Factcheck.org Calls Government Union TV Ad Against Tim Walberg "Misleading"

Press Release

Will Mark Schauer Denounce the "Misleading" TV Ad?

Factcheck.org, which Mark Schauer recommends citizens to read to sort out fact from fiction, weighs in on the $750,000 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees' union television ad attacking Tim Walberg. Factcheck.org wrote:

"AFSCME's ad attacking the Republican is misleading -- beginning with the central theme that Walberg's "votes helped burn down our economy, damaging families and industries across Michigan." The ad cites four votes, but none of them support such a claim."

"Let's start with the middle-class tax cuts. The ad, which cost $750,000, says: "Rather than cut taxes for the middle class, Walberg sided with big oil and hedge funds -- gave them tax loopholes." That's not exactly true. He did vote for the middle-class tax cut in question in 2007, and when the tax cut bill came up again in 2008, it went unresolved before he left Congress."

"The ad also charges that Walberg "skipped out on a vote" to save auto industry jobs. He was in the hospital, recovering from surgery, when the House voted on, and easily passed, the automakers bailout bill."

Chris Gautz of the Jackson Citizen Patriot wrote today:

"Well, the nonpartisan website www.factcheck.org took a look and found it just as misleading as we did, and lays out a detailed and well-researched case."

"Their analysis shows that Walberg didn't oppose middle-class tax cuts; he voted for them. It also shows that he didn't give tax loopholes to hedge funds and oil companies."

"Despite the ad's opening claim that "his votes helped burn down our economy," all of the bills the ads cites as evidence were sponsored by Democrats, and they all passed in some version. And, none of those four bills were what led to the deep recession the country is still reeling from."

"Mark Schauer should denounce this misleading TV ad by his liberal supporters and explain how his own votes for trillion dollar deficits, Obamacare and tax hikes are helping Michigan families," said Tim Walberg.

"From day one, Congressman Mark Schauer has voted for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's big government agenda. They passed a budget that increases the national debt by trillions, voted for massive tax increases, and put the government in charge of health care, but all the American people are getting in return in more debt, higher taxes and fewer jobs. Mark Schauer obviously cannot defend his failed record, but it's still a shame that Mark and his liberal allies are resorting to purposefully misleading attacks instead of fairly discussing these issues so important to the future of our nation. It's sad that Mark Schauer and his supporters hold south central Michigan voters in such low regard with their cynical attacks," added Walberg.

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