Democrats Criticize Bush, but Sometimes Leave Out the Facts

Associated Press ^ | Dec 9, 2003 | Nedra Pickler

[Pharmboy]

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Democratic presidential candidates criticized President Bush's record on the economy and fighting terrorism in a debate Tuesday night, but some of their jabs left out important facts. Sen. Joe Lieberman declared it would take a Democratic president to "get this economy going," but the economy has been gaining momentum over the last several months since Bush's second tax cut took effect.

Weekly claims for unemployment insurance have fallen since April, and economic growth and productivity in the third-quarter reached 20-year highs.

Two of the candidates used a favorite attack line against Bush - Lieberman said "3.5 million people have lost their jobs" and Howard Dean said "3 million jobs lost are 3 million too many" - but their statements also ignored the improving economy.

It is true that about 3 million jobs were lost during the early months of the Bush presidency. But that trend has been reversing for several months as the jobless rate has dropped from a peak of 6.4 percent to 5.9 percent.

Both Wesley Clark and Dean accused Bush of "not fighting terrorism." Although al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden remains at large, the administration's war has substantially thinned the ranks of his network, including the arrest earlier this year of Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammad. The administration also has thwarted dozens of attacks through increased cooperation with allies.

Even Ted Koppel, the ABC newsman who moderated the debate, waded into the gray area of truth when he declared that Dean had raised more money than anyone in the campaign.

While Dean's $25 million through September tops the Democratic field, it is dwarfed by the more than $100 million Bush has already raised as a Republican with no primary opponent.

[Pharmboy]

Wait just a guldarn minute here...am I in Oz? Is the AP telling it like it is? Has hell frozen over?

[Pharmboy]

Go Nedra GO!

[stainlessbanner]

This just in.....

[Pharmboy]

Unbelievable effin' ping!

[diotima]

This chick is SO fired tomorrow.

[Wait4Truth]

I bet this article will be retracted shortly. The AP is not allowed to say a RAT is lying about Bush...even when they are.

[rabidralph]

The AP reporter must be drunk!

[Pharmboy]

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! AP TELLS THE TRUTH ABOUT THE DEMONRATS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER! EXTRA! EXTRA!

[Pikamax]

what the????

[Billthedrill]

[rabidralph]

Ha! I bet this AP reporter got her first bonus in five years and has finally seen the light.

[oldtimer]

These rat/dwarves absolutely know that most of their constituency are just plain dumb.

I loved it when Hannity nailed that dingbat lib who didn't have a clue who the VP of the US was.

Bring back literacy tests and the whole landscape will change for the better.

[DrDeb]

Amazing -- I bet Yahoo and Google 'flame' this article!

[Pharmboy]

I knew it! And time is running backwatds and I won't have to change the oil on the Blazer for another 6,000 miles...

[what's up]

Keep up the good work Nedra Pickler!!

[desertcry]

Maybe pigs do fly.

[Allegra]

{taking article, shaking it, banging it on the table}

Are you sure this is from AP???

[cardinal4]

This is the AP??

[Pharmboy]

The lovely and QUITE talented (and newly discovered Freeper pin-up) Nedra Pickler.

[GeronL]

I understand that the unemployment is about the same as it was when Bush took office and that millions of more people are working and paying payroll taxes.