Oct. 21, 2012
By Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.
(TriceEdneyWire.com) - As I basked in the glow of President Obama's clear victory in the second debate, I reflected on the nature and depth of the lies and omissions that have permeated the Romney presidential campaign. I tried to recall as many lies as possible, but the job was simply too big! Rachel Maddow has been highlighting the Mitt Romney lies since early in the year, but listing all or most of them is a very tough job. Mr. Romney’s character reminds me of the old question of "How do you know when a politician is lying? -- His lips are moving!"
As I struggled with the volume of Romney's lies, I realized a more realistic focus was on those during the period surrounding the debates.
Romney has claimed, "There's no legislation regarding abortion that I'm familiar with that would become part of my agenda." Two hours after that remark, his press secretary pushed back by saying Romney "…would, of course, support legislation aimed at providing greater protections for life." Romney himself said he would absolutely support a Constitutional amendment defining the beginning of life as the moment of conception.
In the face of contradictions from independent studies, Romney still asserts that the numbers for his 20% across the board tax cuts add up. Outside of Romney’s Team, I know of no economists who will validate his claim of these cuts being revenue neutral. I doubt that what's left of the Middle Class could weather the tax burden predicted for his plan.
The most egregious of his lies relates to proposed healthcare under a Romney administration. Romney claims insurance protections for persons with pre-existing conditions, but a closer look at the truth discloses that, just like in pre-Obamacare era, these protections exist for those who can maintain insurance without interruption. If, having a pre-existing condition, you lose or relinquish coverage, you won't be able to regain it.
Lest we forget that the second debate lie Candy Crowley caught him in was not Romney's only lie, we need to pay closer attention to the potential impact of these lies. As with many others, my review of the Romney Presidential campaign has revealed more lies than I have space in which to write.
Romney once stated he didn't know what he said, but he stood by it! Eric Fehrnstrom, his spokesman, said Romney would reset like an Etch A Sketch. Accordingly, I can direct you to any number of Romney lies, and proclaim that he is indeed making full use of the Etch A Sketch! What I cannot explain is the willingness of some people to ignore his vast array of lies and seriously consider voting for him. Even more perplexing is the willingness of some to ignore the threat he poses to the direction of our country and the future of our democracy. It’s frightening to think that, despite his lies, he is considered a viable candidate. Even more frightening is the fact that his lies and arrogance could propel him to a perceived victory in the first debate.
President Obama’s supporters can relish the fact that most of the nation acknowledges a clear second debate victory for our President. It was a heartening solid performance based on truth and compassion. We can celebrate the President's verbal deftness and command of the facts as he withstood Romney's barrage of arrogant misrepresentations.
The President's win was a great one-- but his win in the second debate or another in the third are not the important ones. The final victory is the prize—the one on November 6, 2012! That’s when the American people can rise to the occasion and say, “We believe in victory based upon truth.”
(Dr. E. Faye Williams is National Chair of the National Congress of Black Women and Board Chair of the Black Leadership Forum. www.nationalcongressbw.org or 202/678-6788)