Tuesday, October 12, 2004

The New York Times > Opinion > PAUL KRUGMAN: Checking the Facts, in Advance

The New York Times > Opinion > Op-Ed Columnist: Checking the Facts, in Advance:
"Eight lies or distortions you'll hear in tomorrow's debate, and the truth about each."

Mr. Kerry sometimes uses verbal shorthand that offers nitpickers things to complain about. He talks of 1.6 million lost jobs; that's the private-sector loss, partly offset by increased government employment. But the job record is indeed awful. He talks of the $200 billion cost of the Iraq war; actual spending is only $120 billion so far. But nobody doubts that the war will cost at least another $80 billion. The point is that Mr. Kerry can, at most, be accused of using loose language; the thrust of his statements is correct.

Mr. Bush's statements, on the other hand, are fundamentally dishonest. He is insisting that black is white, and that failure is success. Journalists who play it safe by spending equal time exposing his lies and parsing Mr. Kerry's choice of words are betraying their readers.


http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/12/opinion/12krugman.html

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