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NationofChange / Op-Ed
Published: Tuesday 9 October 2012
The Republican’s own chief advisor, Eric Fehrnstrom, had glibly described the “Etch-a-Sketch” strategy they would deploy in the general election, to make swing voters forget the “severe conservative” of the primaries.
Highly Debatable: The Big Liar’s Biggest Lies
“It's not easy to debate a liar,” complained an email from one observer of the first presidential debate — and there was no question about which candidate he meant. Prevarication, falsification, fabrication are all familiar tactics that have been employed by Mitt Romney without much consequence to him ever since he entered public life, thanks to the inviolable taboo in the mainstream media against calling out a liar (unless, of course, he lies about sex).
Yes, President Obama ought to have been better prepared for Romney's barrage of blather and bull. The Republican's own chief advisor, Eric Fehrnstrom, had glibly described the “Etch-a-Sketch” strategy they would deploy in the general election, to make swing voters forget the “severe conservative” of the primaries. Romney executed that pivot on Wednesday night, but he could do so only by spouting literally dozens of provably fraudulent assertions — which various diligent fact-checkers proceeded to debunk.
Knowing that he is vulnerable on taxation and the budget for many reasons, including his own peculiar and secretive tax history, Romney made several contradictory claims regarding his economic plan. He has no plan to lavish $5 trillion in tax breaks on the wealthy. He won't cut taxes for the rich at all. He vowed to provide tax relief to the middle class and won't increase their tax burden. He swore that his tax cuts would not increase the deficit.
Finally, he said that with all of that, he would grow the economy enough to shrink and eventually eliminate the deficit — without raising taxes on anyone. And he claimed that there are several studies proving he can fulfill all of these conflicting promises — even though he refuses to provide any specific tax proposals beyond a broad tax cut.
There is no study proving that Romney can do what he promised, and among his lies is his description of editorials in the Wall Street Journal as "studies" of his plan. The most complete and unrefuted study of his claims remains the Tax Policy Center's bipartisan report on the Romney plan, which shows that there is simply no way to pay for his $5 trillion, across-the-board tax cut without raising taxes on the middle class. None of the alternative studies he has cited proves otherwise — and some of them actually amass additional evidence that he is wrong.
Undoubtedly he knows all that. He knows that eliminating the estate tax, a mainstay of his plan, will benefit the rich enormously and almost nobody else.
He also knows that when he claims economic growth alone will erase the deficit, without raising taxes, he is inventing impossible numbers. As The National Memo's Howard Hill demonstrated yesterday, the assumptions behind his claims are ridiculous.
For the numbers to work, he would have to create not 12 million jobs, as he promised to do by 2016, but 162 million — more than the total current U.S. workforce. Or else the jobs created would have to pay more than $443,000 per year on average, which is even less likely than Rafalca winning the dressage medal at the next Summer Olympics.
At the same time, Romney accused the president of increasing the federal debt by an amount that is "almost as much … as all prior presidents combined." This charge, which he leveled before, is patently false and by now Romney must know it. The prior debt, mostly run up by George W. Bush and his Republican congressional cronies, stood above $10 trillion when Obama took office. The debt is now just over $16 trillion, mostly due to costs incurred by Bush and by Obama's successful effort to prevent a Depression.
Having essentially disavowed the health care reforms that were his sole significant achievement in his single term in elected office, the former Massachusetts governor suddenly claimed ownership of Romneycare. Presumably, this will make him more appealing to swing voters, too. But he still wants to do away with Obamacare, except for the parts that are popular.
For this maneuver, he must misrepresent his own proposed federal health care overhaul. He says there will be no change to Medicare for current beneficiaries, but repealing the Affordable Care Act will deprive them of free preventive care, increase their costs for prescription drugs and do irreparable harm to Medicaid, which provides assisted care for nine million destitute Medicare patients.
But Romney has been lying about the Affordable Care Act for years, according to his own former advisor Jonathan Gruber, the chief intellectual architect of Romneycare. Nearly a year ago, Gruber complained that Romney's attempt to draw a sharp distinction between the Massachusetts legislation and Obamacare was phony. He told Capital New York in November 2011 that "they're the same fucking bill. He just can't have his cake and eat it too. Basically, you know, it's the same bill. He can try to draw distinctions and stuff, but he's just lying."
Lying again? Indeed, the falsehoods flowed on every conceivable subject. Concerning energy, Romney claimed that "about half" of the renewable energy firms that received federal assistance under Obama administration programs went bankrupt — a claim that cannot be justified by any measure. Of the 28 firms that got federal loans or loan guarantees, three went under, representing less than 11 percent — and less than 5 percent of the funds committed. (This assertion was so blatantly untrue that the Romney campaign withdrew it the next day.)
The examples cited above hardly exhaust the deep well of dishonesty in the Republican campaign. What Romney has done presents a fundamental challenge to the American political media. Will news outlets hold him accountable for baldly misleading voters? Are they capable of confronting his continuous mendacity with basic facts? Some have made a beginning, while others have scarcely tried. If that isn't their responsibility, then they no longer have any purpose at all.
Copyright Creators.com
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By Robert Jensen
20 comments on "Highly Debatable: The Big Liar’s Biggest Lies"
October 10, 2012 9:07am
OK. Elimination of the so-called Death Tax? Easy. Just keep killing-off the newly-rich heirs every time the booty gets passed to next of kin. Eventually they'll get the message--or they'll no longer be a threat to the gene pool.
October 09, 2012 11:25pm
We need to Vote Out of Office all Republicans in Congress, and President Obama's policies and ideas would bring this country back to Greatness. We need a new tax code to include the rich and super rich. "20 Brackets to $20Million with a top marginal rate of 60%". Romney is the worst possible thing that could happen to this country.
October 09, 2012 2:34pm
My, what a stark contrast: Romney speaking all of those fabrications and Obama speaking nothing but the 100% purest truth. It's sort of like all of those Obama campaign promises from 2008. They were all the truth...just never turned out to happen.
October 09, 2012 11:04am
Obama is too "high class" to say, out loud, "You LIE!", which is what he should have said. He is maybe a little insecure in the face of all that privileged whiteness. Romney's resume is bullying, lying, flip-flopping, and draft evading in the name of religion. He has no claim to the presidency, except wanting it and being willing to buy it. His idea of foreign policy is warmed-over Cold War with a sprinkle of the Wisdom of Dubya.
I have been proud to have Obama as President these last years; I was ashamed to have Dubya (and Reagan, and Nixon). We were the laughingstock of the world, and will be again if Willard Wins.
October 09, 2012 2:36pm
Yep, and those of us on the flip side were totally embarrassed during the Carter and Clinton eras. Remember the "homicidal rabbit" and need I talk about cigars?
October 09, 2012 12:57pm
If Willard wins we will be at war with Iran within his first year. All to reward the corporations that paid for his campaign, just like Dubya did. No-bid contracts all around with no accountability.
October 09, 2012 10:57am
Oh please- the problem Obama had was that his record is not defensible -- he has mucked up everything he has touched -- why? Because he is a "community organizer" which is a cover for a guy that lived off his wife's income until he finally got himself elected to a job-- which he mostly voted "present" during and which with each new elected post he then started campaigning for his next post.
He won't release his college transcripts because they would reveal that he was a sub-par student at Occidental college and was promoted from one college to the next on affirmative action and not on his intellect -- while he was finally required to debate a guy that actually earned his Ivy league degrees and graduated with honors (notice no mention of any graduation honors for Obama) -- he was just pissed he had to participate in such a debate. He has only held one - short- open press conference-- in a year-- and he is running for President? Why? Because he can't defend his record on the economy, health care 0r in foreign relations. He has made a mess of all of it -- and while killing people illegally by weekly targeting drones himself on Tuesdays, he doesn't believe in locking the bad guys up -- which is considered cruel of course and to keep them from enduring such pain and suffering he just has them killed instead-- along with their entire family - babies and all- and a few neighbors as well.
You do know he has not produced a budget in any of the four years he has been President right? He started a war in Libya in support of Muslim fanatics who have now killed our Ambassador (what a surprise) -- why would the seals need bullets in a country with effectively no government overrun with the worst of the muslim extremist militants - right?
Obama goes on the View and discusses his wife's gardening and his favorite fast food place not the fact that he has reduced drilling on government land and offshore and is making it effectively impossible to use coal --all to get gas prices to $10 a gallon where all his venture capital projects might even be able to sell something. And I wonder why a "community organizer" was not so great at venture capital decisions-- well how about because he doesn't know the first thing about running or building a company. As Romney said he is really good at picking the LOSERS. And for that same $90 billion he could have hired 2,000,000 teachers .
He really argued that raising taxes would lead to a economic growth-- besides the people on this website-- who else that works for a living-- and even those that don't -- believe that nonsense.
In conclusion- in a fair one on one scenario-- no teleprompters - and when confronted by an intelligent accomplished individual like Romney-- who also has always done his homework -- Obama is confronted with his own failure as a President and he has no retort that has any value.
Besides policy- there is the question of just who is a really good decision maker and manager of people and controller of organizations. THis is a skill much like some people can play the violin-- Romney has a life-time of successful decision making as his record-- on just about every level of his life. He is rich because he made good decisions -- and managed people well and will simply run the government better than this incompetent and yes-- somewhat lazy fellow - that has never had to sit behind a desk for 10 hours a day -- day after day managing an organization. Have you heard of the Peter Principal-- OBama is the poster child for this theory-- promoted to his level of incompetence.
He will do just as badly in the last two debates-- why? Because he doesn't have any defense for the mess he has made of the world in just four years. The Russians are angry and threatening a preemptive strike, the Chinese are threatening the Japanese (who will likely develop nuclear arms if Obama is re-elected as they surely can't depend on Obama to protect them from the growing Chinese military power, the Middle East is now essentially run by Muslim extremists who in fact we continue to send billions of dollars to so they can buy arms from Russia and China. Iran -- is about to have the bomb and our largest supporter and friend, Israel, feels abandoned in the face of possible annihilation.
Nope- when it comes to foreign policy-- Obama has no record to give him cover and he has no plan that sounds credible to anyone that isn't made dumb by their admiration for his ability to read from a teleprompter.
You have noticed that everything he says is a lie-- he isn't even a "black" man by the way-- he is as much a pure white man as he is a black man in fact-- no confused slaveowner blood in his background. He is 50% African and 50% Kansas -- he could have taken the middle road and helped America heal the racial divide given his unique heritage-- but nope-- he decided to take the policitical stand instead.
Romney isn't a radical right winger-- he is a middle of the road sort of fellow-- heck he got elected in Massachusetts already-- and he is clearly better qualified in terms of intelligence, management skills, and a record of outstanding correct decision making over his lifetime.
Simply put-- Romney's resume is better -- not just a little better but insanely better than Obama's and this is why he won the debate and why he will win the next two and why he will win this election in a landslide and he will make a brilliant President and will chart a course down the political middle.
And the worst of it is that YOU know after the debate-- that you wanted to vote for him also-- as you knew he was one of the best of us -- and that is who we should elect to the office of the President of the United States --
You know you want too!
October 10, 2012 7:12am
ATLAS SIMON – spot on analysis. You’re argument is well put. You can tell that your points are hitting home judging by the short by vitriolic and hate-filled responses that followed it. They have no real way to offer an intelligent and thoughtful response, so they resort to short and angry personal attacks on you or republicans in general. This is the mindset of the radical left; don’t rely on your ability to espouse and support your own morals and beliefs, but instead devolve to division and hatred.
The person currently residing the White House has done a horrible job the past 4 years in nearly every regard, and that is plain to see if you simply take a look at his record (which is really all you have/need to analyze to make an informed decision). Foreign policy, economic performance, health care, banking/financial industries, social issues, housing prices, fuel prices, monetary policy, etc – have all had poor track records the past 4 years. Let me guess, you still want to blame Bush right? At what point do you people agree we need a change in course?
October 09, 2012 7:00pm
Wow who died and put you in charge. I would never ever vote Repuglican.
October 09, 2012 1:30pm
"Romney's resume is better...insanely better". If there is anything insane here, it's this response. Compare the two, year by year, accomplishment by accomplishment. Obama did not run an Olympics but Romney didn't win a Nobel Prize. I understand the rethugs holding "community organizer" in such contempt. Where most of them live, there is no need for such activity. But in the communities of those in the "47%" range they are welcomed. This response reminds me not so much as a response to this article but a term paper at Home School University, where they grade by word count.
October 09, 2012 1:18pm
Oh Please I will not waste the time to respond to the DUMB CHIT that came out of your DUMB REPUBLICAN mouth, just like your hero Mitt you are a LIAR.
It is obvious that only watch Fox News and only listen to the #1 Dummy in the world Rush Limbaugh.
To the other people that are on hear the President has a great EXCELLENT record to run on. Just remember he accomplished it all with 100% of the Republicans voting against or filibustering everything he wanted and supported. The traitorious Republicans decided that thier Party was more important than the country they are suppose to serve.
Mitt Romney has FAILED to provide Leadership and is a Coward and a Draft Dodger.
October 09, 2012 12:52pm
Your lies are no more convincing than Romney's.
If not for obstructionist Republican Party we could have had a stellar recovery.
Romney's resume is his worst liability. Bain Capital is a perfect example of predatory vulture capitalism. They pioneered outsourcing and contributed greatly to the destruction of domestic manufacturing. And all in the name of greed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Z-kKGELUc8A
October 09, 2012 11:05am
I was going to comment but your post is so distorted I'd have to have a post equally long to dispute. You've bought the kool aid and are even repeating romney's lies.
October 09, 2012 12:54pm
Atlas Simon used the same strategy that Romney did during the debate. That was to overwhelm the opponent with a barrage of lies so numerous that they cannot be addressed.
I hope more of us begin to see through their smoke screen like you have.
October 09, 2012 10:25am
Obama and the Democrat party have used lies as their stock and trade for many years ! This is "the Kettle calling the pot black". No body can "out lie" the Democrats. It would be a waste of time for Romney to try.
And, of course, the Press has been sitting on their hands and just Forgot to refute all these many lies of Romney. GROW UP and face the fact that Obama is no good without his prepared speech full of lies. Get ready for a BIG HANGOVER come the second week in November.
October 09, 2012 6:58pm
We shall see about that Chris. Our media are a bunch of wimps that don't report any of the truth on both sides.
October 09, 2012 11:06am
It's easy to list romney's lies but i noticed you didn't point out any of obama's. wonder why
October 09, 2012 10:24am
"Yes, President Obama ought to have been better prepared for Romney's barrage of blather and bull."
You're damn right he ought to have been better prepared! Obama is supposed to be the leader of this country and I, for one, expect him to be able to think better on his feet when confronted with the unexpected in an arranged scenario such as this "debate" debacle.
He should at least have forcefully challenged Romney on those lies and made him explain himself better and add even just a few details. He didn't have to call Romney a liar but he could have easily made him look like one with a few easily asked questions. Instead Obama played the passive "good guy" and made himself look as if he had no idea how to challenge Romney. Romney didn't "win" the debate, Obama gave it to him.
Good God! Another massive disappointment from this guy who started with so much promise and energy! If I truly had another choice, I would vote that way.
October 09, 2012 12:21pm
Ralph Nader said that Obama is a political coward. (Now let's hear it from the peanut gallery about Nader handing the 2000 election to Bush). Obama better find his sea legs and quick. Meekness posing as good manners will not cut it.
October 09, 2012 10:08am
Typical of the GOP today...crap out a huge stinking pile of BS, and let/force everyone else, to clean it up.