White House: Reality Check: Fox News Trying to Turn a Point of Pride into a Moment of Shame

[Thrill]

Last night Fox News continued its disregard for the facts in an attempt to smear the Administration's efforts to win the Olympics for the United States. In the past, hosting the Olympics has been a source of pride and unity for the country, but once again Fox News' Glenn Beck program has shown that nothing is worthy of respect if it can be used as part of a partisan attack to boost ratings.

RHETORIC: BECK SAID VANCOUVER LOST $1 BILLION WHEN IT "HAD THE OLYMPICS." Glenn Beck said, "Vancouver lost, how much was it? they lost a billion dollars when they had the Olympics."

REALITY: VANCOUVER'S OLYMPICS WILL NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL 2010. Vancouver will host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games from February 12 – 28, 2010 and March 12-21, 2010, respectively.


RHETORIC: VALERIE JARRETT "WAS LAST SEEN WITH THE NEA." Beck's guest, FOX News contributor Pat Caddell, said, " is going to go with Valerie Jarrett who was last seen with the NEA pumping up their use of, you know, money."

REALITY: VALERIE JARRETT WAS NOT ON THE NEA CONFERENCE CALL. Valerie Jarrett was not a participant in the August 10, 2009 United We Serve/NEA conference call.


RHETORIC: CHICAGO IS CLOSING THE GOVERNMENT SEVERAL DAYS A WEEK BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO BE OPEN. Beck's guest Caddell said, "Chicago is closing the government several days a week because they cannot afford to be open. They are going to go and reward -- this is the biggest scandal."

REALITY: CHICAGO HAS HAD ONE REDUCED-SERVICE DAY IN 2009, AND WILL HAVE TWO MORE ON THE FRIDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING AND ON CHRISTMAS EVE. On August 17, 2009, CBS Chicago reported, "If you planned to check out a library book, visit a city clinic or have your garbage picked up on Monday, you're out of luck. The City of Chicago is basically closed for business on Aug. 17, a reduced-service day in which most city employees are off without pay. City Hall, public libraries, health clinics and most city offices will be closed. Emergency service providers including police, firefighters and paramedics are working at full strength, but most services not directly related to public safety, including street sweeping, will not be provided. That also includes garbage pickup. Residents who receive regular collection on Mondays should expect trash to be picked up on Tuesday. Some other customers may experience a one-day delay as collectors catch up. As part of the 2009 budget, three reduced-service days were planned for 2009, days which are unpaid for all affected employees -- the Friday after Thanksgiving; Christmas Eve; and New Year's Eve. The City Council recently approved moving the reduced-service day planned for New Year's Eve to Monday. The 2009 budget anticipates saving $8.3 million due to the reduced-service days. In addition to reduced service days, all non-union employees were asked to take a series of furlough days and unpaid holidays, and most non-sworn union employees agreed to similar unpaid time off."


RHETORIC: VALERIE JARRETT WILL BENEFIT FINANCIALLY. Beck asked, "Is it possible that she is going to benefit if the Olympics come to Chicago?" Caddell responded, "Well, that’s the word. She has certainly had a lot of dealings going on in real estate."

REALITY: UPON ENTERING GOVERNMENT, VALERIE JARRETT DIVESTED ALL HER REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT HOLDINGS EXCEPT FOR A SINGLE INVESTMENT THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OLYMPIC BID. Valerie Jarrett divested all her investment real estate holdings upon entering government except for a single real estate holding that she was unable to sell. This single real estate investment has been determined by White House Counsel and the independent Office of Government Ethics to present no conflict of interest in performing her duties as a White House advisor. It has nothing to do with the Olympic bid.


http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Reality-Check-Turning-a-Point-of-Pride-into-a-Moment-of-Shame/

[AspenRose]

1. Why are they gunning for Valerie Jarrett all of a sudden?

And is this why she (and Axlerod) are on Secret Service security detail now, too?

Bastards.

[starroute]

3. Because they see her as vulnerable

They're trying to chip away at the Obama administration by ginning up phony scandals against (1) anyone who might actually steer things in a more progressive direction (mainly African-Americans) and (2) people on whom Obama depends. Jarrett is simply the next on their list.

[Cha]

2. fauxsn00ze hates America and always has ..why do you think

they promoted bush-cheney?

To destroy America and get their tax breaks.

[Cali_Democrat]

4. So now they're targeting Valerie Jarret after they targeted Van Jones

Hmmmmmm.....is she.....black?

You bet.

[CakeGrrl]

6. Besides which, she's a longtime friend/advisor to both Obamas. n/t

[hvn_nbr_2]

5. Two questions about Pat Cadell

1. When did he go over to the dark side? I remember him being our internal pollster when I worked in Joe Biden's first Senate campaign (1972).

2. How old is he now? In 1972 he was an established pollster. Was he a whiz kid or is he getting up there now?

[Jennicut]

8. He was always a little dark.

In the book "What it Takes" by Richard Ben Cramer (about the 1988 primaries), he comes off as a bit crazy. I guess he finally lost it. He was born in 1950 so he is 59.
I guess he got into a fight with the Dem party back in the late 80's and then went nuts:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Caddell

[hvn_nbr_2]

9. Thanks for that info. nt

[Cha]

7. Good for the White House calling out the lies on faux...

"For even more Fox lies, check out the latest "Truth-O-Meter" feature from Politifact that debunks a false claim about a White House staffer that continues to be repeated by Glenn Beck and others on the network."