Republican Presidential Field Distances Further from American Jews

Ariela Fleisig — November 10, 2011 – 3:01 pm | Economy | Election 2012 | Health Care | Republicans Comments (0) Add a comment

The Republican presidential candidates delivered even more evidence of their distance from the American Jewish community during last night’s CNBC economic debate. Throughout the night, inaccurate economic claims and pledges were made by every candidate. Each participant was proved wrong on at least one statement by the fact checkers at The Washington Post and The Boston Globe. In particular, these moments stood out:

* Texas Governor Rick Perry vowed to eliminate three government agencies, but could only name two - the Departments of Education and Commerce. While Perry showcased his inability to remember the facts necessary to back up his claims - a key requirement for any political leader - his choice of agencies to cut was also counterintuitive, as the Departments of Education and Commerce are essential to America’s economic future.

* Herman Cain insultingly called House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) “Princess Nancy” twice as he accused her of killing a Republican health care bill. One of the many criticisms of his remarks came from former     President George W. Bush spokesperson Dana Perino, who said, “Ay yi yi, former Speaker Pelosi called a princess in the debate? Not fair. We may disagree on policy, but she earned the Speaker title.”

* Every candidate pledged to repeal the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama’s comprehensive health care legislation, while falsely blaming it for the economy’s stagnation. These blatantly inaccurate statements put     the Republican presidential field squarely at odds with the vast majority of American Jews, who supported Obama’s health care initiative.

* Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney made the claim that he will “not apologize for the United States of America,” inferring that the President has done so. His comment was fact checked by The Washington Post’s Glenn Kessler, who said, “No matter how many times Romney says this, it simply is not true. We have documented extensively - back in February - how Obama did not apologize for America in his trips overseas. It’s a four Pinocchio error.”

Click here to read a transcript of the debate.

Click here to read The Washington Post’s debate fact check.

Click here to read The Boston Globe’s debate fact check.

Click here to read Politico’s debate roundup.

Click here to read more about Cain’s comments.

 

 

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