Barack Obama: FactCheck: Unclear if Obama’s plan costs less than Clinton’s.     Hillary Clinton: AdWatch: My plan costs $1,700 less per person than Obama’s.     Hillary Clinton: FactCheck: “$1,700 less than Obama plan” misinterprets study.     Hillary Clinton: FactCheck: Yes, Hillary’s plan might include wage garnishing.     Barack Obama: AdWatch: punishing uninsured families doesn’t make sense.     Barack Obama: FactCheck: Hillary’s plan does mandate; but so does Obama’s.     Barack Obama: AdWatch: Pressure insurance & drug companies to change.     Barack Obama: FactCheck: OPPORTUNITY to insure all, but no GUARANTEE.     Barack Obama: AdWatch: Don’t make it illegal not to have health care.

Homeland Security     Rudy Giuliani: AdWatch: “Ready” with executive experience in crises.

Principles & Values     Barack Obama: FactCheck: Did not say “I will stand with the Muslims”.     Sarah Palin: Endorsed by Sen. Ted Stevens.

Tax Reform     Ron Paul: AdWatch: Taxpayer’s best friend: never supported an increase.     Hillary Clinton: AdWatch: cut taxes for the middle class.     Mike Huckabee: AdWatch: Your worth is from God, not your checking account.     Mike Huckabee: FactCheck: 90 cuts + 23 tax increases: net $505M increase.     Mike Huckabee: AdWatch: Signed first-ever broad-based tax cut in Arkansas.     Mike Huckabee: FactCheck: Passed broad-based tax cut, but not “first ever”.

Technology     Mitt Romney: AdWatch: More change in next 10 years than in 10 centuries.     Mitt Romney: FactCheck: Ludicrous exaggeration to compare 10 centuries.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Amy Klobuchar Minnesota Democratic candidate for President; Minnesota Senator Barack Obama Democratic President (elected 2008) Hillary Clinton Democratic Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee Arkansas Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney Massachusetts Former GOP Governor (2003-2006); Pres. candidate (2008) Ron Paul Republican (Libertarian 1988) Rudy Giuliani New York Former Mayor of NYC Sarah Palin Alaska Former Governor (resigned 2009); V.P. nominee (2008)