Lie of the Year: Readers’ Poll Results
We offered readers 10 Lie of the Year finalists that we fact-checked over the course of 2012, all of which we rated either False or Pants on Fire. We received 5,314 votes in our Readers’ Poll.
First place went to Rush Limbaugh, for his comments on health care being “the largest tax increase in the history of the world.” Many readers commented that they voted not for that particular statement, but because they think Limbaugh generally distorts the truth.
Here are the full results:
*”Obamacare is . . . the largest tax increase in the history of the world.” — Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh
26.6%
President Barack Obama was saying success “is the result of government,” not “hard-working people,” when he said, “If you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen.” — a campaign video from the Mitt Romney campaign
20%
Barack Obama “sold Chrysler to Italians who are going to build Jeeps in China” at the cost of American jobs. — a TV ad from the Mitt Romney campaign
18.7%
“Under Obama’s plan (for welfare), you wouldn’t have to work and wouldn’t have to train for a job. They just send you your welfare check.” — a TV ad from the Mitt Romney campaign
13.1%
Barack Obama began his presidency “with an apology tour.” — Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney
10.4%
“Over the last four years, the deficit has gone up, but 90 percent of that is as a consequence” of President George W. Bush’s policies and the recession. — President Barack Obama
5.6%
Mitt Romney and Bain Capital are to blame in a woman’s premature death when they closed the plant where her husband worked. — Priorities USA Action, a super PAC that supported Barack Obama
3.1%
Other (Examples: “Romney’s 47%”, “Benghazi was caused by a video,” “legitimate rapes don’t cause pregnancy”)
1.6%
Mitt Romney “backed a bill that outlaws all abortions, even in cases of rape and incest.” — a TV ad from the Barack Obama campaign
0.7%
When it comes to jobless workers, “Mitt Romney says he likes to fire people.” — Delaware Gov. Jack Markell
0.2%
Mitt Romney “called the Arizona law a model for the nation.” — President Barack Obama
0.2%
Our Sources
See individual fact-checks for complete sources.
