Fact Checks

The DNC says Obama’s tax policy doesn’t make life impossible for small businesses

“Myth: All of President Obama’s new taxes make life impossible for small businesses.” —Democratic National Committee, Nov. 27, 2013, on the “Your Republican Uncle” website   Overview Fourth in our series on claims from the Democratic National Committee’s “Your Republican Uncle” website, we look at the claim that all of Obama’s new taxes don’t make life impossible for small businesses. …
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The DNC says it’s a myth that President Obama raised taxes?

“Myth:  Democrats like President Obama have raised my taxes.” —The Democratic National Committe’s “Your Republican Uncle” website, Nov. 27, 2013   Overview Third in our series on claims from the Democratic National Committee’s “Your Republican Uncle” website, we have an oddly worded implicit claim that President Obama did not raise taxes.  Obama has cut taxes and raised taxes, sometimes raising…
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Paul Ryan says budget deal doesn’t raise taxes

“This bill reduces the deficit by $23 billion, it does not raise taxes, and it cuts spending in a smarter way.” —Rep. Paul Ryan (R, Wisc.), Dec. 11, 2013   Overview Technically, the budget deal doesn’t raise taxes.  It raises government fees.  The distinction makes a difference legally, but for selling the budget deal the difference is primarily semantic. The…
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Did Obama deliver on his jobs promises?

“Myth: Where are the all [sic] jobs that President Obama promised?” —The Democrat National Committee’s “Your Republican Uncle” website, Nov. 25, 2013   Overview The DNC’s job numbers match no Obama promise we could find. The Facts The Democratic National Committee’s website “The Democrat’s guide to talking politics with your Republican Uncle” has an answer for Republicans who ask about…
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The Obama deficit increase a myth?

“Myth:  President Obama has increased the deficit” —DNC’s “Your Republican Uncle” website, Nov. 27, 2013     Overview The deficit claim is true, in a radically oversimplified and misleading way. The Facts The DNC was able to explain the myth and then some in two sentences: Since President Obama took office, the deficit as a percentage of GDP has been…
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Three-quarters of employer plans already compliant with the ACA?

“[T]he International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans … found that about three-quarters of all employer-sponsored health plans already meet the criteria of the Affordable Care Act.” —PunditFact, Nov. 20, 2013   Overview PunditFact, the pundit-checking branch of PolitiFact, misuses a 2013 survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans to help excuse insurance plan cancellations under the ACA. The…
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Pre-existing conditions coming back thanks to Republicans?

“Today we saw a clear contrast: Democrats are working to fix and improve the Affordable Care Act, while Republicans still want to go back to the days when insurance companies could deny people coverage for pre-existing conditions, treat being a woman as a pre-existing condition, and watch health care costs drive families into bankruptcy.” —Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nov….
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Geppettos for nothing (chicks for free?)

“From what we know now, [Jason] Furman’s statement stands up to scrutiny. He earns a rare Geppetto Checkmark.” —Glenn Kessler the Washington Post Fact Checker, Nov. 11, 2013   Overview Furman’s statement needs more scrutiny. The Facts The Washington Post Fact Checker, Glenn Kessler, posted a fact check of a White House economic adviser on November 11, 2013. The adviser,…
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PunditFact vs Glenn Beck on losing health insurance

PunditFact logo with Glenn Beck inset

“[Glenn] Beck said that when Obama promised that people could keep the plans they like, he knew that half of all Americans would lose their health insurance. Beck is wrong in every respect. The primary study he relied on contradicts his number, saying that at most 50 million people would lose coverage, not 125 million.” —PunditFact, Nov. 6, 2013  …
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Capitalism to blame for the rash of health insurance cancellations? Frank Pallone’s appearance on “The Kelly File”

“It’s capitalism. You can go out and buy whatever you want, but the insurance company realizes they can’t sell this lousy insurance policy anymore.” —Frank Pallone, Oct. 31, 2013   Overview Rep. Pallone’s description of the reasons behind the recent raft of insurance policy cancellations creates a freakishly distorted picture of reality. The Facts Rep. Frank Pallone (D—N.J.) appeared on…
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