Obama Campaign
“We do not need an outsourcing pioneer in the Oval Office.”
Reality: Like many firms, Bain Capital invested in companies that outsourced jobs, but it was not the first to do so, and Romney was no longer directly responsible when the outsourcing occurred
Verdict: This claim is a distortion by Obama’s team
“After a decade of decline, this country has created over half a million new manufacturing jobs.”
Reality: The U.S. has lost about a million manufacturing jobs since 2009 but regained more than half that number in the comeback
Verdict: Without context, Obama’s number is misleading
Romney Campaign
“We are only inches away from no longer being a free economy.”
Reality: The conservative Heritage Foundation ranks the U.S. in the top 10 for economic freedom worldwide, ahead of Japan, Germany and the U.K.
Verdict: Highly misleading
“I have a plan to create 12 million new jobs.”
Reality: Independent economic forecasters predict the economy will gain about 12 million jobs over the next four years regardless of who is President
Verdict: Misleading. There’s less to this pledge than meets the eye
“President Obama told America that if Congress approved his plan to borrow nearly a trillion dollars, he would hold unemployment below 8%.”
Reality: Obama never said that, but before he took office, two of his economists predicted that a large stimulus might have that effect
Verdict: Romney’s assertion is misleading
“We have to open up markets for our goods … [Obama] has opened up none.”
Reality: Obama signed previously negotiated trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea
Verdict: False