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When a “fact check” is neither

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Illinois

* This could be the worst AP story of the 2014 campaign…

Whether education funding in Illinois rose or fell under Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn depends on whose money you’re talking about, and during what time period.

The question has surfaced repeatedly in the heated campaign between Quinn and his challenger, Republican businessman Bruce Rauner. In two televised debates, Rauner has said money for schools dropped by a half-billion dollars under Quinn. In turn, Quinn insists it actually rose nearly $500 million since he assumed office in 2009.

Determining who is right depends on whether you count an influx of federal stimulus dollars in the 2010 fiscal year, the first budget that the Quinn administration crafted. […]

But Rauner’s campaign focuses on there being less money today for schools than six years ago — suggesting Quinn should have come up with funding to replace the lost stimulus funds.

* Wait a second: “Rauner has said money for schools dropped by a half-billion dollars under Quinn”?

Um, no. Rauner has said that Quinn “cut” school funding by half a billion dollars. And he’s been using the word “cut” since April, and even used the word in a TV ad this summer.

But Quinn couldn’t “cut” federal money that expired on its own. That’s an impossibility.

The AP has allowed Rauner’s campaign to redefine the terms of the debate after having been thoroughly debunked by everyone who has taken a close look at this, including Reboot, myself, the Civic Federation and now Eric Zorn.

If you’re gonna “fact check” a candidate, then fact check what the candidate has been saying for six months.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 10:12 am

Comments

Reporting standards have deteriorated so much that making sure both the true and false sides of any story are reported as equivilent.

Comment by walker Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 10:17 am
There’s no point to this story. Should have been spiked.

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 10:20 am
My own writing standards (see above) have apparently deteriorated into imbecility.

Hopefully you got my disappointment with the AP story.

Comment by walker Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 10:20 am
Numbers and statistics can often be twisted around to falsely support untrue political ads.

Comment by DuPage Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 10:25 am
Exactly right Rich. Rauner has been running an ad on Pandora for weeks that actually calls Quinn “The Education Cuts Governor”.

Comment by Slow Down Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 10:25 am
Isn’t there some rule that Corporate Media outlets, like AP & NPR, have to enable lying by rich people?

They couch it as allowing “both sides” to have their say.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 10:28 am
I initially read this as saying the same thing being said here for a few weeks now. While overall funding may have dropped, that is a result of federal funding reductions rather than state funding reductions.

The distinction between == cut == and == dropped == is an important one in this case, though.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 10:32 am
There are two possible causes for this garbage…

A. The media is incompetent. Remember the ‘06 gov race.

B. Rauner is the general media’s choice for gov and they just can’t help themselves. Dewey defeats Truman.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 10:33 am
The press’s determination to seek “balance” rather than the facts combined with corporate driven decline in the quality of journalism undermines democratic decision-making.
It’s nice that we have Capitol Fax to help us get at the truth. Unfortunately not enough people subscribe to it.

Comment by truthteller Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 10:42 am
Bill Clinton didn’t reach 50% in either of his Presidential races.

Comment by Percival Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 10:49 am
Did not know that Rauner was so concerned about increased funding for public schools.

Comment by Federalist Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 10:49 am
In the UK, if you make a provable false statement during a campaign, say on a mailing or leaflet, you can be removed from office and a new election held in that constituency. I’ve always been hesitant to support that concept because many f these things can be subjective but I’m coming around to the idea more. Especially that part, as you said Rich, he can’t be held responsible for an end to the federal money.

Comment by low level Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 11:15 am
Don’t let facts get in the way of a good campaign hit ad.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 11:23 am
You don’t help yourself including Zorn. He’s way out of your league.

Comment by A guy... Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 11:40 am
@A guy…

What does that mean, exactly?

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 11:46 am
Not to put words in his mouth, but I think maybe A guy… doesn’t think Zorn’s analysis is considerably less–how shall I put it–less insightful than Rich’s.

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 12:02 pm
Not “doesn’t think”. It should be “thinks”.

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 12:04 pm
Let me be clear. If Miller writes it, it’s true unless he’s been lied to. Zorn has been known to start with a conclusion and work backwards. PR people don’t use him because he hides the bacon and many will tell you he’s bonked them.

Miller doesn’t. Zorn isn’t in the same orbit.

Comment by A guy... Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 12:24 pm
“Cut” means “cut”. You can’t lie your way out of this one, Baron von Carhartt.

Comment by DuPage Dave Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 12:27 pm
This whole episode has just been silly. The Rauner folks double down on something that is obviously false. Why do that?

Again, math seems to be a hard thing for the Rauner folks.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 12:47 pm
Glad to see you supported the additional federal school dollars DuPage dude

Comment by low level Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 12:49 pm
Funny that none of those in your RepubliCON Artist party voted for it.

Comment by low level Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 12:50 pm
So just because it’s Eric Zorn, facts are oblivious to you A Guy? That’s some open mind you’ve got.

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 1:29 pm
It’s not oblivious because of the other sources P Cap. If it’s Zorn alone, confirm it. That is not open or closed mind at work. It’s experience.

But thanks for your judgement. I always look forward to knowing how you feel.

Comment by A guy... Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 1:36 pm
I can’t believe we are still arguing about something that has been shown time and again to be false.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 1:49 pm
Demo, I was arguing about something else entirely, completely off the subject at hand. Sorry.

Comment by A guy... Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 2:32 pm
A guy:

My comment wasn’t really directed at you, but thanks for the clarification anyway. lol

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 3:32 pm
:)

Comment by A guy... Friday, Oct 17, 14 @ 4:42 pm