Campaigns Find That Some Truths Are Inconvenient

NEW YORK — Remember these comments from recent presidential campaigns?

"Corporations are people."

"The fundamentals of the economy are strong."

"I voted for the $87 billion before I voted against it."

From Mitt Romney this month to John McCain in 2008 and John Kerry four years earlier, presidential candidates are caught in every campaign candidly expressing their viewpoints, blurting out a phrase that may be factual but is also political poison.

Voters say they want authentic, straight-talking candidates. But voters also tend to punish candidates who veer too far off script or who make assertions that, while true, cause people to cringe and question whether these politicians are out of touch with those they seek to represent.