An Example of Spin

For the last month Paul Coble’s been running a TV ad criticizing Congress for raising the national debt 50%.

Then, the other day, The American Foundations Committee (which is running an independent campaign supporting George Holding) ran an ad pointing out Coble has supported raising Wake County’s debt 93%.

Coble’s response: He told the press his votes to raise the county debt were something called ‘perfunctory’ votes.

Which turns out to be a pretty good example of ‘political spin.’

Here’s what happened: In October of 2006 Coble endorsed (News and Observer, 10-16-06) passing a referendum to increase Wake County’s debt by $970 million. There was nothing ‘perfunctory’ about that. Coble supported adding $970 million to the county debt.

Later Coble, as a County Commissioner, also voted to issue the actual bonds that completed the borrowing.

Those votes to issue the bonds are what Coble is calling ‘perfunctory’ votes.

Another example: In June of 2009 Coble, as a Commissioner, voted to increase the Wake County debt $163 million by issuing ‘Limited Obligation Bonds’ – without a vote of the people. (Cite: County Minutes, pages 5-8, 6-15-09). And in November of 2009 Coble voted to increase the county debt another $165 million by issuing more ‘Limited Obligation Bonds.' (Cite: County Minutes, 11-2-09, pages 7-8).

Those were not ‘perfunctory’ votes. Coble voted to increase the county debt by $328 million.

Then, later, Coble also voted to issue those bonds.

But, now, as if he never supported raising the debt, Coble’s telling the press all he did was cast ‘perfunctory’ votes to issue bonds.

Pure spin.