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How Much Truth Was There in President Obama’s Pre-Super Bowl Interview?

Feb. 3, 2013 8:35pm

In an interview with CBS today, President Obama covered a lot of different ground, with everything from football to health care to taxes to gays in the Boy Scouts being discussed at length. You can watch the interview, courtesy of CBS, here:

Naturally enough, the president made a number of statements that may raise eyebrows among observers, and as such, it behooves us to take a look at his various arguments and see which of them are accurate, and which are not. In short order, the president’s major arguments are listed below, followed by our analysis:

#1. On Taxes: “I don’t think the issue right now is raising rates. The question is, if we’re gonna be serious about reducing our deficit, can we combine some smart spending cuts, ’cause there’s still some waste in government…and can we lose some loopholes and deductions that folks who are well connected and have a lot of accountants and lawyers can take advantage of, so they end up paying lower rates than a bus driver and a cop…There is no doubt we need additional revenue coupled with smart spending reductions in order to bring down our deficit.”

Most of this is too vague to assess factually, however one important point does jump out of this: The president does not want to raise tax rates, only to raise revenues by closing loopholes and deductions. Funnily enough, this is an approach Obama himself derided for its vagueness during the election by circulating clips like this:

#2. On health care: “We spend a lot more on health care than every other country does and we don’t get better outcomes.”

This is true, but the information presented is incomplete. As American Enterprise Institute scholar Christopher Conover points out:

Critics argue that the U.S.Β spends too muchΒ and gets too little especially compared to single-payer systems such as Great Britain’s or Canada’s. But the U.S. also has the largest gross domestic product (GDP) on the planet. The issue is whether the U.S. spends too much given its much higher GDP per capita relative to other countries. The conventional wisdom says the U.S. spendsΒ 60 percentΒ more than it should given its income. But aΒ more accurate analysisΒ of the same data shows that the U.S. spends only 1.5 percent too much. In contrast, France spends 19 percent too much, while single-payer countries spend at least 20 percent too little. This suggests a degree of rationing most Americans would find unacceptable.[...]

The foregoing figures merely suggest that other countries do not necessarily have a magic bullet when it comes to limiting health expenditures. Families are understandably worried about health care costs. In 2010, more than 20 percent of household consumption was devoted to health spending compared to less than 5 percent in 1929. Within five years,health spending will overtake shelterΒ as the largest single category of household consumption. But nearly 75 percent of health spending is hidden from families – that is, the amounts paid out-of-pocket for (1) the worker share of group health premiums and Medicare Part A payroll taxes, (2) voluntary premiums paid for non-group health insurance (Medicare Parts B and D) and (3) out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by insurance amount to onlyΒ six cents of every dollarΒ of family income. The rest is hidden in the form of employer payments for health insurance and taxes used to pay more than half of all health spending.

In other words, the United States might spend more in absolute terms, but relative to its population and Gross Domestic Product, its spending on health care is arguably fairly standard. This doesn’t mean that health care is an issue to be ignored, but simply stating this statistic doesn’t justify an overhaul on its own.

#3. On women in combat: “Women as a practical matter are now in combat. They may not get treated as if they’re in combat, but when they’re in theater, in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, they are vulnerable, they are wounded, and they have been killed, and they have carried out their jobs with extraordinary patriotism and distinction…What we should not do is somehow prevent them from advancing in an institution that we all revere.”

The president is actually correct here. The question in the case of women serving in combat is not whether they will do it at some point (women have served in combat under extenuating circumstances), but whether women who join the military will be trained to serve in combat with the expectation that they will do it, rather than the understanding that they are unlikely to do so.

However, this doesn’t get to some of the objections that critics of the Department of Defense’s recent decision to train women for combat have, such as the idea that training women for combat might induce other women to leave the military or never enlist, or that physical standards might be diluted in the aftermath of such a move. Granted, women in armies as diverse as Canada’s or Israel’s serve very successfully in combat without issue. But this particular argument doesn’t answer the objections of critics. Moreover, the idea of women being barred from advancement because of this regulation is flatly false. There are many high ranking female soldiers in the military.

#4. On gays in the Boy Scouts of America: “I think that my attitude is that gays and lesbians should have access and opportunity the same way everybody else does, in every institution and walk of life.”

This is not something that can be refuted factually. However, one might reasonably wonder what the president thinks his role would be in pushing this preferred approach. The Boy Scouts of America are, after all, a private organization and not entirely beholden to the government’s standards of discrimination.

#5. On the risk of a second recession: “The reason that the economy shrank a little bit despite the fact that housing’s recovering, manufacturing is going strong, car sales up, the truth is that overall there were a lot of positive signs in the economy. The big problem was defense spending was cut 22 percent…What I’ve said repeatedly is Washington cannot continually operate under a cloud of crisis. That freezes up consumers, it gets businesses worried.”

This is the most factually meaty bit of the president’s interview, and as such, we need to take a look at it piece by piece. The idea that the housing market is “recovering,” while there is evidence for it, is hotly contested by some experts. Manufacturing’s recovery is less ambiguous, as is the recent increase in car sales. Finally, the idea that defense spending caused a contraction in the economy is incomplete. Defense spending is certainly one factor, but how much of one is contested by experts.

Nevertheless, the president’s citation of defense spending as a reason for the economy weakening is not wrong, though it may upset members of his base. Last year around this time, liberal Democrats were some of the fiercest proponents of cutting defense spending. Now it appears that might wreck the economic recovery.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Comments (105)

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  • fastgen1
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:11pm

    If the pathological anti-christ opens his pie hole……………….yep, he’s lying!!!

    Report this comment

    fastgen1  
  • marine249
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:44pm

    HEY Blaze
    over an hour ago I said

    VERY LITTLE IF ANY to the question
    WHAT happen to it?

    Report this comment

    marine249  
    • marine249
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:04pm

      Thank you, Blaze

      Report this comment

      marine249  
    • JohnofOregon
      Posted on February 4, 2013 at 12:28am

      Marine 249

      It was an obamaoverload. As usual his lips moved so therefore he lied.

      Liberals then pis$ed themselves in the presence of their lord.

      Report this comment

      JohnofOregon  
    • JohnofOregon
      Posted on February 4, 2013 at 12:47am

      Truth an Obama in the same sentence?

      Report this comment

      JohnofOregon  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on February 4, 2013 at 5:08am

      Hey, wait… You mean, dear leader was blathering on and on and on before the Super Bowl? Really?? I had no idea. I’m guessing he had absolutely nothing of any importance to say ~ as usual.

      Shorter dear leader: “I, I, I, me, me, me….”

      Did I miss anything?

      Report this comment

       
    • Gonzo
      Posted on February 4, 2013 at 7:45am

      β€œWe spend a lot more on health care than every other country does and we don’t get better outcomes.”
      Then what the hell was Obamacare supposed to do Barry if it wasn’t to remedy that situation? Might have been a good question to ask Pelly! Why is the POTUS commenting on NFL rules and Boy Scouts? WTH? Are these the “important issues” an executive should be worried about?

      Gonzo  
    • turkey13
      Posted on February 4, 2013 at 8:48am

      Obama still doesn’t get it that on taxes it will never work unless we go back to te basics – If you live in the US you have to pay to get something out of it. A sliding scale has to be implemented even for the poor since they are he biggest takers Almost 47% get benefits although they pay no income taxes. Any kid taking math in the 9th grade could tell Obama the system is flawed.

      Report this comment

      turkey13  
    • turkey13
      Posted on February 4, 2013 at 9:03am

      You can tell OBama is a unloving parent and could care less what happened to his girls.. If they were in Girl Scouts they would be at the mercy of some L_izzie Scoutmaster. When my 3 sons was in Cub Scoutes and Boy Scouts I was a leader to protect my sons from Q_ueer Leaders and other boys that were finding their sexuality and expermenting. I just read an article of a 11 year old boy that is having a sex change. A 11 year old is confused and doesn’t know the difference between bean & peas. The parents that are allowing it should be put in jail. If the Scouts allow gay kids they will be sued if they don’t allow Q_ueer leaders and then the Phedopiles will sue also. When your kids are taking a shower with 30 other kids do you want a Q_ueer looking them over or have phedopile get them off somewhere and fondel them.

      Report this comment

      turkey13  
  • zoro51
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:34pm

    ALL LIES deciets this SOCIALIST bent on americas take down spouts socialized lies to all of america do NOT BUY into his misleading voice smile or words.. hes LIED to america before n WILL CONTINUALY LIE hes anti american anti gun anti freedom anti us constitution IMPEACH N THROW OUT OF THE USA NOW IMPEACH THIS LEFTIST LIAR

    Report this comment

    zoro51  
  • Kathleen3
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:23pm

    Wish I would have had a video to capture the reaction of those at a large SuperBowl Party I attended. Everyone was laughing, talking, eating, and drinking. When Obama’s face appeared on one of the many TVs in the house there was a moment of shocked silence followed by multiple hands reaching for various remotes to switch to another channel. There was not a word spoken, nor was there a need, as everyone knew what everyone in the room was thinking.

    Report this comment

    Kathleen3  
    • churchee
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:59pm

      The channel was changed where I was also. Little puppies on a football field was decidedly better viewing than another propaganda appearance by our Dear Leader. In fact, whenever political agenda was detected in the pregame shows, it was back to the puppies. Can’t Super Bowl Sunday just be about FOOTBALL?

      Report this comment

      churchee  
    • johnpaulkuchtajr
      Posted on February 4, 2013 at 4:11am

      Hey Kathleen and Churchee,

      You folks are forgetting the admonisions from Goebells’s text on propaganda.

      For a propaganda message to sink-in, it must be repeated often enough that the intended recipient comes to take it matter-of-factly after hearing it repeated often enough. Before you know it, the large screens and speakers will appear eveywhere and Obama’s suck-off tones and face will be boomed from every street corner. About that time, you’ll notice the frequent use of the term “Comrade,” as in “A decade of econoomic ruin, Comrade. When will it end?”

      “Remember Benghazi and ALL the Traitors!”

      Report this comment

      johnpaulkuchtajr  
    • churchee
      Posted on February 4, 2013 at 6:52am

      John Paul, Paula’s long as I have control of a channel changer, I will use it. When it is on every channel, I will use the power switch. When that, too, has been removed, I will close my eyes and pray. I refuse to ” absorb”.

      Report this comment

      churchee  
    • FCS
      Posted on February 4, 2013 at 7:03pm

      Thankfully I was in another country and was spared the ‘propaganda pain’. I’d rather watch an infomercial about unwanted hair removal than listen to Obama spin another tall tale. GDP growth down ‘dramatically’ to 0.1% and unemployment back up to 7.9% can only be good news to partisan Demicats and Obama. Oh, I almost forgot, it’s Bush’s fault isn’t it? And now, it’s the military’s fault for not spending more money…only an absolute moron would believe that lie. Well, at least he didn’t blame ‘Super Storm Sandy’…I’m kind of surprised he didn’t. And, the Boy Scouts should be ‘inclusive’ of gays and lesbians…how deep and meaningful Mr. P…I would think you have more important issues to concern yourself with. I wonder what would happen if a person of Faith tried to join a gay or lesbian group and began telling them that their beliefs are wrong? How long would they last?

      Report this comment

      FCS  
  • loveoursoldiers
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:23pm

    Narcissists have a continuous need to be adored. He cannot stand others getting attention since he believes he is so FN cool that he should be the center of attention at all times.

    Report this comment

    loveoursoldiers  
  • yoshik
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:22pm

    Obama is a fookin liar. FOB

    Report this comment

    yoshik  
  • loveoursoldiers
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:19pm

    Doesn’t his phoney contempt for football hurt the bros? I am a bit surprised he is trying to end America’s favorite pastime.. but maybe that is exactly why.. because it is AMERICA’S favortie pastime… too bad for the brothers though.. but oddly I hear some bros defend him on this.
    Sad that people follow others blindly because of something as ridiculous as the color of skin.

    Report this comment

    loveoursoldiers  
  • Advection
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:08pm

    Dpsht said “what”?

    Report this comment

    Advection  
  • rickc34
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:07pm

    Obama cannot handle telling the truth, he has to lie it is his nature being the son of Satan.

    Report this comment

    rickc34  
  • truthnstuff
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:06pm

    Ol blue gums is the most despicable POS liar to ever foist his demonic persona on a screen. If he told the truth he would explode.

    Report this comment

    truthnstuff  
    • UNALIEN
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:11pm

      Obama wouldn’t know the truth if it was printed on his Birth Certificate…

      Report this comment

      UNALIEN  
    • UNALIEN
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:28pm

      Truth has no agenda,, Obama not so much…

      Report this comment

      UNALIEN  
  • libh8er
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:04pm

    This man has never told the American people the truth about anything… Including his background.

    Report this comment

    libh8er  
  • Rock_Moninoff
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 10:01pm

    Hey Mr. Pathological, you’ve got bigger problems. Have you seen the way Senator Menendez has been eying your daughters lately since he drained (pun) his bank accounts and Chaaalie won’t let him stay at the condo in DR for free any more???

    Report this comment

    Rock_Moninoff  
  • media-bias-steals-elections
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 9:54pm

    There is a reason why Rush Limbaugh and other talk shows hosts are popular, every time a Democrat President makes a speech, or gets in front of the teleprompter, they “never lets a good tragedy go to waste”?

    OK, in your face, its the Super Bowl, let’s just call it what it is, we’re gonna take your football game from you eventually, with either some public safety issue affecting the public, or affecting the players because they might hit their heads, but they can’t do it over night, they have to condition you first?

    There’s no co-incidence they want to attack the first amendment and alter an establishment of religion by regulatory actions by the state, marriage? That’s one more tool in the tool box to yank your child away from your collection of wisdom?

    Women should not be in the military, because they have your kids, and Americans are not endangered species that deserves permission to exist from the UN, if women have to serve in the military, and bear your children, too, that’s called a lack of imagination?

    Some politicians want to take your guns and the rest of your civil rights, just like Rush Limbaugh has been pleading with you to ignore him at your peril, so your kids will be glued to their phones reporting to big government every detail of their lives, financed by your advertising agencies? We don’t elect politicians to think about the issues, we elect them to defend civil rights and make a budget?

    Report this comment

    media-bias-steals-elections  
    • pookieamos
      Posted on February 4, 2013 at 12:27am

      Beware , it’s no coincident that this issue of fairness and equality has come to the forefront on women fighting on the front lines . They are conditioning Americans to Charlie Rangels House Bill for a draft, only this includes women . I came across this a year or so ago. I don’t remember the Bill number bit I did read the text at Thomas.gov and what I read terrified me . This Bill as written would give the president sole power, sole discretion to reach out in the populace and take women and men from the age of 18 to 42 and use them for whatever purpose , for whatever situation the president wanted them for. But that’s not all, it would give Obama or whomever the power to send them wherever in the world he wanted , whatever continent and Congree would have no say so in the matter , NONE ! Which means we , the people would have no voice. I don’t know about you but I don’t want my daughter, the mother of three children to be taken form them and sent off to God knows where ! maybe I’m being over sensitive but it sounds so wrong to me !

      Report this comment

      pookieamos  
  • FlyBoy69
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 9:54pm

    Obama is a SERIAL LIAR! “If his lips are moving, he’s lying!”

    Report this comment

    FlyBoy69  
  • neverending
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 9:44pm

    That would be a loud resounding NONE! He is a pathological liar with no morals, no decency and is the most arrogant, obnoxious thug that we have ever had in the whitehouse.

    Report this comment

    neverending  
  • patriotsofworkingamerica
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 9:42pm

    12million + still out of work.
    Jan. 2008 unemployment rate 7.6%
    Jan. 2013 unemployment rate 7.9%

    Report this comment

    patriotsofworkingamerica  
    • highhard1
      Posted on February 5, 2013 at 1:34am

      Patriot. BLS #s suggest 12 million unemployed and 7.9% overall rate. Closer to 23.5 mil. and 16% when accounting for those no longer receiving benefits after a year, population increase,, and current workforce participation rate. Don’t forget that you are considered marginally or underemployed for a year after your unemployment runs out to boost the employment rate. And once you hit a year off benefits you just disappear from the whole equation. If you find a low paying part time job you get moved into the employed statistic and if you take on an additional job you may be counted twice by BLS.

      Report this comment

      highhard1  
  • pragmaticpatriot
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 9:41pm

    A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.
    We contend that for a nation to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
    — Quote by Winston Churchill

    Report this comment

    pragmaticpatriot  
  • PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 9:23pm

    Close only Corporate loop holes and deductions.

    I don’t watch TV or football and did 0 even have to get in on this? He is so sickening, he’s everywhere all the time. Revolting.

    June 28, 1902 the Dick Act was legislated. IT CAN’T BE REPEALED. GUN CONTROL IS FORBIDDEN. IT IS PROTECTION AGAINST TYRANNICAL GOVERNMENT.

    Link: http://lccn.loc.gov/96190993 Also know as he Efficiency of Militia Bill HR 11654
    American Firearms owners: You Rights are perpetually Protected

    I just received a long e-mail explaining this. There are grounds for a dismissal charge against Diane Feinstein for even trying to go against this Constitutional Protection. They do not want us to know about it. The information was provided by Jim Bratten and the Hoosier Patriots.
    Furthermore Treaties do not override the Constitution and cannot Amend it. No UN Treaty can deny US citizens the right to bear arms.

    I know I saw someone post about this Dick Act before here on the Blaze and they were right.

    Report this comment

    PIGSWILLNEVERFLY  
  • EQUALIZER
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 9:22pm

    Barry Soetoro does not know the meaning of the word truth, its foreign to him.

    Report this comment

    EQUALIZER  
  • strawberry411a
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 9:14pm

    Hey keaton, Encino mom, fire and brimstone………….where are you clowns when your boy is out there making such a fool of himself. You always try to fight the easy battles…….but you never engage in the heavy combat. Cowards.

    Report this comment

    strawberry411a  
  • BECK4US
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 9:11pm

    Obama jinxed the Superbowl. Lights out America.

    Report this comment

    BECK4US  
  • hillbillyinny
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 9:00pm

    Why does he always try to upstage things like the super bowl? He’s such a dolt (in the least)! And in the worst. . .

    Report this comment

    hillbillyinny  
  • marybethelizabeth
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 8:54pm

    It all true

    For you keys that only read the headline: according to young Mr. Holt’s analysis, the president was truthful.

    Report this comment

    marybethelizabeth  
  • afishfarted
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 8:49pm

    “I am your king. Believe what I say without question”

    Report this comment

    afishfarted  
  • snapper451
    Posted on February 3, 2013 at 8:42pm

    He should have just said, “I am a socialist”. This guy is the most evil person this country has faced since Hitler and Stalin.

    Report this comment

    snapper451  
    • pragmaticpatriot
      Posted on February 3, 2013 at 9:34pm

      i agree. What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance?

      Report this comment

      pragmaticpatriot  
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