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john mccain
August 2009 
John McCain's Lies
Jeff Mishlove
Pinocchio McCain (illustration by Jeff Mishlove -- may be freely used)
Although I wish to add my voice to the outrage being expressed in many places over the frequent, repeated lies being spread by the McCain campaign – I don’t think there’s any need for me to go into specifics. The facts are already too well documented. I have listed thirteen recent news stories and editorials below -- with links. And, many of these also link to nonpartisan websites that specialize in political fact-checking.
My main point is that this dishonest behavior cheapens the American electoral process and damages the body politic as a whole. Furthermore, it gives the lie to the idea that McCain and Palin, if elected, would govern differently than Bush and Cheney. In fact the technique of deliberate, brazen lying in American politics was taken to new heights by Bush and Cheney. McCain and Palin are simply demonstrating that they are perfectly willing and able to carry on this frightening tradition.
Also, I wish to go on record as rejecting the cynical contention that “all politicians lie” or that “the Democrats lie just as much as the Republicans.” I do not see evidence for this.
Of course, it is tricky – because one does find distortion and misrepresentation throughout the political spectrum. Although I am an avid Obama supporter, I am not blind to the truth-stretching that comes from his campaign. But, overall, I believe that Obama has made a real and sincere effort to conduct an honorable campaign. I wish I could say the same of McCain. But, the fact that he and Palin repeat their blatant lies, every day on the campaign trail, even after the factual errors are exposed – tells me that their motives are less than pure.
They are using lying as a deliberate campaign strategy. This strategy shows no respect for the intelligence or the integrity of the American voter. And, to my way of thinking, the soul of America is in peril if we, as a nation, reward this ugliness in the coming election.
“McCain is At It Again,” PhoenixvilleNews.com, September 20, 2008
Dan Nowicki, “McCain’s Negative Ads Could Backfire,” Arizona Republic, September 20, 2008
Frank Rich, “Truthiness Stages a Comeback,” New York Times, September 20, 2008
Alan Wolfe, “The Lying Game,” Salon.com, September 20, 2008
David Olive, “News Media Abetting ‘Carnival of Lies,’” Toronto Star, September 20, 2008
Patrick Healy, “Let’s Call a Lie a Lie … Finally,” New York Times, September 20, 2008
Siri Agrell, “Why the ‘L’ Word Matters More This Time Around,” Globe and Mail, September 18, 2008
Joe Klein, “John McCain and the Lying Game,” Time.com, September 17, 2008
Mark Mellman, “Lies, Damn Lies & John McCain,” TheHill.com, September 16, 2008
Tom Teepen, “McCain Has Become a Serial Liar,” SeattlePi.com, September 15, 2008
Count the Lies, www.mccainpedia.org
Access: Public
This is at least round six of the emerging GOP strategy for campaigning effectively with the mass video media. They've realized that anything they say, no matter how outrageous carries as much weight as the truth if said with evident conviction on enough channels, because such a substantial portion of Americans don't do any kind of serious, critical reading or analysis. The Democratic candidates, on the other hand, quixotically keep trying to discuss real issues with those inevitable shades of grey that make up the “truth” in genuine public policy. This approach isn't nearly dramatic enough to play well on television and appears to be losing a substantial number of the viewers who respond to simplistic labeling and sloganeering.
There is an emerging gulf in America between those knowledgable enough to comprehend the complexities of social and policy issues and can think critically about them and those that cannot. I have been puzzled by the constant use of the word “liberal” as an epithet in American political discourse. America hasn't had a real “liberal” presidential candidate since (probably) George McGovern, yet the GOP keeps labeling opponents as liberals. I've decided that it's become a code-word for “educated.” The GOP deliberately targets the ignorant and ill informed voters.
It's not only cynical, it's a betrayal of the very spirit of the American political experiment.