It seems like Mary Mapes and Dan Rather, Ted Strickland is playing fast and loose with the truth and with facts. From the Toledo Blade:The Ad: "Tax cuts"
The sponsor: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ted Strickland, a congressman from Lisbon.
The target: Mr. Strickland's own voting record on tax issues - and a health-care proposal from his Republican opponent, Secretary of State Ken Blackwell.
The claims: That Mr. Strickland voted to cut taxes for married couples, parents, and families with children going to college; that while Mr. Strickland has "a plan to control the cost of health care," Mr. Blackwell "would force everyone to buy health insurance - that could cost an average Ohio family without coverage over $4,800 a year."
Fact-check (part 1): Because they include so many votes, particularly on taxes, Congressional records are easily manipulated in campaign ads to show only the side of a candidate that he wants voters to see. Ohio has plenty of examples this year, including this ad, which the state GOP says "grossly distorts" Mr. Strickland's record.
Mr. Strickland's campaign cites specific votes to back up each claim that Mr. Strickland supported tax cuts. Those include a $1,000 child tax credit and easing the so-called "marriage penalty" for joint filers.
But, as the GOP is quick to point out, Mr. Strickland opposed other tax cuts in Congress, including some with similar aims. It's impossible to get into the context of each vote - some cuts are coupled with other tax increases, for example, or further cuts in entirely different areas.
It's fair to say that Mr. Strickland indeed supported the cuts he cites. But in Congress, he has opposed more proposed cuts than he has voted for.
Fact check (part 2): Mr. Strickland is wrong to say Mr. Blackwell "would force everyone to buy health insurance." The state's poorest residents would still qualify for government health care under the Blackwell plan. Most Ohioans, though, would have to purchase coverage. It's also problematic for Mr. Strickland to estimate how much buying coverage would cost an Ohio family. He cites an e-Healthinsurance.com study, but it's not clear how accurately it would approximate the costs under Mr. Blackwell's plan. Mr. Blackwell's campaign has not estimated those costs publicly.
Ted Strickland is playing fast and loose with the facts. He will also play fast and loose with our money in Ohio, and will gouge you the taxpayer to fund his gambles. Strickland is rated lower than 400 out of 435 in attendance for votes in the House, he is rated one of the least effective Congressmen. Yet, he thinks this record of incompetence and complacency warrants his being voted in as governor. He voted for the largest increase in income tax in history, but claims to be a tax cutter. Come on now. Quit playing the cute mind games and offer us some straight talk, Ted.
