Politics often turn ugly during election season, as candidates work not only to spread their messages across the country but to present their opponents in a negative light. While it may be hard to separate fact from fiction, plenty of political Web sites have taken up the responsibility of distinguishing truth from spin.
Two news Web sites, obamafactcheck.com and mccainfactcheck.com, created and maintained by the same Group of reporters, graphic designers and webmasters, seek to give Americans the truth.
JOHN MCCAIN
Myth: McCain admitted to being a war criminal who “intentionally bombed women and children.”
Fact: It was only when he was coerced by torture in a Vietnam prison that McCain wrote a confession pleading guilty to intentionally bombing women and children. In a 60 Minutes interview, McCain admitted that he cracked under the pressure.
Myth: McCain opposes the GOP platform’s call to ban abortion with exceptions of rape, incest and life of the mother.
Fact: McCain said, as recently as April 2007, that he would oppose his own party’s decision to ban abortion in cases of rape, incest and circumstances in which the mother’s life was in grave danger. But in 2008, his political advisers have stated that McCain will not be changing his own party’s platform.
Myth: McCain voted with George W. Bush 95 percent of the time.
Fact: Congressional Quarterly reported McCain has voted with Bush 90 percent of the time throughout Bush’s presidency, between January 2001 until Congress’ August 2008 recess, when the analysis was conducted.
BARACK OBAMA
Myth: Obama is a practicing member of the Muslim faith.
Fact: Obama is a self-proclaimed Christian. He was baptized in the mid-1980s and has said he has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He has never been involved with the Muslim faith.
Myth: Obama refused to put his hand on his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance.
Fact: Obama was criticized for a photograph with his hands clasped below his waist, while Hillary Clinton and Bill Richardson stood with their hands crossed over their hearts. Although many thought he was refusing to acknowledge the pledge, the photograph was actually taken during the “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Myth: Obama wants to raise payroll taxes to pay for Social Security
Fact: Obama would only raise taxes for individuals making $250,000 a year or more, which is only 3% of the American population. For those earning less than $250,000, he would not
raise taxes.
SOURCE: obamafactcheck.org and mccainfactcheck.org