Just to throw a few facts into the mix, here's a few bits from FactCheck.org and other places. In case anyone here is not familiar with FactCheck, they critique ALL sides of political races.
1. Palin actually SUPPORTED the "Bridge to Nowhere" during her campaign for governor. She only said "thanks but no thanks" after she was elected, when congress had already essentially killed the deal. She took the money, though, and used it for other purposes.
2. Palin claimed in her speech that Obama didn't author a single major law or even a reform in the U.S. Senate or the Illinois Senate. In actuality, for just one example, Obama helped to pass major ethics reforms in both bodies.
3. In his speech, Lieberman said Obama hadn't "reached across party lines" to accomplish "anything significant," although Obama has teamed with GOP Sens. Tom Coburn and Richard Lugar to pass laws enhancing government transparency and curtailing the proliferation of nuclear and conventional weapons.
4. McCain has a TV ad which claims that Obama "gave big oil billions in subsidies and giveaways," citing his votes for a 2005 energy bill. But the bill actually RAISED taxes on the oil industry overall. 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. (Palin actually endorsed this bill, as governor.)
5. McCain also has an ad claiming that Obama is the "most liberal" Senator. But the National Journal rated him the 16th most liberal in his first year and the 10th most liberal in his second. It rated his votes "most liberal" only in 2007, when he was busy campaigning and missed one-third of the votes on which the rating is based.
6. In his speech, Thompson repeated misleading claims about Obama's tax program, saying it would bring "one of the largest tax increases in American history." But as increases go, Obama's package is hardly a history-maker. It would raise taxes for families with incomes above $250,000. Most people would see a cut.
7. McCain claimed that Obamas 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.
8. McCain has 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 wont produce as much as people think. (In fact, unlike Obama, McCain skipped the last EIGHT votes relating to renewable energy sources.)
9. In McCain's speech he called for "reducing government spending and getting rid of failed programs," but as in the past he failed to cite a single program that he would eliminate or reduce.
10. McCain also 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.
And from other sources:
11. As governor, Palin actually DECREASED funding for schools aimed at special needs kids by 62%.
12. As mayor, Palin tried to ban books from the public library.
13. Despite rumors to the contrary, the teleprompter did NOT actually malfunction during Palin's speech. In fact, it worked flawlessly according to GOP officials.
14. At one time Palin's husband was a registered member of the Alaskan Independence Party (the party that wants Alaska to secede from the union). Palin herself recorded a video for this year's convention, wishing them a "successfull and inspiring convention".
15. Palin opposed listing polar bears and beluga whales as endangered species, because she was afraid it would harm drilling efforts. She also opposed a proposition to limit mining where runoff would threaten salmon populations, and she supports aerial wolf hunting. As most people already know, she supports drilling in ANWAR and other areas throughout the state.
16. The governor's jet was not actually sold on ebay. It was put up for auction on ebay, but did not sell. It was later sold through a broker, at a loss. In fact, there is still an ongoing legal dispute with the buyer about the jet because of mechanical problems the jet was suffering from at the time of sale.
17. As most people already know, Palin wants to have creationism taught in school.
18. As most people already know, Palin opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest.
19. As most people already know, Palin supports abstinence-only education.
Just a few things to think about!
1. Palin actually SUPPORTED the "Bridge to Nowhere" during her campaign for governor. She only said "thanks but no thanks" after she was elected, when congress had already essentially killed the deal. She took the money, though, and used it for other purposes.
2. Palin claimed in her speech that Obama didn't author a single major law or even a reform in the U.S. Senate or the Illinois Senate. In actuality, for just one example, Obama helped to pass major ethics reforms in both bodies.
3. In his speech, Lieberman said Obama hadn't "reached across party lines" to accomplish "anything significant," although Obama has teamed with GOP Sens. Tom Coburn and Richard Lugar to pass laws enhancing government transparency and curtailing the proliferation of nuclear and conventional weapons.
4. McCain has a TV ad which claims that Obama "gave big oil billions in subsidies and giveaways," citing his votes for a 2005 energy bill. But the bill actually RAISED taxes on the oil industry overall. 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. (Palin actually endorsed this bill, as governor.)
5. McCain also has an ad claiming that Obama is the "most liberal" Senator. But the National Journal rated him the 16th most liberal in his first year and the 10th most liberal in his second. It rated his votes "most liberal" only in 2007, when he was busy campaigning and missed one-third of the votes on which the rating is based.
6. In his speech, Thompson repeated misleading claims about Obama's tax program, saying it would bring "one of the largest tax increases in American history." But as increases go, Obama's package is hardly a history-maker. It would raise taxes for families with incomes above $250,000. Most people would see a cut.
7. McCain claimed that Obamas 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.
8. McCain has 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 wont produce as much as people think. (In fact, unlike Obama, McCain skipped the last EIGHT votes relating to renewable energy sources.)
9. In McCain's speech he called for "reducing government spending and getting rid of failed programs," but as in the past he failed to cite a single program that he would eliminate or reduce.
10. McCain also 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.
And from other sources:
11. As governor, Palin actually DECREASED funding for schools aimed at special needs kids by 62%.
12. As mayor, Palin tried to ban books from the public library.
13. Despite rumors to the contrary, the teleprompter did NOT actually malfunction during Palin's speech. In fact, it worked flawlessly according to GOP officials.
14. At one time Palin's husband was a registered member of the Alaskan Independence Party (the party that wants Alaska to secede from the union). Palin herself recorded a video for this year's convention, wishing them a "successfull and inspiring convention".
15. Palin opposed listing polar bears and beluga whales as endangered species, because she was afraid it would harm drilling efforts. She also opposed a proposition to limit mining where runoff would threaten salmon populations, and she supports aerial wolf hunting. As most people already know, she supports drilling in ANWAR and other areas throughout the state.
16. The governor's jet was not actually sold on ebay. It was put up for auction on ebay, but did not sell. It was later sold through a broker, at a loss. In fact, there is still an ongoing legal dispute with the buyer about the jet because of mechanical problems the jet was suffering from at the time of sale.
17. As most people already know, Palin wants to have creationism taught in school.
18. As most people already know, Palin opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest.
19. As most people already know, Palin supports abstinence-only education.
Just a few things to think about!
