The Washington Post gave it Three Pinocchios.

You gotta work at it to get three Pinocchios.  You can’t do that by accident.

Senate Republicans, including Rand Paul (Ky.), John McCain (Ariz.) and Rob Portman (Ohio), last week unveiled what they labeled as their alternative to Obama’s plan. Their plan was mostly a mish-mash of previous offered bills, such as that hardy perennial–a balanced budget amendment to the constitution. (Some experts would argue that such a requirement could hurt employment if government spending dropped too quickly.)

During the news conference, and in a news release, Paul claimed the GOP plan would create 5 million jobs

So, we wondered: Where did that figure come from?

Apparently, it was pulled out of John McCain’s ear.  (Oh dear, now I’ve just grossed myself out.  That’s not a visual you want to keep for your happy place.)

It’s certainly ironic that Senate Republicans cite a study that uses the same methodology that calculated successful job growth in the stimulus bill. Republican lawmakers frequently decry the stimulus as a failure, but the CBO found that it added or saved between 1.9 million and 4.9 million jobs in 2010.

So, they are counting on fairy dust, Tinkerbell, Rick Perry’s prayers, Michele Bachmann’s surplus pander, and three bottles of Boone’s Farms wine to get jobs from this sucker.

That said, at least it’s better than their health care bill.  That one puts a first aid kit, a tongue depressor, and a genuine certificate of  best wishes for good health from  the Republican Congress in every home.