AdWatch 2001-2009: on Environment


John McCain: FactCheck: Criticized $3M “bear DNA” study, but voted for it

McCain’s TV ad criticizes an earmark that provided “$3 million to study the DNA of bears in Montana.” This is not the first time McCain has poked fun at the bear project. He first mentioned it on the Senate floor, on Feb. 13, 2003: “One can only imagine and conjure up an idea as to how this might be used. Approach a bear: That bear cub over there claims you are his father, and we need to take your DNA. Approach another bear: Two hikers had their food stolen by a bear, and we think it is you.”

Good laugh lines, maybe, but the USGS’s Grizzly Bear Project didn’t study DNA for paternity tests or forensics. Rather, it explored a means of estimating Montana’s grizzly bear population by analyzing bear fur snagged on barbed wire.

McCain he didn’t actually try to remove the bear project from the bill. He did introduce three amendments to reduce funding, but none removing the grizzly bear project appropriations. And despite his criticisms, he voted in favor of the final bill.

Source: FactCheck's AdWatch of 2007 campaign ad, “Outrageous” Nov 20, 2007

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