“Fact-check” group clings to baseless Sinema denials on “denigrating” U.S. Troops
Washington, DC – Senate Leadership Fund today once again called on PolitiFact to correct its ad rating erroneously concluding that Rep. Kyrsten Sinema never denigrated American troops serving in Iraq. While the group updated its story with an “Editor’s Note,” it continued defending Sinema by regurgitating claims from the Sinema campaign that she did not approve or design the rally flyers likening American troops to terrorists—even though e-mail correspondence from Sinema shows she personally sent out an anti-war flyer and hosted a “sign making party” the day before the rally.
“PolitiFact keeps clinging to demonstrably false statements from the Sinema campaign to defend its false ad rating, instead of admitting it made a mistake and failed to do its homework,” said Senate Leadership Fund Spokesman Chris Pack. “Reporters who cover campaigns should take note of what appears to be either stubbornness or a partisan axe to grind.”
BACKGROUND
Sinema’s spokeswoman claims that she didn’t approve or design the flyers, however a Yahoo! Groups message shows that Sinema sent a flyer about the anti-war rally to a fellow Local to Global Justice member to distribute
In a CNN story published today about Kyrsten Sinema’s anti-war flyers, her spokeswoman claimed that “Sinema did not approve or design the flyers at the time.” “‘Kyrsten comes from a military family and is very proud of her record supporting Arizona’s servicemembers, veterans, and their families,’ Sinema campaign spokeswoman Helen Hare said in an emailed comment to CNN’s KFile. ‘Attacks on Kyrsten’s respect for those who serve have already been called out as false, and Kyrsten is going to stay focused on the issues that matter most to Arizonans — like making sure Congresswoman McSally and her allies can’t roll back protections for patients with pre-existing conditions.’ Hare added that Sinema did not approve or design the flyers at the time. The campaign further noted that two of her brothers have served in the military and that one remains on active duty in the Navy.” (Andrew Kaczynski and Christopher Massie, “Arizona Senate: Kyrsten Sinema’s anti-war group blasted ‘U.S. terror,’ depicted soldier as skeleton in 2003 flyers.” CNN, 9/15/18)
However, in a closed Yahoo! Groups post from February 12, 2003 – three days before the event – Sinema sent a flyer about the protest to a fellow Local to Global Justice member so that member could “e-mail a copy to as many people as [she could].”
(Message #1335, Localtoglobaljustice Yahoo! Group, 2/12/03)
On February 14, 2003, Sinema hosted a sign making party at her house the day before the rally.