It seems to me that our thnk tanks and research are better than our popular spokesmen. Rush and Hannity repeated daily for 3 hours straight: "Only the rich pay taxes". Only when a Robert Reich challenges Hannity does he back pedal and say "well the non-rich pay a little, but not much." Then back pedals a little more "Well we're talking federal taxes." Then back pedals a little more "Well, we're talking income tax" Then back pedals a little more "Personal income tax." He is forced to backpedal so much that those listening for 3 hours question his credibility on other things.
But most don't listen 3 hours (sorry Sean). They don't even hear the qualifications that are only mentioned once while the mantra "only the rich pay taxes" is heard hundreds of times.
Every work person looks at his pay stub and sys "The Republicans say I don't pay taxes. So why is my net so much less than my gross? And I know my employer pays my taxes for me that aren't even shown in my gross. The Republicans are liars." Thus what could have been an even larger victory for Bush was reduced by some of the counter-productive lies by his friends.
Note: Rush and Hannity say many more true things than lies. And they are better spokespersons than I could be. But they are held to a higher standard.
"You expect more from Republicans. And you'd better get it." Swearingen of Standard Oil Company circa 1964.
I wouldn't say that either Hannity or Rush lies. They have been mistaken from time to time. It is also true that when they talk about taxes, they generally refer to personal income taxes.