Is the promotion of falsehoods a reality of political life?

The californiastemcellreport had an interesting post about false statements about the potential of embryonic stem cells which were made in California's Proposition 71 campaign:

Engel's piece [in the LA Times] included a host of interviews with a variety of folks interested in the agency [CIRM]. She also had an interesting quote from Sen. Deborah Ortiz, D-Sacramento, concerning some of the hype involved in the campaign for Prop. 71. It reflected one of the realities of political life – one sometimes not fully understood by those who criticize the overblown rhetoric of the campaign.

"'A campaign requires a message to be driven home,' (Ortiz) said. 'You can't raise those hopes and then say, 'Oh by the way, it may take us 10 or 15 years.' That's just the nature of campaigns.'"

The text seems to be saying: "Of course, Proposition 71 advocates lied to voters. This was politics; what do you expect, the truth?"

In the private sector, right here in New Jersey, people who talk about a breakthrough technology but who, in reality, offer only lies, are punished for promoting falsities.

New Jersey voters should read such articles as "Reality Check for Stem Cell Optimism" BEFORE making their next vote on spending big dollars for research in embryonic stem cells.