Friday, September 5, 2008

FactCheck: FactChecking McCain

FactCheck: FactChecking McCain
FactCheck: FactChecking McCain
FactCheck.org
September 5, 2008

He made some flubs in accepting the nomination.

Summary

We checked the accuracy of McCain’s speech accepting the Republican nomination and noted the following:

* McCain claimed that Obama’s health care plan would "force small businesses to cut jobs" and would put "a bureaucrat ... between you and your doctor." In fact, the plan exempts small businesses, and those who have insurance now could keep the coverage they have.

* McCain attacked Obama for voting for "corporate welfare" for oil companies. In fact, the bill Obama voted for raised taxes on oil companies by $300 million over 11 years while providing $5.8 billion in subsidies for renewable energy, energy efficiency and alternative fuels.

* McCain said oil imports send "$700 billion a year to countries that don't like us very much." But the U.S. is on track to import a total of only $536 billion worth of oil at current prices, and close to a third of that comes from Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

* He promised to increase use of "wind, tide [and] solar" energy, though his actual energy plan contains no new money for renewable energy. He has said elsewhere that renewable sources won’t produce as much as people think.

* He called for "reducing government spending and getting rid of failed programs," but as in the past failed to cite a single program that he would eliminate or reduce.

* He said Obama would "close" markets to trade. In fact, Obama, though he once said he wanted to "renegotiate" the North American Free Trade Agreement, now says he simply wants to try to strengthen environmental and labor provisions in it.

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FactCheck: FactChecking McCain

McCain's Big Gamble

McCain's big gamble
By MARIANNE MEANS
September 5, 2008
SYNDICATED COLUMNIST Seattle PI

WASHINGTON -- The good news for John McCain and the Republicans -- who are much in need of some these days -- is that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is no Dan Quayle, overwhelmed by sudden high status and looking like a bewildered deer in the headlights.

The bad news is that she is no Joe Biden or Hillary Clinton, either, seasoned by unsparing limelight and pressures of big responsibilities. Her maiden big-speech introduction to the country went well, by most accounts. She whined too much about the media's lack of appreciation for her charms, but when you have little positive to offer the public, the press is always a good distraction.

Aided by good writers from McCain's team, she stuck to the generic campaign message of reform, stayed away from her extreme far-right religious positions, handled herself with aplomb and won the hearts of the convention crowd.

That was what McCain wanted, and thought he had to have to keep his candidacy alive in a political climate that does not favor his party. Her real testing, however, lies beyond that controlled environment in the country itself.

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McCain's big gamble