Paul Ryan’s GOP convention speech contained “factual shortcuts,” the AP says
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) takes reporters’ questions during a news conference at the US Capitol on Dec. 7, 2011.
The Associated Press has fact-checked Paul Ryan's GOP convention speech, and found, to put it delicately, some "factual shortcuts." Among those shortcuts: Ryan incorrectly said that Obama's healthcare plan will come at the expense of Medicare. Ryan also criticized Obama for doing things that Ryan himself did, such as voting for auto bailouts and asking for stimulus funds.
The AP also politely pointed out that Chris Christie "bucked reality" and that Rick Santorum "stretched the truth."
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Not all news outlets were willing to point out the errors. CNN has been taken to task by Talking Points Memo for its wimpy approach to fact-checking.
In a transcript posted on TPM, CNN's Wolf Blitzer fawns over Paul Ryan's "beautiful family" before mentioning that he noticed "seven or eight points I’m sure the fact checkers will have some opportunities to dispute if they want to go forward."
CNN's Erin Burnett agreed that "there will be issues with some of the facts," but quickly added that Ryan's speech "motivated people." She also complimented Ryan for being "precise, clear, and passionate." Come to think of it, Ryan did speak clearly. Excellent analysis!
People who did not enjoy Ryan's speech or CNN's analysis may take solace in knowing that at one point, protesters held up a sign saying "Vagina" that could be seen in the background. The protesters were members of CODEPINK, a group GlobalPost recently profiled.
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