Sen. Barack Obama’s formal nomination Wednesday as the Democratic candidate for president brought with it praise for Obama and a barrage of renewed attacks on his Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain. Some were on point; others missed the mark. Some examples:
ON ENERGY
“In 10 years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East.” — Sen. Barack Obama
The facts: U.S. oil imports from the Middle East amount to about 22 percent of the 13.5 million barrels of oil imported daily, according to the Energy Information Administration. The nation’s biggest suppliers outside the Middle East are Canada, Mexico and Venezuela, accounting for 40 percent of U.S. oil imports.
ON BUDGET SURPLUSES
The Bush administration “took us from record surpluses to an exploding national debt; from over 22 million new jobs down to 5 million; from an increase in working family incomes of $7,500 to a decline of more than $2,000; from almost 8 million Americans moving out of poverty to more than 51/2 million falling into poverty — and millions more losing their health insurance.” — former President Bill Clinton
The facts: Clinton, helped by a decade-long economic expansion, recorded four straight years of budget surpluses. They ended in 2001, whittled away by a recession and the cost of fighting terrorism after 9/11 and President George W. Bush’s tax cuts. Bush has recorded some of the highest deficits in history in dollar terms.
ON HEALTH CARE
“Barack Obama will bring down health-care costs by $2,500 for the typical family and, at long last, deliver affordable, accessible health care for all Americans.” — Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware
The facts: Obama’s health-care plan does not provide for universal health-care coverage. He promises to make it affordable and would require children to be covered, but not adults. Estimates of how many would remain without insurance vary.
“Because Barack made that choice, 150,000 more children and parents have health care in Illinois. He fought to make that happen.” — Biden
The facts: Obama did none of this single-handedly, but as a member of the Illinois Senate. He helped expand an existing children’s health insurance program. He also helped pass legislation to raise the income threshold for eligibility and make the temporary program permanent.
