Reality Check dings Bachmann’s ‘State Fair’ ad

WCCO’s Reality Check evaluated Rep. Michele Bachmann’s latest ad targeting DFL opponent Tarryl Clark and ruled it a “distortion.” The ad has generated a hefty amount of criticism in the last few days. On Tuesday the Minnesota State Fair complained that Bachmann used their logo without permission and the following day announced that it had contacted the Minnesota Attorney General to investigate the matter. On Wednesday, Minnesota Public Radio’s PoliGraph also found factual problems with the ad.

WCCO’s Pat Kessler said, “Bachmann’s ad starts with a kettle corn kernel of truth, but like a carnival mirror at the fair, it stretches and distorts what’s really true.”

The ad accuses Clark of voting for tax increases on fair staples like corndogs, beer and deep-fried bacon. Kessler says Clark did vote for a tax on beer, but did not vote for a tax on corn dogs and bacon.

“Bachmann says correctly that Clark voted in favor of putting a constitutional amendment on the ballot to raise the sales tax for arts and the environment. Minnesotans approved it,” said Kessler. “But voting to put it on the ballot isn’t the same as voting for a sales tax hike, so that’s not accurate.”