Debate: tied on performance, but Obama wins on facts

Very nice of Senator McCain to join us for the first debate last night, although I realize it kept him away from solving the economic crisis for us. Seriously, in hindsight, how overblown was his whole display this week? Now that it's all over and done, did that debate REALLY stand in the way of anyone doing anything that needed to be done in Washington? And during the time McCain WAS in Washington, did he contribute anything at all to the progress Congress were already making on the problem?

Oh well, that's last week's issue...now it's time to move forward and look at the debate itself. I feel that both men performed well, and that neither made any major mistakes that would give their supporters reason to change their minds. There were certainly stylistic differences, most notably the fact that McCain never engaged Obama directly, and acted as if his opponent wasn't standing right on the same stage with him. Obama did try to address McCain directly, and also tried to point out that he was in agreement with McCain on certain points. This is a tactic that I feel could've gone either way; some may perceive it as being too concessionary and others may see it as diplomatic. I personally feel it was a sign that Obama can handle and acknowledge opposing points of view, which is a positive trait in my opinion. But I do feel that Obama had a few opportunities to really hammer McCain, particularly during the economic discussions, and he held back more than I would have liked. I guess he is waiting to do the heavy hitting during the next debate, when the economy will be the focus.

The bottom line, as I see it, is that both men scored some solid points and neither surprised me in any way. I'd be very surprised if there was any major shift in the polls as a result of this debate. However, I really do expect to see a more lopsided result in Obama's favor after the economic debate - it was clear during last night's exchanges that Obama had a major advantage on that subject and that McCain will be hard pressed to come off as well once the financial crisis is the focus.

As usual, I am more about substance than style. So, even though the two candidates were pretty evenly matched on the effectiveness of their performances, I do feel that a more important factor than how things were said is the actual content of their statements, and how accurate those statements were. FactCheck.org has already posted their analysis of the facts presented in the debate, and - surprise, surprise! - McCain didn't do as well with that as Obama did.

If you visit the site, you'll see the details and can find their in-depth summary. But to boil it down for ya, here's what they found: McCain made 4 times as many outright false statements as Obama, and several other mistakes that, while not 100% false, were definitely off-base and not 100% true either.

1. Obama stated that Henry Kissinger, one of McCain's advisers, had advocated negotiations with Iran, without preconditions. McCain disagreed. A videotape of Kissinger speaking during a panel discussion, which took place only days before the debate, shows that he is in fact in support of meeting with Iran without precondidtions. In fact, another video of an earlier forum shows Kissinger expessing the same sentiment again. After the debate, Kissinger issued a statement specifying that he did not think the President should meet in such negotiations, but Obama made clear in the debate that he would follow accepted diplomatic protocol by starting negotiations with lower-ranking officials before he would become involved himself. MCCAIN'S STATEMENT: FALSE. OBAMA'S STATEMENT: TRUE.

2. McCain claimed that Obama had voted to increase taxes on those making $42,000 a year or more. This was a resolution which was mostly addressing whther or not to let the Bush tax cuts expire, and it is a resolution which Obama supported. However, the specific language in the resolution stated that this referred to a sinlge non-homeowning taxpayer, whereas this did not apply to families or couples filing jointly. MCCAIN'S STATEMENT: NOT EXACTLY TRUE.

3. McCain claimed that Admiral Mike Mullen had specifically described Obama's proposed ideas regarding a timetable for withdrawal of troops in Iraq as "dangerous for America". Mullen did say that timetables set without taking into consideration "the conditions on the ground" would not be advisable, but he did not specifically comment on Obama's plan. MCCAIN'S STATEMENT: NOT EXACTLY TRUE.

4. McCain said that earmarks had tripled in the past 5 years. This is incorrect. Earmarks have actually gone down between 23 and 24 percent during that time frame. MCCAIN'S STATEMENT: FALSE.

5. McCain, while discussing wasteful earmarks, said that $3 million had been appropriated for a study of bear DNA. This is correct, HOWEVER, what he didn't mention is that HE VOTED IN FAVOR of the bill which made the appropriations for that study. So there was more to that story, but technically...MCCAIN'S STATEMENT: TRUE.

6. Obama said that the current Iraqi budget surplus is $79 billion. This is incorrect; although some projections had set the surplus at that amount, current information indicates that the surplus amount is closer to $60 billion. OBAMA'S STATEMENT: FALSE.

7. McCain stated that the US pays $700 billion a year to buy oil from other countries. this is inaccurate; the actual amount is approximately $536 billion. MCCAIN'S STATEMENT: FALSE:

8. Obama said that his tax cut will cover 95% of Americans. this is not technically accurate; his cuts will apply to 95% of families with children, and 81% of taxpaying households overall. OBAMA'S STAEMENT: NOT EXACTLY TRUE.

9. Obama said that under McCain's proposed tax plan, employers would be paying taxes on the health care benefits they pay to employees. This isn't correct, but the truth is actually worse...under current law, workers do not pay taxes based on the dollar value of their health insurance benefits. Under McCain's proposed tax changes, workers WILL pay taxes on the dollar value of their employer-provided health benefits. Still, as far as accuracy goes... OBAMA'S STATEMENT: NOT EXACTLY TRUE.

10. McCain claims that Obama intends to turn health care over to the fedral government. this is inaccurate. There will not be mandated health care for any group except for children Federal health care options for all othe Americans will be expanded but will not be mandated. MCCAIN'S STATEMENT: FALSE.

11. McCain told a story about Eisenhower's letter of resignation, written in case the Invasion of Normandy would have failed. Eisenhower did write a letter accepting responsibility in case of failure, but did not offer to resign. MCCAIN'S STATEMENT: FALSE.

12. Obama discussed reducing our troops in Iraq within 16 months. He had previously said that all troops would be withdrawn within that time frame. This shows a shift of position, so...OBAMA'S STATEMENT: NOT EXACTLY TRUE.

13. McCain claims that Obama does not consider Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (which he mistakenly referred to as the "Republican Guard") to be a trrorist organization. Obama has in fact named the as a terrorist organization on more than one occasion. MCCAIN'S STATEMENT: FALSE.

14. McCain called Obama "naive" for his call that both parties show restraint after the Russian/Georgian conflict. Obama did say this, but the characterization as "naive" is debatable, since the official statement from the White House used the exact same language and called for "restraint on both sides". This is certainly an opinion rather than a fact, but fairness dictates that MCCAIN'S STATEMENT: NOT EXACTLY TRUE.

15. McCain bragged about saving taxpayers $6.8 billion by fighting a Boeing contract that he felt should not be awarded. This is true. HOWEVER, what he did not mention is that there was later an investigation into whether the bidding process for this contract was handled unfairly. Seems there may have been some self-interest involved in the way McCain fought the Boeing contract, rather than a concern about protecting taxpayers' money.As it turns out, people who are now McCain advisers were lobbying for Boeing's rival, EADS/Airbus, to win the contract. McCain himself wrote to the Department of Defense to advise against checking into "improper subsidies" which EADS/Airbus may have received. P.S. - EADS/Airbus has contributed $15,700 to McCain's presidential campign. Again, there's more to this story, but technically...MCCAIN'S STATEMENT: NOT EXACTLY TRUE.

16. McCain claimed that Obama is opposed to storage of nulclear waste. Obama is not opposed to storage of nuclear waste but does want storage to be safe. MCCAIN'S STATEMENT: FALSE.

17. Obama claims that McCain voted 23 times against alternative energy proposals. This is inaccurate. McCain stated that he had not voted against any such proposals, and laughed "No one could be opposed to alternative energy". However, he is also wrong. The fact is, McCain has voted against alternative energy proposals 11 times. SO... OBAMA'S STATEMENT: FALSE, and MCCAIN'S STATEMENT: FALSE.

18. McCain and Obama discussed the role that Obama's subcommittee plays in Afghanistan policy. Both stated different aspects of this committee's scope, and both were technically correct. SO...MCCAIN'S STATEMENT: TRUE and OBAMA'S STATEMENT: TRUE.

19. McCain claimed that he broke ranks to vote against sending Marines into Lebanon in 1982. However, Marines had been sent in August of 1982, 3 months before McCain was elected in November of that year. In 1983, Ronald Reagan signed a bill which would authorize a deployment of 18 months for Marines in Lebanon, and McCain did break party ranks to vote against this bill. MCCAIN'S STATEMENT: NOT EXACTLY TRUE.

If ytou're keeping score, here's the final totals:

MCCAIN: 8 false statements, 5 not exactly true statements, and 2 true statements

OBAMA: 2 false statements, 3 not exactly true statements, and 2 true statements

Based on this, I think Obama wins on truth, and to me, that's more important thatn style. Next up: Palin faces off against Biden...I am practically drooling with anticipation...roll on October 2nd!

Debate: tied on performance, but Obama wins on facts

It just doesn't add up

Well folks, you know I'm pretty passionate about the things I believe in. But I also hope you know that I don't believe in things blindly. I am a sensible individual and I always prefer more information, rather than less, when making any important decision. That's why I'll check multiple sources and round up the facts before I take a stand.

I would like to believe that my fellow Americans are doing the same thing, especially with regards to the presidential election. This happens to be the most important decision we're called upon to make as Americans, and nobody should take it lightly. Yet I have to assume that some people out there are failing to look at the facts, because I've been crunching some numbers and they just don't add up.

There's a helpful site called pollingreport.com which lists the results of polls taken by all the major polling and news organizations, and categorizes the results by topic (Iraq war, economy, health care, etc.). It is non-partisan and doesn't analyze or comment on the results - it simply reports them and adds no spin at all. When you look over the info on this site, you start to get curious about the fact that John McCain is currently tied with Barack Obama in some polls, and ahead in others. Because on nearly every major issue, John McCain disagrees with the majority of Americans.

Want some stats? Chew on these:

• With regard to national security, 59% of those polled say that they favor a timetable for withdrawal of our troops from Iraq (ABC News poll). A majority of Americans -51% - also said they favor increasing the number of troops sent to Afghanistan (AP/GfK poll).  Obama has strongly supported both the timetable and the increased focus on Afghanistan for months, while McCain has resisted both until fairly recently. He still refuses to fully advocate the timetable for Iraq, despite the fact that evn the Bush administration has now accepted this idea. In addition, Obama was one of the few governmental figures who warned against the Iraq invasion from the beginning, stating that "even a successful war against Iraq will require U.S. occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences." McCain, even after years of military misdirection in Iraq, has continued to state that Iraq is, and should be, the central front of the war on terror.

The decision to go to war in Iraq was one of the biggest decisions George Bush had to make as our president, and it was arguably the biggest mistake he could have possibly made - one which hinged on faulty intelligence as its premise, redirected our military efforts away from the actual al-Quaeda network, had no exit strategy, resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and helped cause the disastrous economic downturn which continues to snowball out of control daily. When people say they want a leader who will make an effective commander in chief, it seems important to point out that Obama would have made better choices for our military agenda in the war on terror than John McCain.  ADVANTAGE: OBAMA 

• Most voters, in polll after poll, say that the most important issue in this election is the economy. And, in poll after poll, more voters say that Obama would do a better job at handling the economy than McCain. Specifically, regarding taxes, 51% of Americans say that those making a lower income are currently paying too much in taxes, while 63% say that those in the upper income bracket are paying too little. Finally, 73% say that corporations are paying too little in taxes (all results from Gallup poll data). Obama has clearly stated his plan to lower taxes for 95% of Americans, while rasing taxes on those making over $250,000 and on corporations. John McCain plans to keep the current tax policy imposed by George Bush, which, according to the non-partisan Tax Policy Center, would favor the highest earners and corporations. Just recently, former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan said that he didn't agree with McCain's proposed tax plan, stating "I always have tied tax cuts to spending...I'm not in favor of financing tax cuts with borrowed money."  ADVANTAGE: OBAMA


• Another hot button topic is health care. In a poll conducted this summer, 66% of Americans said it is more important for the government to provide health care coverage, even if it means raising taxes (ABC News poll). And in another poll, 67% think that the federal government has the responsibility to make sure all Americans have health care coverage (Gallup poll). Obama has long stressed his support for funding programs to make health care more widely accessible and affordable. John McCain has instead advocated a tax credit which Americans would use to purchase their own coverage, however he suggests credits which would be woefully inadequate to cover the typical family's needs (his proposed credit is $5,000 per year for families, while the national average for insurance premiums is $12,000 per year). ADVANTAGE: OBAMA


• In this campaign season where cultural and social issues are being so prominently highlighted, the topic of abortion rights has come up regularly. In a recent poll, 70% of Americans say that abortion should be legal in cases of rape and incest; 73% say that abortion shoild be legal in the mother's life is at risk; and 53% say that abortion should be legal in cases where the fetus is diagnosed with a fatal birth defect (Fox News poll). Across the board, in numerous polls, most Americans say that the Roe vs. Wade decision should remain intact. Obama supports choice. McCain does not, stating on his campaign website, "John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned...However, the reversal of Roe v. Wade represents only one step in the long path toward ending abortion." McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, also opposes abortion, even in cases of rape or incest. ADVANTAGE: OBAMA


• In a world which is increasingly unstable, our Social Security program is an important issue for many current retirees and for all those who are concerned it might not be there for them in the future. Under current guidelines, payroll taxes (which go toward Social Security) are only taken from the first $90,000 of a person's annual income. In a recent poll, 63% of Americans say that they favor increasing payroll taxes by applying them beyond the first $90,000 in income. (CBS News poll). Obama advocates such an increase, but only for those who make more than $250,000 a year. John McCain currently opposes the increase in payroll tax, although he has flip-flopped on this issue several times. ADVANTAGE: OBAMA


• Finally, gun control has been an important point for many voters, particularly those in the heartland states. Americans do want to see a decrease in violent crimes, and their feelings on gun control echo this sentiment. 86% of Americans favor a waiting period between the time someone buys a gun and the time they receive the gun (CNN poll). 67% favor a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons (ABC News poll). And 54% generally favor stricter gun control laws (Quinnipac University poll). Obama advocates strict enforcement of current gun laws, and some expansion of gun control focused on criminals and the mentally ill, while retaining the rights of sportsmen and those law-abiding citizens who use guns for self-defense. McCain is a proponent of the NRA and broadly defends both gun owners and the gun industry. Specifically, as he mentions on his campaign website, he opposes the very issues most Americans support -waiting periods for those who purchase guns, and restrictions on assault rifles. ADVANTAGE: OBAMA

 

It seems fairly cut-and-dry...on the issues, Obama agrees with what most Americans say they believe in, while John McCain is distinctly out of step. So why is Obama having trouble in getting and keeping a clear lead over McCain?

I hate to say it, but I think it comes down to simple ignorance of the facts. People often rely on sound bites and political commentary when shaping their opinions. And you just won't get the whole story from sound bites, or from the opinions on Fox or MSNBC. It takes time to sift through the sources and get to the facts, without filters or spin, and most people aren't willing to invest that kind of time into the process. If more people had a grasp on where the candidates stand, I think the vast majority would agree that Obama is on the same page they are with regard to the issues.

The scary part about this is that this ignorance is a willful ignorance. People form a preference based on superficial reasons (Sarah Palin's personality, for example, or Obama's skin color) and then they take in only those bits of information which support their preference. They don't listen to reason, they don't research the facts. They just hear the spin and let it make the decision for them. And so we might end up with a president whose position on nearly every major issue is contrary to the positions most American voters hold.

I want to believe that Americans are better than that, and that they can see things for how they really are and not what the ads or the pundits say they are. I want to believe that they will take their task as voters too seriously to fall prey to shrewd marketing or media manipulation. I want to believe that they love this country too much to make their decisions based on personality or race, rather than on what the candidates can and will do to make America better for all of us. Unfortunately, based on the current polls, I could be wrong.

It just doesn't add up