And the Washington Post calls Mr Obama out on it.
Obama’s claim that the GOP has ‘blocked every serious idea’
by Glenn Kessler
“So far this year, Republicans in Congress have blocked every serious idea to strengthen the middle class.”
–President Obama, weekly address, July 12, 2014
This has become a standard line in the president’s oratory, as part of making his case that he’s “acted this year to help working Americans on my own– when Congress won’t act.”
The Pinocchio Test
We make no judgement on which side has the surplus of “serious ideas,” but the president is engaging in rhetorical overkill. Certainly this congressional session has resulted in few major laws. Perhaps he could make a case that Republicans have blocked many bills that he has sought—or even that his most prized initiatives have been stymied.
But to claim that “every serious idea” has been blocked is going too far–given that the president lauded at least three bills as aiding the middle class. (Update: In a speech the morning this column appeared, the president adjusted his language appropriately: “Republicans in Congress keep blocking or voting down some of the ideas that would have the biggest impact on middle-class and working families.”)
Therefore, the Washington Post gives Mr Obama:
Three Pinocchios
This is a “nice” way to say: YOU LIE.
Speaking of “you lie,” let’s revisit an event during an Obama speech in the House regarding the ACA, on September 9th of 2009, wherein Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina shouted “you lie” in the midst of the address:
It turns out that Rep Wilson was prescient: it has been made abundantly clear that illegal aliens will have their healthcare covered, despite the fact that they have done absolutely nothing to earn it.
Yes, Obama lies. He lied then and he lies now.
Again.
And no one seems to care.
BZ