Cheat Sheet - Freed U.S. Hiker: ‘Argo’ Is Wrong on Iran

Today: 'Argo' Blurs the Truth , Race Remains Tight, New Polls Show , George Romney Myth Busted October 15, 2012 REALITY CHECK 1. 'Argo' Blurs the Truth Ben Affleck's new movie boasts great photography and acting but runs the risk of leaving viewers with an incomplete and at times inaccurate impression, says Sarah Shourd, the American hiker who was held hostage in Iran for 410 days. Read it at The Daily Beast NAIL-BITER 2. Race Remains Tight, New Polls Show Be prepared to keep nibbling your nails down through November. Despite both a presidential and vice-presidential debate, President Obama and Mitt Romney are running virtually neck and neck in their race for the White House. A new poll conducted by The Washington Post and ABC News shows that the two candidates have seen no change in their standing among voters since the same poll was conducted two weeks ago. Forty-nine percent of likely voters surveyed in the poll say they will support the president, and 46 percent say they will vote for Romney. Read it at The Washington Post SPEED READ 3. George Romney Myth Busted Buzzfeed departed from its short-form formula on Monday when it published a nearly 11,000-word exposé that blew apart the myth of Mitt Romney's father like an abandoned automotive plant. Turns out he never righteously stormed out of the 1964 Republican National Convention. The Daily Beast's Matthew DeLuca pulls a Buzzfeed and boils the long read into seven essential points. Read it at The Daily Beast POST-WAR 4. Iraq Sees Surge in Birth Defects A "staggering rise" in birth defects among Iraqi children conceived in the aftermath of the war has been linked to military assaults, according to a new study. Reports of increased miscarriages, lead and mercury poisoning, congenital heart problems, brain defects, and malformed limbs appear to be worse in children born in Fallujah, where the U.S. launched two devastating military assaults eight years ago. American forces admitted to using white phosphorous shells during the bombardment, though they denied using depleted uranium, which has been linked to high rates of cancer and birth defects. Similar defects have been found among children born in Basra after British troops invaded. Read it at The Independent CHA-CHING 5. Retail Sales Jump 1.1 Percent Who says expensive gasoline is a bad thing? Retail sales surged 1.1 percent in September from August, better than analysts' expectations. Sure, higher gas prices accounted for a chunk of the gain. But the data suggest that jobs growth, rising home values, and higher consumer confidence is supporting more robust consumer spending. Read it at the Census Bureau VACCINE HPV Shots Don't Increase Promiscuity According to new study. PRESSURE E.U. Toughens Iran Sanctions Blocks "all transactions" between Iranian and EU banks. CAPSIZED Costa Concordia Hearings Begin In Italian court. DIPLOMACY New Envoy Says U.S. Supports Libya First comments since arrival. TELL-ALL Lohan to Talk to Barbara Walters According to TMZ. GET The Cheat Sheet A speedy, smart summary of news and must-reads from across the Web. You'll love the featured original stories on politics, entertainment, and more from The Daily Beast's diverse group of contributors. GET Culture Beast Weekly cultural recommendations from The Daily Beast. Will Secularism Doom the GOP? As more Millennials consider themselves non-religious, the GOP may be forced to dramatically alter its message. On today's NewsBeast, reporter David Sessions discusses his Newsweek story on the subject with columnist Michelle Goldberg and host John Avlon. More Videos The Obama-Romney Doctrine by Peter Beinart Bad Advice for Players by Kent Sepkowitz On the Block: Letters From Jackie by Sandra McElwaine

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