Monday, May 6, 2013

Another Walker Fund-Raising Letter Based On Falsehood

As this blog has noted repeatedly (one sample post among many, many), PolitiFact has awarded Gov. Walker more false than true statement ratings (56% in false categories, 44% in true categories), with an undeniable pattern of falsehoods in fund-raising letters.

From 2011:
Walker 
"Wisconsin is broke," and "state government is $3 billion in debt." Scott Walker on Friday, September 2nd, 2011 in a fund-raising letter

Gov. Scott Walker says Wisconsin is broke and $3 billion in debt

During the summer of 2011, the Republican-controlled state Legislature gave swift approval to the $66 billion 2011-’13 state budget, which was signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker.

That budget closed a $3.6 billion shortfall from the previous fiscal year, and also, for the first time in many years, closed the state’s structural deficit. In fact, as we noted in an earlier item, Walker’s budget is projected to leave a structural surplus at the end of the two years.

That’s why we were puzzled by a two-page fund-raising appeal that his campaign mailed to supporters Sept. 2, 2011....
Our conclusion

In a fund-raising letter full of urgency, Walker criticizes unions and Democrats in the Legislature while proclaiming the state is broke and $3 billion in debt. But the statement flies in the face of a balanced budget with a structural surplus and the upbeat rhetoric coming out of the governor’s office.

Understandable, perhaps. After all, the letter is geared toward getting supporters to contribute money to the campaign in the face of a possible recall attempt in 2012. But in doing so, Walker contradicts his own statements -- and reality.

The statements are false and ridiculous. Pants on Fire.
And from Politifact, today:
Walker

"Obama for President and Baldwin for Senate have kept their campaign offices up and running in Fox Valley, Eau Claire and La Crosse with their staffs preparing for the next battle."

Scott Walker on Wednesday, March 27th, 2013 in a fund raising letter

Gov. Scott Walker says Democrats using Obama and Baldwin campaign offices to plan against him

False
Our rating
In a fund-raising letter, Walker told supporters that he needs to build his campaign war chest because Baldwin and Obama have kept their campaign offices open in three Wisconsin locations, and have staff "preparing for the next battle."

There is no evidence of Obama or Baldwin offices....

We rate Walker’s claim False.

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