After grossly overestimating the number of people killed in the recent tornado in Greensburg, Kansas, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made another unforced error this week at a speech in Detroit.
As reported by Chicago Tribune columnist Jim Mateja, Obama criticized the U.S. auto industry for not being sufficiently environmentally friendly but made a significant mistake (h/t Paul Mirengoff):
The domestics certainly haven't flooded showrooms with gas/electric hybrids like the Japanese. But in fairness, the newest Japanese assembly plant in the U.S. produces 14-m.p.g. Toyota Tundra pickups, not Prius hybrids rated at 60 m.p.g.
"While our fuel standards haven't moved from 27.5 miles per gallon in two decades, both China and Japan have surpassed us, with Japanese cars now getting an average of 45 miles to the gallon," Obama said.Story Continues Below Ad ↓
"I'm not sure where he got that figure," Toyota spokesman Mike Michels said. "No carmaker gets 45 m.p.g. Ours is closer to 30 m.p.g."
If elected president, perhaps Obama's first appointment should be a fact-checker.
Not just for number crunching but also because neither China nor Japan mandate fuel-economy standards. And the 27.5 m.p.g. standard was set by the government, not the automakers.
Unlike Obama's Kansas error, this one does not seem to be the product of a slip of the tongue but a fact-checking error. By the standard the liberal press set for President Bush on Iraq WMD, Barack Obama is a "liar" then.
Don't hold your breath waiting for someone in the media to say that.
Update 05-12. Some blogs have disputed the accuracy of Mateja's reporting, however, if you look at the official EPA figures for fuel economy, Toyota's 2007 cars (not SUVs) get an average of 32.59 miles per gallon if you run the numbers, within 2.6 gallons of the 30-gallon estimate offered by the Toyota spokesman in Mateja's article.
—Matthew Sheffield is the creator of NewsBusters and its Executive Editor.
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Comments Policy
Beg to Differ
May 11, 2007 - 07:29 ET by allanfPlease, Barack Obama does not make errors. Sometimes the facts fail to live up to his statements.
Now President Bush on the other hand makes errors. He is deranged because he is at war with the "facts".
Welcome to life in the Democrat controlled "main stream media" It is only a mistake if they say it is a mistake!!1
Well, the "10,000 dead&q
May 11, 2007 - 07:44 ET by Roger the ShrubberWell, the "10,000 dead" mistake was attributed to "poor Obama was all tired and sleepy, boohoo" by our "progressive" comrades, so I wonder if the same lame excuse will be used for this gaffe, too?
So, in the past two days, Obama has shown that he cannot handle the stress of pre-campaigning, and has people handling him who are ill-informed. Lady Pantsuit has to be loving this.
Would it be wise to have so
May 11, 2007 - 08:58 ET by Tom1969caWould it be wise to have someone who (apparently) tires so easily having their finger on 'The Button'...?
~~~
"Al Gore never shuts up; it's just occasionally we have to hood him like a falcon so we can get some sleep..."Denis Miller (on Al Gore)
Shrubbster -- I do hope he
May 11, 2007 - 09:15 ET by Jack BauerShrubbster -- I do hope he uses the "tired" excuse because then we can legitimately claim
The 10,000 people died error
May 11, 2007 - 07:33 ET by AntiMediaThe 10,000 people died error is the same number the Democrats and MSM used during Hurricane Katrina.
Barack, what am I going to do
May 11, 2007 - 07:44 ET by Hero SquadMSM: Barack, what am I going to do with you? *shakes his head, laughs and ruffles Obama's hair* Now run along and play nice! *winks*
*****
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?'" - Elvis Costello
Here we go with another versi
May 11, 2007 - 07:55 ET by Airforce_5_OHere we go with another version of the Gospel according to Obama. Every time this guy opens his mouth the MSM bows at his feet as if a chorus of Angles were singing behind him.
I wonder if he will be on Hardball tonight getting the “kiss a$$ treatment” from the left.
A bag of hammers guys, just another bag of hammers.
"Life's tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid."
-John Wayne
It's more than fact checkin
May 11, 2007 - 07:56 ET by Dee BunkIt's more than fact checking. Maybe O'bama would be less ignorant on the subject if he tried to research and by a car with the best gas mileage. I guess it's one more thing that is not important to him but should be to us. We can't really blame him though because the government didn't make him.
Oddly enough
May 11, 2007 - 07:58 ET by 10ksnookerSen Botoxer is going to propose the exact same 45 MPG figure that Hussein Obama was talking about in her upcoming 'wreck the economy' Globull Alarming bill. I think it's not a coincidence that Obama blurts out that the Japanese manufacturers had already achieved the ridiculous 45 MPG figure.
Toyota responded that they had a CAFE of 30 MPG not 45, which is just slightly more than the required 27.5 MPG.
With Liberals, nothing happens by accident. The windup is for a new BTU tax pitch ... The very same onerous approach that died in 1993.
As an aside -- Someone needs to tell me how CO2 from ethanol is better than CO2 from gasoline ... Ethanol brings with it a whole new set of pollutants not found in gasoline, not to say anything about being a net loser of energy.
Ethanol brings with it a whol
May 11, 2007 - 09:58 ET by dahliatraversEthanol brings with it a whole new set of pollutants
That's right. We had a nice chat about it (below). Not to mention that it takes food off of tables in developing countries.
I myself am looking forward to all Presidential candidates being asked about these discoveries during the Iowa caucuses.
http://newsbusters.org/node/12228
Speaking of ethanol taking food off the tables
May 11, 2007 - 10:09 ET by RJSpeaking of taking food off the tables of the poor, I heard yesterday that the Fwench have been dumping wine because sales are down, and guess where it's going? That's right....ethanol! My car has been asking for more...... ;^>
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/oceans-of-wine-flow-down-drain-into-french-cars-fuel-tanks/2005/10/07/1128563003549.html
"Really, officer, it's m
May 11, 2007 - 21:03 ET by dahliatravers"Really, officer, it's my car that's intoxicated, not me ..."
From saying that no one suffe
May 11, 2007 - 07:59 ET by Gat New YorkFrom saying that no one suffers more than Palestinians, to his focus on the number of ambulances after a terror attack to his slight overstatement of casualties after the Kansas tornadoes, to now this. It is just an increasing mélange of unacceptable errors. Hillary doesn’t have to do anything but sit back and watch this guy sink like a lead weight.
"Barry's" statement
May 11, 2007 - 08:10 ET by jdhawk"Barry's" statements are disturbing on several levels. In this sentence, "The domestics certainly haven't flooded showrooms with gas/electric hybrids like the Japanese," it is clear that "Barry" doesn't understand the simple concept of supply and demand. The "domestics" as he calls our car companies, have provided several compact and SUV hybrids. And, like the Japanese's offerings, except to starlets in Hollywood, they aren't selling. The reason is that they are more expensive to buy, operate (they don’t get the MPG that is advertised and the battery needs replacing every 3-5 years at an enormous cost), and have an uncertain cost upon "disposal” (try taking one of these babies to your local land fill or junk yard).
This statement, ""While our fuel standards haven't moved from 27.5 miles per gallon in two decades, both China and Japan have surpassed us, with Japanese cars now getting an average of 45 miles to the gallon," tells me that "Barry" is, like most liberals, ready to blame America first. That he choose to do so over fuel economy is simply laughable. If the other countries didn't attempt to tax their citizens into oblivion via gas taxes, they would all be driving much larger, more comfortable, and more crash resistant vehicles like we do. Meanwhile, most of the other countries on the planet don't bother to use unleaded gasoline. This, in and or itself, makes their pollution problem much worse than ours.
That "Barry" can't get simple facts straight and the facts that he does tout always make America look worse than it might otherwise, is disturbing. It talks to his point of reference and frame of mind. I see him as another Jimmy Carter - the worst president in the last half of the 20th century. Can you imagine four or even eights years with this, the "magic negro?"
RECALLS
May 11, 2007 - 08:57 ET by PawpawNDid he mention about the Toyota recalls of hybrids? Did he mention how long the batteries last & how much they cost? Did he mention how they will be disposed? Did he mention that GM has something like 11 non-hybrids that get over 30 mpg/hwy? Again puts down own country and builds up another. Typical DIM/LIB view!
Make up facts if you don't like the real ones
May 11, 2007 - 08:45 ET by c5thenSeems to be the SOP of the liberals.
27.5 mpg average .vs. 30 mpg average seems very close to me.
But, of course, this will be spiked by the MSM. And, on the off chance that it does get some publicity, O'bama wasn't clueless, he wasn't lying, and he wasn't purposefully distorting the facts...he was simply mistaken.
Honda Introduces New 45 MPG M
May 11, 2007 - 08:55 ET by ding7777Honda Introduces New 45 MPG Minicar: the ZEST.
Is that Lemon or orange?"
May 11, 2007 - 08:58 ET by Airforce_5_OIs that Lemon or orange?
"Life's tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid."
-John Wayne
OBama
May 11, 2007 - 09:44 ET by iveseenitallI recently heard someone say that once you are hooked on drugs, you can't grow beyond the mental age at which you started using them. I think that's Hussein Obama's problem. Go to rehab, OBee!
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
so that makes George W's ment
May 11, 2007 - 09:50 ET by Leonso that makes George W's mental age what? 16? 17? 18?
From what I've heard, there were a lot of snow days back then. Those Andover boys sure know how to party, that's for sure.
PS you can't actually believe what you've posted about drugs and mental age can you? That might be biggest load of hog wash I've ever seen.
Right
May 11, 2007 - 10:24 ET by iveseenitallRight, Leon. If someone is on drugs, he/she surely shouln't believe "nonsense" like that. It's just another myth. Anna said that-- while she was still among the living.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
ding - what is your point?
May 11, 2007 - 09:54 ET by Dee Bunkding - what is your point? Surely you aren't saying that because they "introduced" one 45 mph car that equates to an average of all cars in Japan and China. Are you just sharing info for our personal benefit. Thanks, I think it's great about that car getting such good gas mileage. I might be willing to buy one when I'm done with the carpooling years. I doub Mr. Obama would be though.
Dee -- Pointless, as usual.
May 11, 2007 - 10:01 ET by Jack BauerDee -- Pointless, as usual.
I've got a 1994 VW Corrado VR6 with a 3 liter engine that'll do 145mph, and 0-60 in less than six seconds.
But I've also managed to get over 45 mpg out of it. To do that all I have to do is drive at 40 mph in fifth gear. Now that's BORING!
Everything is relative. I bet it is IMPOSSIBLE to get 45 mpg out of any car stop start driving in a city.
Jack - When I come to Londo
May 11, 2007 - 10:32 ET by Dee BunkJack - When I come to London I want a ride! You probably are able to go on those autobahns. Do they still have no speed limits? I'm surprised the greenies haven't come down on them.
Dee -- nah, UK top speed is
May 11, 2007 - 10:38 ET by Jack BauerDee -- nah, UK top speed is officially only 70! Though I believe the german autobahns are still unlimited.
Don't tell the cops, but I did get my beloved Corrado up to 145 for a few minutes one early Sunday morning on an emply strech of highway. I think that was the limit, but I really didn't want to push it much more as it was near the red line, and the engine cuts out after that.
Barry O'bama said that Honda
May 11, 2007 - 10:18 ET by Gat New YorkBarry O'bama said that Honda cars get an average of 45 mpg. That would include their entire fleet of cars.
I don't believe this car was
May 11, 2007 - 16:26 ET by garvinI don't believe this car was is designed as an export. It was first introduced sometime last year.
http://world.honda.com/FuelCell/FCX/FCXPK.pdf
This car does not get as good
May 11, 2007 - 22:46 ET by NL207This car does not get as good mileage as the Honda Civic hybrid that has been on the market for several years now, does it? That get's 51 mpg. this Zest only gets 45. So what is your point?
B. Hussein Obama makes John
May 11, 2007 - 10:16 ET by daveinbocaB. Hussein Obama makes John Kerry and his flip-flops look good in comparison. This is a showhorse trying for a workhorse job. If he's tired at age 45 and prone to make stupid mistakes because of fatigue, how come John McCain at 70 does so well?
__________________
Taunted by a Liberal in Parliament that he was going to die "on the gallows or of a vicious social disease," Disraeli replied "That depends on whether I embrace your principles or your mistress."
Dave - correction - they are
May 11, 2007 - 10:20 ET by Gat New YorkDave - correction - they are just flops.
Matthew Sheffield - Why are y
May 11, 2007 - 11:41 ET by ding7777Matthew Sheffield - Why are you targeting Obama? Its part of a press release for the bi-partisan The Fuel Economy Reform Act of 2006/2007
Coleman has the exact same 2006 press release as Obama and Lugar. Lugar uses the 2006 press release for the reintroduction of the bill in 2007
Ding Dong
May 11, 2007 - 11:46 ET by JimboMaybe because Obama is a Presidential contender, while none of the other people you mentioned are. And, that the Republican contenders as well as President Bush get crucified every time they make a similar mistake.
But then you could have answered that question yourself by reading the entire article.
Jimbo says - "There is a fine line between freedom of speech and treason"
Jimbo - It was a bi-partisan,
May 11, 2007 - 11:57 ET by ding7777Jimbo - It was a bi-partisan, joint press release originally from last year. Even if Matt is holding Obama to a higher standard, he should have mentined that
And I do believe Biden is a Presidential primary contender
Come on Ding Bat
May 11, 2007 - 12:03 ET by JimboDo I have to translate this article even further for you??
The point is that conservative gaffes are repeated on an endless loop in an effort to either undermine the President or undermine Republican presidential candidates. This example shows the double standard that exists by not giving Obama’s gaffe similarly scrutiny and airtime. Don’t try to morph a valid point into something it’s not.
And there is a difference between being a presidential candidate and being a contender. Biden is not a contender. You must agree with that, because you are upset that Biden didn’t receive any scrutiny!
Jimbo says - "There is a fine line between freedom of speech and treason"
Jimbo... What! Biden isn't a
May 11, 2007 - 12:18 ET by bigtimerJimbo...
What!
Biden isn't a contender!
Surely you jest...
I just wished someone would tell him that....
He is a contender alright....kind of like he's a legend in his own mind kind of thing...lol!
Just had to throw that in there for the fun of it!
Oh yeah? Of course they will
May 11, 2007 - 13:19 ET by Dad GummitOh yeah? Of course they will report it. Should be front page for weeks! Don't you remember Dan Quayle puttingt an "E" on "Potato?" Oh, wait... Dan's not a DimRat....Never Mind!
By the way... do you realize that if Borat Osama got elected it will make us an "Obama-nation"!! (pun intended)
"Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical, liberal minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."
Yup. This time it looks like
May 11, 2007 - 17:00 ET by QueenMumYup. This time it looks like Obama is just making things up as he goes. Not good.
So when can we expect a corre
May 11, 2007 - 17:17 ET by FactFiendSo when can we expect a correction, Mr. Sheffield?
http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/05/the_mistake_oba.html
Guess what I learned by going
May 11, 2007 - 19:01 ET by joe conservativeGuess what I learned by going to a fact based website, MEDIA MATTERS. In fact, a report from the Pew Center on Global Climate Change stated that the 2002 average fleet fuel economy value in Japan was 46.3 miles per gallon. Obama does it again!
Guess what? Toyota spokesman more credible than Media Matters
May 11, 2007 - 19:47 ET by nkviking75If you'll review the original post, a spokesman for Toyota says it ain't so. If it were, Toyota would obviously trumpet such an accomplishment to the world. This Pew study doesn't have much credibility if a Japanese car maker won't back it up.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
nk, Pew agrees with the LAT
May 11, 2007 - 19:56 ET by dahliatraversnk, Pew agrees with the LATimes: "Believe us, not the original source."
Sorry to bore you with more f
May 11, 2007 - 21:02 ET by joe conservativeSorry to bore you with more facts, but according to the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association, the 2002 average fleet fuel economy value in Japan was 46.3 miles per gallon. Facts should be our friends.
SOP
May 11, 2007 - 21:07 ET by acumen"Sorry to bore you...."
It's OK, we're getting used to it...
Sorry
May 13, 2007 - 02:42 ET by Mr. Bishop"Sorry to bore you with facts"? If you had any intention, whatsoever, of using facts -- you would know that Obama did not use that report. Had he used that report, he would have quoted US gas mileage at the 24.1 mpg the report claims under CAFE rating, instead of the 27 mpg he (Obama) does mention. If you also bothered to read the report, the 46 mpg were after the tests were "normalized" (read: modified) for the Japanese cars. Prior to "normalization" in the report, the Japanese cars received a rating of 34 mpg -- which is right where the Toyota spokesman puts it at.
You're absolutely right -- facts should be our friends... For you, however, they are woefully your eternal enemies.
"Stop global warming! Asphyxiate a liberal!" - Show us how far you're willing to go to stop "global warming"
Dude... lighten up..
I had to wipe the spit take f
May 11, 2007 - 20:57 ET by Roger the ShrubberI had to wipe the spit take from my keyboard when I read the words "fact-based website" and "Media Matters" in the same sentence. Man, I thought the jokes were being posted on the open thread. That's some funny stuff, Joey!
At least post a link when you tell your jokes, Chachi.
Excerpt from Media Matters pr
May 11, 2007 - 21:00 ET by dahliatraversExcerpt from Media Matters profile:
But in addition to "news or commentary that is not accurate, reliable, or credible," the organization's concept of "misinformation" includes anything that "forwards the conservative agenda."
Thanks for the link to the we
May 11, 2007 - 21:05 ET by joe conservativeThanks for the link to the website written in crayon.
Whoops. Sorry to see that you
May 11, 2007 - 21:09 ET by Roger the ShrubberWhoops. Sorry to see that you soil yourself when you find yourself proven to be a hack.
You may go now.
How to hate?
May 11, 2007 - 21:04 ET by acumen"Guess what I learned by going to a fact based website, MEDIA MATTERS."
How to hate conservatives? Or is that genetic?
I doubt that. I used to liv
May 11, 2007 - 22:27 ET by NL207I doubt that. I used to live in Japan. I think that Toyota's fleet there gets about the same mileage as Toyota's fleet here does. The Toyata spokesman here says they are getting about 30 mpg fleetwide. When I lived in Japan there were several Toyota models that simply were not available or of limited availability in the US. The Corona was one of these. There was another one, I think called the Crown, which featured a V8 engine and was frequently used for taxi service there. There was also a minivan or van that was not the Sienna. Toyota is Japan's #1 auto maker. Most of the others fall into line with their performance.
Media Matters? I post there once in a while when I get bored and want more opposition. Those clueless twits couldn't get it right if they tried and, to paraphrase a truly great American, most of their posters couldn't debate their way out of a piss soaked paper bag.
Maybe Obama has substituted
May 11, 2007 - 22:12 ET by BondPlainBondMaybe Obama has substituted tar and nicotine with something else?
This many misspeaks is ridiculous. Pretty soon, or, maybe already, he is being compared to George Bush. Ya think?
He's sounding more and more like a Southern preacher in his stump stops. The bouncing on his heels, the double fists down, the backward head rolls, the exaggerated vowel sounds, and humming at the end of sentences. It's as though he's possessed. Oh wait! He is possessed. By George Soros. Perhaps listening to that accented voice of Evil in his (big) earpiece is screwing up the detail for him.
George Soros said of Obama last week in Oxford, England, at the Soros-sponsored, funded, and founded European Council on Foreign Relations, "If leading Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama wins the post in 2008, the U.S. may regain some of 'the high ground'."
As time goes by, Obama consistently demonstrates himself to be a few batteries short of full illumination.
An observation
May 12, 2007 - 07:23 ET by goldenthroatSo why should we ever expect Osama Bama, in his relentless pursuit of the presidency, to present the real facts about anything? Liberals will spout off falsehoods disguised as truths in order to demonstrate to the ignorant their own stupidity!
Never dance on an empty stomach unless it's a liberal.