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AP Fact Check: Obama Overreaches in State of the Union Speech

Feb. 12, 2013 10:51pm
AP Fact Check: Obama Overreaches in State of the Union Speech

Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio applaud as US President Barack Obama arrives for the president’s State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama did some cherry-picking Tuesday night in defense of his record on jobs and laid out a conditional path to citizenship for illegal immigrants that may be less onerous than he made it sound.

A look at some of the claims in his State of the Union speech, a glance at the Republican counterargument and how they fit with the facts:

OBAMA: “After years of grueling recession, our businesses have created over 6 million new jobs.”

THE FACTS: That’s in the ballpark, as far as it goes. But Obama starts his count not when he took office, but from the point in his first term when job losses were the highest. In doing so, he ignores the 5 million or so jobs that were lost on his watch, up to that point.

Private sector jobs have grown by 6.1 million since February 2010. But since he became president, the gain is a more modest 1.9 million.

And when losses in public sector employment are added to the mix, his overall jobs record is close to a wash. And when losses in public sector employment are added to the mix, his overall jobs record is a gain of 1.2 million.

—

OBAMA: “We have doubled the distance our cars will go on a gallon of gas.”

THE FACTS: Not so fast.

That’s expected to happen in 12 more years.

Under a deal the Obama administration reached with automakers in 2011, vehicles will have a corporate average fuel economy of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, twice the 27 miles per gallon, on average, that cars and trucks get today. Automobile manufacturers won’t start making changes to achieve the new fuel economy standards until model year 2017. Not all cars will double their gas mileage, since the standard is based on an average of a manufacturers’ fleet.

—

OBAMA: “Real reform means establishing a responsible pathway to earned citizenship – a path that includes passing a background check, paying taxes and a meaningful penalty, learning English and going to the back of the line behind the folks trying to come here legally.”

THE FACTS: The seemingly stern admonition that illegal immigrants must go to the back of the line, often heard from the president, doesn’t appear to have much practical effect except in the most obvious sense. Everyone who joins a line, whether for a movie, a coffee or citizenship, starts at the back of that particular line. It’s not clear he is saying anything more than that illegal immigrants won’t get to cut in line for citizenship once they’ve obtained provisional legal status.

Like those living abroad who have applied to come to the U.S. legally, illegal immigrants who qualify for Obama’s proposed path to citizenship will surely face long waits to be processed. But during that time, they are already in the U.S. and will get to stay, work and travel in the country under their new status as provisional immigrants, while those outside the U.S. simply have to wait.

Sending illegal immigrants to the “back of the line” is something of a distinction without a difference for some legal immigrants who dutifully followed all the rules before coming to the United States.

For instance, some legal immigrants who are in the U.S. on an employer-sponsored visa can’t easily change jobs, or in some cases take a promotion, without jeopardizing their place in line to get a green card. In other cases, would-be legal immigrants in other countries wait for years to be able to settle in the U.S.

Obama is using “back of the line” somewhat figuratively, because there are multiple lines depending on the applicant’s relationship with family already in the U.S. or with an employer. Generally, a foreign-born spouse of a U.S. citizen or someone with needed skills and a job offer will be accepted more quickly than many others.

But even as a figurative point, his assertion may cloak the fact that people who came to the U.S. illegally and win provisional status have the great advantage over applicants abroad of already being where they all want to go.

—

OBAMA: “I urge this Congress to pursue a bipartisan, market-based solution to climate change, like the one John McCain and Joe Lieberman worked on together a few years ago. But if Congress won’t act soon to protect future generations, I will. I will direct my Cabinet to come up with executive actions we can take, now and in the future, to reduce pollution, prepare our communities for the consequences of climate change and speed the transition to more sustainable sources of energy.”

THE FACTS: Obama failed to get a global warming bill through Congress when both Houses were controlled by Democrats in 2010. With Republicans in control of the House, the chances of a bill to limit the gases blamed for global warming and to create a market for businesses to trade pollution credits are close to zero. The Obama administration has already acted to control greenhouse gases through existing law. It has boosted fuel-efficiency standards and proposed rules to control heat-trapping emissions from new power plants. And while there are still other ways to address climate change without Congress, it’s questionable regulation alone can achieve the reductions needed to start curbing global warming.

—

FLORIDA SEN. MARCO RUBIO, in the Republican response: “The real cause of our debt is that our government has been spending $1 trillion dollar more than it takes in every year. That’s why we need a balanced-budget amendment.”

THE FACTS: That statement may reflect the math behind recent debt, but it doesn’t get directly to the cause – the worst recession since the Depression and its aftereffects. The deficit is not only caused by spending, but by reduced tax revenues. And during the recession, revenues from both individual and corporate taxes fell markedly.

The steep increases in debt and the measures that should be taken to ease the burden are central to the debate in Washington. But there is no serious move afoot to amend the Constitution to prohibit deficit spending.

The ability to take on debt has been used by governments worldwide and through U.S. history to shelter people from the ravages of a down economy, wage war and achieve many other ends. An effort to amend the Constitution for any purpose faces daunting odds; this would be no exception. Most state constitutions demand a balanced budget, but states lack some big obligations of the federal government, including national defense. And Washington’s ability to go deeper into debt provides states with at least a minimal safety net in times of high unemployment.

 

Featured image via Getty

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Comments (60)

1 2
  • dacorvi
    Posted on February 13, 2013 at 9:38am

    Listening to Obama is no better than listening to the Anti-Christ. Their tongues are full of lies. Democrats have been lying for 100 years, with each year worst than the year before. Our media has become even more corrupt than any third world dictatorship. They believe they are above the rest of us and their desired ends justify ANY means they invent. They have been destroying the school system in America for years and the result is the American public is loaded with infantile morons. They do not have the ability to think for themselves, nor recognize the difference between truth and lies. They are hopeless and the Democrats know they have them right where they want them. It’s only a matter of time before weare flushed down the toilet of history. Thank you Democrats. You are true patriots…NOT!

    Report this comment

    dacorvi  
    • JRook
      Posted on February 13, 2013 at 11:03am

      “the point in his first term when job losses were the highest. In doing so, he ignores the 5 million or so jobs that were lost on his watch, up to that point.” on the off chance jason could actually be honest, what point in his first term are you talking about. the notion that the worst recession since the great depression might stop or start on the first day the PRESIDENT took office is beyond stupid. so vaguely cherry picking is your forte.

      Report this comment

      JRook  
  • AnAmerican111
    Posted on February 13, 2013 at 8:59am

    OBAMA lies a lot!
    …..Now there’s a surprise!

    Criminals like OBAMA can’t help themselves!

    Report this comment

    AnAmerican111  
    • JRook
      Posted on February 13, 2013 at 11:09am

      “the real cause of our debt is that our government has been spending $1 billions more than it takes in every year” and that was true under Reagan, Bush Sr. and Bush Jr. who ran up $10 trillion of the debt. And if you can actually be honest with yourselves you will admit that Bush Jr. left the PRESIDENT a $1.2 trillion deficit run rate due to failed economic policies, 2 unfunded wars and a irresponsible tax cut.if you don’t start with the truth it is doubtful you will end up with the truth

      Report this comment

      JRook  
    • rolla020980
      Posted on February 13, 2013 at 12:31pm

      JROOK
      The real cause of the current debt is a combination of many things. This whole blame Bush crap is old. Obama is in his second term now and there is no blaming what happened years ago. The highest 6 spending items are (highest to lowest):
      – Medicare/Medicaid (808 Billion)
      – Social Security (773 Billion)
      – Total Defense spending (including cost of wars, 667 Billion)
      – Income Security (Unemployment, Disability, etc, 353 Billion)
      – Interest on the national debt (223 Billion)
      – Federal Pensions (213 Billion)

      Do you see any consistencies here? 4 out of the top 6 are liberal welfare/union spending. It is the welfare state that is killing us (not to mention the interest payments). Education is at 136 Billion. Do the math, the government spend almost 15 times more on socialist programs than on education. Maybe if it were the other way around, college would be accessible and we wouldn’t need the socialism.

      BTW… The wars you are referring to have cost 3.7 trillion so far after almost 10 years. A marked cost, but not the only reason.

      Report this comment

      rolla020980  
  • lynnissmart
    Posted on February 13, 2013 at 8:35am

    I did not watch this speech, nor will I listen to any soundbite…..I simply hit the mute button when any portion of the speech is replayed….I can’t even stand to look at that face of evil…..truth!

    Report this comment

    lynnissmart  
    • mjs6029
      Posted on February 13, 2013 at 11:49am

      Yeah I couldn’t either. I’m so sick and tired of seeing his ugly mug and listening to that hideous voice I want to vomit at the mere thought. I watched Sponge Bob instead as I found it a lot more meaningful. The only time I want to see Obama again is when he’s lying in state.

      Report this comment

      mjs6029  
  • mwhaley
    Posted on February 13, 2013 at 8:03am

    I could not watch a room full of jack holes applauding for the head jack hole who is destroying my country.

    Report this comment

    mwhaley  
  • steve-in-pa
    Posted on February 13, 2013 at 7:36am

    Fact…0bama is a inept, lying idiot who slacks off at his job and never gets anything right but never gets fired. Just like a meteorologist for example.

    Report this comment

    steve-in-pa  
  • Thighmaster
    Posted on February 13, 2013 at 6:38am

    Here’s a fact I noticed last night, Obama’s dummy (Biden) looks exactly like Dunham’s dummy (Walter). After I noticed that resemblance I couldn’t get it out of My head.

    Report this comment

    Thighmaster  
  • Inform
    Posted on February 13, 2013 at 6:36am

    In every other speech Obama has been blaming Bush for the recession, blaming him for the spending, and pretty much everything else. When is this president going to man up and take responsibility? This is the problem I have with Democrats – they don’t believe in personal responsibility. And look at those trillion dollar deficits: http://www.youargue.com/index.php/23b13z213

    Report this comment

    Inform  
  • media-bias-steals-elections
    Posted on February 13, 2013 at 6:08am

    The only line Democrats want is the one to shove un-educated, barely speaking English voters in the voting booth and vote for DemoCommy Care for 4 year olds and teacher unions? America makes you sick with its voter fraud and disregard for decency?

    You know why you hear this stuff? Because the Speaker of the House introduces the President, “It is my PLEASURE, my great distinction, to introduce to you, the …..”

    And of course Republicans are cheering, shirts are getting thrown at the stage, bras are flying through the air? Well why not, there is nothing but political surrender in America? Why not boo the man? If I was this President, I would say, you know what, I love this time of year, even after four years of proposing the silliest ideas you have ever heard of, you never said boo, or hiss, or no, you gave me applause?

    Well, I’m not going to disappoint you this you year, wait until you hear what I got this year?

    Political correctness?

    Report this comment

    media-bias-steals-elections  
  • ElDeVerde
    Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:08am

    Real Americans better wake the hell up and realize that our forefathers couldn’t and didn’t negotiate their way to liberty from the tyranny of Britain. The time is long past for those who really pay the tab in this country to teach labor unions, politicians and the freeloaders of government handouts what Atlas Shrugged is all about; go John Galt on them and just quit producing. Let their coffers drie up and quit being fiefs to their kingdoms.

    Report this comment

    ElDeVerde  
    • ElDeVerde
      Posted on February 13, 2013 at 4:39am

      “Let their coffers “dry” up… just wanted the “spell checkers and grammar nazis” in the crowd know that I do know how to spell “dry”…fat fingers just don’t function well at this a.m. of the morn.

      Report this comment

      ElDeVerde  
  • R.A. Bullseye
    Posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:10am

    Didn’t watch it…..couldn’t. I am highly allergic to him.

    Report this comment

    R.A. Bullseye  
  • Tretka
    Posted on February 13, 2013 at 1:45am

    I have watched SOTU speeches (and understood them) since 1980. I am not sure what this was but it was not a SOTU speech. But then again, did we really expect him to tell us the situation? He can’t and he will not.

    I only watch his speeches to witness for myself how he goes on record so I can attest to the lies. It is agony!

    Who believes him. I watched the Luntz focus group on Fox News and it was amazing how people agree on the issues but not on Obama. What does he do to some people? Why can’t they connect what’s going on with his Wizard of Oz tactics? It’s so bizarre.

    What I thought was so interesting is that the rebuttals by Rubio and Rand Paul would have been harder for them if this was a real SOTU speech. After the first seven minutes of the SOTU speech Obama was running for office again (can someone tell him he won-bummer) and the sneaky speak and empty promises started flowing like oil-oh sorry-like um, carbon out of a smoke stack.
    You see, every single “accomplishment’ spoke of must be because he is confused about where he is. He is remembering the land of Oz. Unbelievable embellishments and purposeful omissions.

    Also, we surfed back and forth from Fox News to see if anyone was airing either Rubio or Paul…NOT ONE. My husband saw this in play for the first time because I remembered to make him channel surf. He was shocked. He always thought I was mimicking the spin about MSM channels. Nope! No wonder we have to worry about zombie alerts.

    Report this comment

    Tretka  
    • omgitsgela
      Posted on February 13, 2013 at 2:24am

      The purpose of the speech is to show the plans he has for congressional approval. Congress runs the show, Obama oversees it and signs it, but is still limited on what Congress thinks is fair. I would have liked more information on current developments rather than the initiatives he’s trying to get approval for.

      Report this comment

      omgitsgela  
    • Tigress1
      Posted on February 13, 2013 at 10:04am

      I wanted to hear Rand Paul, but Fox didn’t even show it! Greta S. said “We have it on my website.” To h*ll with Fox. They were HIDING Rand Paul from everyone’s ears, but we had to listen to the King for over an hour!

      Report this comment

      Tigress1  
    • VRW Conspirator
      Posted on February 13, 2013 at 10:24am

      @Tigress

      Rand was not the “official response” that was Rubio…that is why nobody covered him. He took it upon himself to buck the party…and good that he did….
      all the networks were too busy either making fun of Rubio or getting on their knees to praise their messiah to both with an unofficial response….

      besides…they wouldn’t want the FACTS to get in the way….that might confuse the masses and cause chaos for the Regime…

      Rush read some poll data this week…the highest approval for the DicK-Tator in Chief was on National Defense and that was barely 54%…and before all the crap started flowing about Libya and Israel and the Arab Spring falling apart and North Korea….so that probably feel a little bit…

      most of the polls showed that the Average American is against EVERY policy “that guy” is proposing by at least 55% against up to 70% against…..
      too bad all these IDIOTS didn’t take the time to vote in Nov……

      Report this comment

      VRW Conspirator  
  • Chancellor
    Posted on February 13, 2013 at 1:12am

    “Overreached” “Misspoke” I don’t care who you are It is called “LYING” and like the man said…….

    YOUR A LIAR!

    Report this comment

    Chancellor  
  • needanotherReagan
    Posted on February 13, 2013 at 12:32am

    Is overreaches the new word for lies? I really wish they would stop posting photos of that arrogant s o b. Just one glimpse makes me want to retch.

    Report this comment

    needanotherReagan  
  • American_Made
    Posted on February 13, 2013 at 12:12am

    More worthless lies and promises from the liar and thief. Meaningless BS! He talks of more debt, More Regulation and less opportunity for us and our children. He should be impeached, imprisoned and tied for treason.

    Report this comment

    American_Made  
  • urrybr
    Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:50pm

    He reminds me of Benito Mussolini with that arrogant pose.

    Report this comment

    urrybr  
    • Advection
      Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:57pm

      Exactly!

      Report this comment

      Advection  
    • TH777
      Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:59pm

      I detest that arrogant “chin up” expression he always has!! It makes me sick!!

      Report this comment

      TH777  
    • csternod
      Posted on February 13, 2013 at 5:02am

      He turns his chin up to avoid seeing the faces of the out-of-work people that he caused via his “jobs reform strategies.” and since we’re comparing him to WWII-era leaders, anyone notice his goodbye “waves?”

      Report this comment

      csternod  
    • savagenatn
      Posted on February 13, 2013 at 5:37am

      yep that chin up pose is one of the most repulsive things I have ever seen by any politician. What an arrogant ass!!

      Report this comment

      savagenatn  
  • urrybr
    Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:49pm

    He reminds me of Benito Mussolini with that arrogant pose.

    Report this comment

    urrybr  
  • redonred
    Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:41pm

    It’s a shame to see grown adults stand so much. These are adults. Why can they not stay seated and clap? POTUSSA sure likes China, we too can rip our children from their homes and educate a.s.a.p.. What a state we are in. It just draws a blank.

    Report this comment

    redonred  
  • carbonyes
    Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:37pm

    Once again, making spurious claims, touting impossible to finance programs from his pipe dreams and unprepared for any meaningful improvements as he continues to lead us into a financial meltdown. What can you expect from the self exalted Imposter-in-Chief?

    Report this comment

    carbonyes  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:32pm

    BHO uses F@r T A can’s million man march math to get his numbers!!

    Report this comment

    banjarmon  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:28pm

    I liked this post from another story and think it’s worth re-posting here.

    From I_AM_HARRISON_BERGERON;

    “As usual, when he makes a true statement, he uses broad open hand gestures. When he lies or makes duplicitous statements, he points, uses closed fists and looks around, or most often makes that odd finger pinching gesture that I keep noticing more and more often being used by Progressive Democrats. I believe that strange finger pinching gesture is representative of holding talking point flash cards while practicing speeches. They need to refer to these when making statements that they truly don’t believe.”

    Report this comment

    The-Monk  
  • tonypro
    Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:28pm

    “” The deficit is not only caused by spending, but by reduced tax revenues. “”

    HMMmmmm……..could be there is a reduction in tax revenues, uhhh, maybe because fewer people are working thereby less money going to the criminals. You know fewer earners, and more takers.

    Just a thought.

    Report this comment

     
    • CatB
      Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:54pm

      Now there you go .. putting out LOGIC .. you know Bummer doesn’t do logic. Only rhetoric and high opinions of HIMSELF.

      Report this comment

      CatB  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:13pm

    I could tell Obama was BSing, his lips were moving, he swallowed the fly, and Joe had the stupid, perplexed look on his face….oh, sorry, Joe always looks like that.

    This was just a rehash of all his other speeches, fair share, more tax, more spending, evil rich, me, me, me, and it was Bushes fault.

    Report this comment

    Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:07pm

    I did not watch it. I cannot stand to see this hideous fake president on television. I cannot watch this false picture of harmony when it only shows that no one in Washington has the balls to impeach this imposter. I did, however, read a synopsis of his speech and it was full of lies and distortions. In other words…it was the typical obama speech.

    Report this comment

    thegreatcarnac  
  • UNALIEN
    Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:01pm

    #SOTU fact check: American people do not actually deserve better
    — Onion Politics (@OnionPolitics) February 13, 2013

    Report this comment

    UNALIEN  
  • go2gym
    Posted on February 12, 2013 at 10:57pm

    Obama lies? Gee, say it ain’t so.

    Report this comment

    go2gym  
    • Welcome Black Carter
      Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:16pm

      I saw his lips movin’…

      Report this comment

      Welcome Black Carter  
    • AbrahamsSheepdog
      Posted on February 13, 2013 at 9:39am

      True. Screwed in 7 day forecast. You got that one right 0. The comm/mussie went on for an hour. Face it hes a muppet, but he’s good. He is so scattered in thought, no foundation, with big plans. No wonder he’s a loser.

      Report this comment

      AbrahamsSheepdog  
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