Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
Alan Grayson attacks Daniel Webster's "stairway to nowhere" in a new ad.

Alan Grayson attacks Daniel Webster's "stairway to nowhere" in a new ad.

'Stairway to Heaven' meets 'Bridge to Nowhere'

In what figures to be a highly competitive U.S. House race, incumbent Democrat Alan Grayson is attacking his Republican opponent Daniel Webster for a spiral staircase Webster had constructed while House Speaker in 1996.

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A scorecard separating fact from fiction

"Florida is enjoying its lowest crime rate in 39 years."

Charlie Crist's "personal approval numbers are plummeting."

"When career politician Daniel Webster became speaker of the House, he wasted $32,000 of our money on a spiral staircase for his office."

"Florida is 49th in per capita spending on mental health care."

"The IRS filed an $11,000 lien against (Allen) West for back taxes. Three liens were placed on his home for unpaid bills, and a judge ordered West to pay over $5,000 for past due credit card bills."

"We have 50 state lobbyists that just lobby the Legislature for money every year."

The sales tax increase, if approved, will cost taxpayers "up to $300 million per year, in perpetuity, to finance a rail system for the City of Tampa."

"(Jeff) Atwater's bank was so weak that just a few months ago it was shut down by the FDIC."

Kendrick Meek claims he's the only candidate who said Sonia Sotomayor "will make an excellent Supreme Court justice."

The United States is "50th in life expectancy" in the world.

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Every day, reporters and researchers from the Times and the Herald examine statements by Florida elected officials and candidates and anyone else who speaks up on matters of public importance. We research their statements and then rate the accuracy on our Truth-O-Meter – True, Mostly True, Half True, Barely True and False. The most ridiculous falsehoods get our lowest rating, Pants on Fire.

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