In a November 5 editorial, The Washington Times compared President Obama to a “substance abuser,” writing: “Like a substance abuser, the president must first admit he has a problem with his addiction to government solutions to all of the world's problems before he can start on the road to recovery.”

The Times also joined other right-wing media outlets in falsely suggesting that Obama told Republicans to go “to the back of the bus.” In fact, Obama made the analogy that Republican politicians should have to ride “in the back seat” after driving “this car,” the United States, “into the ditch.”

From the Times editorial:

The problem is both the messenger and the message. The Democrats' policies have failed to address the concerns of the American people. They have brought the country gargantuan new debt, a weakened dollar, precious few new jobs, more expensive health care and government intrusion into every area of life. Like a substance abuser, the president must first admit he has a problem with his addiction to government solutions to all of the world's problems before he can start on the road to recovery. He will have to climb down from his ivory tower and begin working with those who have principled disagreements with his state-centered view of the universe. He no longer can flippantly banish Republicans to the back of the bus or throw dissenters under the bus.