Numbers are the rope in stimulus tug-of-war
Obama says critics are picking on 1 percent of the plan. A Republican lawmaker says only 15 percent of the package will be spent this year. We check the math.
Obama says critics are picking on 1 percent of the plan. A Republican lawmaker says only 15 percent of the package will be spent this year. We check the math.
The conservative group Fidelis says David Ogden, Obama's nominee for deputy attorney general, did legal work for Playboy. We find they're right, although it's a stretch to sum him up as a "porn lawyer."
For two weeks, you've heard claims that the bill includes lots of goodies — millions for Filipino veterans, ACORN and programs for sexually transmitted diseases. We sort out the truth.
The White House maintains there are no earmarks in the stimulus bill. But we find a few.
Yes, there's a provision in the stimulus bill that would help Filipino veterans from World War II. But it's complicated.
Republican leaders warn the economic stimulus plan would provide billions in funding to such organizations as ACORN. We dig down to see if they are right.
Our readers are not happy with our first Promise Broken for Obama, but one warns us to beware of 'Obama cultists.'
Obama signs a fair pay law — Promise Kept! But no 'sunlight before signing' — Promise Broken!
The president is perplexed when Washington-area schools close because of an ice storm. "As my children pointed out, in Chicago, school is never canceled," he says. We check to see if he's right.
Republicans complain of sculpture gardens, lawn repairs and no time for hearings. We check the facts.
The bill prompts some exaggerated rhetoric and allegations of earmarks. We check the facts — and award our first Pants on Fire for 2009.
We revisit our ruling on the new revolving door policy and conclude Obama's "no lobbyists" pledge has a loophole.