Obama's Creative Clippings

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Obama Strengthens His Own Reviews
The ad also says that "experts" called Obama's health care plan "the best," words that are attributed to the Iowa City Press-Citizen. We found the citation in an editorial from Dec. 19, 2007. With all due respect to the paper's editorial writers, they aren't "experts" in the same sense as, say, full-time health care researchers at think tanks or university professors who teach the subject. Editorial writers are paid to give their opinions, and in this case no actual experts were quoted.

Obama Edits His Own Reviews
Obama also distorted the reporting of one newspaper to make his plan sound more comprehensive than it is. His ad includes a quote from the St. Paul Pioneer Press saying his plan "guarantees coverage for all Americans." But the full citation from the Sept. 18, 2007, article actually said:

St. Paul Pioneer Press: Edwards and Clinton would require all Americans to have health insurance. Obama's plan guarantees coverage for all Americans but does not require all to have it.

As we've noted previously, there is an important semantic distinction here. Obama's plan wouldn't guarantee that every individual had health insurance, just that everyone would have the opportunity to obtain it. Under the Clinton and Edwards plans, coverage would be required, and thus truly universal, at least in theory. Obama's clipping of the Pioneer Press article omits this point.

Sources
Kornblut, Anne E. and Bacon Jr., Perry . "Obama Says Washington is Ready for Health Plan." Washington Post, 30 May 2007.

"Obama has what it takes to Restore Nation's Integrity." Iowa City Pres-Citizen, 19 Dec. 2007.

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Posted By: dboy2004 @ 02/13/2008 6:37:06 AM

Obama should appeal to everyone who remembers the dishonesty of the Clinton era!!! Hillary puts on a good show when needed ( a small tear in NH) to get votes. She is transparent and vindictive. Why hasn't Edwards given his votes to either candidate? Does he want to cover his butt when Congress returns next year? A true politician! B;ack, white,yellow or whatever color or gender should have no bearing on getting elected. Neither should your religion. Electing the Clintons would just give the country more of the same as we have had the last 16 years. What a disappointment GW has been to the grand ole party.
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Posted By: dustbunny @ 02/06/2008 8:19:15 AM

Why is Obama saying he's African-American when he's really bi-racial ? Doesn't he want to be white or does he think it will get him more votes if he's black?
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Posted By: maris01 @ 01/11/2008 5:03:32 PM

I've noticed that ever since one bad thing about Obama came out, everyone is on the Obama camp is shaking in their knees. Listen, if it's true then the entire voting public, not just Chicagoans need to know before they vote. This is why WE MUST VOTE FOR SOMEONE ON THE ISSUES that's all. And, for those trying to skew information about Hillary by blaming her for her husband ill judgment, I think that is slimey. Same thing with Obama, saying anything about him being Muslim or Christain radical is unfounded. Let's stick to facts and be civil please. The guy obviously lied, and I will tell you for one, I know there is more on him. But, why, oh, why would I want to give Republicans the fuel they need to run an aggressive campaign against any of our candidates? People stop posting slime links, educational information like congressional voting record, actual change delivered and what kind...cool. No politician is squeaky clean, so let's focus on what IS IMPORTANT the issues they stand for. But, I'm glad to see that the media is beginning to keep each other in check. That's how it should be, we don't want to be mislead.