FACT CHECK: Republican debate strains some facts

[nofurylike]

By Calvin Woodward
August 11, 2011

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...ype=health

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The first big GOP debate of the primary season brought viewers a flurry of claims and counterclaims, not all built on solid ground.

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BACHMANN: Spoke of "the unconstitutional individual mandate" several times, a reference to a requirement for people to carry health insurance, a central element of the 2010 federal health care law.

THE FACTS: Nothing is unconstitutional until courts declare it to be so. The constitutionality of the individual mandate has been challenged in lawsuits in a number of states, and federal judges have found in favor and against. The Supreme Court will probably have the final word. But for now, the individual mandate is ahead in the count. And the first ruling by a federal appeals court on the issue, by the 6th U.S. Court of Appeals in June, upheld the individual mandate.

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THE FACTS (on Santorum's saying, " ... the problem is in spending, not taxes.") : The former Pennsylvania senator might have been mixing statistics on federal spending with federal revenue. The White House budget office has estimated that federal spending this year will equal about 25 percent of the country's $15 trillion economy — the highest proportion since World War II. But federal spending has averaged nearly 22 percent since 1970. In fact, federal spending has not been as low as 18 percent since 1966. Since the 1970s, federal revenues have averaged nearly 19 percent of the U.S. economy. This year's revenues are expected to equal just over 14 percent of the economy, the lowest level since 1950.

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[jaxx]

Interesting that they stretch the truth for their gain. Politicians!! I watched the debate and would trust none of them to help this country.

[nofurylike]

(08-12-2011 08:43 AM)jaxx Wrote:  Interesting that they stretch the truth for their gain. Politicians!! I watched the debate and would trust none of them to help this country.

"Interesting," like in the curse, ah?
may you be governed by interesting Politicians.
i'm with you: "would trust none of them to help this country."

thank you, jaxx!

[laurcunningham]

I still can't wrap my brain around how you can argue that anyone would be against having health care. "You're forcing us to feel more comfortable in life and not walk around with a dark money cloud over our heads anymore! How dare you!" I just don't understand...

[nofurylike]

(08-13-2011 06:41 AM)laurcunningham Wrote:  I still can't wrap my brain around how you can argue that anyone would be against having health care. "You're forcing us to feel more comfortable in life and not walk around with a dark money cloud over our heads anymore! How dare you!" I just don't understand...

very well said!
i am with you on that, laurcunningham!

thank you!

[NJMaverick]

there wouldn't be a debate. They would simply conclude everyone should vote for the Democrats.

[nofurylike]

(08-13-2011 07:03 AM)NJMaverick Wrote:  there wouldn't be a debate. They would simply conclude everyone should vote for the Democrats.

omg, it really is that simple!

thank you for that realism, NJMaverick!

[DFW]

Even Richard Viguerie said that none of them in the debate looked presidential (!!!!).

Of course, he's probably waiting for Ranger Rick, but even so, that's one hell of a condemnation considering the source.

[nofurylike]

(08-14-2011 06:20 AM)DFW Wrote:  Even Richard Viguerie said that none of them in the debate looked presidential (!!!!).

Of course, he's probably waiting for Ranger Rick, but even so, that's one hell of a condemnation considering the source.

"(!!!!)," indeed!! i have that very article, DFW!

Richard Viguerie: None of the Republican Presidential Candidates in the Debate Looked Presidential--and the Winners Were Barack Obama, Rick Perry, and Bret Baier

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/...71923.html

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"The only big surprise in the debate was that the eight candidates all sounded like charter members of the Tea Party.

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"The two big winners were Barack Obama and Rick Perry, who look better simply by not being on the stage engaging in petty banter.

"None of the candidates looked presidential, but the most impressive person in the program was Bret Baier."

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thank you, DFW!