Bill Clinton's DNC Speech
- Thread starter QueEx
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Job Creation
The Claim: Clinton said that over the past half century almost twice as many jobs had been created when Democrats were in the White House as under Republican administrations.
The Background: Republicans have used today’s weak job market as a club to beat President Obama. Clinton confronted the Republican charges by claiming long-term success for the Democrats’ “we’re all in this together” philosophy, which he contrasted with what he described as the Republicans’ “you’re on your own” approach. Since 1961, Republican presidents have served for 28 years while Democrats have been in office for about 23 years. Clinton said total job growth over that period amounted to 66 million. “What’s the jobs score?” he asked the crowd in Charlotte. “Republicans 24 million, Democrats 42 million!” he said.
The Facts: <SPAN style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">Clinton’s math is correct.</span> Using Bureau of Labor Statistics figures for the month each president took office, Democratic presidents presided over the creation of 42.3 million jobs and Republican chief executives saw 23.9 million.
SOURCE: Bloomberg-Businessweek
Expanding Debt
The Claim: Clinton said that Republican policies quadrupled the national debt in the 12 years before he took office and doubled it again in the 8 years following his presidency.
The Background: At their convention in Tampa, Florida, Republicans prominently placed a digital display showing a continually updated total for the national debt, which passed $16 trillion as the Democrats opened their conclave. Romney has attacked Obama as a big spender who has lavished money on wasteful government programs.
The Facts: <SPAN style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">Clinton’s claim is largely true.</span> The Treasury Department’s website, www.treasurydirect.gov, includes detailed historical data on the government’s public debt. Only annual fiscal year data is available for the period before 1997. Total public debt rose from $907.7 billion on Sept. 30, 1980, four months before President Reagan’s inauguration, to $4.1 trillion on Sept. 30, 1992, as the administration of President George H.W. Bush was coming to a close. Under Clinton, the rise slowed markedly, going to $5.7 trillion. On the second half of his claim, his math was a little off. Total debt rose from $5.7 trillion on Jan. 22, 2001, the first trading day after President George W. Bush was sworn in, to $10.6 trillion on Jan. 20, 2009, when Obama took over. That 86 percent jump isn’t quite the doubling Clinton claimed.
SOURCE: Bloomberg-Businessweek
Payroll Growth
The Claim: Clinton said that in the last 29 months the economy has produced about 4.5 million private-sector jobs.
The Background: Job creation has been a critical issue in the election.
The Reality: <SPAN style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">The statement is true.</span> Private non-farm payrolls rose by 4.5 million during the 29 months ended in July, the most recent month for which figures are available.
The Background: Job creation has been a critical issue in the election.
The Reality: <SPAN style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">The statement is true.</span> Private non-farm payrolls rose by 4.5 million during the 29 months ended in July, the most recent month for which figures are available.
SOURCE: Bloomberg-Businessweek
Clinton made a good speech. He still got it.
And he told the truth to get it.
If you say so..
What did you disagree with ? ? ?
I couldn't resist.
The reason he wasn't lying:
He hadn't finished. He was going on to say, "that night."
He hadn't finished. He was going on to say, "that night."
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