"We don’t check opinions, and we recognize that in the world of speechmaking and political rhetoric, there is license for hyperbole."
PolitiFact doesn't rate hyperbole.
In fact, in 2007 they "decided on a policy against it."
Just don't tell that to Republican George Allen, who recently criticized Democrat Tim Kaine for his position on tax hikes:
Poor George Allen. No license for hyperbole for you!
Some longtime PolitiFact readers may remember back in the olden days of three months ago that Harry Reid got a pass from the gimmicky graphic:
We recognize Reid was using hyperbole, so we won't put his claim to the Truth-O-Meter.
That line sparked the following exchange on PolitiFact's Facebook page:
As we pointed out in a previous post, on three separate occasions since January of this year, PolitiFact has given a Pants on Fire rating to statements (all by Republicans) it described as hyperbolic. Since the Biden claim that was the impetus for the anti-hyperbole policy came out, they've rated roughly 20 statements described as hyperbolic. As far as we can tell, Reid is the only one who has escaped the Truth-O-Meter due to the policy. Mark FitzSimmons: What? Wasn't the first pants on fire Biden referring to Bush as brain-dead? How is that not recognized as hyperbole?
PolitiFact: Mark,you have a very good memory! It was after that check (and partly because of that check) that we decided on a policy against it.
But PolitiFact doesn't rate hyperbole.
They have a policy against it.
Take comfort, George Allen.
Bryan adds:
The evidence suggests that Republicans are much more likely to use hyperbole without a license.
Edit: 9/28/12: Changed the word "graph" to "graphic"-Jeff
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