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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Month: October 2010

Outside Group Attacks Sestak on Terror Trials

October 25, 2010

The Republican Jewish Coalition says it is spending $1 million in the Pennsylvania Senate race on an ad attacking Democrat Joe Sestak for wanting to hold trials of alleged 9/11 terrorists "in our backyard" in Pennsylvania. But Sestak is not advocating holding terror trials in Pennsylvania. He said he would accept them if they were to happen, because he supports civilian, rather than military, trials for terrorists.

The ad, which began airing on Oct. 20, involves the controversial decision by the Department of Justice to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed,

Tall Tax Tales

October 22, 2010

Republican Sharron Angle says in a TV ad that Nevada Sen. Harry Reid “voted to raise taxes” 300 times. A “staggering 300 times.” He didn’t. We reviewed the 304 votes provided by the Angle campaign and found its final tally was padded …

Angle Misleads on ‘Ethics Loopholes,’ ‘Shady’ Land Deal

October 22, 2010

Sharron Angle attacks Harry Reid in two new ads for being wealthy and for making $1 million on a real-estate deal, which is true enough. But one of the ads falsely claims that the Senate Majority Leader "pushed ethics loopholes," and the other makes the unsubstantiated claim that the land deal was "shady."

Angle, the Republican who’s trying to win Democrat Reid’s seat, is running both ads in Nevada as the candidates enter the final stretch of one of the closest Senate races in the nation.

FairTax, Washington Senate Race and Aqua Buddha

October 22, 2010

In episode 34 of our podcast, we talk about a popular — and misleading — line of attack from Democrats about the FairTax. Plus, we look at ads in the Washington Senate race and the controversial "Aqua Buddha" ad in the Kentucky contest.

For more on the stories discussed in this episode, see:
Sales Tax Spin Oct. 20
Toss-ups: Wayward Ads in Washington State Oct. 15
Conway ‘Lying’ About ‘Aqua Buddha’? Oct. 18

Who’s Bearing ‘False Witness’ in Arkansas?

October 20, 2010

In Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District, Democrat Joyce Elliott accuses her opponent, Tim Griffin, of violating the commandment not to bear false witness — but she goes on to make questionable claims herself:

Elliott says Griffin “conspired to keep students and soldiers from voting” in the 2004 election, an unproven allegation that has resulted in no charges.
Her ad says Griffin “opposes regulating Wall Street.” It’s true he opposes the Democratic financial reform bill, but not all financial regulations.

Sales Tax Spin

October 20, 2010

Democrats are running misleading ads in several House and Senate races accusing Republicans of supporting a “23 percent national sales tax.” The ads fail to mention that the proposed tax — while controversial — is designed to replace all federal income …

FactCheck Mailbag, Week of Oct. 12-Oct. 18

October 19, 2010

This week, readers sent us comments about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the deficit, "False" stamps and FactCheck funding.
In the FactCheck Mailbag, we feature some of the e-mail we receive. Readers can send comments to editor@factcheck.org. Letters may be edited for length.

Toss-ups: Pennsylvania Cash Attack

October 19, 2010

Two independent groups are spending heavily in the Pennsylvania Senate race, and we find both are airing TV ads that go a bit too far: VoteVets.org, a left-leaning veterans group, is up with an ad that claims Republican Pat Toomey supports letting Wall Street …

Sunday Replay

October 18, 2010

This week, we resolve two disputes about who said what, and find that a government report cited as support for a charge about ineffective government programs is nonexistent.
NBC’s "Meet the Press" hosted a debate between Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet and the Republican who is trying to unseat him, tea party favorite Ken Buck. We’re reviewing their exchange, and, if we find they have their facts wrong, we’ll post a piece on Tuesday.
Did He Say That?