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From the Fact Check Desk: Obama's New Spanish Language TV Ad Es Erróneo
September 17, 2008 5:53 PM
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has launched a new Spanish-language TV ad that seeks to paint Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as anti-immigrant, even tying the Republican to his longtime conservative talk-radio nemesis Rush Limbaugh.
As first reported by the Washington Post, Obama's ad features a narrator saying: "They want us to forget the insults we’ve put up with…the intolerance…they made us feel marginalized in this country we love so much."
The screen then shows these two quotes from Limbaugh:
“…stupid and unskilled Mexicans”
—Rush Limbaugh
"You shut your mouth or you get out!”
—Rush Limbaugh
The narrator then says, “John McCain and his Republican friends have two faces. One that says lies just to get our vote…and another, even worse, that continues the policies of George Bush that put special interests ahead of working families. John McCain…more of the same old Republican tricks.”
There are some real factual problems with this ad, which is titled “Dos Caras,” or two faces.
First of all, tying Sen. McCain – especially on the issue of immigration reform – to Limbaugh is unfair.
Limbaugh opposed McCain on that issue. Vociferously. And in a larger sense, it’s unfair to link McCain to Limbaugh on a host of issues since Limbaugh, as any even occasional listener of his knows, doesn’t particularly care for McCain.
Second, the quotes of Limbaugh’s are out of context.
Railing against NAFTA in 1993, Limbaugh said, "If you are unskilled and uneducated, your job is going south. Skilled workers, educated people are going to do fine 'cause those are the kinds of jobs NAFTA is going to create. If we are going to start rewarding no skills and stupid people, I'm serious, let the unskilled jobs that take absolutely no knowledge whatsoever to do -- let stupid and unskilled Mexicans do that work."
Not one of his most eloquent moments, to be sure, but his larger point was that NAFTA would mean that unskilled stupid Mexicans would be doing the jobs of unskilled stupid Americans.
I’m not going to defend how he said it, but to act as if this was just a moment of Limbaugh slurring Mexicans is not accurate. Though again, certainly if people were offended I could understand why.
The second quote is totally unfair. In 2006, Limbaugh was mocking Mexican law, and he wrote:
“Everybody's making immigration proposals these days. Let me add mine to the mix. Call it The Limbaugh Laws:
“First: If you immigrate to our country, you have to speak the native language. You have to be a professional or an investor; no unskilled workers allowed. Also, there will be no special bilingual programs in the schools with the Limbaugh Laws. No special ballots for elections. No government business will be conducted in your language. Foreigners will not have the right to vote or hold political office.
“If you're in our country, you cannot be a burden to taxpayers. You are not entitled to welfare, food stamps, or other government goodies. You can come if you invest here: an amount equal to 40,000 times the daily minimum wage. If not, stay home. But if you want to buy land, it'll be restricted. No waterfront, for instance. As a foreigner, you must relinquish individual rights to the property.
“And another thing: You don't have the right to protest. You're allowed no demonstrations, no foreign flag waving, no political organizing, no bad-mouthing our President or his policies. You're a foreigner: shut your mouth or get out! And if you come here illegally, you're going to jail.
“You think the Limbaugh Laws are harsh? Well, every one of the laws I just mentioned are actual laws of Mexico today! That' how the Mexican government handles immigrants to their country. Yet Mexicans come here illegally and protest in our streets!
“How do you say ‘double standard’ in Spanish? How about: ‘No mas!’”
But even if one is uninclined to see Limbaugh's quotes as having been taken unfairly out of context, linking them to McCain makes as much sense as running a quote from Bill Maher and linking it to Obama.
Asked for backup as to how Obama could link McCain to Limbaugh, the campaign provided this interview with McCain refusing to condemn the Minutemen from from the Kansas City Star:
Q: ‘Are they a good thing? The Civil Defense Corps, do you think -- do they help in the immigration fight, or not?’
A: ‘I think they're citizens who are entitled to being engaged in the process. They're obviously very concerned about immigration.’
Q: ‘Are they helpful?’
A: ‘I think that's up to others to judge. I don't agree with them, but they certainly are exercising their legal rights as citizens.’
Asked about the “lies” they’re accusing McCain of telling, the Obama campaign provided evidence that McCain in July 2008 told La Raza that he would have voted for the DREAM act, a bill that provides scholarships for the children of illegal immigrants, even thought he earlier in the campaign season said he would have voted against the bill.
Let’s delver further into this.
In the November 2007, Myrtle Beach Sun-News, McCain said of the DREAM Act, which he had cosponsored in the past, "I think it has certain virtues associated with it. And I think other things have virtues associated with it. But the message is they want the borders secured first."
The newspaper noted that McCain said he’d vote against a temporary worker program, even though he supports the idea. "I will vote against anything until we secure the borders," he said. "There is no way we're going to enact piecemeal immigration reform."
Before La Raza, McCain was asked by a young Latina if he’d support the DREAM Act, and he said, “Yes. Yes.”
The full exchange, however, goes like this:
QUESTIONER: Hi. I’m a part of One Dream 2009 and I am one of the 6 million who either have an undocumented parent or is undocumented and I wanted to know if you would support humanity all around the world and support our Dream Act that we are trying to pass.
MCCAIN: Yes. Yes. Thank you. But I will also enforce the existing laws of a country. And a nation’s first requirement is the nation’s security, and that’s why we have to have our borders secured. But, we can have a way and a process of people obtaining citizenship in this country. And, we cannot penalize people who come here legally and people who wait legally. And so, that’s a fundamental principle on which we have to operate. Thank you.
The Obama campaign also provided a number of seemingly conflicting comments McCain has made about offering greater funding for education programs in the No Child Left Behind act -- telling the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials in June that he “would fully fund those programs that have never been fully funded,” while not suggesting any greater funding for the bill when he’s talked about education in front of whiter audiences.
That ignores the fact that McCain has suggested reallocating the way the $23 billion for NCLB is spent.
McCain has changed his rhetoric and his emphasis when discussing immigration after almost losing the GOP presidential nomination because of it.
He now says the borders must be secured before anything else happens. And in that, he’s opened himself up to charges of flip-flopping, though the Obama campaign is quoting him selectively and unfairly to make their points.
The greater implication the ad makes, however, is that McCain is no friend to Latinos at all, beyond issues of funding the DREAM act or how NCLB money is distributed. By linking McCain to Limbaugh’s quotes, twisting Limbaugh’s quotes, and tying McCain to more extremist anti-immigration voices, the Obama campaign has crossed a line into misleading the viewers of its new TV ad. In Spanish, the word is erróneo.
-- jpt
September 17, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (614)
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This is the first race in memory where both candidates are scoring over 50% positives with voters. There's no need to bottom-feed and muck-rake, and it's clear here that Obama's followers can have the truth placed square in front of their face and they'll close their eyes and shake their heads. I may still vote for Obama but it might be more fun to see the look on Keith Olbermann's face if McCain wins.
Posted by: JT | Sep 19, 2008 1:23:59 PM
Nice job, Jake Tapper. And, thank you ABC for helping to set the record straight. Fair reporting, like this, will (hopefully) get recognition.
It is worth noting, however, that the comments from readers who recognize, yet condone Obama's attempt to mislead, obviously do not listen to Rush Limbaugh on any regular basis.
If they had been familiar with Rush Limbaugh, they would have known that McCain's viewpoint on immigration differs greatly from that of Limbaugh's.
Posted by: cmgirard99 | Sep 19, 2008 1:09:19 PM
Wake up Latinos!! This is clearly showing how Obama feels about us all. He wants your vote that's all, once he reaches his goal he'll forget about you. Mccain might be old but he has far more experience than Obama. Do you really think a President-in-training will help you at all?? With the way things are going on right now, you need someone with experience to lead you to a better tomorrow. Good luck!!
Posted by: Lil | Sep 19, 2008 12:55:51 PM
I just wanted to say thank you mr. tapper for telling the truth.I dont know that i will feel better about national media but i do feel better about your work.
thanks so much and keep up the good work!
Posted by: Doug | Sep 19, 2008 9:38:32 AM
As an ally of the U.S., I don't know which is scarier: Obama's obvious racism, or the seemingly-endless number of Americans who are being sucked in by this charlatan.
Sometimes the picture is more clear when you are standing outside if it.
Posted by: Leigh Patrick Sullivan | Sep 18, 2008 11:55:53 PM
In '00&'04 bush spoke some spanish and courted the hispanic vote.When it was time to fix the illegal immigration issue,republicans backtracked & yes I have heard republicans saying worse things about legal&illegal mexicans,as far as sensitivity,all the complaints are coming from a party.
Posted by: gramatoncleric | Sep 18, 2008 11:51:08 PM
*Actually, in Spanish the word is *injusticia*
Posted by: Claire | Sep 18, 2008 11:01:37 PM
I'm a republican. My wife, ours is a bi-racial marriage, is a legal immigrant. I am not racist, nor am I anti-immigrant. I am against people breaking the law, though. The immigration laws aren't arbitrary. I've also worked on national security issues, and immigration enforcement is necessary not just from a security standpoint but also because of social welfare concers. Illegal immigration (as opposed to legal) has a net negative impact on my community and many others accross the nation.
For Barack Obama to pander to Hispanics by misleading them with inflamatory false quotations speaks volumes about his character as a person. This is whom we will trust to lead our diplomatic missions around the world?
Posted by: Brian | Sep 18, 2008 10:49:10 PM
Lies-Hardly. Now that Palin Bridge to Nowhere is a damn lie.McCain being a Maverick that's another damn lie. This is only linkage to a Right wing group that McCain is groveling to get in his corner. Well I say take your rightwing base and forget about the Latino vote. WE don't want you John McCain.(Except maybe the Cuban Republicans who had favored immigration benefits once they touched land in the U.S.)
Posted by: Yonari | Sep 18, 2008 10:22:55 PM
Aw come on folks are you kidding me. This is ridiculous. Did this hurt somebody's tootsies? Sure it's guilt by association but isn't that the Republican way to question the person based on associations. The Republicans did it with that professor. The difference is Limbaugh IS a supporter and Limbaugh has said what's in the ads and worse.
Posted by: tito | Sep 18, 2008 10:14:51 PM
Excellent article, Jake Tapper! Thank you for pointing out the truth of the situation and calling Obama on the lies in this ad. Haven't watched network news in years, but maybe I should give ABC a second chance.
Posted by: Dianne | Sep 18, 2008 10:13:51 PM
Is this a joke or what? Palin lies-Bridge to Nowhere and that Barack is going to raise taxes for the middle Class. Palin believes Iraq is connected to 9/11. John McCain votes 19 times to oppose minimum wage, McCain has supported deregulation that has brought the U.S. economy to its knees, McCain's immigration ads in Spanish pander to the Latino vote and would never be aired in English for mainstream consumption. This ad essentially links JOHN MCCAIN to the bigotry of the number one anti-immigrant proponent of the Republican Party the same Right wing base that John McCain so desperately wants and this is disingenuous. Quit whining you cry babies. Own up now to your wedge issued anti-immigrant past. If McCain choses to disassociate from this element then let him speak up now. Let him show some cajones.
Posted by: Virgohunter | Sep 18, 2008 10:04:19 PM
I had to laugh at some of the sanctimonious comments because Obama has the audacity to link MCCAIN to LIMBAUGH and the right wing anti-immigrant rabid minions.Show your true face John McCain do you have the courage to stand up to your base on immigration now at this point in time and take on your anti-immigrant and no "amnesty" Republican platform. ..... Didn't think so.
Another Latina for Obama.
Posted by: Si Se Puede | Sep 18, 2008 9:49:57 PM
HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM....now let me see....McCain is a racist or bigot???? I think NOT! ! ! In this race the ONLY person out of ALL the candidates going all the way back to the beginning of the primaries that has injected RACE into the campaign has been.................. Senator Obama.....His latest attempt to divide us by playing the race card should not surprise anyone, let us not forget where he and his family spent their Sunday mornings for the past 20 years when they were in Chicago and attended church...He has no real plan for this country other than to steal more money from those who work the hardest to succeed, and give it to those who refuse to even try. Health care, education, housing...I cannot find ANY of those things in the Constitution...there are no guaranties here...no free lunch here, but the FREEDOM to pursue happiness and finacial freedom...we do not need or want govt run (re)education disguised as public schools, and top flight medical care torn down and ruined by govt mandated and required healthcare. These lastest smear tactics do not surprise me it is what socialists do to try and deflect the focus off of them when they are guilty. Shift the focus away from the questionable behavior they took part in and shift the blame to another person or party or race...WAKE UP AMERICA
Posted by: used to be a D now an I | Sep 18, 2008 9:42:16 PM
McCain is no friend to Latinos and there are Dos Caras in the Republican campaign. I wish Obama's people would demonstrate what a COWARD MCCain is with respect to immigration just so he can win the presidency. McCain was present in May when there was a revote on the DREAM ACT.Rather than have his vote registered McCain walked off the Senate floor so he would not have to vote. Too COWARDLY to support this humanitarian measure and too COWARDLY to face his fellow Republicans and try to persuade them to vote to give innocent kids a chance for lawful status.
NO TWO FACED COWARDLY MCCAIN, NOT NOW, NOT EVER! Another proud Latina supporting BARRACK OBAMA
Posted by: KICKBOXERMOMMA | Sep 18, 2008 9:33:24 PM
Is it just me or are the Republicans starting to freak out with their plummeting poll numbers now that Palin has been exposed as a know nothing fraud and McCain as a liar?
It's ok, guys. There's always 2024
Posted by: Lonn | Sep 18, 2008 9:30:09 PM
Whoa...I really was spooked today when I heard the recording of John McCain "forgetting" what or who Spain is. That's the way it started with my Grandpa and the next thing we knew he thought it was 1929. I was strongly leaning McCain, but I'm going to have to go with Obama now.
Posted by: Pari | Sep 18, 2008 9:27:59 PM
I guess he did learn a thing or 2 from the Master Liar. McCain lies and his numbers goes up.
Obama lies.....
well, Obama stop it!
Posted by: MyAudacity | Sep 18, 2008 8:58:04 PM
Anyone saying that Obama is "race baiting" when it comes to Pills Limbaugh . . . well . . . that is hysterical in it's absurdity. McCain is anti-immigrant and has tied his train to bigot central. Deal with it.
Posted by: Scy | Sep 18, 2008 8:50:13 PM
Jake: Great job exposing Obama's dishonesty! May your tribe increse!! I challenge you to keep getting more truth out there in the MSM regarding the REAL Obama. Please keep writing articles like this that show his true character (or lack thereof.) John Adams prayed that "only good and moral men" would live in the White House. It is my prayer, too, that men like John McCain, a decent and honorable man, who loves our country would be priveleged to own the title of president. Keep up the great work, please!!!!
Posted by: dawleymama | Sep 18, 2008 7:45:24 PM
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