The Republicans, now led by , are notorious for publicizing half-truths and outright lies knowing that it is nearly impossible to “unring a bell.” They also know that perception is most times reality so they continue to create doubts in voters minds with things like being a Muslim. 

John McCain’s campaign keeps telling voters that Sarah Palin opposed a federally funded Bridge to Nowhere when the facts are otherwise. It accuses Democrat Barack Obama of calling Palin a pig, which did not happen.

Even in a political culture accustomed to truth-stretching, McCain’s skirting of facts has stood out this week. It has infuriated and flustered Barack Obama’s campaign, and campaign pros are watching to see how much voters disregard news reports noting factual holes in the claims.

That voter reaction could help determine who wins this presidential election and influence the strategies of future campaigns.

McCain and running mate Palin, the Alaska governor, were defiant this week in the face of fact-checking news reports. Day after day, she said she had told Congress "no thanks" to the so-called Bridge to Nowhere, a rural Alaska project that was abandoned when critics challenged its costs and usefulness. For nearly a week, major news outlets had documented that Palin supported the bridge when running for governor in 2006, and she turned against it only after it became an embarrassment to the state and federal dollars had been pulled back.

The lies keep flowing. I am sure you heard about her selling the “Governor’s jet” on eBay. Well, add that to the list of lies and half-truths,
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The McCain-Palin campaign made at least three other aggressive claims this week that omitted key details or made dubious assumptions to criticize Obama. It equated lawmakers’ requests for money for special projects with corruption, even though Palin has sought nearly $200 million in such "earmarks" this year.

It produced an Internet ad implying that Obama had called Palin a pig when he used a familiar phrase, which McCain also has used, about putting "lipstick on a pig" to try to make a bad situation look better. Obama accused the Republican campaign of "lies and phony outrage."

The lipstick wars were fully engaged when the McCain campaign produced another ad saying Obama favored "comprehensive sex education" for kindergartners. The charge triggered the sort of headlines becoming increasingly common in major newspapers and wire services monitoring the factual content of political ads and speeches.

"Ad on Sex Education Distorts Obama Policy," was the headline on a New York Times article Thursday. "McCain’s ‘Education’ Spot is Dishonest, Deceptive," The Washington Post’s "Fact Checker" article said.

AROUND THE BLOGOSPHERE:

McCain, Lies, and Malicious Distractions - So on Wednesday, when John McCain embraced lies and senseless distractions as a way of gaining election as President, he told the people that there is no moral objection to lying, or to manipulating the American people with senseless …

Repeat after me: McCain lies - It’s up to you and me, folks. WE are the ones who need to get the word out on this one, to our friends, to our neighbors, to supporters of Obama and undecideds. WE have to be the ones to take action. Repeat after me:. McCain lies.

How the McCain Lies Hurt Children - The most controversial item in the McCain ad is the assertion that Obama supports children "learning about sex before learning to read," and the accusation that Obama’s "one accomplishment" on education was "legislation to teach …

Brave New Films On McCain’s Lies - There are a number of videos at YouTube that feature the unending lies of John McCain. Robert Greenwald packages them all nicely. If I were Obama, I would buy this ad, and run it. Please watch it, and if you have a blog, post it. …

McCain Lies About Facts From Factcheck.org - The McCain-Palin ad also twists a quote from a Wall Street Journal columnist. He said the Obama camp had sent a team to Alaska to “dig into her record and background.” The ad quotes the WSJ as saying the team was sent to “dig dirt.” …