A Story Too Good To Check: Paul Ryan And The Tale Of The Brown Paper Bag

The Washington Post ^ | March 6, 2014 | Glenn Kessler

[Aqua Buddhist]

This was an interesting statement made by the 2012 GOP vice-presidential candidate, equating school lunches to an “empty soul.” So one would think the anecdote, described by the National Review as “moving,” would be rock-solid. But the story seemed a bit pat....

...It did not make much sense in part because [original sources] Schroff and Mazyck are partnering with a group called No Kid Hungry to help end childhood hunger in the United States. One key part of the program is connecting hungry kids with federal programs such as school lunches and food stamps. The group also opposed Ryan’s 2013 budget for its proposed reductions in the food stamp program....

Here at The Fact Checker, we often deal with situations in which people misspeak. We certainly don’t try to play gotcha. But this is a different order of magnitude. Anderson, in congressional testimony, represented that she spoke to this child--and then ripped the tale out of its original context. That’s certainly worthy of Four Pinocchios.

But what about Ryan?... In this case, he referenced the story in a major speech. The burden always falls on the speaker, and we believe politicians need to check the facts in any prepared remarks.

In this case, apparently, the story was too good to check.... So he also earns Four Pinocchios.

[Aqua Buddhist]