Politicians’ lies catch up to them through Web site, voters presented with correct political facts
Facts brought to you by www.factcheck.org:
- A slanderous e-mail claims that Barack Obama will not say the Pledge of Allegiance. The e-mail is accompanied by a picture of Obama without his hand over his heart, while Gov. Bill Richardson, Sen. Hillary Clinton and Ruth Harkin hold their hands over their hearts. However, the picture was not taken during the Pledge of Allegiance like the e-mail states. Instead, the picture was taken at Sen. Tom Harkin’s “steak fry” during the National Anthem. There are numerous video examples of Obama holding his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance.
- An Obama ad says the “Bush-McCain privatization plan” will cut social security benefits in half. The ad implies current retirees will receive the cut. However, the cut would only apply to retirees who have yet to be born. And, Obama’s own economic advisers said the cut would be 28 percent, not half.
- In Gov. Palin’s RNC speech, she claimed she put the former Alaska governor’s jet on eBay. Palin fails to mention the jet wasn’t actually sold on the Web site. Instead, the jet was sold through an aircraft broker for less than the asking price and the original cost. Days later, McCain said Palin not only sold the jet on eBay, but also made a profit on the deal. This is also false.
- An Obama ad claims McCain voted to cut education funding. The ad gives five votes as examples. However, one of the votes was for increased education funding, just for fewer dollars than democrats wanted. Three other votes were against additional funding, not for cutting funds.
Awaiting the first presidential debate, Sens. McCain and Obama are fulfilling their desires to swap blows through TV advertisements.
Instead of focusing on each candidate’s individual policies, these “attack ads” make accusations about the candidates’ records and negative traits.
However, many of these accusations are unwarranted and false.
Web sites like factcheck.org address lies given by the candidates, whether they be from a TV commercial or a speech.
According to the Web site, factcheck.org is a “nonpartisan, nonprofit, ‘consumer advocate’ for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics.”
One lie the Web site addresses is McCain’s recent advertisement that claims Obama passed legislation to teach comprehensive sex education to kindergarteners.
Obama actually supported age appropriate sex education, which for kindergarteners, would involve learning how to recognize and avoid sexual predators.
Obama advertisements also include lies about McCain.
An Obama ad intended for Hispanic voters claims McCain is friends with radio personality Rush Limbaugh, who has a history of making hateful remarks about Mexicans. The ad goes on to quote Limbaugh’s remarks.
In reality, McCain and Limbaugh are not friends. Early in the election, Limbaugh didn’t support McCain, and Limbaugh said his remarks were taken out of context.
Jereme Gentry, a sophomore in supply chain management, said no one benefits from political attack ads.
“I think it’s unhealthy for society as a whole,” Gentry said. “I don’t like it, but both sides do it.”
Brittney Harvill, a freshman in communication disorders, also said both political parties are responsible for lying.
“Republicans and democrats lie enough that it evens itself out,” Harvill said. “You can’t expect one (politician) not to lie, because they’re probably all going to do it.”
Colin Hill, a senior in political science, said party loyalty should prevent attack ads from influencing a voter’s decision.
“I think most people will vote for whatever party they’re for,” Hill said.
However, Hill said independents who are uninformed could be swayed by the ads.
“If people don’t pay much attention to anything, and they look at (the ads), it’s going to mess with their vote,” Hill said.
Callie Mason, a senior in early childhood education, said attack ads, like the McCain ad accusing Obama of being a celebrity, can have a harmful influence on voters.
“You’re going to vote because somebody called someone else Britney Spears, instead of looking at the facts,” Mason said.
Political parties are not the only ones releasing false information about the candidates.
Independent organizations also release ads that defame the candidates.
The National Rifle Association is sending mailers and sponsoring TV advertisements that claim Obama wants to interfere with Second Amendment rights. They claim Obama has a “10 Point Plan to ‘Change’ the Second Amendment.”
The ad says Obama wants to ban firearms for home self defense, close 90 percent of gun shops in the U.S. and other false claims.
In reality, Obama said he would uphold the Second Amendment if elected president.
He does, however, support a ban on assault weapons.
Gentry said independent groups supporting Republicans are often negative.
“I think independent groups for Republicans are more harsh than groups for Democrats are,” Gentry said.
Candidates also attack each other during speeches at political rallies.
Obama continues to claim McCain defines middle class as Americans earning under $5 million a year.
However, McCain made the comment as a joke.
McCain’s running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, continues to claim she said “thanks, but no thanks” to the “Bridge to Nowhere.” However, Palin originally supported the Bridge.
Hill said candidates use lies to make the other campaign look worse than it actually is.
“Everyone wants to get ahead somehow, and they’ll use any means they can,” Hill said.
Mason said politicians still use attack ads because they work.
“People like to hear bad things,” Mason said. “That’s what gets attention, viewers and votes.”
Mason said Web sites like factcheck.org are a great way to uncover the candidates’ lies, as long as they are easy to access.
“I would like to know who’s lying and who’s not,” Mason said.
- all information and facts gathered from www.factcheck.org
