The McCain-Palin Lies and the Neil Armstrong Principle

If John McCain and Sarah Palin were to say the moon was made of green cheese, we can be certain that Barack Obama and Joe Biden would pounce on it, and point out it's actually made of rock. And you just know the headline in the paper the next day would read: "CANDIDATES CLASH ON LUNAR LANDSCAPE."

Why doesn't somebody call Neil Armstrong? He's been there. Or go to the Smithsonian and open the glass case that contains a piece of the moon. The moon is a rock. That's a fact, Jack.

Facts are indeed stubborn things, but the McCain-Palin lies are more stubborn still.

In the face of demonstrable, provable, incontrovertible evidence to the contrary, McCain and Palin continue to assert that Gov. Palin opposed the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere." They do so in their speeches and ads, and their supporters say so on television until their pants are on fire. McCain and Palin also claim the Alaska governor opposes earmarks -- despite the fact that she's gotten her state so much pork she's at risk for trichinosis.

I was in the middle of a Neil Armstrong Moment when I was on CNN Tuesday morning. Rather than let McCain and Palin get away with their lie, anchor John Roberts played a videotape of Sarah Palin in a 2006 gubernatorial debate in which she endorsed the bridge from Ketchikan to Gravina Island saying, "I'm not going to stand in the way of progress that our congressional delegation and the position of strength that they have right now." Perhaps her supporters, noting Palin's support for banning books, teaching creationism and doubting global warming will argue that for her, calling the bridge "progress" was her way of saying she was against it.) But the Anchorage Daily News forecloses that option, reporting, "In September, 2006, Palin showed up in Ketchikan on her gubernatorial campaign and said the bridge was essential for the town's prosperity."

After the videotape ran, I said the media was at fault for letting Palin and McCain get away with "flat out lies." GOP strategist Alex Castellanos manfully tried to shine a cow patty, saying, "The amazing thing about Sarah Palin is when she became governor she actually stood up and said no."

Increasingly frustrated, I pointed out that just was not true, and the "debate" continued.

Most of political debate is subjective: who's more qualified, who's more compassionate, whose experience is more relevant, who has better ideas on health care or energy or global warming or the economy? There is no Objective Truth on those matters, and debate -- even when voices are sometimes raised -- can help voters decide who they agree with. On those matters of subjective judgment it's perfectly appropriate for the media to hold the coats of the candidates and let them fight it out.

But facts ought not be debatable. The media have an obligation to point out when a politician is lying about a matter of fact, but the right-wing attack machine has so cowed some of them you can almost hear them moo. Steve Schmidt, McCain's top dog, is a brilliant and audacious strategist. His candidate has had the most favorable press coverage of any politician of the last century -- fawning, adoring, sycophantic press coverage. And yet he is brutalizing the press, waterboarding them into pretending that whether Gov. Palin supported the "Bridge to Nowhere," or hired an Abramoff-connected lobbyist to secure massive earmarks are somehow debatable.

The real debate is over whether the media will be vigilant watchdogs, sounding the alarm when McCain and Palin lie, or fall back to the role they've played for most of McCain's career: lapdog.

Comments

[sjohnnie5]

and both Obama and Biden VOTED for the bridge to nowhere, but no one seems to want to stress that???

[davia55]

sjohnnie5....HA! funny

Of course they won't admit to that, they are too busy walking on water.

Im not sure if Obama thinks he is Dr King "I got a dream" or Kennedy "I can change the world".

Just pick one, because it is all fantasyland. You can make promisses until the cows come home, where do you think the funding for all this will come from?

Do you think he will have lotteries after he becomes president? Pay $100 and you might have dinner with the President? HA!

Lordy Lordy

[spiffarino]

Let's try this again. Barack Obama's and Joe Biden's are completely irrelevant. Neither one of them is telling you they didn't vote for it. They aren't lying.

Sarah Palin is BLATANTLY AND REPEATEDLY LYING about her position on the bridge, on earmarks, and on God knows what else. That is the point; that she is a bald-faced liar.

[Darnamell]

And McCain voted FOR waterboarding and AGAINST the GI Bill. Strangely, the media never calls him on either and I find it far more instructive and damning than who did or did not vote for a bridge bill.

That said, the GOP has made it a key component of the Maverick and Goose Show that she was always against the bridge.

As with some much GOP tripe, it, too, is a lie. The lie being the central point here.

[spiffarino]

They don't stress it because they aren't lying about it. Palin is lying about her stance on the bridge.

Quit trying to take everyone's eye off the ball.

[roneco]

You could never find the ball !

[KayDGee]

Thank you Mr. Begala - It is so rare to hear someone out the lies and the spins that it's a little like seeing a UFO. I will print this to share. The press has been in the service of Republicans, like well trained pets, since the Reagan administration. Were it not for the people like yourself and the internet (which Rove hasn't been able to overcome) we would be lost. I believe that unlike the Swiftboat atrocities, the lipstick thrown out there isn't going to stick. I await the spin on the Gibson Pailin interview. Thanks for keeping it real - I look forward to more in the future.

[ully]

jus trust to Mc cain and Palin! american people should realize who make their freedom better! just Republican! even to Black american in the past! vote to Mc cain and no doubt!

[spiffarino]

Your writing is like the instructions for the air mattress I just bought at K-Mart.

[LightningJoe]

The recurring "truth-challenges" of the McCain/Palin ticket are the best proof one could ask for, that a McCain Presidency will continue the bad old ways of the Rove/Bush/Cheney years (what am I saying -- we're still in the Rove years!)

It's been their trademark all along -- a marked prediliction for redefining the word and concept of "true" to fit whatever new fantasy-land "logics" they've dreamed up.

None of which have been true when they posed them; only a bare few somehow coming out in the wash afterward, through no fault of the perpetrators.

No WMDs. Only a bare third of the country ready to go into an Iraq war, rather than the eighty percent cited (a fantasy based on rigged/slanted poll questions). Alleged outright fabrication of "evidence" backing up their main meme of an active Iraqi WMD program. The idea that a pre-emtive war of aggression justified by lies can somehow be morally defensible.

The list is endless, and quite depressing.

They've done their best to condition the public to be a cheer squad, responding only to the thrust of a soundbite, with no preference whatsoever for truth in what they hear. True, the Republican base does appear to have fallen for the substitution of point-making, for truth; but the rest of us aren't that stup1d.

---
Television rots your brain. Just say no.

[sjohnnie5]

Ted Kennedy stated in September of 2003 that he believed and saw proof that there were weapons of mass destruction. Ted Kennedy is a Democrat. Ted Kennedy's name is not Bush. Figure it out. The Democrats VOTED to go to war in Iraq. Are you saying they are so stupid they were fooled into it? You can't have it both ways.

[redsongia]

Ted Kennedy voted AGAINST the war.

[tdterry1999]

Bush did it Bush did it.He's one hell of a president to do everything everyone say's he does.

[spiffarino]

Hell is the word I'd use.

[ytzhaak]

These slanders from the Swift-Boat McCain campaign need to stop. His entire campaign is a lie. The only reason he's stolen Obama's theme of 'change' is because he wishes he could change the truth about who he really is. They keep repeating lies like Obama will raise taxes (when he will cut taxes further and for far more people than McCain's gift-to-the-rich scheme), and things like Obama's never put forth a bill in congress, when he's actually sponsored many bills, bills on such things as ethics reform and education, most of which better the people as opposed to bettering the corporate elite. McCain paints his running mate as a reformer who fights pork-barrel spending, when in reality she's secured more earmarks per capita than any governor in the country. The very fact that he calls her a maverick is a lie, Sarah Palin is even more aligned with George Bush than McCain. Heck, she's George Bush in a pantsuit.

All they do is say the opposite of what they truly believe and the American people see right through it. No wonder they don't want to talk about the issues because they're wrong on every one. Now, Swift-Boat McCain is calling Obama a pedophile in a new ad. The true nature of his character has never been more clear: McCain is a ruthless, gutter-dwelling liar.

[sjohnnie5]

all you people need to figure out the difference between pork-barrel spending and earmarks. The Federal government has x amount of tax dollars to distribute among the states. Those are called earmarks. Pork-barrel is when those earmarks go to a certain senator's pet project and is usually not a good way to spend your tax dollars. Do you get it now?

[spiffarino]

Which is precisely what the Ketchikan-Gravina bridge was: Ted Stevens' and Don Young's pork-barrel project.

Thanks for making ytzhaak's point.

[WriterGuy]

@sjohnnie5 -

Actually, I'm not sure you quite get it. You're confusing appropriations with earmarks. They are not the same. Earmarks are provisions within bills specifying exactly where some of the money HAS to be sent, as opposed to more traditional block grants to states, where they leave it to state agencies to specify how to spend federal dollars. Some earmarks are good. Some are bad.

What people call "pork-barrel" or "wasteful" spending is often a matter of perspective. Here's how Wikipedia defines it:

"The term "pork barrel politics" refers to spending that is intended to benefit constituents of a politician in return for their political support, either in the form of campaign contributions or votes. ... Typically, it involves funding for government programs whose economic or service benefits are concentrated in a particular area but whose costs are spread among all taxpayers. Public works projects and agricultural subsidies are the most commonly cited examples."

Pork-barrel legislation is often spelled out in earmarks.

Do you get it now?

[Apollonius]

In the early to mid 1980's I used to talk current issues with a video store owner (before blockbuster). He used to tell me about one of central themes of German politics of the mid 1930's through the end of the war. The central policy was lie until they quit asking.
Lies and poor memory are the central themes of the current administration. They feel that if you repeat a falsehood enough times the people will believe it. If caught in the act, the memory fades and they just can't recall anything. If we as Americans accept these lies and just go along with what is done in our name, we will invite disaster for not only the United States but for the world with every American held to blame for allowing Fascism to rise and take over this land. When one party can controls what is perceived as the truth, Democracy dies.

[Clatech]

Obama's remark "Lipstick on a Pig", gaff or calculated?

Only if you believe Barrack Obama is a gifted orator who knows how to play to an audience, would you be offended by a remark that seemingly jabs Sarah Palin?

You would also have to know the street use of this term, analogous to putting a paper bag over a woman's head before sexual intercourse.

[FastMovingCloud]

I hate to say it but I am inclined to think they will choose "lapdog". They have become very comfortable in the role and the cocktail parties are to die for.

This sucks. They have let down the American people, the Constitution and our Forefathers...the same ones that Republicans often claim to revere.

The press has a CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILTY which they abdicated long ago.

[redsongia]

The election isn't over, so instead of being defeatest, volunteer to sign up voters or call into a battle ground state and support Obama.

[Lemmy]

Your own pundits are lying to you and you drink the Kool-Aid

FACT - OBAMA AND BIDEN VOTED FOR THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE ON JULY 29, 2005.

OBAMA/BIDEN VOTED FOR BRIDGE TO NOWHERE THEN AGAINST THE AMENDMENT REDIRECTING THOSE FUNDS TO KATRINA VICTIMS

CHANGE WE CAN BELIVE IN!

[cottelax]

The question isn't whether or not Obama and Biden voted for the bridge, it is whether the McCain campaign is being truthful about Palin's role in the bridges funding. The democrats aren't waltzing around saying they said "no" to the bridge every chance they get. Palin, on the other hand, spits half-truths around saying how she was against the bridge, failing to tell her constituents that she supported it at first. Lemmy, you are just one of the millions of republican "lemmings" (haha) that blindly accept whatever your party tells you.

[DeniseD]

Maybe so, but this was an earmark! We need to know what the bulk of the bill was about. Does anyone know? It could have been funding for women's shelters as far as I know.

It is very misleading to put up these little factoids. These earmarks could be attached to a perfectly good piece of legislation, and that would be why it got passed.

[redsongia]

But neither Obama or Biden ever claimed they refused the bridge. She made it her central accomplishment in an administration that accomplished little else...other than to get her brother in law fired from the local police department.

[Mirri]

Palin clearly said "thanks, but no thanks" to the bridge. Read this carefully. First she said thanks, and upon consideration, she said no thanks. So her statement is correct.

[EleanorAnn]

Wow, I can't believe the pettiness of some of these comments. The candidate who won the Dem nomination is Barack Obama. He is your best and only chance to vote for the change, the real change, we need in Washington. He is your best candidate to get this economy back on track. He is the best candidate to represent us on the world's stage and on issues like clean, safe energy.
Hillary may not be on the main stage at the moment as one blogger put, but she will be a powerhouse in the Obama administration if you show your support for him.
Putting down Obama does not help Hillary who is out there campaigning for him. Trust her judgement on this matter, vote for Obama.
By the way you don't have the clear story on the Bridge to Nowhere earmarks and where they were most needed when that deal fell through. I don't think Obama will loose any black votes over that vote involving Katrina relief, unless of course the voter is one of the %5er's.

[youknow]

What Media? We have a Media? That is "News" to me. I thought we had 4 large Corporations that are in the business of entertaining the American Public (and they are good at it). Paul try saying something on CNN that they don't like (just a test) and see what happens. But collect your consultant fees first. As far as I can see there is no independent News Organization in the country. If there is one they won't be making a profit and will not be easily accessible to the public. America is being Brainwashed, why else are there about 50 % Republicans? Surely there is no logical explanation for that, not after the last 7 years. I realize I should not attack the mentally challenged after all we now have VP in waiting that will fully advocate for the challenged i.e. for her party. Oh well I give up!!!!!!!!!!

[kevwells]

Obama MUST respond to these viscious attacks and lies from the GOP without being polite. He must do so without using reasoned words or politically correct phrases. And the media must do its part as well.

Its not for the intelligent, issue-aware voters that he does this. Its for the fearful, slack-jawed masses who eagerly consume garbage the GOP feeds them and begs for more. There's a culture of hatred of the truth in the GOP. For the last 8 years we have lived under a shiftless, underachieving "aw shucks" moronic administration in the White House. Is this the very best the US can muster ?

The GOP has proven once again BY ITS ACTIONS to be shifty, evasive, and lying to the public at every turn and most of that goes unchallenged---by anyone save citizens who are profoundly disgusted with the assault on the intelligence of American citizens by Republicans--the party, McCain, Palin, their advisors and the boot licking helper drones from the ranks of the single issue voters--the right to lifers, the NRA gun heads, the "Angry White Housewives for the Hockey Mom"---though she is laughably unqualified to lead the world. Why not elect the cast members of the OC, or Desperate Housewives...they are spunky too!

This is serious. This is not America's Top VP/Model. This is not a reality TV show--this is a stunningly complex, hostile world that needs wisdom and intelligence, not lies and misdirection posing as leadership.

[Lemmy]

Vicious attacks? You libs have defined vicious. Going after a 17 year old girl? Spreading lies that the girl was the mother of Palin's daughter born in April? That is desparation. You and your campaign have become unglued. Better get it together - November 4th is closing in!

[ReelBusy]

Yes it's coming fast.
That's why your side has to resort to "Lipstick Lies" now too.
Keep them coming....

[FastMovingCloud]

I know it's stupid to bother to fight the trolls but we did not start those rumors. In fact, with what I have seen of the neo-Republican party, the perceived air of victimization has such a central role in their platform that I would not have put it past Karl Rove to start such a rumor to garner sympathy. They really are just that cynical.

[DeniseD]

Sarah Palin is the Republican nominee for VP for the United States of America. We need to find out as much about her qualifications (none), record, and ethics as possible. Democrats can't help it if she is as corrupt and unethical as any one of Bush's cronies.

What about all of the attacks on Michelle Obama by the right wingers? People in glass houses should not throw stones.

[SaintPete]

We must also target the Media, and so must Obama and the Democrats. They can face consequences for telling the truth or for lying... they decide.

Whether malfeasance or misfeasance, whether intentional or because they are fools, licensed holders of access to the public airways MUST pay the price for willingly misleading and lying to the American people. For the broadcast nets, the FCC can act under the next president.

And It is fair to put the current FCC commission chair and commissioners on the record about this now... Get an answer from them to this question:
"Will you withdraw licenses for broadcast from networks who can be shown to systematically lie and mislead the public about public affairs?"

Cable companies and networks can be put in the same boat... different legislation but it's all tied to responsibility to the public, and the cost of identifiable lies and deception to the public at large...

[tedbear]

McCain and Palin are using the exact same play book as Bush. This is the exact behavior that, left unchallanged by the media in the beginning, led to Iraq, led to unethical hiring and firing of federal prosecutors, led to the disservice of an attorney general, illegal wiretaping, etc. etc. etc. Rove is working for the McCain/Palin camp and it shows like a mile of dirty laundry, but these people have no fear of what people say, they know how the American conservative public responds to lies, these conservative types are all about Christian principles when it is suits their pastor's lead, but I guess when it comes to some lies, they think its okay because McCain goes around touting Christian right "values." As long as they are against abortion and for business, they can do anything, and as we all have seen, they will do anything, and get away with it like their buddies in power right now.

[EleanorAnn]

You are right on all fronts in your comments about the Republican campaign using the exact play book as the GOP used in the last two elections of Bush and the behaviour that was left unchallenged by the media and what that led to.
Don't let that happen again. Contact the media, tell them what you think about how they do their job. Remind them that we respect freedom of the press because we rely on them to do their job, which is to question, question, question, investigage with scrutiny and report the truth, not the crap the politically-based PR media and propaganda media hands them.
You can go to any and all of their internet sites and send them this message.
DO YOUR JOB THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE.. WE DON'T WANT ENTERTAINMENT, WE DON'T WANT PROPAGANDA REPORTING, WE WANT REAL JOURNALISM.

[jinxed]

I think 9/11 freaked out the press more than anybody else. Before 9/11/01, the press was reporting of George for the incompetent fool he was/is. After 9/11 the press became his cheerleader. Go figure!

[VailBeach]

The problem with responding this way is that the media is perceived by the public as being overwhelmingly biased against McCain and for Obama. You think it'll work in that opinion climate for Obama to start complaining about media coverage?

I think too many Dems thought this campaign was going to be easy. The boiling frustration with the polls has confused thinking in and out of the campaign. Don't be angry at the public for being stupid, because they're not. Figure out a way to change their minds about Obama.

[jinxed]

"The problem with responding this way is that the media is perceived by the public as being overwhelmingly biased against McCain and for Obama. "
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I just don't get how anybody can say the media is biased against McCain with a straight face. I can't even remember when the last time was that I saw positive coverage for Obama, maybe during his convention. Since then it has all been about the Liars Club's candidates. Good thing there is no such thing as the Pinnochio effect. Neither McCain nor Palin would be able to get on an airplane. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, after all this is the party of Tricky Dicky Nixon.

[JSquercia]

When it comes to these Christians I have a great line ,one for which I can NOT take credit,
Remember : Jesus was a Community Organizor , Pontious Pilot was a Governor .

[sjohnnie5]

"unethical hiring and firing of federal prosecutors"

it was only ethical when Bill Clinton fired federal prosecutors when he took office, right? and every president before that.

[jritt64]

Was checking out the Gina Gershon video,and happened to watch one called "getting to know Sara Palin" In her own words,she contradicts half of her acceptance speech. Arianna(Not Aria,Chuck Norris) Please use Huffington to spread that video to as many people as possible.The one about pork barrel spending is pretty good too. I