Archive: Candidate Record
A Geppetto for Bill Clinton
Sometimes facial expressions are more eloquent than the most stirring rhetoric. The Fact Checker studies Bill Clinton's face during Tuesday night's election rally in Indiana.
Posted on May 7, 2008 at 10:30 AM ET | Comments (127)
Citizen McCain
The Senate has declared that John McCain is a "natural-born citizen," eligible to be president of the United States. But the non-binding Senate resolution does not resolve an arcane constitutional debate about the meaning of "natural-born."
Posted on May 2, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (42)
Guilt by Association
Despite decrying the practice of "guilt by association," John McCain has been using the tactic a lot on the campaign trail recently. The Fact Checker looks at his rhetoric.
Posted on May 1, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (89)
Is Clinton winning the 'popular vote'?
The Clinton campaign says that their candidate has overtaken Obama in the 'popular vote.' They are overlooking some crucial asterisks.
Posted on April 24, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (152)
Obama's Rezko Connection
Barack Obama says he has "no recollection" of meeting with a controversial British billionaire barred from entering the U.S. It is a case of "he said, she said."
Posted on April 16, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (168)
Cindy's Recipegate
At least four McCain "family recipes" featured on the campaign website turn out to have been cribbed from the Internet. The McCain campaign is using the "clueless intern" defense.
Posted on April 15, 2008 at 02:58 PM ET | Comments (29)
Bill Shoots from the Hip
Just as the Bosnia sniper controversy is dying down, Bill Clinton steps in to fan the flames. We count at least six factual errors in his defense of his wife's Tuzla tales.
Posted on April 11, 2008 at 05:38 PM ET | Comments (64)
The Pot and the Kettle
The Clinton campaign is accusing Barack Obama of airing a "misleading" TV ad in Pennsylvania. But just how accurate is the Clinton response?
Posted on April 11, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (121)
Name, Rank, and Service Number
A new television ad paints a picture of a defiant John McCain resisting his North Vietnamese captors. But it omits some important context. The Fact Checker investigates.
Posted on April 3, 2008 at 02:03 PM ET | Comments (95)
Professor Obama?
The Clinton campaign says that Barack Obama has been misusing the title of "former law professor." A former Princeton professor investigates.
Posted on April 1, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (268)
Obama's 'Camelot connection'
Barack Obama has suggested that he is the mythical offspring of the Kennedys and the American civil rights movement. There are some problems with his version of history.
Posted on March 31, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (217)
Don't Forget Pat Nixon!
Hillary Clinton says she was the "first first lady" to visit a war zone since Eleanor Roosevelt. She is forgetting about Pat Nixon, who visited U.S. troops in Vietnam in July 1969.
Posted on March 27, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (125)
Clinton Corrects the Record
Hillary Clinton now says that she "misspoke" in claiming to have come "under sniper fire" in Bosnia. We look back at her tall tales from Tuzla.
Posted on March 26, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (171)
More Incoming Fire For Clinton
Hillary Clinton is under attack for her claim to have come "under sniper fire" in Bosnia. Eyewitnesses dispute her account.
Posted on March 24, 2008 at 12:08 PM ET | Comments (266)
Hillary's Balkan Adventures, Part II
Hillary Clinton claims that her airplane came "under sniper fire" during a 1996 trip to Bosnia and that she had to run for cover. There are numerous problems with Clinton's version of events.
Posted on March 21, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (533)
What did he hear--and when did he hear it?
Was Barack Obama present in church when the Rev. Jeremiah Wright delivered his most incendiary sermons? The Fact Checker investigates.
Posted on March 19, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (149)
Hillary's Balkan Adventures
Hillary Clinton is claiming a "major role" in the foreign policy decisions of her husband's administrations. We explore her record on the Balkans and northern Ireland.
Posted on March 17, 2008 at 02:52 PM ET | Comments (46)
Taxing questions for Clinton
The Obama campaign says Clinton's failure to release her taxes shows that she has "something to hide." The Fact Checker examines the Clintons' record on financial disclosure.
Posted on March 7, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (248)
'NAFTA-gate', Part II
The Clinton campaign is attempting to transform a Canadian diplomat's memo into "NAFTA-gate." The Fact Checker looks behind the spin.
Posted on March 4, 2008 at 11:46 AM ET | Comments (84)
Pinocchios for John McCain
John McCain has claimed that he is the "only" presidential candidate not to receive money from "special interests". Is he telling the truth?
Posted on February 29, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (49)
Readers Fact Check Dem Debate
Readers submitted dozens of tips on items to truth squad in Tuesday night's Democratic debate. The Fact Checker follows up.
Posted on February 28, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (55)
Democratic Debate Feb. 26, 2008
Join the Fact Checker, diplomatic reporter Glenn Kessler, and researcher Alice Crites for live truth squadding of tonight's MSNBC debate from Cleveland, Ohio.
Posted on February 26, 2008 at 08:15 PM ET | Comments (115)
Obama vs Clinton
Both candidates made some factual errors, but no huge mistakes, in last night's Democratic debate from Austin, Texas.
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 10:51 PM ET | Comments (91)
Bombs Away!
Macho alert! John McCain suggested changing the Beach Boys song "Barbara Ann" to "Bomb, bomb, Iran." But he is blasting Barack Obama for talking about bombing al Qaeda targets in Pakistan.
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (36)
The Obama 'pledge'
Barack Obama claims that he never promised to accept public financing in the general election if the GOP candidate does the same. We look at the record.
Posted on February 20, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (146)
Obama's 'Weatherman' Connection
A spate of blog postings and newspaper articles are linking Barack Obama to a former member of the radical Weathermen group. Is this a case of guilt by association?
Posted on February 19, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (343)
Obama's 'backroom deal'?
Hillary Clinton has accused Obama of cutting a secret deal with a major campaign contributor. But she has failed to produce evidence to support her claim.
Posted on February 14, 2008 at 06:40 PM ET | Comments (388)
Measuring the "Obama effect"
Barack Obama claims that he has helped "double" voter turnout in the early primary states. We examine the "Obama effect."
Posted on February 13, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (122)
John McClinton?
A new Romney ad depicts John McCain and Hillary Clinton as almost identical. We look at his facts.
Posted on February 7, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (28)
Obama's voting record on abortion
E-mails from NOW leaders are attacking Obama for lack of consistency on abortion. We examine the record.
Posted on February 6, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (59)
Who is the Champion Flip-flopper?
Who is the champion flip-flopper? On the eve of Super Tuesday, we take a look at the records of Mitt Romney and John McCain.
Posted on February 5, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (51)
Democratic Debate, Jan. 31, 2008
Did Hillary Clinton negotiate an open border agreement with Macedonia? The Fact Checker and friends truth squad last night's Democratic debate from Hollywood.
Posted on January 31, 2008 at 06:03 PM ET | Comments (69)
Partial Quote Alert!
The art of the partial quote is alive and well in the 2008 presidential campaign. The Fact Checker digs up some recent examples of an old advertising trick.
Posted on January 29, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (11)
The GOP debate in Florida
Bloopers from the GOP debate in Florida. The candidates avoided challenging each other's records directly, but still made a number of questionable statements.
Posted on January 25, 2008 at 12:20 PM ET | Comments (74)
Obama and Health Care
Clinton catches Obama in an inconsistency on his advocacy of a single-payer health insurance system, similar to the Canadian system.
Posted on January 24, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (52)
Clinton vs Obama on CNN
Clinton and Obama got into a slanging match during the South Carolina Democratic Debate over their records. We look at Obama's ties with a "slum landlord" and Clinton's work for Walmart.
Posted on January 23, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (98)
Bill the Attack Dog
We adjudicate the dispute between Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Has the former president been twisting the facts?
Posted on January 22, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (95)
Barack Obama's 'neighborhood'
Clinton supporter Robert Johnson has now apologized to Obama for bringing up the candidate's past drug use. Previous statements by the Clinton campaign on this issue must now be considered "inoperative."
Posted on January 18, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (62)
Record job growth under Huckabee?
Mike Huckabee claims that he created a record number of jobs in Arkansas as governor. His stats are very selective.
Posted on January 17, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (14)
Mitt's Memory Lapse
Campaigning in Michigan, Mitt Romney is presenting himself as the automakers' friend. He has conveniently forgotten a 2002 campaign proposal that would have led to higher taxes on SUVs.
Posted on January 14, 2008 at 01:45 PM ET | Comments (12)
GOP Debate Myrtle beach
The Fact Checker and diplomatic reporter Glenn Kessler truth squad the Republican presidential debate from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Posted on January 10, 2008 at 07:40 PM ET | Comments (10)
Clinton and Northern Ireland
Hillary Clinton claims that she was "intimately involved" in the Northern Ireland peace process. The Fact Checker examines the record.
Posted on January 10, 2008 at 10:27 AM ET | Comments (52)
Lobbyists for Mitt
Seeking to bolster his "outsider" status, Mitt Romney says he does not owe any favors to lobbyists. That is not exactly true.
Posted on January 9, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (8)
Poetry versus Prose
The Fact Checker shares his impressions from four days on the road in New Hampshire. The Poetry party is beating the Prose party.
Posted on January 8, 2008 at 10:53 AM ET | Comments (25)
Edwards and 'special interests'
The Alliance for a New America is promoting John Edwards as the anti-special interests candidate. But who is behind the Alliance?
Posted on January 3, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (64)
Huckabee's record on taxes
Mike Huckabee says he cut taxes "nearly 100 times" as governor of Arkansas. He conveniently forgets about all the tax hikes.
Posted on January 2, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (6)
Hillary and Martin Luther King Jr.
Hillary Clinton says she went to hear Martin Luther King speak on "a cold January day" in 1963. She is almost certainly wrong.
Posted on December 31, 2007 at 05:06 PM ET | Comments (62)
The 2007 Pinocchio Awards
The Fact Checker announces the 2007 Pinocchio Awards and a special Geppetto prize for truth-telling.
Posted on December 31, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (55)
Obama vs Clinton on Foreign Policy
Clinton and Obama are feuding over who has the most support from the Democratic Party foreign policy establishment. We name names.
Posted on December 27, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (53)
The Fibs of 2007
Nominations are now open for the "Top Ten Fibs of 2007" and the "2007 Geppetto Award."
Posted on December 24, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (22)
Four Pinocchios for Romney on MLK
Eyewitness accounts of Mitt Romney's father marching "hand in hand' with Martin Luther King have been contradicted by contemporaneous newspaper accounts.
Posted on December 23, 2007 at 12:45 PM ET | Comments (29)
Marching with King
Contrary to his claims on the campaign trail, Mitt Romney did not "see" his father marching with Martin Luther King. It is unclear whether Romney Sr and King marched together.
Posted on December 22, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (19)
Hillary Bakes Some Stats
Clinton says that health care costs have spiraled under Bush, but were stable under her husband. The Fact Checker examines the data.
Posted on December 21, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (17)
Romney's 'Flip, Flop, Flip'
Mitt Romney says he came down "on the side of life" every time the issue came to his desk as governor of Massachusetts. That is not true.
Posted on December 20, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (21)
True But False
What do Barack Obama, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, and Jesus have in common? A) They attended madrassas. B) They are "spirit brothers."
Posted on December 19, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (52)
Most Revealing Fibs: Rudy Giuliani
The recycling of dubious boasts has become a staple feature of the Giuliani presidential campaign. The Fact Checker looks at his record in New York City.
Posted on December 16, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (6)
Most Revealing Fibs: Mike Huckabee
Mike Huckabee has tried to blame the Clintons for the release of convicted rapist Wayne Dumond. The Fact Checker finds that it a huge stretch.
Posted on December 15, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (19)
Most Revealing Fibs: Barack Obama
Trailing behind Hillary Clinton among African-American voters, Obama is repeating the false claim that more "young black men" are in prison than in college.
Posted on December 14, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (25)
Most Revealing Fibs: John McCain
A squabble over supply side economics appears to have broken out on board the "Straight Talk Express," pitting John McCain against his top domestic policy adviser. The Fact Checker adjudicates.
Posted on December 13, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (4)
Most Revealing Fibs: Fred Thompson
As part of the "Front Runners" series, the Fact Checker examines the records of each of the leading candidates. Today: Fred Thompson.
Posted on December 12, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (6)
Most Revealing Fibs: John Edwards
As part of the "Front Runners" series, the Fact Checker examines the records of each of the leading candidates. Today's topic: the economic populism of John Edwards
Posted on December 11, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (26)
Most Revealing Fibs: Mitt Romney
As part of the "Front Runners" series, the Fact Checker examines the factual mistakes of the candidates for clues to their approach to campaigning. Today's focus: Mitt Romney
Posted on December 10, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (21)
Most Revealing Fibs: Hillary Clinton
In conjunction with the "Front Runners" series, the Fact Checker examines the factual mistakes of the candidates for clues to their approach to campaigning. First up: Hillary Clinton.
Posted on December 9, 2007 at 07:30 AM ET | Comments (15)
No Sanctuary from Mitt and Rudy
What's the difference between a 'sanctuary city' and a 'sanctuary mansion'? The Fact Checker investigates.
Posted on November 30, 2007 at 08:40 AM ET | Comments (16)
Rudy the Crime Buster
Has Giuliani exaggerated his crime-fighting achievements? The Fact Checker takes a look at the raw FBI data.
Posted on November 29, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (36)
Pinocchios for Mitt and Rudy
Rudy Giuliani claims that violent crime went up in Massachusetts under Mitt Romney. Is he telling the truth?
Posted on November 27, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (14)
Grace and Candor Under Pressure
Giuliani, Clinton, and Obama receive Geppetto checkmarks from the Fact Checker for statements that combine honesty with memorability.
Posted on November 26, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (17)
Who is More 'Pro-Life': Fred or Mike?
Fred Thompson uses the "L-label" to attack Mike Huckabee. Huckabee claims that Thompson is not as "pro-life" as he makes out. The Fact Checker adjudicates.
Posted on November 20, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (10)
Mitt Warns Illegals: 'Get Off My Lawn'
Yesterday Mitt Romney lambasted Republican and Democratic rivals for favoring "sanctuaries" for illegal immigrants. We examine his record on "sanctuary cities" while he was governor of Massachusetts.
Posted on November 15, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (39)
Richardson: 'I Am the Greenest of Them All'
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson claims that his state is "the only state" that is following the Kyoto treaty. The Fact Checker awards him four Pinocchios.
Posted on November 9, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (17)
Ron Paul Faces $1.1 Trillion Budget Shortfall
Ron Paul raised $4.2 million in one day. But does he have a plan for plugging the $1.1 trillion gap when he abolishes the income tax?
Posted on November 8, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (137)
Four Pinocchios for Recidivist Rudy
Giuliani repeats his false prostate cancer claim, but can't name a reputable researcher who agrees that Britons are much more at risk than Americans.
Posted on November 7, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (80)
Aliens Support Clinton, Richardson
Bill Richardson says the government "hasn't come clean" about UFOs. Archives officials say the governor of New Mexico is living on another planet. The Fact Checker adjudicates.
Posted on November 6, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (20)
Biden Talks Tough to Brezhnev?
Presidential candidates often inflate their foreign policy resumes. But did Joe Biden really negotiate an important Cold War arms control treaty with Leonid Brezhnev?
Posted on November 5, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (15)
Obama Nabbed by the Patriot Police
Viral e-mails have become a new hazard for presidential candidates in the Internet Age. Barack Obama is a favorite target. The Fact Checker follows the electronic trail.
Posted on November 2, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (146)
Is Hillary Responsible for the 'Library Lockdown'?
The Clintons and the Republican National Committee have been arguing over who is responsible for delays in releasing the former president's papers. The Fact Checker sorts through the spin.
Posted on November 1, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (28)
One Up, One Down for John McCain
The Fact Checker awards his first Geppetto checkmark, along with three Pinocchios, to the inventor of the Straight Talk Express.
Posted on October 31, 2007 at 08:45 AM ET | Comments (9)
Fact Checking the Fact Checker
The Fact Checker adjudicates the case of Obama and Edwards vs "federal lobbyists." Is FC a "shill" for the Clinton campaign?
Posted on October 29, 2007 at 08:50 AM ET | Comments (12)
Barbers for Dodd, Gorbie Endorses Rudy
Which of the following is true? Barbers support Dodd. Rudy's Gorbachev quote. Huckabee on the Founding Fathers. 15 million Americans have seen monsters in their closets.
Posted on October 26, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (29)
Rudy: 'I Am NOT Hillary'
Rudy Giuliani says that enthusiasm for the Yankees is just about the only thing he has in common with Hillary Clinton. Is that a true statement?
Posted on October 23, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (16)
Obama, Edwards, and the Lobbying Industry
There are numerous loopholes in the anti-lobbyist campaigns launched by Barack Obama and John Edwards. Do they deserve Pinocchios?
Posted on October 22, 2007 at 07:00 AM ET | Comments (51)
The Mitt and Rudy Show, Part II
In delayed verdicts, the Fact Checker awards Pinocchios in the cases of Romney vs Romney and Rudy and Judy vs the National Rifle Association.
Posted on October 15, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (14)
The Mitt and Rudy Show: Lies, damn lies, and statistics
Who is the biggest spender: Gotham or Taxachusetts? We find fault with both Giuliani and Romney in Tuesday's Republican debate.
Posted on October 11, 2007 at 02:00 PM ET | Comments (8)
Rudy's 'Spontaneous' Cell Phone 'Stunt'
What do Rudy Giuliani and General Buck Turgidson have in common? The Fact Checker investigates.
Posted on October 8, 2007 at 08:15 AM ET | Comments (74)
Giuliani's "Twists and Turns" on Guns
Rudy Giuliani has distanced himself from a June 2000 lawsuit that he filed against America's leading gun manufacturers, saying the suit changed since it was originally filed. Is he telling the truth?
Posted on October 5, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (3)
Is Edwards "the Most Electable"?
We take a look at the polling data to see if it's true.
Posted on September 24, 2007 at 10:22 AM ET | Comments (55)
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