CNN Anchor Says ObamaCare Defunders 'Lied,' Are 'Holding the American People Hostage'
In a long screed
on Tuesday's Tom Joyner Morning Show, CNN's Don Lemon accused "some
Republicans" of lying and "holding the American people hostage" over
ObamaCare. In focusing on Republicans, he glossed over any falsehoods or
failed promises made by Democrats and President Obama about ObamaCare.
"According to FactCheck.org, since 2009 there have been a lot of
willing, willful misinformation given to the American people about
ObamaCare by both Democrats and Republicans. But really mostly by
Republicans," Lemon stated.
Consider the following harsh accusations made by Lemon against "some Republicans":
"Some lawmakers are throwing temper tantrums, Tom, and yet again holding the American people hostage instead of telling them the truth."
"...the running of our government is in peril. The American people are in peril. Livelihoods are in peril. Because some Republicans – not all, but some – have lied themselves into a corner
and threatened to shut down the government unless Obamacare is no
longer funded. Talk about selfish. Talk about taking your marbles and
going home."
So "people are in peril" and the Republicans are holding them "hostage." After firing these shots, Lemon cited FactCheck.org to debunk three "whoppers" on ObamaCare told by Republicans. Yet he ignored failed promises on health care made by Democrats and President Obama.
Lemon also misquoted Republicans. Here's how he reported one GOP criticism of the law:
"8.2 million Americans can't find work because of Obamacare."
Yet here was the actual GOP statement that FactCheck.org critiqued:
"8.2 Million: Americans Unable To Find Full-Time Work Partly Due to ObamaCare."
What the RNC was referring to was the BLS number of Americans holding part-time jobs for "economic" or "involuntary" reasons. And according to reports like this one, it is credible to believe that the health care law plays a significant factor in "involuntary" part-time labor.
Yet Lemon assumed the RNC meant 8.2 million people looking for jobs.
"The total number of part-time workers who want full-time jobs, and then
there is no evidence from official jobs figures that the law has had
any impact. That is the total number of part-time workers who want
full-time jobs. It's just that simple. It's false."
— Matt Hadro is a News Analyst at the Media Research Center. Follow Matt Hadro on Twitter.
