Fact-checking FRC again
In yesterday’s FRC Action email Perkins promoted a talking point about the stimulus package that not only comes straight from the GOP leadership, but also happens to not be true.
Perkins:
Apart from the bottom line, many of the problems we documented last week still exist, like the billions of dollars slated for ACORN…
The bill does include funds for which ACORN would be eligible to compete – against hundreds of other groups. But most is for a housing rehabilitation program ACORN says it never applied for in the past and won’t in the future.
For the past two weeks, Republicans have been raising a new charge against a familiar enemy, claiming that the Democrats’ stimulus bill includes as much as $5.2 billion in “goodies” for the Association of Community Organization for Reform Now (ACORN). Last fall, Republicans accused ACORN of “massive voter fraud,” a claim which we said was exaggerated. The group has since become a favorite target of Republicans, so it understandably raises a few hackles when House Republican leader John Boehner’s Web site proclaims that the bill provides “a taxpayer-funded bonanza” for ACORN. And Republican Sen. David Vitter goes even further, telling Newsmax TV that the provisions amount to “a political payoff.” Also, the National Republican Trust PAC has taken up the issue in fundraising pitches. But these claims are wildly exaggerated and rely upon faulty logic. (emphasis added)
There are no “billions of dollars slated for ACORN” in the stimulus bill. FRC is either lying or being negligent in not knowing that they are misleading their constituency. It’s also worth mentioning that Sean Hannity, Karl Rove, Rush Limbaugh and Lou Dobbs are parroting the ACORN attack too. Carrying the same water as those right wing all stars shines a new light on Perkins’ newly professed nonpartisan leanings.