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PolitiFact Looks At The 'Obameter' As Term Ends

As President Obama's second term ends, it's time to take a look back at some of the promises he's made. WUSF's Steve Newborn talks with Katie Sanders of PolitiFact Florida about the "Obameter," and whether he kept his promises - or broke them.

In the spirit of the season, PolitiFact is taking a look back into their Obameterto see if his promises were kept, broken or compromised.

Here's a few of their rulings:

Promises we’ve rated recently Extend Production Tax Credit to encourage renewable energy

The Promise:

"Will . . . extend the federal Production Tax Credit (PTC) for 5 years to encourage the production of renewable energy." Update December 19th, 2016: Extension through 2020 passed with bipartisan support in 2015

Reduce earmarks to 1994 levels

The Promise:

"Barack Obama is committed to returning earmarks to less than $7.8 billion a year, the level they were at before 1994." Update December 19th, 2016: Earmarks aren't just at 1994 levels -- they're officially gone

Require more disclosure and a waiting period for earmarks

The Promise:

Through the "Transparency and Integrity in Earmarks Act, will shed light on all earmarks by disclosing the name of the legislator who asked for each earmark, along with a written justification, 72 hours before they can be approved by the full Senate." Update December 19th, 2016: Disclosure, waiting periods are moot with all earmarks now on ice 

Make permanent the Research & Development tax credit

The Promise:

The Research & Development tax credit and the renewable energy production tax credit are intended to spur innovation in the private sector, but the tax credits have expiration dates under current law. Obama would make them permanent. Update December 15th, 2016: Late in Obama's tenure, popular tax credit finally becomes permanent

Begin removing combat brigades from Iraq

The Promise:

"Barack Obama will work with military commanders on the ground in Iraq and in consultation with the Iraqi government to end the war safely and responsibly within 16 months." Update December 14th, 2016: Conflict continues in Iraq

Walk with picketers when collective bargaining rights are threatened

The Promise:

“If American workers are being denied their right to organize when I'm in the White House, I will put on a comfortable pair of shoes and I will walk on that picket line with you as president of the United States." Update December 14th, 2016: Obama never marched with union picketers 

Mandate standards for securing personal data

The Promise:

"The federal government must partner with industry and our citizens to secure personal data stored on government and private systems. An Obama administration will institute a common standard for securing such data across industries." Update December 13th, 2016: Congress ignores Obama's plan to standardize personal data protection

Copyright 2020 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7. To see more, visit WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7.

Steve Newborn is WUSF's assistant news director as well as a reporter and producer at WUSF covering environmental issues and politics in the Tampa Bay area.
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