FactCheck.org analysis of 2010 political speeches


(Click for external website)

EXPLANATORY NOTE by OnTheIssues.org:

FactCheck.org analyses the veracity of statements made during political races. OnTheIssues.org summarizes two sets of analyses:
1. From presidential debates
2. From presidential TV & radio advertisements

Following is the self-description of how FactCheck.org works:

[FactCheck.org is] 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. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding.

The Annenberg Political Fact Check is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. The APPC was established by publisher and philanthropist Walter Annenberg in 1994 to create a community of scholars within the University of Pennsylvania that would address public policy issues at the local, state, and federal levels.

The APPC accepts NO funding from business corporations, labor unions, political parties, lobbying organizations or individuals. It is funded primarily by the Annenberg Foundation.

-- Jesse Gordon, jesse@OnTheIssues.org, November 2007

OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Martha Coakley: AdWatch: Brown denied contraception to rape victims.     Scott Brown: 2005: Conscience-based opt out of post-rape contraception.     Scott Brown: Provide info about emergency contraception to rape victims.

Budget & Economy     Barack Obama: FactCheck: Obama's estimate of $8T deficit is closer to $3T.     Bob McDonnell: FactCheck: No, Obama won't double debt; only 55% increase.     Bob McDonnell: FactCheck: Yes, federal debt is over $100,000 per household.     Scott Brown: AdWatch: $2 trillion spending spree puts us deeper in debt.     Scott Brown: No new regulation of the financial markets.

Corporations     Barack Obama: FactCheck: Many steps until companies can bankroll elections.

Government Reform     Barack Obama: FactCheck: Yes, set up first reverse-revolving door policy.

Health Care     Barack Obama: FactCheck: Obama's estimate of $1T saved is closer to $132B.

Jobs     Barack Obama: FactCheck: Obama's estimate of 2M jobs saved is closer to 1M.

Principles & Values     Bob McDonnell: FactCheck: No, Thomas Jefferson was a Democrat.

Tax Reform     Martha Coakley: AdWatch: Get taxes up from more employment, not tax increase.     Scott Brown: 15 percent across the board tax cut.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Barack Obama Democratic President (elected 2008) Bob McDonnell Virginia Republican Governor Martha Coakley Democratic Senate Nominee Massachusetts Scott Brown Republican Jr Senator Massachusetts