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 08:33 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.

Examining Gov. Sarah Palin

John McCain's surprising choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential nominee gives PolitiFact a fresh face. We start by digging into her resume.

By Amy Hollyfield :: Published on Friday, August 29th, 2008 at 06:55 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.

Did McCain reverse on torture?

Critics claim McCain flip-flopped on torture by voting against a bill to limit CIA tactics, but a review of his statements reveals consistent opposition.

By Robert Farley :: Published on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 at 01:44 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.

Ghost of Abramoff haunts McCain

McCain has championed his role in bringing lobbyist Jack Abramoff to justice. Now, allegations that McCain is raising money through an Abramoff associate hit hard.

By Alexander Lane :: Published on Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 05:53 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.

McCain's Airbus ties

A new attack ad goes after McCain's role in a lucrative defense contract being awarded to a European company over an American competitor.

By Robert Farley :: Published on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 05:39 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.

McCain's slippery statement on oil

McCain puts a positive spin on reality with his comments about oil-drilling and hurricanes.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Friday, July 25th, 2008 at 06:29 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.

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.

Fiorina's factual dysfunction

McCain adviser Carly Fiorina trips up the Truth-O-Meter when she says many health insurance plans cover Viagra but not birth control. Her candidate trips on the subject, too.

By Kris Hundley :: Published on Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 at 06:52 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.

Creative editing twists McCain's comments on Iraq

An ad from the DNC claims McCain is all over the map on Iraq. We find the ad leaves important context on the cutting room floor.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Friday, July 11th, 2008 at 03:44 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.

Rattling sabers at Iran

Sen. McCain has been clear about the threat posed by Iran, but it's the experts aren't so sure.

By Alexander Lane :: Published on Monday, July 7th, 2008 at 04:07 p.m.

Focus on flip-flops: the McCain edition

It's easy to say a candidate flip-flops. But does he? We look at the various claims against John McCain.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Thursday, July 3rd, 2008 at 06:31 p.m.

When McCain was in charge

We examine Wesley Clark's claim that McCain has no executive experience and find that McCain does – and earned high marks.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 at 06:51 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.

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.

McCain's drilling won't dent gas prices

McCain cites today's high gas prices in his pitch for more offshore drilling. But even experts who support the drilling say it won't reduce prices any time soon.

By Robert Farley :: Published on Thursday, June 19th, 2008 at 06:09 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.

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.

McCain’s nuclear argument

Sen. John McCain is a staunch proponent of nuclear power, saying it's key to reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels.

By Robert Farley :: Published on Monday, June 9th, 2008 at 06:14 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.

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.

More on MoveOn and McCain

We check two more items from an e-mail sent out from MoveOn.org targeting John McCain. This time on housing and torture.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Thursday, May 22nd, 2008 at 07:04 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.

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.

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.

A lesson in cherry-picking

Voting records make senators east targets for attack ads, and nobody knows it better than Sen. John McCain. The DNC is only doing what George W. Bush did back in 2000.

By Shawn Zeller :: Published on Monday, April 28th, 2008 at 07:31 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.

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.

McCain energy claim low on fuel

John McCain says energy prices would go down if the U.S. stopped filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. They might, but not by much.

By Wes Allison :: Published on Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 at 02:54 p.m.

In the e-mail: MoveOn flames McCain

MoveOn e-mails out a 10-point attack on McCain. On domestic policy, its aim is good.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 at 07:11 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.

It's Lieberman to the rescue

Sen. John McCain makes two gaffes during a trip overseas, but thankfully, good pal Sen. Joe Lieberman is there to bail him out.

By Angie Drobnic Holan, Robert Farley :: Published on Thursday, March 20th, 2008 at 07:01 p.m.

'McSame' ad goes three for four

An ad says McCain mimics Bush on Iraq, taxes, oil and health care. We say not on oil.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Monday, March 17th, 2008 at 04:24 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.

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.

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.

5 conservative concerns about McCain

Attacks by conservatives became so sharp last week that Sen. John McCain asked for a cease-fire. Here's a look at why they're unhappy and what PolitiFact has said about their complaints.

By Scott Montgomery, Amy Hollyfield :: Published on Thursday, February 14th, 2008 at 05:23 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.

Super scramble

In the final hours before Super Tuesday, the candidates traded charges on everything from the economy to political pork. We examined their claims and found they were largely correct.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Monday, February 4th, 2008 at 07:25 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.

Showdown in Simi Valley

We check the facts from the Republican debate and again find John McCain is incorrect when he says Mitt Romney supported a timetable to withdraw from Iraq.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Thursday, January 31st, 2008 at 05:19 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.

Another flap over flip-flops

John McCain makes fun of Mitt Romney for changing positions on abortion and gun control. McCain's jibes may not be polite, but they are accurate.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Monday, January 28th, 2008 at 07:40 p.m.

McCain's last-minute attack about Iraq

In an attack shortly before voters headed to the polls in Florida, John McCain brings up Iraq, saying Mitt Romney urges a withdrawal date. But we find Romney won't set a timetable for leaving.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Sunday, January 27th, 2008 at 05:11 p.m.

Fumbled facts in Florida

We find some exaggerations and mistakes at the Republican debate in Boca Raton.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Thursday, January 24th, 2008 at 12:46 a.m.

Rudy's Florida pitch

In a TV ad aimed at voters in Florida, Rudy Giuliani makes claims about cutting taxes, welfare reform and a national insurance fund. We find he's mostly right on two, but wrong on the other.

By John Frank, Robert Farley :: Published on Friday, January 18th, 2008 at 07:51 p.m.

McCain's POW record attacked, again

In a flashback to 2000, Sen. John McCain faces unfounded allegations about his past. This time, a flyer from the Vietnam Veterans Against John McCain alleges he's a traitor.

By Shawn Zeller :: Published on Thursday, January 17th, 2008 at 08:03 p.m.

The fight over 'amnesty'

Heading into the South Carolina primaries this month, immigration is a hot topic in the Republican race. Specifically, Sen. John McCain's role and the issue of "amnesty."

By Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Tuesday, January 15th, 2008 at 07:22 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.

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.

Romney's tax claim against McCain

Romney says McCain has flip-flopped on the Bush tax cuts. He's right, but McCain has an explanation.

By Adriel Bettelheim :: Published on Friday, January 4th, 2008 at 06:32 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.

History is not their best subject

Presidential candidates often make historical references to emphasize points or justify positions. A lot of the time, though, they get their facts wrong -- to the dismay of historians.

By John Frank :: Published on Tuesday, December 18th, 2007 at 05:28 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.

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.

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.

Looking for Mr. Right

Each of the candidates running for the Republican nomination for president claims to be a conservative. And each one is -- to a point.

By Wes Allison :: Published on Tuesday, November 27th, 2007 at 03:23 p.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.

Taking off the gloves in Orlando

The Republican candidates mixed it up during a lively debate in Orlando. They stretched the truth on crime and defense, while Huckabee was Pants-On-Fire wrong about the Founding Fathers.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Friday, October 19th, 2007 at 04:43 p.m.

Keeping it simple, sometimes wrong

The candidates from both parties want to distill the SCHIP debate into nuggets that satisfy their base voters.

By David Baumann :: Published on Monday, October 15th, 2007 at 05:42 p.m.

Still fighting the last war

Sen. John McCain has a history of attacking 'earmarked' spending, but his facts are in the past, too.

By David Baumann :: Published on Friday, October 12th, 2007 at 02:24 p.m.

McCain overbids on eBay

The Republicans clashed on taxes, the economy and Iraq during a debate in Dearborn, Mich. They fumbled a few facts along the way.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Monday, October 8th, 2007 at 07:33 p.m.

Romney's nuances on gay issues

Mitt Romney has consistently opposed gay marriage, but he changed positions on a constitutional amendment on civil unions.

By Miranda Blue, Ryan Kelly :: Published on Friday, October 5th, 2007 at 02:34 p.m.

Firing federal workers is difficult

McCain exaggerates when he says firing a federal worker is a "near impossibility." But experts say his broader point is true: Reforms are needed for supervisors to deal effectively with poor performers.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Wednesday, September 5th, 2007 at 05:52 p.m.

Romney says McCain flip-flops, too

Mitt Romney sought to deflect the criticism he has faced for his change on abortion by pointing out that Sen. John McCain has changed some positions, too.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Thursday, August 23rd, 2007 at 09:49 a.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.