McCain and Obama’s Little White Sound Bites
Both John McCain and Barack Obama pride themselves on straightforwardness, but as one might expect, each has lobbed his fair share of less-than-accurate statements. Politico and PolitiFact take a look at some of the doozies the two candidates have told over the course of the campaign.
Both John McCain and Barack Obama pride themselves on straightforwardness, but as one might expect, each has lobbed his fair share of less-than-accurate statements. Politico and PolitiFact take a look at some of the doozies the two candidates have told over the course of the campaign.
Your support matters…The Politico:
McCain claimed his gas tax holiday would cost as much as “a bridge to nowhere” or “another pork-barrel project.”
In an April interview on Fox News, McCain said his plan to suspend the federal gas tax for the summer would cost the federal government “very little. Maybe a ‘bridge to nowhere.’ Maybe another pork barrel project. And it should be made up by general revenues. Look, all I’m asking for is a little holiday.”
But McCain dramatically underestimated the fiscal impact of suspending the gas tax. According to 2007 figures from the IRS, suspending the gas tax in June, July and August would cost the federal government about $9 billion in lost revenue.
On the other hand, the estimated federal share of erecting the so-called bridge to nowhere was about $200 million, which Congress eliminated amidst an anti-earmark furor provoked by revelations that the planned span would have benefited only a few dozen residents of Gravina Island in Ketchikan, Alaska.
Likewise, in 2008 the average price tag for earmarks — which McCain derides as pork-barrel projects — is $1.3 million, according to the small government nonprofit group Taxpayers for Common Sense.
Independent journalism is under threat and overshadowed by heavily funded mainstream media.
You can help level the playing field. Become a member.
Your tax-deductible contribution keeps us digging beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that unearths what's really happening- without compromise.
Give today to support our courageous, independent journalists.
TD Original
Reflecting on the systems that maintain racism and separatism in America.
Wounds of War
According to Pentagon policy on “responding to civilian harm”, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin owes Somalian drone victims an overdue apology.
Editorial Cartoons
Politics
Obama's only takeaway from the Syria episode was to never again seek Congressional approval for military action.
Politics
Cautionary politics lost them the majority a decade ago. It’s taken that long to reboot.
With his nonstop barrage of lies, the president has degraded our electoral system to the point that any result will feel illegitimate.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.