Obama Lies About Caterpillar Layoffs

This should come as no surprise.

Yesterday, President Obama claimed that the CEO of Caterpillar had promised to rescind some of the 22,000 layoffs the company announced last month if the porkulus bill is passed. He repeated the same claim today.

The problem is, it’s a lie.

Jake Tapper of ABC reports that the CEO was asked today whether the legislation would stop the layoffs, and responded: “I think realistically no. The truth is we’re going to have more layoffs before we start hiring again.”

Thank God for Jake Tapper. He’s one of the few mainstream media figures that is treating the new administration with appropriate journalistic skepticism (i.e., he hasn’t openly drunk the Koolaid). Check out this now-legendary exchange with Robert Gibbs from last week:

Two thumbs way, way up for Jake Tapper for keeping them honest.