Reader takes issue with fact-checker

Editor: Responding to Mr. Exner’s, (Cleveland Plain Dealer) story on “Fact Checking the Presidential Debate.” Mr. Exner holds himself out to be the “data analysis editor for cleveland.com.” He takes issue with the debater’s context and/or facts, but he arguably fails to hold himself to his own standards. Where is “The Rest of the Story?”

1. Accepting ballots after

Election Day. Trump protests indiscriminate distribution of ballots without adequate controls, not the time of arrival. How ballots are treated is a state issue. Mr. Baxter ignores the recent video of Liban Mohamed, brother of a Democratic candidate, bragging about the 300-plus blank ballots on his dash.

2. Economy. Obama’s reported employment rate was artificially increased by the wholesale removal of unemployed workers from the “pool,” because they had been out of work for an extended period of time. Head-to-head comparison would give an accurate result and possibly support a different conclusion.

3. Coronavirus. The conclusion is disingenuous as he fails to mention that the “problem” lies more with inconsistent state-to-state reporting standards and the variation in testing factors between the U.S. and other countries.

4. Tax Returns. “Custom of Releasing Returns” is an exercise of choice, not obligation, best illustrated by reporting the number of presidents, and candidates, that have been under audit with the IRS during candidacy and after election. Would Mr. Baxter criticize an arrested person exercising their Miranda Rights?

5. Obamacare. Also disingenuous. Obamacare forced coverage on all citizens, particularly the young, who historically “go bare” out of choice. The simple reporting of an increase in uninsured rate, without discussing all significant, related causes is irresponsible reporting if not manipulation. MARC BOURGET

Lodi