What caused crisis? No one thing

Each candidate blames the other. They're both right. And wrong.

By Angie Drobnic Holan, Robert Farley :: Published on Sunday, November 30th, 2008 at 11:15 a.m.

We'll be back!

The Truth-O-Meter is out of commission for routine maintenance, but we'll bring it back in January to fact-check the White House and other players in Washington.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Thursday, November 6th, 2008 at 11:31 a.m.

Your guide to the last-minute attacks

In their final days on the trail, the candidates repeat their favorite talking points. We check them on the Truth-O-Meter.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 at 05:26 p.m.

POLITIFACT ON FIRE!

We mark the final weekend of the campaign by highlighting some of our favorite Pants on Fire ratings from the past year.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Friday, October 31st, 2008 at 05:05 p.m.

Prime-time promises

We check the facts on Obama's 30-minute prime-time ad buy.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Thursday, October 30th, 2008 at 06:23 p.m.

Castro on McCain and "the rifle lady"

With an eye on Cuban-American voters in Florida, John McCain claims Fidel Castro is no fan.

By Robert Farley :: Published on Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 at 06:56 p.m.

Sorting out the truth on the economy

This wraps up our series on key issues of the presidential election. This time, the economy.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 at 06:50 p.m.

Invoking the red menace

The McCain campaign went from tiptoeing around allegations that Obama is a socialist, to outright calling him one.

By Alexander Lane :: Published on Monday, October 27th, 2008 at 07:13 p.m.

Obama's Rezko connection

We sort out the controversy over Obama's longtime fundraiser.

By Robert Farley :: Published on Saturday, October 25th, 2008 at 01:37 p.m.

Sorting out the truth on national security

This is Part 5 of our series on key issues of the presidential election. This time, national security.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Thursday, October 23rd, 2008 at 06:42 p.m.

Tips and tricks for using PolitiFact

In the final hours before election day, we provide some inside tips on how to find what you want on PolitiFact.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 at 06:34 p.m.

Did Obama balk on Series?

It was no bench-clearing brawl, but McCain claims Obama flip-flopped on who he's rooting for.

By Robert Farley :: Published on Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 at 06:48 p.m.

Tax cuts for 95 percent? A closer look

So how many people don't pay taxes? We answer that question and more.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Monday, October 20th, 2008 at 07:10 p.m.

Sorting out the truth on Obama, ACORN

McCain and the GOP link Obama and ACORN, but the connection seems more partisan then perilous.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Friday, October 17th, 2008 at 05:56 p.m.

Estimating Joe the Plumber's tax bill

Would plumbers get a tax increase under Obama's plan? If they clear more than $250,000 in profits, yes.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Thursday, October 16th, 2008 at 05:25 p.m.

A debate about Joe the Plumber

In their final debate, Obama and McCain spar about whose policies would be better for Joe Wurzelbacher, an Ohio plumber. We find mistakes by both.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Thursday, October 16th, 2008 at 12:02 a.m.

Sorting out the truth on health care

This is Part 4 of our series on key issues of the presidential election. We'll distill the candidates' positions and examine key rulings. This time, health care.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 at 07:04 p.m.

A radical Ayers allegation

The McCain campaign ratchets up its attempt to connect Barack Obama to former '60s radical William Ayers.

By Alexander Lane :: Published on Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 05:29 p.m.

"Born alive" votes fuel abortion fight

The abortion issue plays out in dueling ads.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 at 04:14 p.m.

No maverick cred for Obama

Still fighting to be the candidate who can deliver change, McCain accuses Obama of being too cozy with his party leaders.

By Shawn Zeller :: Published on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 06:49 p.m.

Off key in Music City

McCain and Obama tangle in Nashville. We check their claims and find some truth . . . and some stretching.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 at 11:55 p.m.

Campaigns dig into the archives to attack

The race is tight and the campaigns are digging deeper for the dirt.

By Robert Farley, Alexander Lane :: Published on Monday, October 6th, 2008 at 08:03 p.m.

Sorting out the truth on energy

In our latest installment of our series on key issues, we distill the candidates' positions and examine our key rulings.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Friday, October 3rd, 2008 at 02:45 p.m.

Economic barrage

In new TV ads, McCain and Obama make claims about taxes and Fannie Mae. We find they're both exaggerating.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 at 06:52 p.m.

McCain's Spanish dancing

At the first debate, Obama said McCain had balked at meeting with the Spanish prime minister and wasn't sure if Spain was a U.S. ally. We sort out the facts.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Monday, September 29th, 2008 at 07:03 p.m.

Friday night fight

McCain and Obama spar at Ole Miss in their first debate. We check their facts and find a few blunders.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Saturday, September 27th, 2008 at 12:14 a.m.

Sorting out the truth on Iraq

This is Part 2 of our series on key issues of the presidential election. We'll distill the candidates' positions and examine key rulings. This time, Iraq.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Friday, September 26th, 2008 at 05:42 p.m.

Obama's executive pay misfire

Obama takes a swing at McCain while attacking high executive pay. But he misses.

By Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Thursday, September 25th, 2008 at 06:10 p.m.

Facts in Bermuda vacation ad do the job

Obama's latest attack: John McCain went to Bermuda, said nice things, received donations. Check, check, check.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Wednesday, September 24th, 2008 at 06:39 p.m.

Bridge too far on the Bridge to Nowhere

The famous Bridge to Nowhere is still a hot issue, but now it's being used as a weapon (though not very plausibly) against Obama.

By Robert Farley :: Published on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 at 04:54 p.m.

Sorting out the truth on taxes

Between now and Election Day, we plan to focus on key issues of the presidential election. We'll distill the candidates' positions and examine key rulings. First up: taxes.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Friday, September 19th, 2008 at 04:48 p.m.

Eager to be ahead of the economy curve

Barack Obama wants voters to know he's been focused on economic woes all along, but he's taking credit for a plan that was mostly devised without him.

By Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Thursday, September 18th, 2008 at 04:42 p.m.

McCain's 'warning' on Fannie & Freddie

McCain spoke up after a widely read report drew attention to chicanery at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but it’s a huge stretch to suggest he could have somehow averted the current crisis.

By Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 at 05:23 p.m.

McCain's pork project

McCain hammers at this point of distinction: he hates pork-barrel spending, Obama revels in it.

By Shawn Zeller :: Published on Tuesday, September 16th, 2008 at 05:27 p.m.

Kindergarten Sex Ed? Hardly

A McCain ad says Obama wants "comprehensive" sex ed for kindergartners. No, he doesn't.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Thursday, September 11th, 2008 at 11:15 a.m.

Lipstick, pigs and pit bulls

The McCain campaign seized on Obama's use of an old metaphor to say he said something he didn't.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 at 06:33 p.m.

McCain's big night

In a St. Paul hockey arena, John McCain accepts the Republican nomination. We check his facts.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Friday, September 5th, 2008 at 12:06 a.m.

FACT SHEET: Are you experienced?

We look at the four nominees for president and vice president and count up their experience.

 

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 at 06:07 p.m.

Getting fired up in St. Paul

After losing a day because of Hurricane Gustav, Republicans — and their new ally Joe Lieberman — try to make up for lost time with lots of praise of John McCain and a few digs at Barack Obama. We check the facts.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 at 11:25 p.m.

Stretch the truth? Yes they can

As the Democrats increase their attacks on McCain, they're getting some facts wrong. But McCain and the RNC are also distorting the truth.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 11:53 p.m.

Turning up the heat in Denver

Democrats pump up the rhetoric on Day 2 of their convention in Denver.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 11:38 p.m.

Mile-high medley

As the Democratic convention gets underway in Denver, we examine claims from Obama, his wife, Michelle, running mate Joe Biden and the party platform.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Monday, August 25th, 2008 at 11:35 p.m.

The mistakes of summer

An analysis of our Truth-O-Meter rulings finds the candidates have been telling more whoppers since summer began.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Sunday, August 24th, 2008 at 04:57 p.m.

The Truth-O-Meter on Biden

Joe Biden returns to the main stage as Barack Obama's vice presidential pick. We review his Truth-O-Meter rulings from the Democratic primary and two from his debut on the ticket.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Saturday, August 23rd, 2008 at 09:59 p.m.

Errors abound in anti-Obama book

The Obama Nation gets a lot wrong and relies on innuendo to make its case.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 at 06:13 p.m.

Obama, the flag and the tale of the tail

A chain e-mail is right that Obama replaced an American flag on the tail of his plane with his campaign logo, but the flag was really a corporate logo.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Friday, August 15th, 2008 at 05:31 p.m.

A viewer's guide to the fine print

A spate of recent Obama ads use fine print footnotes to back up attacks on McCain. How much stock should you put in them?

By Robert Farley :: Published on Thursday, August 14th, 2008 at 05:42 p.m.

Obama throttles McCain about Harleys

Obama hits McCain in the heart of Harley country with a radio ad that targets McCain's opposition to "Buy American" restrictions.

By Bart Jansen :: Published on Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 at 05:11 p.m.

Obama's return punch misses its mark

An new ad from Obama distorts the details of McCain's tax plans.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Monday, August 11th, 2008 at 06:21 p.m.

Twisting the facts on taxes

A new McCain ad bends the truth to argue that Obama will raise taxes.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Friday, August 8th, 2008 at 11:39 a.m.

Obama attack too quick on the draw

The Obama campaign says McCain opposes a new bipartisan energy proposal because it has tax hikes for oil companies. Not so fast there — McCain's crew says he intends to look it over first.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Thursday, August 7th, 2008 at 06:15 p.m.

Introducing the Flip-O-Meter

Wondering if a candidate has flip-flopped? Just check our new Flip-O-Meter, which grades whether candidates have made No Flip, a Half Flip — or a Full Flop.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Tuesday, August 5th, 2008 at 03:18 p.m.

Return of the tax attack chain e-mail!

Just in time for summer, anonymous e-mailers send out a new twist on an old favorite: Barack Obama will raise your taxes! We find numerous inaccuracies.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Monday, August 4th, 2008 at 06:26 p.m.

Of hecklers and heating oil

Obama's town hall focuses on economic issues; protesters add to the mix.

By Angie Drobnic Holan, Robert Farley :: Published on Friday, August 1st, 2008 at 07:36 p.m.

Here's a Wild one for you

Obama challenges McCain to a duel on taxes, noting he just may be related to legendary frontier lawman Wild Bill Hickok. We step back 60 paces and fire the truth.

By Robert Farley :: Published on Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 at 07:41 p.m.

Obama's no-win pickle of a problem

Visit wounded troops in Germany and have it painted as a campaign stunt? Or cancel, but leave yourself open to attack?

By Robert Farley :: Published on Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 at 06:48 p.m.

E-mail targets Obama's Afghan stop

Here's a shocker: Another chain e-mail proves inaccurate. This time, it's an American soldier slamming Obama's visit to Bagram Air Base.

By Alexander Lane :: Published on Monday, July 28th, 2008 at 06:48 p.m.

'Both ways Barack'?

A new TV ad from the conservative group Let Freedom Ring renews the charge that Obama is a flip-flopper. We check the facts.

By Bill Adair, Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 05:55 p.m.

Obama's muddle about the middle

The Obama campaign is exaggerating with its claim that McCain's tax plan offers nothing for the middle class.

By Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 06:34 p.m.

Obama ballyhoos Afghan stance

Obama goes abroad to tout the wisdom of his policy. We stay home and check his facts.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 06:56 p.m.

Foreign Policy Fusillade!

McCain unleashes multiple attacks on foreign policy on the eve of Obama's overseas trip.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Monday, July 21st, 2008 at 06:58 p.m.

Was that Clinton? Or Chester Arthur?

A recent Obama claim got us thinking about issues that always pop up in State of the Union addresses. Test your knowledge here!

By Alexander Lane :: Published on Friday, July 18th, 2008 at 04:23 p.m.

Immigration Rx or poison pill?

It's an issue the two candidates appear to agree on for the most part, but Obama and McCain have traded charges that the other sold out.

By Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Thursday, July 17th, 2008 at 06:59 p.m.

The campaign goes nuclear

We look at an ad that touts Obama's nuclear record and a chain e-mail that slams it.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 at 07:18 p.m.

Obama's wiretapping flip-flop? Yes

This week starts with another flip-flop charge from the McCain camp: that Obama reversed course on warrantless wiretapping.

By Alexander Lane :: Published on Monday, July 14th, 2008 at 05:47 p.m.

Obama's Iraq flip-flop? Nope

Some charge Obama with changing positions on withdrawal from Iraq; we cull through the record and find he has been consistent.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 at 05:51 p.m.

The Guard is strained, but so are Obama's facts

Sen. Barack Obama used this summer's Midwest flooding to illustrate his point that the Guard and Reserves are overtaxed. Good point, bad example.

By Stephanie Garry :: Published on Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 at 07:52 p.m.

Bogus Dowd column spreads quickly

Blogs and chain e-mails are spreading a Maureen Dowd column that claims the Obama campaign got suspicious contributions from Iran, Saudi Arabia and China. But the column is a fake.

By Bill Adair, Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 at 06:01 p.m.

Nader on the attack

Trying to generate some attention for his longshot presidential bid, consumer advocate Ralph Nader shoots at the leaders.

By Alexander Lane :: Published on Monday, June 30th, 2008 at 05:03 p.m.

Obama's birth certificate: Final chapter

Since we published Obama's birth certificate, questions about its authenticity have been frequent and fierce. After reviewing the evidence, we're confident in our rulings.

By Amy Hollyfield :: Published on Friday, June 27th, 2008 at 05:21 p.m.

Rhetoric doesn't pay the bills

Obama says his domestic programs are 'paid for,' but to do that he's making a few assumptions.

By Alexander Lane :: Published on Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 at 06:17 p.m.

Obama's first ad hits patriotic note

Now his party's nominee, Obama touts love of country in his new ad. It gets his points on taxes and welfare largely right. A third claim on veterans health benefits is less clear.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Monday, June 23rd, 2008 at 06:43 p.m.

Mix 'n match creditors with causes

We take apart popular notions on foreign debt and oil imports. Economists say the relationship is complicated.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Friday, June 20th, 2008 at 01:41 p.m.

Is Obama a liberal?

McCain and other Republicans cite a National Journal rating to claim that Obama is the Senate's No. 1 liberal. But other measurements tell a different story.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Monday, June 16th, 2008 at 06:18 p.m.

Obama's birth certificate (Really!)

For months we've been asking for a birth certificate to sort out rumors about Obama's real name. Confirmed by the state of Hawaii, here it is.

By Amy Hollyfield :: Published on Friday, June 13th, 2008 at 05:46 p.m.

You call that a tax increase?

Taxes are scheduled to go up in 2011 when the Bush tax cuts expire. If the next president lets that happen, is he raising taxes?

By Alexander Lane :: Published on Wednesday, June 11th, 2008 at 06:49 p.m.

E-mails twist context of Obama's memoir

Anonymous e-mailers make hay, getting quotes wrong or out of context. We give you the skinny in case Dreams from My Father isn't in your beach bag.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Tuesday, June 10th, 2008 at 05:16 p.m.

With friends like these.....

Fidel Castro tempered his criticism of Sen. Barack Obama with a few kind words, which thrilled Florida Republicans a bit too much.

By Robert Farley :: Published on Thursday, June 5th, 2008 at 03:12 p.m.

Escaping Bush's gravitational pull

An unpopular president and two candidates from the Senate create a host of strange-bedfellow problems in this presidential race.

By Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 at 07:02 p.m.

Obama skips public financing

Obama once said his contributor network was akin to public financing. We said....

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Sunday, June 1st, 2008 at 11:50 a.m.

Obama's Auschwitz error

In recounting a World War II story about his uncle, Obama named the wrong concentration camp, but we found other details were correct. His uncle saw the horrors of the Holocaust.

By Robert Farley :: Published on Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 at 06:49 p.m.

Caution: Lobbyists on the loose!

Obama bashes McCain on the influence issue. He's right, but McCain has a long record of reform.

By Angie Drobnic Holan, Robert Farley :: Published on Friday, May 23rd, 2008 at 06:07 p.m.

Obama would keep his enemies closer

In what looks to be the new political wedge of this campaign, John McCain and Barack Obama exchange fire on the issue of presidential-level diplomacy.

By Robert Farley :: Published on Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 at 08:44 p.m.

Obama, McCain misfire on vets benefits

The Obama and McCain campaigns exchanged fire on veterans issues, and neither struck the truth.

By Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Monday, May 19th, 2008 at 06:50 p.m.

McCain and the sinister ministers

Evangelicals John Hagee and Rod Parsley are supporting John McCain. MoveOn.org withholds its blessing.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Thursday, May 15th, 2008 at 06:39 p.m.

It's not the Clinton you think

"Clinton pastor" convicted of child sex abuse, says a newspaper Web site and a posting on an Obama campaign blog. It's a recipe for outrage.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 at 06:57 p.m.

Was McCain born in the USA?

The senator's birth overseas in a military zone raises a vexing question about whether he's eligible to be president. Since the issue rests on legal opinions, we'll explain the arguments but skip the Truth-O-Meter.

By Robert Farley :: Published on Monday, May 12th, 2008 at 04:43 p.m.

A terrorist endorsement for Obama?

John McCain says Hamas has endorsed Barack Obama. We find it's not an official endorsement, but it's certainly effusive praise.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Friday, May 9th, 2008 at 03:47 p.m.

Candidates get back to health

Sen. John McCain's new health care plan brings the issue back in focus for the presidential candidates. We check three new claims.

By Janet Zink, Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Thursday, May 8th, 2008 at 05:45 p.m.

Polled position: gas taxes and supercars

The gas tax won't save you much and supercars will have to wait. Why can't there be an easy answer for sticker shock at the pump?

By Angie Drobnic Holan, Robert Farley :: Published on Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 at 06:39 p.m.

Even missionaries botch their facts

The latest scurrilous e-mail about Barack Obama has real-live authors, Christian missionaries in Africa, but they're no better with the truth than anonymous bloggers.

By Amy Hollyfield :: Published on Friday, May 2nd, 2008 at 02:15 p.m.

Clinton's long haul on foreclosures

Clinton — and Obama — spoke up early on mortgage problems.

By Bill Adair, Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Thursday, May 1st, 2008 at 03:43 p.m.

Capital gains taxes demystified

McCain gets it half right on capital gains taxes while debate moderators pin down Clinton and Obama on where they stand.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 at 05:11 p.m.

Wright not Clinton's spiritual adviser

The Rev. Wright was one of more than 100 religious leaders invited to a prayer breakfast at the White House in 1998, but there's no indication he provided the Clintons any spiritual counseling.

By Robert Farley :: Published on Friday, April 25th, 2008 at 06:53 p.m.

Gas taxes, on holiday

The RNC is right that Obama once supported a gas tax "holiday," but a video glosses over some key details.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Thursday, April 24th, 2008 at 06:01 p.m.

In Pa., 11th-hour attacks on health care

As the Pennsylvania primary looms, health care takes center stage in campaign ads

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Monday, April 21st, 2008 at 06:00 p.m.

Trying to be tough on Big Oil

Dueling ads from Obama and Clinton say their opponent is weak on Big Oil. We find some truth and exaggerations on both sides.

By Bill Adair, Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Thursday, April 17th, 2008 at 12:58 p.m.

Vanilla in Phila.

The Philly debate was a relatively tame affair, but it brought a new controversy into the campaign: Obama's ties to a former member of the Weather Underground. We check the facts.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 at 09:59 p.m.

Numbers game

If a candidate is off with a statistical claim, should they earn a False on the Truth-O-Meter?

By Bill Adair :: Published on Tuesday, April 15th, 2008 at 05:58 p.m.

'Parallel public financing'? Only partly.

Small donors are a civic good, but they're not the whole picture when it comes to public campaign finance.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Tuesday, April 15th, 2008 at 05:38 p.m.

Obama's stretch on ethics reform

Obama claims he was the driving force on ethics reform. We find he was a player but not the quarterback.

By Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Monday, April 14th, 2008 at 06:14 p.m.

Obama is the Antichrist? Puh-leeze!

The latest chain e-mail attack on Obama distorts the words in the Bible to suggest he is the Antichrist.

By Amy Hollyfield :: Published on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008 at 07:40 p.m.

The Iraq war, for $100 month

We find Obama is right about how much households pay for the war.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 at 01:46 p.m.

Manipulating the bill counts

A chain e-mail uses apples-to-oranges comparisons to assert that Obama is a more active senator than Clinton.

By Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Friday, March 28th, 2008 at 06:01 p.m.

FACT SHEET: Clinton. Obama. Their bills.

We compare the legislative accomplishments of the Democratic candidates.

By Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Friday, March 28th, 2008 at 06:01 p.m.

President Clinton again on attack

Former President Bill Clinton claims Sen. Barack Obama "said one thing and did another" by accepting lobbyist money.

By Robert Farley :: Published on Thursday, March 27th, 2008 at 06:09 p.m.

Gravel: I'm not dead yet

In an exclusive interview with PolitiFact, the former Alaska senator confirms his status in the presidential campaign.

By Amy Hollyfield :: Published on Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 at 05:07 p.m.

100 years of latitude

It's all over the news that Sen. Barack Obama claims Sen. John McCain will let the war in Iraq go on for 100 years. Obama is taking liberties with what McCain said, as we told you weeks ago.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 at 06:29 p.m.

Chain e-mail fudges tax numbers

A chain e-mail on taxes makes a lot of points, not all of them right.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Monday, March 24th, 2008 at 07:16 p.m.

Obama and Israel

In his AIPAC speech, Obama said chain e-mails have been distorting his position on Israel. In this article, we examine some of the charges and whether there is any truth to them.

By Robert Farley :: Published on Friday, March 14th, 2008 at 06:50 p.m.

Keystone attacks

The Pennsylvania primary is six weeks away, but the charges have been flying fast and furiously. We check the facts on some claims.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Wednesday, March 12th, 2008 at 06:45 p.m.

Ready for the 3 a.m. call?

Clinton says she's skilled at foreign affairs because of her work as first lady on Northern Ireland, China and Kosovo. We check the facts to see what she did.

By Bill Adair, Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Monday, March 10th, 2008 at 06:40 p.m.

Obama's 20 years of experience

We examine Barack Obama's resume and find 20 years of public service work.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Friday, March 7th, 2008 at 12:31 p.m.

Campaign finance: Deal or no deal?

Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama are engaged in a battle on the validity of a March 2007 agreement to accept public financing — and its $84.1-million limit — for the general election.

By Amy Hollyfield :: Published on Monday, March 3rd, 2008 at 07:55 p.m.

Spend-O-Meter vs. Truth-O-Meter, Part II

In November, the Republican National Committee oversimplified the cost of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s policy proposals. Now, the RNC does a similarly overstated assessment of Sen. Barack Obama’s plans.

By Ryan Kelly, Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Friday, February 29th, 2008 at 06:41 p.m.

Mistakes on the lake

In the Cleveland showdown between the Democrats, Obama and Clinton get fast and loose with the facts. We find Clinton is right about Obama's committee work but is wrong that he wants to bomb Pakistan.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Wednesday, February 27th, 2008 at 06:36 p.m.

Unpacking the home mortgage plans

Sen. Hillary Clinton has promoted her plan to address the foreclosure crisis with various freezes, but she sometimes leaves crucial details out of her public comments. Sen. Barack Obama, meanwhile, takes aim at the inflated rhetoric and misses.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Tuesday, February 26th, 2008 at 06:06 p.m.

Obama bashes Clinton on NAFTA

Barack Obama charges Hillary Clinton with flip-flopping on NAFTA. He repeats a false detail, while getting the big picture right.

By Bill Adair, Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Monday, February 25th, 2008 at 06:40 p.m.

FACT SHEET: Clinton. Obama. Votes.

The top Democrats offer competing visions of leadership, but their voting records are nearly identical.

By Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Monday, February 25th, 2008 at 10:26 a.m.

Texas Two-Step

The Democratic debate in Austin was a polite affair. But we found plenty of facts to check.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Friday, February 22nd, 2008 at 03:00 p.m.

McCain sings off tune

The senator who sang "bomb Iran" claims that Barack Obama wants to bomb Pakistan. We find McCain is distorting Obama's remarks and give the Arizona Republican our Pants On Fire rating.

By Bill Adair, Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Thursday, February 21st, 2008 at 05:06 p.m.

Adding up Clinton's 35-year claim

The New York senator often boasts of 35 years in politics. We do the math and find one of her claims is way off, but that her general point about political experience is largely accurate.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 at 03:49 p.m.

Obama's "present" tension

When he was in the Illinois state senate, Barack Obama sometimes voted to block bills without formally opposing them, which has raised questions of political expedience.

By Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 at 04:47 p.m.

When presidents play politics

Bill Clinton inaccurately defends his own statements from the campaign trail, while George W. Bush takes a questionable shot at Barack Obama.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 at 04:56 p.m.

Hope . . . and the facts

In a Virginia speech, Barack Obama said polls show he could beat John McCain by 6 points. We find he's right about the polls, but wrong about gas prices and he misstates what Hillary Clinton's said about a bankruptcy bill.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Monday, February 11th, 2008 at 06:17 p.m.

FACT SHEET: Endorsements

Clinton has the endorsement of Jack Nicholson. McCain has Sylvester Stallone. Ron Paul is backed by a late-night radio personality named Waldo. We examine the endorsements of each candidate.

By Bill Adair, Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Friday, February 8th, 2008 at 06:05 p.m.

The Obama abortion debate

Obama's "present" votes on abortion in the Illinois senate become fodder for Clinton attacks.

By Bill Adair, Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Wednesday, February 6th, 2008 at 07:10 p.m.

Obama: Clinton too much like McCain

At the heart of a speech promoting his own candidacy, Obama charges that Clinton and McCain are too much alike at a time when Democrats need to present a clear distinction.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Friday, February 1st, 2008 at 06:38 p.m.

FACT SHEET: Economic policy

We check out the latest on President Bush's economic stimulus package and where the candidates stand on economic issues.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 at 06:43 p.m.

He said, she said

The Democratic debate in Myrtle Beach featured sharp comments by Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. We found Clinton continued to distort Obama's comments about Ronald Reagan, while other claims were closer to the truth.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008 at 07:10 p.m.

FACT SHEET: Immigration

A breakdown of the immigration issue, including candidate-by-candidate positions.

By Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Tuesday, January 15th, 2008 at 06:11 p.m.

The "Fairy Tale" Fracas

A Clinton attack on Barack Obama's Iraq record turns into a campaign brawl. We look at what's a fairy tale and what's not.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Monday, January 14th, 2008 at 06:31 p.m.

E-mail slams Obama on religion, race

An anonymous e-mail says Barack Obama belongs to a racist, anti-American church. We find that the church teaches black empowerment, not racism, and that it claims Africa as its ethnic heritage. We also find, yet again, that Obama isn't Muslim.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Friday, January 11th, 2008 at 07:55 p.m.

Obama targets Cayman 'tax scam'

A building in the Cayman Islands houses thousands of corporations. Sen. Barack Obama calls it "the biggest tax scam on record." But until legislation currently proposed by Obama and others becomes law, it isn't.

By Alex Leary :: Published on Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 at 07:03 p.m.

Examining their Senate records

Wondering what Obama has accomplished in the Senate? Here's our examination of the candidates' Senate accomplishments, which was prompted by a New Year's Eve attack by Sen. Joe Biden.

By Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Tuesday, January 8th, 2008 at 04:55 p.m.

Who's the candidate of change?

It’s a matter of opinion which Democratic front-runner is the candidate of change, but here are some PolitiFact rulings that might help you decide.

By Bill Adair, Amy Hollyfield :: Published on Monday, January 7th, 2008 at 07:20 p.m.

Two parties, one night

We find some truth, some exaggerations and a Pants-on-Fire falsehood at the dual debates in New Hampshire.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Sunday, January 6th, 2008 at 06:56 p.m.

Fast and furious finish

With just three days until the Iowa caucuses, the candidates are unleashing a flurry of charges -- and making a few slip-ups.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Monday, December 31st, 2007 at 05:17 p.m.

FACT SHEET: Who was in military?

They want to be commander in chief, but most of the presidential candidates have not served in the military. Our survey of their resumes finds that five of the 15 candidates have military experience.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Friday, December 21st, 2007 at 10:46 a.m.

Obama used a Koran? No, he didn't

An anonymous e-mail claims Barack Obama is a Muslim, attended a madrassa as a boy and took the oath of office on a Koran. The Truth-O-Meter says wrong, wrong and wrong.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Thursday, December 20th, 2007 at 01:23 p.m.

PolitiFact's greatest hits

Our Top 10 Truth-O-Meter rulings cover the Pledge of Allegiance, military shrinkage and crime linkage. We also examine whether God has a position on the Iowa caucuses.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Monday, December 17th, 2007 at 04:37 p.m.

Ridiculous, petty — but true

The Clinton campaign trots out quotes from Obama’s kindergarten teacher to prove that he’s been aiming for the White House longer than he admits. Seriously.

By Amy Hollyfield :: Published on Thursday, December 6th, 2007 at 07:19 p.m.

Giuliani left Iraq panel - or it left him

Rudy Giuliani joined the Iraq Study Group but then never made it to a meeting.

By Amy Hollyfield :: Published on Tuesday, December 4th, 2007 at 03:16 p.m.

Clinton vs. Obama: dueling health plans

Clinton says Obama leaves 15-million uncovered; he calls his plan "universal." Who's right?

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Monday, December 3rd, 2007 at 07:24 p.m.

FACT SHEET: Who has been to Iraq?

We surveyed the 16 candidates to find out which ones have visited Iraq since the start of the war in March 2003. As of December 2007, nine have. Here are our findings along with a brief synopsis of each candidate's position on the war, taken from their Web sites.

By Amy Hollyfield :: Published on Monday, December 3rd, 2007 at 05:24 p.m.

Edwards not new to populism

Barack Obama says John Edwards is new to populism, but a review of Edwards' political resume shows he has long argued the cause of regular people against economic elites.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Monday, November 19th, 2007 at 11:49 a.m.

Obama zapped by lightning claim

The Democrats slugged it out in a Las Vegas debate. We found several claims were true, but Obama was wrong about the probability of lightning strikes vs. undocumented worker prosecutions and Richardson was way off about the popularity of Vice President Cheney and HMOs.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Friday, November 16th, 2007 at 06:32 p.m.

Decoding the Clinton records ruckus

Sen. Clinton's records as first lady are stuck in an archivist quagmire, but that doesn't mean President Clinton couldn't be helping.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Friday, November 9th, 2007 at 12:00 a.m.

Obama targeted in chain e-mail

A chain e-mail says Barack Obama is unpatriotic because he "refused" to say the Pledge of Allegiance and did not put his hand over his heart. But it relies on a photo taken during the national anthem, not the pledge.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Thursday, November 8th, 2007 at 11:55 a.m.

What's in a resume?

The candidates have been making boasts and attacking each other over who has the most experience. We check their math.

By Michael Van Sickler :: Published on Tuesday, November 6th, 2007 at 05:13 p.m.

The "blank check" brouhaha

Obama and Clinton argue about Iran, but they agree on most aspects of U.S. policy.

By Bill Adair, Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Monday, October 29th, 2007 at 07:45 p.m.

Mud in your inbox

A Special Report: Chain e-mails spread rumors about candidates at warp speed. But they often distort the truth, as we found with one that falsely claims Hillary Clinton refused to meet with the Gold Star Mothers.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Saturday, October 20th, 2007 at 10:41 p.m.

Suggestions from our readers

Our special report on chain e-mails was suggested by several readers who had received the Clinton and Obama e-mails. If you have a suggestion for facts we should check, click here to email us.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Friday, October 19th, 2007 at 10:46 p.m.

Never say never

Edwards bans Washington lobbyist money, but not all lobbyist money.

By Michael Van Sickler :: Published on Tuesday, October 16th, 2007 at 04:34 p.m.

Democrats race to oppose Iraq most

To stand out in the field of Iraq opponents, the Democratic candidates are angling to be first or best or most opposed.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Monday, October 1st, 2007 at 07:49 p.m.

Obama won health care for many

Keeping it simple, Obama's insurance claim is accurate.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Tuesday, September 25th, 2007 at 04:06 p.m.

Biden's Iraq plan detailed enough to draw praise - and critics

More than a year ago, the Delaware Democrat offered a plan on Iraq. But he's no longer the only one.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Friday, September 14th, 2007 at 04:47 p.m.

Does Obama practice what he preaches?

The freshman senator calls for bipartisanship. But when he votes, it's nearly always with his party.

By David Baumann :: Published on Sunday, September 9th, 2007 at 07:34 p.m.

Obama: I'm a magnet for turnout

The Democrat says he can draw black voters and young people to the polls in a big way, but experts have their doubts.

By Tom Tobin :: Published on Tuesday, September 4th, 2007 at 06:42 p.m.

Dodd exaggerates influence on Iraq

Dodd says in a TV ad that he persuaded Clinton and Obama to support a March 2008 withdrawal from Iraq. But there's little evidence he was a factor in their decisions.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Tuesday, August 28th, 2007 at 09:42 a.m.

Obama won't accept money from lobbyists . . . or will he?

Barack Obama says he is "refusing contributions from PACs and Washington lobbyists." But he accepts money from state lobbyists and others in Washington's influence battles.

By Lissa August :: Published on Tuesday, August 21st, 2007 at 12:00 a.m.

Obama Girl gets Giuliani right

He did marry his second cousin.

By John Frank :: Published on Tuesday, August 14th, 2007 at 02:23 p.m.

They all believe in God

Mike Huckabee says there are “probably plenty” of presidential candidates who do not believe in God. But the major candidates say they are all believers.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Thursday, June 14th, 2007 at 05:41 p.m.