Stand up for the facts!
Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.
I would like to contribute
Dick Cheney said that "the number of terrorists out there" has doubled and that President Barack Obama said when "we got bin Laden, terrorism problem solved."
On any given day, the range of claims taken up by PolitiFact writers around the country is impressive.
From global warming to income inequality to almost anything anyone can dream up, the fact-checks generally cover quite a spectrum.
Today’s PolitiFact Oregon Roundup attempts to stay in that vein. We’ve got a couple of claims from former Vice President Dick Cheney, the president allegedly running wild in appointing "czars," and Democratic strategist Donna Brazile weighing in on the Internal Revenue Service. A bonus item also awaits so let’s get going.
1. Dick Cheney: On the mark with terrorist claim
In criticizing President Barack Obama’s foreign policy, Cheney said the number of terrorists on the loose has doubled in recent years.
PunditFact’s check found that Cheney correctly cited a Rand Corp. report containing that finding. His statement was rated True.
2. Cheney redux: Maybe should have well enough alone
In a different interview, Cheney quoted Obama as saying, "We got bin Laden, terrorism problem solved."
The former Veep stumbled on this one, PunditFact found. Obama’s statement since the death of Osama bin Laden have been far more nuanced. He earned a False for his troubles.
3. For Brazile, let the (word) games begin
Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, during a debate on CNN’s State of the Union, said the Internal Revenue Service was "looking at everybody" – including liberal and progressive groups – in assessing tax-exempt status qualifications.
"But it wasn’t to the same degree as tea party and other conservative groups," the check found, "nor did it result in the same actions." Brazile, following a rating of Half True, wrote a lengthy email to PunditFact, complained that she was merely providing the "other half" of the story not reported in the first go-round. Her remonstrance did not change the ruling.
4. Watch that first step -- it's a Doocy
Matters got heated during a recent back-and-forth on climate change, when Fox News host Steve Doocy accused NASA scientists of fudging the numbers to make 1998 the hottest years on record. In truth, Doocy added, 1934 deserves that credit.
PunditFact found that Doocy, in drawing on a previous blog for his assertion, exaggerated the point of the post. Experts contacted for the fact-check agreed. Doocy walked away with his Pants on Fire.
5. We've always preferred 'tsar,' but that's just us
A chain email – normally solid gold when it comes to truth – has circulated for some time claiming that Obama is the "first president to appoint 45 czars to replace elected officials in his office."
PolitiFact National’s check determined that perhaps two dozen Obama administration officials have been genuinely referred to as czars. "More important, though, is that not a single one of these czars replaced an elected official." Though the author of the email is doubtless crying his or her eyes out, the claim was nonetheless rated False.
All over the map, right? As always, it’s a pleasure to round up the great work of our PolitiFact colleagues and affiliates. Did we miss something? Thoughts of your own? Toss ‘em here and let’s get the conversation started.
Our Sources
PunditFact
PolitiFact National
