The reliance on strawman arguments to answer questions is a common practice for this administration.
He said that the Republicans were all about doing nothing on the economy when it came to the stimulus when every Republican in the Senate voted for a republican alternative stimulus plan that according to barack Obama’s own model created twice the jobs as half the price.
The GOP Conferance has figured this out and is having some fun with it.
Even the Washington Post has reported on the President’s use of straw man tactics to scare away criticisms of his policies. Despite the fact Republicans have repeatedly offered better solutions:
$786 billion so-called stimulus
President’s Straw Man
“There seem to be a lot of folks… who just believe that we should do nothing.” (Washington Post, 2/11/2009)Republican Better Solution
Republicans offered an alternative that created twice the jobs at half the cost compared to the President’s plan. (republicanleader.house.gov)
$410 billion omnibus loaded with wasteful spendingPresident’s Straw Man
“Opposition is always easy. Saying no to something is easy.” (Washington Post, 3/12/2009)Republican Better Solution
Republicans called for a resolution that would have checked the growth of government spending and eliminated thousands of wasteful earmarks. (www.gop.gov)
A budget proposal that spends, taxes, and borrows too muchPresident’s Straw Man
“…they’ve [Republican Party] just decided ‘we’re going to be against whatever the other side is for.'” (Louisville Courier-Journal, 3/24/2009)Republican Better Solution
Republicans call for a budget that protects jobs, lowers taxes, provides universal access to affordable health care, and ends taxpayer bailouts. (www.gop.gov)