Candidates use facts selectively and at times misleadingly in print and TV ads. Just before the Iowa caucus, Barack Obama's campaign ran an ad quoting the Washington Post as declaring that Obama's health plan would save families $2,500. The ad asserted that "experts" say his plan is "the best" and "guarantees coverage for all Americans."
FactCheck pointed out that the Post was citing an Obama campaign statement about saving families money and did not analyze it independently. The "experts" were the editorial writers at the Iowa City Press-Citizen. The guarantee of "coverage for all Americans" was asserted in the St. Paul Pioneer Press and, like the ad, omitted mention that while the Clinton and Edwards health plans require coverage for all Americans, the Obama plan allows individuals to buy into coverage if they want to. (www.factcheck.org)
This examples demonstrate, among other things, that a factual statement can be accurate--if cherry-picked--but may come from a tree of sour cherries.
Presidential candidates must answer many questions daily. Usually, and even in debates, they don't have enough time to discuss them in detail--assuming they could if they had the time. One result is a swift recitation of unsupported opinions from "talking points"--that is, a collection of brief statements of views on many issues they know they will be asked about. Because some of these issues are complicated, candidates often make fuzzy utterances.
In developing your own opinion about a candidate's remark, consider its factuality. Several websites offer help. FactCheck Org describes itself as "a nonpartisan, nonprofit 'consumer advocate' for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases." The website is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Other, similar efforts include a project of the St. Petersburg Times and the Congressional Quarterly (www.politifact.com) and a Washington Post blog (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/). All three sites are updated regularly.
Consider also the candidates' opinions. How clearly does a candidate state his or her opinion? Is the opinion supported with facts-at least on the candidate's websites, if not in brief public remarks? Does the candidate present facts selectively, omitting those that are inconvenient?
Assignment:
Select a presidential campaign issue of particular interest to you, investigate how, in terms of factual and opinion statements, one candidate discusses this issue, and susenctly post your findings. I suggest you use one of the resources for young voters on my web site. Young Voters (http://teacherweb.com/NY/Cunningham/Frederick/links2.stm)
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28 comments:
My candidate is Barack Obama. My issue is that Barack Obama is that the taxes should be lower. Barack Obama gave a second speech on Tuesday announcing $80 billion in tax cuts for working people, homeowners and seniors. He said our nation is rising with the help of working people. Barock Obama told the Tax Policy Center that in our new economy there is no shortage of new wealth. Barack Obama suggested eliminating tax returns for 22 million senior citizens. He promised making less than $50,000 would pay income tax. He said he would expand tax for homeowners. He is targeting about 10 million people who own their homes and he suggested reducing income taxes for 150 million workers. Barack Obama also eliminated all income taxes for about 10 million of those. Obama has also said he would pay for his tax cuts by going back to part of the Bush tax cut. Even though he has said that step would help pay for his health care program.
My presidential candidate is Barack Obama. The issue is Healthcare. He said, “We now face an opportunity — and an obligation — to turn the page on the failed politics of yesterday's health care debates… My plan begins by covering every American. If you already have health insurance, the only thing that will change for you under this plan is the amount of money you will spend on premiums. That will be less. If you are one of the 45 million Americans who don't have health insurance, you will have it after this plan becomes law. No one will be turned away because of a preexisting condition or illness.”
In 2003, Barack Obama sponsored and passed legislation that expanded health care coverage to 70,000 kids and 84,000 adults. In the U.S. Senate, Obama cosponsored the Healthy Kids Act of 2007 and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2007 to ensure that more American children have affordable health care coverage.
Obama worked to pass a number of laws in Illinois and Washington to improve the health of women. His accomplishments include creating a task force on cervical cancer, providing greater access to breast and cervical cancer screenings, and helping improve prenatal and premature birth services.
My canidate Barack Obama.My issue is women's health care.women are likely than men to delay or not get medical care because of high costs.Barack Obama promises to have every american to have health care coverage by the end of his last term in office.Because of this all health care coverage will be lowered by 10 percent
Barack Obama on Taxes
My candidate is Barack Obama. My issue is taxes. Do you believe lower-class people should pay the same taxes as higher-class people? Well Barack Obama believes that only higher-class people should pay more taxes then lower-class people. Barack Obama believes this because why should people that get more money pay the same taxes as people less fortunate? That’s why more and more people each day are falling into bankruptcy, causing people to lose their houses, apartments, or condos leaving them homeless and starved. Barack Obama makes a remarkable point! He is willing to cut 95% of taxes for lower- class working families to help to prevent any bankruptcy from happening which I think is a extremely generous thing to do. I think Barack Obama is the right choice!
I choose Barack Obama for my president. My issue is that over 360,000 jobs have been lost this year, with the unemployment rate registering the biggest one month jump since February 1986. Incomes have failed to keep pace with the rising costs of health insurance and college, and record oil and food prices have left families struggling just to keep up. So he said "we can start by investing $10 billion to guarantee access to quality, affordable, early childhood education for every child in America, I want to give tax breaks to young people, in the form of an annual $4,000 tax credit that will cover two-thirds of the tuition at an average public college, and make community college completely free.I am providing cheap alternatives to $140-a-barrel oil, now. And it can create millions of additional jobs and entire new industries if we act now.Also health care coverage will be lowered by 10 percent". Barack Obama is a funny president too. Barack Obama is the right president for America unless he lied!
After reading a document from New York Times I can see that Obama has issued a statement saying "I condemn Russia’s aggressive actions and reiterate my call for an immediate ceasefire." Barack Obama says he just spoke separately with Secretary Rice and President Saakashvili about the grave crisis in Georgia. He told President Saakashvili that I was deeply concerned about the well being of the people of Georgia. Russia must stop its bombing campaign, cease flights of Russian aircraft in Georgian airspace, and withdraw its ground forces from Georgia. As Obama has said for many months, aggressive diplomatic action must be taken to reach a political resolution to this crisis, and to assure that Georgia’s sovereignty is protected. McCain also says Georgia conflict is the first serious crisis internationally since the end of the Cold War. After watching television and reading newspaper I made a conclusion a lot of politicians convict of a crime Russia. The situation in Georgia also requires the deployment of genuine international peacekeeping forces in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russia cannot play a constructive role as peacekeeper. Instead, Russian actions in both South Ossetia and Abkhazia appear to be intended to preserve an unstable status. In my opinion no matter how this conflict started, Russia has escalated it well beyond the dispute over South Ossetia and invaded another country. Russia has escalated its military campaign through strategic bombing and the movement of its ground forces into the heart of Georgia. There is no possible justification for these attacks.The United States, Europe and all other concerned countries must stand united in condemning this aggression, and seeking a peaceful resolution to this crisis. This is a clear violation of the sovereignty and internationally recognized borders of Georgia - the UN must stand up for the sovereignty of its members, and peace in the world.
bMy presidental candidate is Barack Obama. My issue environmental problems. In his speech he states several examples. First example is Senator Obama believes that the U.S. should take serious action now to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Second example is, in December 2005, the Chicago Tribune published an in-depth report on the extent of mercury contamination in the fish eaten by Americans. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can cause serious developmental problems in children, ranging from severe birth defects to mental retardation. As many as 630,000 children born annually in the U.S. are at risk of neurological problems related to mercury. In adults, mercury can cause major neurological problems affecting vision, motor skills, blood pressure and fertility. To help this Senator Obama introduced two bills: Mercury Market Minimization Act and the Missing Mercury in Manufacturing Monitoring and Mitigation Act. These bills would significantly reduce the amount of mercury that is deposited in oceans, lakes, and rivers, which in turn would reduce the amount of mercury in fish. This was presidential candidate Barack Obama and several examples from his speech.
My presidential candidate is Barack Obama. My issue is Terrorism. Obama says that Al-Qaeda and Taliban are teaming up in Afghanistan while we are worried about the war in Iraq. Obama says terrorsim was high in his list. Obama says that by 2010 all combat troops will be removed from Iraq. According to obamas website remaining troops will remain to conduct counter terrorism operations in that country.I think this is the right choice for the war and terrosim.
My candidate is Barack Obama. My issue is health care. He is saying that he will cover every American without health insurance. If you already have health insurance, then you will simply be paying less. The health insurance cost has sky rocketed over the past 4 years and now with Obama, you won't worry about that no more. Barack will also promote patient safety. Obama will require providers to report preventable medical errors and support hospital and physician practice improvement to prevent future occurrences.
My canidate is Barack Obama. My issue is drugs. In my sources i couldnt find anythin about him giving a speech on it. WHY? Well beacause he did drugs before. Around 3 decades ago he was engaged in marijuana, alcohol and sometimes cocaine as a high school student in Hawaii. Therefore i think he wont change anythin about drugs. One reason why i think that is because he once was a user so he knows why people might want to do it. Also he might want to legalise it but he wouldnt say that during any of his speeches beacause he knows that he will lost many votes for that.But i think there is a possibility that he can still be doing it or start doing it again.
Barak Obama- War in Afghanistan
My candidate is Barack Obama. My issue is the war in Afghanistan. Obama made a speech "A War we Need to win" and he states that we did not finish the job against al Qaeda in Afghanistan. He follows that,We did not develop new capabilities to defeat a new enemy, or launch a comprehensive strategy to dry up the terrorists' base of support. But, Obama decides to finsh the fight when at the end he states that, "I worried about a " U.S. occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences" in the heart of the Muslim world. I pleaded that we "finish the fight with bin Ladin and al Qaeda."
- But Obama also stated in his speech,in North Carolina, March 19, 2008: So when I am Commander-in-Chief, I will set a new goal on day one: I will end this war. Not because politics compels it. Not because our troops cannot bear the burden- as heavy as it is. But because it is the right thing to do for our national security, and it will ultimately make us safer.”
Obama has different opinions on the wars. What do you think is the right decion?
- RAMSHA RANA
My candidate is Barack Obama. My issue is taxes. Do you believe lower-class people should pay the same taxes as higher-class people? Well according Barack Obama believes that only higher-class people should pay more taxes then lower-class people. Barack Obama believes this because why should people that get more money pay the same taxes as people less fortunate? That’s why more and more people each day are falling into bankruptcy, causing people to lose their houses, apartments, or condos leaving them homeless and starved. Barack Obama makes a remarkable point! He is willing to cut 95% of taxes for lower- class working families to help to prevent any bankruptcy from happening which I think is a extremely generous thing to do. I think Barack Obama is the right choice!I got my information from www.wikipedia.com
My comment for the blog is based on Barack Obama on immigration. Barack Obama says he will secure the borders. But he wants to help families by increasing the amount of legal immigrants. He will also remove incentives to enter the country illegally by cracking down on employers who hire undocumented immigrants. Obama believes we need to do more to promote economic development in Mexico to decrease illegal immigration. Obama championed a proposal to create a system so employers can verify that the employers are legally eligible to work in the U.S. Obama introduced amendments to put greater emphasis on keeping immigrant families together. Obama joined Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) to introduce the Citizenship Promotion Act to ensure that immigration application fees are both reasonable and fair. Obama also introduced legislation that passed the Senate to improve the speed and accuracy of FBI background checks. I got my source of information from the official Barrack Obama. This is what Barack Obama said he would and what he already did.
My canidate is Barack Obama.My issue is war in iraqu and abortion.Well there are alot of mislead information. For example both canidates state that they will stop the war in iraqu,but it's almost imposible.George W.Bush said he would TRY to stop the war.and the war has yet to end.
from Barack obama.com
My comment for the blog is based on Barack Obama on immigration.HE wants to help familes by increasing amount of illegal immigrant. obama belives we need to do more to promote economic development in mexico to decrease illegal immigration.obama support a system that let immigration pay a small fine to learn english.this is all from http://www.barackobama.com/issues/immigration/
Barack Obama’s decision on pollution according to Barackobama.com is to make 10 percent of our electricity come from renewable sources by 2012 and 25 percent come from renewable sources by 2025. Also coming from barackobama.com, he plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2025, and cars that can get up to150 miles per gallon.
My presidential candidate is Barack Obama. My issue is that Barack Obama Said that taxes should be lower for the lower classes. Obama agrees on rising tax rate prices for the higher classes. Also people who are earning over $1 millon. Barack also said that he will reduce Bush tax cuts to pay for health care and other programs. He is also willing to tax cut 95 percent of all working families. This is why Barack Obama has my vote.
My other issue is the war in Iraq and my candidate is Barack Obama. Barack Said that you dont defeat a terrorist network by occupying Iraq. Obama also said that he will only send our troops into harm's way when necessary. Barack hopes to get all the troops out of Iraq by 2013. I got my information from the official Barrack obama web page. This is why Barack Obama is the right choice and has my vote.
My comment was about Barack Obama. The issue was healthcare. The source was from http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/
In 2003, Barack Obama sponsored and passed legislation that expanded health care coverage to 70,000 kids and 84,000 adults. In the U.S. Senate, Obama cosponsored the Healthy Kids Act of 2007 and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2007 to ensure that more American children have affordable health care coverage.
Obama worked to pass a number of laws in Illinois and Washington to improve the health of women. His accomplishments include creating a task force on cervical cancer, providing greater access to breast and cervical cancer screenings, and helping improve prenatal and premature birth services.
My presidental candidate is Barrack Obama. Barack Obama Is very committed to ending war in Iraq. The war in Iraq is said to be longer than World War 1 , World War 2 and the Civil War . More than 4,000 people died. And 1.75 million Service Men and Women served in the War . And 60,000 were injured . So that’s what Barack Obama sais about War in Iraq.And I got all this information from the oficial Barack Obama web page.
How will John McCain’s views in regards to the Jobs and wages issue spur our trying
economy? In response to the jobs and wages issue, Senator John McCain says ,spur
economy and growth by cutting corporate taxes and maintaining current rates on dividends
and capital gains. Senator McCain also spoke of keeping the minimum wage at $7.25 an hour
which is where current law will take it to by 2009, in an effort to keep future hikes from tying
in to the inflation rate.
I picked John McCain because McCain is a veteran presence in the senate, Where as
Senator Brock Obama pales in comparison. Senator McCain states that we have to
create tax credit equal to 10% of wages spent on R&D. The Senator also plans to consolidate
federal unemployment programs and reform training programs for job seekers. In addition,
McCain plans to use unemployment insurance taxes to create buffer accounts for people
So that in times of need, they are not just told to fill out forms and take a number. These
are the reasons why I chose to comment on the jobs and wages issue. This information was gathered
from cnnmoney.com.
My canidate is Barack Obama and i am interseted in the issue of education and how teachers are losing money.
Barack Obama says that his zero to five plan will help infants. So he will create an Early Learning Challenge Grants to ready infants for kindergarden so that they can get into good schools (such as cunnigham ( if they live in brooklyn ) )
Barack will also fund the law to reform NCLB ( No Child Left Behind ) because he believes that teachers should not spend a childs acamadic year on learning how to bubble on standerized tests. He will improve the assigments used for progress to help ready children for college
This who my presidential canidate would be if i could vote and which issue seems interesting to me and what Barack Obama's position is on Education.
BIBLIOGRAPHY -
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/education/
The candidate I chose is John McCain.The issue I chose is bringing the troops home.McCain points out that the troops must remain intact until Iraq is stable enough to run independently.Once that mission is accomplished and the country can stand on its own, then the troops can come home.
We as Americans, will support our troops and prey for their safe return.Our military has a job to do and the more we stay out of their way the faster this mission can be accomplished.As you can see, candidate John McCain says"the troops can not come back home until Iraq can stand on its own".
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