Politically Foul
This week, the biggest foul was committed in the sports arena, not the political one. But that didn't stop candidates from trying to score a dubious touchdown or two.
The Romney campaign attacked President Obama for cutting billions of dollars from Medicare to pay for "Obamacare."
"You pay into Medicare for years, every paycheck. Now, when you need it, Obama cut $716 billion from Medicare," says a new ad from the Romney campaign.
Except the new healthcare law does not cut funds from Medicare. That $716 billion refers to the amount saved by reforming the future rate of growth -- affecting hospitals and health insurance companies, not seniors' benefits.
On the other side of the field, team Obama seized on the 47 percent comment Romney made at a May fundraiser, releasing an ad claiming that Romney attacked veterans, elderly, and the disabled.
Aside from the fact that Romney himself has admitted to speaking "inelegantly" about the 47 percent of voters who he says won't support him, did he actually attack veterans and old people? No.
In Virginia, jogging moms have become the new soccer moms in an ad from a Virginia-based group hoping to score a few votes from women who voted for Obama in 2008.
"I run to forget, forget about my problems," says a mom running and pushing a baby carriage in the ad. "I voted for Obama, but 'Hope and Change' was just a slogan...the future is getting worse under Obama."
It's not as blatant as belting out, "I love you women!", but still, that's some painful pandering.
Comedian Sarah Silverman played offensive with a video attacking voter ID laws.
"Hey black people, old people, poor people, and students," Silverman says. "Guess what you all have in common? Lawmakers are trying to --." We can't print what she says, but rest assured, the video sends a clear message that new laws are targeting Democratic demographics.
And, finally, it wouldn't be Politically Foul if we didn't have an outright fumble from Joe Biden. This week, with an assist from his wife.
"I've seen Joe up close," said Jill Biden as she introduced her husband at a campaign event at Dartmouth College. The audience erupted in guffaws, and the blushing Dr. Biden quickly pointed to her notes. "It's in my remarks!"