Nailed! CNN calls out McCain on misleading Americans in his speech today
"He's an eloquent speaker, but even he can't turn a record of supporting higher taxes into a credible promise to cut taxes. What he promises today is the opposite of what he has done his entire career," McCain said at a rally in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania...McCain repeated his claim that Obama voted 94 times to raise taxes.
Rather than pass on McCain's indictment of Obama's voting record without question, CNN turned it over to its FACT CHECKER, embedding a link to their analysis in middle of the article on McCain's speech:
Key findings:
-53 were votes on budget resolutions or amendments that "could not have resulted by themselves in raising taxes," though many "were clear statements of approval for increased taxes"
-23 were against proposed tax cuts
-11 were to increase taxes on people making more than $1 million a year, to help fund programs such as Head Start, school nutrition, or veterans' health care
-Seven were "for measures that would have lowered taxes for many, while raising them on a relative few, either corporations or affluent individuals."
- The total includes multiple votes on the same measures.Annenberg says a close look at the record reveals that Obama has "voted consistently to restore higher tax rates on upper-income taxpayers but not on middle- or low-income workers."
Verdict:
Misleading. McCain's summary ignores the fact that some of the votes were for measures to lower taxes for many Americans, while increasing them for a much smaller number of taxpayers. A nonpartisan examination also finds that the 94 total includes multiple votes on the same measures and budget votes that would not directly lead to higher taxes.
Nailed!
CNN went on to describe Obama's stated policy on taxes:
Obama's tax plan would cut taxes for most taxpayers, but raise them for the wealthiest. The largest increases would be on the top one-percent of earners, according to analysis by the Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan research group whose staff of experts includes former economic advisers to the White House and Congress under both Republicans and Democrats.
We often decry the MSM with good reason for their willingness to regurgitate without question the nonsense coming out of the McCain campaign allowing the charges to stick while they wait to see what the Obama campaign will say, reporting on the fight but not the facts. But today CNN - the self-proclaimed most trusted name in news - but more importantly the most watched - got it right, holding McCain's claim up to the light for the better look the American people deserve when they choose a president.
Keep up the good work!
Okay, because TPM routinely condemns the MSM when they just repeat campaign talking points or present complex issues in one side versus the other side debates without making fact-based comments, why not design a TPM "You got it right!" award and hand them out when news organizations do get it right?
How long before CNN and other lucky recipients start bragging to one another about getting a TPM? My guess is immediately.
Make it clever. Go do it.
October 14, 2008 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Love it!
"Make it clever," hmmmmm...we need a better name methinks than the "You Got it Right" Award.
Any ideas out there?
October 14, 2008 6:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about "Kudos". Simple, and direct.
October 15, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Um, "You Did Your Job" Award?
October 14, 2008 7:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, "Doing what real journals are supposed to do all the time" award
October 14, 2008 9:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN wins tenth "Is that a fact?" award.
October 14, 2008 7:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
"It's a FACT!"
October 15, 2008 6:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
It has to be something flattering sounding for them to want to boast about it.....
Recognition of Journalistic Accuracy (RoJA)
but from our perspective, how about...
Tire Swing Rain Check Award
October 14, 2008 8:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
"It's a FACT!" reconates -- it's about reporting FACT, and it is a FACT that FACT was reported.
And a FACT that the reporting of the FACT was given an award.
October 15, 2008 6:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
How about a link to their links?
October 14, 2008 8:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's tax message is getting out. I was canvassing today and met an undecided voter. I asked her about what she liked about Obama, and she said his tax plan--she even quoted the $250,000 figure (that we'd see no tax increase if we make below that).
October 14, 2008 8:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good to hear that his message on taxes is getting out. This is why it so important to encourage the MSM to get it right. When you break through and they pick up your message it drives it home to the voter that there really is more here than just a sales pitch.
Canvassing in Ohio two weeks ago and New Hampshire this past weekend I found that to be one of my best arguments to undecided voters.
On the award, I like the RJA above or something like it. Important to make it sound...um...official. But it should also have a nickname, like the Oscar. Something cute.
October 14, 2008 8:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
For a bit of recognition Gregory, and you too Severus, good for you for canvassing. Wow, Ohio and New Hampshire? That's a helluva big precinct they gave you to walk!
October 15, 2008 1:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Has CNN ever said this on the air, though?
October 14, 2008 9:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about the "Independent Journalism Award"?
October 14, 2008 9:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Okay we have the RJA and the IJA...still need a cute nickname.
October 14, 2008 11:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why not leave a link to the original CNN so we can read ourselves and comment - reinforce good behavior, you know :)
So, where's that link ???
October 14, 2008 11:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/14/campaign.wrap/index.html
October 14, 2008 11:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whatever the name, I want CNN or some MSM news org to earn some recognition for blowing the lid off the phony ACORN issue.
October 15, 2008 12:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's one of the top three current biggies, in my view.
THAT would go a LONG way to eliminating a hoard of horseshit.
October 15, 2008 6:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
I really, really want to call the award the Edward R. Murrow Award for Journalistic Excellence or something like that but (1) that is not nearly cute enough and (2) I checked and there are at least 5 journalism awards already named for the legendary dean of the CBS News team. But there does not appear to be an "Eddie" Award, along the lines of an "Emmy," unless you count recognition for excellence in Film Editing. So...
I announce today that nominations will stand open each day for the Eddie, the TPM Award for Accuracy in Journalism.
Definition of Accuracy (from Dictionary.Com):
"The condition or quality of being true, correct, or exact; freedom from error or defect; precision or exactness; correctness."
Criteria: To be awarded to journalists who consistently demonstrate in the on or offline performance of their duties that they value educating the public over generating higher ratings or sales.
October 15, 2008 7:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, yes, I really like that -- the Eddie! Short, affectionate, and getting to compare themselves to the great E.R. Murrow will be such a kick!
Good job!
Now, how about a statuette? Or even just a certificate that TPM could post on a site and link to when they report that a story/reporter/network has won?
They could be awarded weekly, and the announcements could come on a Friday night or maybe a Saturday night so that way it could be the talk of all the Sunday a.m. shows?
And we'll need a team of judges or Josh can make it up as he goes because, of course, he doesn't have enough to do already. (Hey, Josh, any of those little ones teething right now?)
This is very good. Nice work, Gregory North.
October 15, 2008 10:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Any suggestions yet for today's Eddie Award?
October 15, 2008 9:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Like puppies (I just got one...), the MSM needs constant praise to encourage good habits. Too much criticism and they become fearful.
October 15, 2008 9:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly, Erwin, puppies! Let's see how the MSM responds to Pavlovian reinforcement.
Want a biscuit?
Hey, for all those following this thread, note that I put out in Recent Reader Posts a formal announcement of the daily award I am calling an Eddie, named after the late great Edward R. Murrow, one of personal heroes.
Check out that post for more details.
October 15, 2008 9:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder if CNN is starting to follow Campbell Brown's lead.
October 15, 2008 9:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Indeed, Campbell's post yesterday on the equation of Arab and scary was very strong. It was at least Olberman-esque, if not Murrow-esque.
October 15, 2008 10:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
do you have a link to that?
October 15, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here you go: Campbell Brown asks an astute question.
October 15, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm starting to like that lady more and more. Not just partisan BS, but actual reasonable, thoughtful analysis. Who woulda thunk!
October 15, 2008 2:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about the OMG Award. Not Oh My God, but 'Occasional Media Guts." Since it is a rarity that they do any digging, you don't want to heap too much praise on them for simply doing what they are supposed to do.
October 15, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Campebell Brown video can be found here:
http://gratefuldread.wordpress.com/?s=campbell+brown
October 15, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
A "Finally got it correct instead of Right" signifier of some kind is a great idea! Let's hope it happens often enough to be worth it.
But so far, I know of two: This one, and Rachel Maddow for handling Frum so well.
And perhaps there will be others coming. Let's hope so. By now, Americans can't even (not here, of course) express their liberal leanings without using conservative memes or caveats.
October 15, 2008 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
The 2008 EDDIE Award for "Best Follow-up Questioning" in an interview or news conference goes to... Katie Couric of CBS News. Congratulations.
October 15, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN has it uses, and does alright sometimes, but they are flogging the ACORN as a "radical left wing organization" line really hard in the past few days. That quote was from Lou Dobbs yesterday afternoon. He's so pompous and puffed up, I'm surprised he doesn't float away on a cloud of self-importance. I MUST have been bored. Why else would I pay attention to that gasbag for more than the time it took me to turn the station? His reporter on the story just oozed innuendo in every word. It made me ill.
October 15, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
ACORN-bashing really infuriates me. Not that the group doesn't have its faults, but in case after case, it's shown that the group of community organizers has its heart in the right place and the facts are that the group has *never* created a fraudulent vote. ACORN-bashing is all about bashing the poor and so-called minorities. The GOP knew that when they decided to go on its bashing tangent; inciting race-fueled fear was behind it. When the MSM chose to go along for the ride, even for a little while, they became culpable. Pathetic. GOPpers need to be grateful for ACORN -- it helps the people the right wing chooses to ignore and vilify.
October 15, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
So one thing to look for in nominating someone for an Eddie is who really gets the story right on ACORN. Let me guess, it won't be someone at Fox.
October 15, 2008 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Folks, let's move further comments over to the new Eddie Award Update post (link below) in the Recent section where we now have nominations open for our first Eddie.
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/gnorth/2008/10/tpm-eddie-award-update---3-nom.php
Check out that post for links to the nominees potential award-winning performances.
October 15, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink