NPR: Fact-Checking the State of the Union 2008

Fact-Checking the State of the Union 2008

We invite you to drop by our blog during President Bush's State of the Union speech, starting at 9 p.m. ET. NPR reporters and editors will be fact-checking the speech and posting their updates here. We hope you'll contribute your own comments.

Don Gonyea reported today on how Bush's State of the Union speeches have reflected his shifting focus during his presidency. Morning Edition also featured an interview with the two speechwriters who helped Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton write their final addresses.

6:34 PM ET | 01-28-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Nice. We need more fact checking in the news media.

Sent by Jody Sol | 7:19 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Hmmm, the power of ordinary citizens---then we would have Pres. Gore

Sent by Mary W | 9:12 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Is the man paving the way toward a stand-up comedian career?

Sent by John Donaldson | 9:15 PM ET | 01-28-2008

How accurate are those figures just given on No Child Left behind?

Sent by Becky | 9:21 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Someone please check these numbers. Is B. using Texas switching tactic on these numbers?

Sent by Dirk Dierking | 9:21 PM ET | 01-28-2008

According to what metric is the unfunded mandate, No Child Left Behind, succeeding?

Sent by John Donaldson | 9:22 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Permanent tax relief please read...
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/reports/taxplan.html

Sent by Damion | 9:22 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Did the (crazy) president just say he wanted to give people money to send their kids to faith-based and religious schools? What happened to the separation of church and state? And can I send my children to an atheist school on Bush's tab?

Sent by Temira | 9:23 PM ET | 01-28-2008

So, uh. Check some facts already?

I recommend the "average increase of a thousand dollars" line to start.

Sent by Bret | 9:28 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Great. Congress just clapped for Bush's declaration that he wouldn't allow federal agencies to carry out Congressional appropriations bills. Imagine applauding your own neutering.

Sent by Ab Ced | 9:30 PM ET | 01-28-2008

How can Bush stand there and tout more free trade agreements when there is absolutely no evidence that the ones already in place have done anything but suck good jobs out of our economy

Sent by Ralph Lippart | 9:31 PM ET | 01-28-2008

The clean coal Power Initiative has not put a new coal plant on line during the presidents reign.
http://www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/powersystems/cleancoal/

Sent by Damion | 9:31 PM ET | 01-28-2008

"Charitable donations are higher than ever."
Is that true?

Sent by Andy | 9:31 PM ET | 01-28-2008

I've heard that poor people give more to charity than rich people as a percentage to income, so maybe charitable contributions are up because there are more poor people now than ever?

Sent by Yvonne | 9:38 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Yes, you can send your child to an athiest school on the gov's tab; its called public schools.

Sent by Amy | 9:38 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Do the terrorists really oppose every principle of humanity and decency that we hold dear? Somehow I doubt that simplistic thinking is helping to build any bridges.

Sent by Nyana | 9:38 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Why is Bush wanting to clean up ear marks NOW?
Without taxes, how are we going to get out of the HUGE deficit we are in. He makes FUN of people willing to pay their way---shameful.
Is anyone making sure that BUSH/Cheney does not make an agreement with IRAQ that we'll have to finance after BUSH leaves office. I refuse to pay any longer for his mistakes while BUSH/Cheney set themselves/oil companies up for ever after. That is a war I'm willing to fight for. The war against those who will sell our country.....to line their own pockets.

Sent by Liz O'Connell | 9:40 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Bush want 18,000 border patrol officers to guard 4,000 miles of border with Canada and 2,000 miles of border with Mexico
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070523-2.html
There is 37,838 police in NY City alone
http://www.thechief-leader.com/news/2006/0331/News/001.html

Sent by Damion | 9:42 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Are violent attacks in Iraq really down, like he says?

Sent by Nyana | 9:43 PM ET | 01-28-2008

it's misinformation to say the budget will be balanced by 2012 and not to include the Iraq war costs.

Sent by Joseph hmieleski | 9:45 PM ET | 01-28-2008

First mention of Osama Bin Laden linking him to Iraq and Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI). What happened to getting Osama Bin Laden "dead or alive"?

Sent by Vijay | 9:45 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Help remind me fact-checkers, was Al-Qaeda in Iraq before the invasion and occupation of Iraq?

Sent by John Donaldson | 9:46 PM ET | 01-28-2008

it is interesting that the president raises the image of poverty being discussed around the dinner table, but opposes an increase in food stamps to put food on that table!

Sent by Art Stickgold | 9:47 PM ET | 01-28-2008

"More than 20,000 of our troops are coming home." What happened to not announcing long term plans of troop withdrawl to the enemy.

Sent by Vijay | 9:48 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Is Bush's "20,000 troops coming home" really a draw down?

Sent by Bryan Nelson | 9:48 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Did the president say strategy in Iraq, what would that be.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/iraq/iraq_strategy_nov2005.html
The problem is this.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/04/AR2007030401321.html

Sent by Damion | 9:51 PM ET | 01-28-2008

"We will not rest until this enemy has been defeated." What enemy is B. talking about? He can't mean OBL because he is not in Iraq. He keeps talking about the enemy, what does he mean?

Sent by Vijay | 9:51 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Holy land? When did it stop being "the Middle East? Is this more subtle pandering to the religious right?

Sent by Art Stickgold | 9:54 PM ET | 01-28-2008

He said we would seek justice for our enemies to roaring applause. The fact of the matter is, sadly, the Bush Administration's style of justice brings more injustice for innocents than anything else.

Sent by April Richards | 9:55 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Michael Chertoff shame on you, the TSA is a failure.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-oiasecurity2808jan28,0,4542566.story

Sent by Damion | 9:58 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Okay, is there going to be any fact checking? Uh, you got the speech ahead of time, right?

No Child Left Behind: Highest numbers ever! In all what? Six years? What a tremendous achievement.

Charitable donations (read: tax deductible donations from rich people) HAVE increased. Need has increased even more. Surprise.

No more earmarks! Now that the Democrats get 60% and the GOP 40%, it's just unconscionable. Not so for the first six years of my presidency.

Green energy/fuel efficiency ALSO not part of my plan for the first six years. Now it's important.

Improve system of care for wounded warriors? You mean Walter Reed, where the rats run wild?

Did he say "Hispanish?"

Sent by Dave | 10:02 PM ET | 01-28-2008

How come it looks like the same people (President's left hand side) are always standing up and clapping? Is the audience seated in a certain way, GOP vs DEM's?

Sent by Angie | 10:09 PM ET | 01-28-2008

I guess Bush will not be a lame duck but a carrier of the avian flu. The president seems that he will fight to the end. The problem is, nothing will get done because his veto pen will kill anything he does not like. And he will bully his ideas on us all.

Sent by Damion | 10:11 PM ET | 01-28-2008

America fights to get Iraq sane because Iraq can not but, Iraq can get oil production started.
http://www.iraqdirectory.com/DisplayNews.aspx?id=3626
wonderful. Why are we there, again.

Sent by Damion | 10:18 PM ET | 01-28-2008

So far the Democratic response is so PATRONIZING. She is talking like we are simple minded. This better start sounding like something beyond a commercial. Where are the intelligent counterpoints? I am as angry at her as I am at him.

Sent by Louise | 10:23 PM ET | 01-28-2008

The 'democratic' response was an embarassment.

Sent by Maddy | 10:26 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Who picks the person speaking for the Democrats! Has anyone vetted this nonsense? This is a lost opportunity. I'm disgusted. There are grounds for impeachment and she is talking like a PTA President.

Sent by Louise | 10:27 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Uh, all you smart people? If you click on "main blog page" you will GET your "fact checking." Or you can just keep posting fodder ... whatever makes you happy!

Sent by ster | 10:28 PM ET | 01-28-2008

Simple response aimed at a simple person maybe. But this response seems to illustrate the weak stance the Democrats take when dealing with this president. It would have been a real change if Obama told the current president that change is coming and he better get on-board because his reign as president will have a legacy that would make Ronald Wilson Reagan turn in his grave.

Sent by Damion | 10:37 PM ET | 01-28-2008

George Bush is awesome! I like cowboys.

Sent by Charlie | 11:36 PM ET | 01-28-2008

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