From one of the most liberal news orgs in the U.S.;
Obama claim of cutting spending is not right
By David Lightman | McClatchy Newspapers
THROW THE FLAG ON: President Barack Obama.
CALL: Offside.
WHAT HAPPENED: In an ad this week, the president touted "the $1 trillion in spending we’ve already cut."
The two-minute ad has Obama posing the question : "So what’s my plan?" He describes four parts.
"Fourth," he says, "a balanced plan to reduce our deficit by $4 trillion over the next decade. On top of the $1 trillion in spending we’ve already cut, I’d ask the wealthy to pay a little more. And as we end the war in Afghanistan, let’s apply half the savings to pay down our debt and use the rest for some nation-building right here at home. It’s time for a new economic patriotism, rooted in the belief that growing our economy begins with a strong, thriving middle class. Read my plan. Compare it to Gov. Romney’s and decide for yourself."
WHY THAT’S WRONG: He didn’t cut $1 trillion. Spending goes up over the next decade, not down.