Obama Doesn't Lie—But He Does Mislead

Joe Wilson wasn’t quite right. President Obama doesn’t lie, exactly, writes Charles Krauthammer of the Washington Post, but he still has an odd “relationship to the truth.” For example, Obama promised to veto any bill that grew the deficit, then with his very next sentence promised to require more cuts “if the savings we promised don’t materialize.” But Congress can’t be forced to do anything. "Every year since 2003, Congress has waived the cuts."

Another half-truth: saying illegal immigrants wouldn’t be insured. Insurance for illegals may not be in the law, but laws don’t enforce themselves. When Republicans suggested requiring proof of citizenship, Democrats voted them down. “Obama doesn’t lie," Krauthammer writes. "He merely elides, gliding from one dubious assertion to another.” A scoundrel like Bill Clinton could get away with that, but a “righteous redeemer” like Obama cannot. (More Barack Obama stories.)