CAMDEN — Often attributed to Mark Twain, among others, the phrase, “There are lies, damned lies and statistics,” is difficult to trace to its origins.
The quote, however, remains timeless and came to mind after the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report on the investigation of Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and related matters. I will leave opinions about what the report did and did not prove to you. I am too busy being horrified by what people will ignore in their own folk and by how little society is disturbed by lies — or slips of the tongue.
Since Democrats are clamoring for President Donald Trump’s impeachment, let’s start by honing in on what’s NOT bothering them — like their party knowing about Russia’s interference and doing nothing until after-the-fact.
Scott Jennings, a CNN contributor and former special assistant to President George W. Bush, penned a recent op-ed noting former President Barack Obama’s failure to intervene with Russians for meddling “on his watch.”
“The Mueller report flatly states that Russia began interfering in American democracy in 2014. Over the next couple of years, the effort blossomed into a robust attempt to interfere in our 2016 presidential election. The Obama administration knew this was going on and yet did nothing,” Jennings wrote.
Jennings observed that Obama went “soft” on Russia because of the Iran nuclear deal. “Obama wanted Putin in the deal, and to stand up to him on election interference would have, in Obama’s estimation, upset that negotiation,” Jennings wrote. “This turned out to be a disastrous policy decision.”
Obama did slap sanctions on Russia AFTER the election but, as Jennings said, it was a “toothless response to a serious incursion.”
Where is the outrage from Democrats?
And what about President Trump? He is claiming the Mueller report fully exonerated him, but if the president actually read and comprehended the report, he would know he was not exonerated. Perhaps he does know and thinks his claims to the contrary will influence those who won’t bother to read the report for themselves — and sadly, it will some.
“If we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the President clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state,“‘the report said. “Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, we are unable to reach that judgment.”
Are Republicans not bothered by this? How would they be responding if this same thing was written about a Democratic president, like say, Obama?
I follow the Poytner Institute’s Politifacts website (https://www.politifact.com/). The site fact-checks statements about topics that are in the news. Up and running since 2007, Politifacts selects facts to check from both Democrats and Republicans, but focuses on fact-checking “the party that holds power or people who repeatedly make attention-getting or misleading statements.”
The statements are rated true, mostly true, half true, mostly false, false, and pants on fire (as in liar, liar pants on fire). Those who offer a greater volume of statements obviously are checked more often. Here is what they have found by fact-checking top officials.
True statements: Trump, 30; Obama, 123; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, six; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, four; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, two; Vice President Mike Pence, five; former Vice President Joe Biden, 13; and former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, 72.
Mostly true statements: Trump, 72; Obama, 155; Pelosi, four; McConnell, eight; Schumer, five; Pence, six; Biden, 17; and Clinton, 76.
Half-true statements: Trump, 96; Obama, 161; Pelosi, 12; McConnell, six; Schumer, four; Pence, 15; Biden, 23; and Clinton, 69.
Mostly false statements: Trump, 139; Obama, 70; Pelosi, eight; McConnell, eight; Schumer, three; Pence, nine; Biden, 12; and Clinton, 41.
False statements: Trump, 227; Obama, 71; Pelosi, nine; McConnell, six; Schumer, four; Pence, 14; Biden, 10; and Clinton, 31.
Pants on fire: Trump, 99; Obama, nine; Pelosi, three; McConnell, zero; Schumer, one; Pence, one; Biden, four; and Clinton, eight.
If you haven’t looked at Politifacts, check it out. There are lots of interesting articles. With all the recent flap in the news over White House Press Secretary Sarah Sander’s “slip of the tongue,” you might find the historical review of press secretary statements interesting. She doesn’t have the franchise on slippage.
Shea Wilson is the former managing editor of the El Dorado News-Times. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter.com @sheawilson7.