Featured Item

Top Ten Democratic Flip Flops

Clinton and Obama's biggest turn-abouts.
Read on, weigh in »

Archives

Recent Posts

Candidates

Issues

Ratings

Regular Features

Stories By Date

Subscribe to This Blog

About the Fact Checker

"Comment is free, but facts are sacred." -- C.P. Scott, editor Manchester Guardian, 1921


Our goal is to shed as much light as possible on controversial claims and counter-claims involving important national issues and the records of the various presidential candidates. More »

Related Links

Campaign Resources on washingtonpost.com

More Useful Sites

Campaign 2008

The Trail

Edwards: 'Obama Will Be the Nominee'

By Zachary A. Goldfarb Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said it is likely Sen.... 1:48 PM ET | More »

Archive: Economy

Gas Tax Wars

Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have twisted the facts in competing ads on the proposed "gas tax holiday."

Posted on May 6, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (78)

A holiday from gas prices?

John McCain and Hillary Clinton are calling for a "gas tax holiday." Barack Obama calls the idea a "short-term quick fix" that won't help consumers. Who is right?

Posted on April 29, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (152)

'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)

Obama parses his words

After four days of non-denial denials, the Obama campaign now acknowledges a conversation over NAFTA with a senior Canadian diplomat. Has Obama been upfront about the 1993 trade agreement?

Posted on March 3, 2008 at 11:35 AM ET | Comments (152)

Feuding over NAFTA

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are both guilty of distortions and factual errors in the debate over NAFTA.

Posted on February 26, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (37)

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 (68)

Mitt pumps gas

Mitt Romney claims that a family of four will pay $1000 more for gas under a McCain energy bill. His logic is flawed.

Posted on January 30, 2008 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (12)

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)

Saint Anselm College Presidential Debates

Join the Fact Checker for live truth squadding of the Republican and Democratic debates from Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire.

Posted on January 5, 2008 at 10:44 PM ET | Comments (44)

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)

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: 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)

The Fact Checker Fact Checks The Post

An editorial last Monday in The Washington Post claimed that the Mexican economy has more than quadrupled in size over the last two decades. Do Post editors know what they are talking about?

Posted on December 7, 2007 at 09:50 AM ET | Comments (30)

Obama Tells a Fib

Obama claims that George Bush never left the country prior to his election as president. That is false.

Posted on November 28, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (92)

Four Pinocchios for Ron Paul

Ron Paul says he wants to abolish the income tax AND balance the federal budget. He says he would cut unnecessary spending abroad, but his figures don't add up.

Posted on November 16, 2007 at 06:00 AM ET | Comments (120)

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)

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)

Contact the Fact Checker

We rely on our readers to send us suggestions on topics to fact check and tips on erroneous claims by political candidates, interest groups and the media. If you have facts or documents that shed more light on a subject under discussion, or if you think we have made a mistake, let us know.

If you wish to send an attachment, please e-mail factchecker@washpost.com.

 

© 2008 The Washington Post Company