As a general rule, politicians will say anything that they think they can get away with which will advance their agenda. Truth is not usually a major consideration. That applies to politicians of both political parties. In principle, the media places a limit on politicians' ability to lie, since calling your opponent a murderer is likely to backfire if the headline reads "Senator Fabricates Murder Story." Unfortunately, budget reporters largely fall down on the job. Hence we get the headline "Obama's New Tack: Blaming Bush," with the subhead "Points to 'Inherited' Economy." Okay, let's get serious folks. It is not a "inherited" economy, it is a inherited economy. There is no dispute that the economy was in horrible shape at the time that President Obama took office. Anyone who tries to say otherwise is simply lying. Furthermore, the overwhelming majority of the budget deficit that the Republicans are now complaining about is directly attributable to President Bush's policies. The additional deficit for 2009 that it is attributable to President Obama's efforts to fix the disastrous economy that he was handed by President Bush is trivial in comparison, as can be clearly seen. (The projections are taken from CBO).
--Dean Baker
