The McCain file:
McCain

John McCain

Republican from Arizona

John McCain is a U.S. senator from Arizona, a post he has held since 1986. He previously served two terms in the U.S. House. McCain is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and spent his career in the military, as his father did. He was a combat pilot in Vietnam who was shot down and spent 5 1/2 years as a prisonor of war. He was born in 1936 in Panama. He and his wife, Cindy, have four children together. McCain also has three children from his first marriage.

McCain's statements by ruling
Click on the ruling to see all of McCain's statements for that ruling.
Recent statements by John McCain

False “They (Clinton and Obama) have never to my knowledge been involved in legislation nor hearings nor engagement on this issue (climate change).”
Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 in North Bend, Wash.
>> Details

Mostly true "It is just a fact that Hamas, apparently the North American spokesperson, is endorsing Senator Obama."
Friday, April 25th, 2008 in a media availability in Little Rock, Ark.
>> Details

Half-True "We spend a staggering amount of money on health care — over $2-trillion and almost twice as much as any other country per person."
Monday, April 28th, 2008 in a campaign stop at Miami children’s hospital
>> Details

Mostly true "My friend, we have increased the size of government by some 40 percent just in the last few years."
Sunday, April 20th, 2008 in a television interview.
>> Details

Pants on fire! McCain says the price of a gas tax "holiday" would be about the same as "a Bridge to Nowhere (or) another pork barrel project."
Thursday, April 24th, 2008 in an interview on the Fox News Channel.
>> Details

Recent attacks on John McCain

Attacker:

 

Truth-O-Meter says:

Barr

Bob Barr

Eliminating earmarks "would make barely a drop in the bucket with regard to the national debt, the deficit."

Mostly true

Billions of difference amounts to not much

Consumer Action Network

Florida Consumer Action Network

"For what we spend in just one week in Iraq, 800,000 children could get health insurance for an entire year."

Mostly true

That money could insure twice as many kids

Obama

Barack Obama

"If Senator Clinton or John McCain had stood up in previous years for increases in fuel efficiency standards . . . then we would not be in this same situation in the first place."

Half-True

McCain took a stand years earlier

The Democratic National Committee

The Democratic National Committee

"McCain has voted repeatedly at least six times against funding for global HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB fund, once as one of only 14 senators."

Half-True

Selectively choosing his votes

Obama

Barack Obama

"He’s promising four more years of an administration that will push for the privatization of Social Security..."

False

Not the same old Bush plan

Recent stories featuring John McCain

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.

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.

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.

Clinton's long haul on foreclosures: Clinton — and Obama — spoke up early on mortgage problems.

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.

Advertisement
Browse
Contribute

No, we don’t want to take your money. But we are more than willing to listen if you know of any facts or story ideas for the Truth-O-Meter. truthometer@politifact.com

PolitiFact.com

PolitiFact is a project of the St. Petersburg Times and Congressional Quarterly to help you find the truth in the presidential campaign. Every day, reporters and researchers from the Times and CQ will analyze the candidates' speeches, TV ads and interviews and determine whether the claims are accurate. >> More

Logos
Sorting out the truth in politics
Browse
Candidates

Search PolitiFact via Google

Feeds

Get PolitiFact:

Advertisement