Andy9o8 0 #1 January 19, 2010 With all the wearisome spin by both sides over Obama's promises, here's an interesting journalistic analysis of exactly that question at the Administration's 1-year mark. It seems pretty diligent and objective, which means, of course, it give plenty of ammo for each side's respective spin-meisters. It's way too long to copy & paste, so here's the link: http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2010/jan/14/rating-obamas-promises-1-year-mark/ Of course, the informed reader needs to assess for him/herself the degree of capability and objectivity of the analysts at Politifact.com, a project run by the St. Petersburg Times. So, I pulled this up from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Petersburg_Times#PolitiFact.com QuotePolitiFact.com The newspaper operates PolitiFact.com, a project in which its reporters and editors "fact-check statements by members of Congress, the White House, lobbyists and interest groups...."[6] Their evaluations are posted on the PolitiFact website. The site also includes an "Obameter", tracking President Barack Obama's performance with regard to his campaign promises. PolitiFact.com was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting in 2009 for "its fact-checking initiative during the 2008 presidential campaign that used probing reporters and the power of the World Wide Web to examine more than 750 political claims, separating rhetoric from truth to enlighten voters." Let the spinning begin. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #2 January 19, 2010 I'm sorry, but their "Obameter" or whatever they call it is still off base: Their top 25 promises: http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/subjects/politifacts-top-promises/ Specifically Guantanamo, Earmarks - broken, not "in the works", by his own hand this is proven true. Several "in the works" are stalled, such as verifiable reductions in nuclear stockpiles. The one about Iraq and drawing down...the SOFA was signed by President Bush (he won't be blamed for that though). All in all, a good effort, but hardly an "investigative critique" by any measure. Their "broken" list is spot-on: http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/rulings/promise-broken/ I do like the overall presentation though, makes for good debate.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites