Same Old Claims in Another Language

The ad would have been correct to say that some small-business owners would pay more in taxes under Obama's plan, but the implication that the Democratic candidate would target all small businesses for an increase is false.

Obama-Biden/DNC Ad: "Impuestos" (Taxes)
Announcer: Cuando se trata de impuestos, quién está de tu lado? John McCain promete recortarle miles de millones de dólares en impuestos a las grandes corporaciónes. Pero para 100 millones de hogares – nada. Y el plan de salud de McCain hace que los beneficios médicos sean sujetos a impuestos por primera vez en la historia. Con Barack Obama: cero aumento de impuestos para cualquier familia ganando menos de un cuarto de millón de dólares. Barack Obama y los demócratas: para el cambio que necesitamos.

Obama: Soy Barack Obama and apruebo este mensaje.

Announcer (translated): On taxes, who's on your side? John McCain pledges to give billions of dollars in corporate tax breaks, but for 100 million households – nothing. McCain's health care plan would tax our medical benefits for the first time in history. With Barack Obama: no tax increases for families making less than $250,000. Barack Obama and the Democrats: the change we need.

Obama: I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message.

More Taxing Ads
The Obama-Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee have aired their own misleading ad on taxes in New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado and Florida. Titled "Impuestos" (that's "taxes"), it says that McCain would "tax our medical benefits for the first time in history." True, McCain's plan would do that. But the ad doesn't say that McCain would give a refundable tax credit of up to $2,500 for individuals ($5,000 for couples or families), which is more than enough to cover the cost of those taxes on employer-provided insurance for most people.

The Tax Policy Center estimated that in 2018 only the top 40 percent of income earners would have to pay more in taxes than they'd get with the credit.

If you haven't noticed, this is a well-worn campaign theme: Obama and Democrats often mention McCain's tax on workers' health benefits without mentioning the tax credit; McCain touts the credit without telling voters about the new taxes.

The Obama ad also claims that McCain's tax plan offers "nothing" for "100 million households." But that charge also doesn't take into consideration the refundable tax credit McCain would give to everyone as part of his health care plan. Workers who use the credit to cover increased taxes, and those who use it to buy insurance on their own, could deposit the remainder in a health savings account. That's certainly something.

NRA Ad: "Andy Vaquera"
Vaquera: Como americano, nunca he dado por hecho mis libertades. Como  oficial de policía jubilado, he visto las tragedias que pasan cuando la gente se la priva su derecha de poseer armas de fuego. Las familias deberán defenderse contra violadores, traficantes de drogas y otras criminales que cruzan nuestras fronteras ilegalmente. Pero, Barack Obama no pensó que debemos dejar usar armas de fuego para defensa propia. Ha votado a favor de permitir el enjuiciamiento de las personas que usan armas de fuego para defender a sus familias y hogares. Y esto no está bien.