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Mitt Romney’s claim of credit for the auto industry turnaround [2]
What should we do when a politician keeps repeating a Pinocchio-laden claim — or even makes its worse?
We have examined previously [4] the former Massachusetts governor’s claim that he set the course for the managed bankruptcy of the auto industry—and also have examined critically [5] some of President Obama’s claims [6] on the bailout. But clearly it’s time for a refresher course.
The Facts
The first key to Romney’s claim is that, in November of 2008, as then President George W. Bush considered financial assistance for the auto industry, he wrote an opinion article for The New York Times [7] under the headline, “Let Detroit Go Bankrupt.”
Romney argued that if the automakers “get the bailout that their chief executives asked for yesterday, you can kiss the American automotive industry goodbye. It won’t go overnight, but its demise will be virtually guaranteed.”
As Romney put it, “Detroit needs a turnaround, not a check.” … Read More [2]
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More from the Fact Checker
Mitt Romney’s claim that 100,000 auto jobs have been lost under Obama [9]
So Romney gets a “repeat offender” award — our crack graphics staff is still developing the icon — for once again saying he created 100,000 jobs. But let’s also look at his claim that 100,000 jobs were lost in the auto industry “on the president’s watch.” That’s a new one.
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Is Obama responsible for a $5 trillion increase in the debt? [11]
Who’s to blame for the national debt? The national debt is simply a matter of numbers, but the blame game is much more complicated.
Obama: Broken promises on taxes and health care? [12]
The Republican-aligned Crossroads GPS has scheduled a massive $25 million ad buy [13], starting with this hard-hitting ad that purports to list a bunch of “broken promises” by President Obama.