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Tracking governors’ campaign promises

By Bill Adair
May 31, 2012

PolitiFact is known for the Truth-O-Meter, but we have other meters that hold politicians accountable for their campaign promises.

You’re probably familiar with our Obameter, which tracks 508 promises that Barack Obama made in the 2008 campaign. We rate them Promise Kept, Broken, Compromise, In the Works and Stalled.

Our state partners use similar campaign promise meters on governors and mayors. They provide helpful report cards on how the elected officials are doing on their promises.

Some of the highlights:

Texas — The Perry-O-Meter shows the progress that Gov. Rick Perry is making on his promises. It shows 34 percent Kept, 6 percent Compromise and 23 percent Broken.

Florida — The Scott-O-Meter rates the promises of Gov. Rick Scott. He’s got 33 percent Kept, 11 percent Compromise and 9 percent Broken.

Georgia — The Deal-O-Meter, following Gov. Nathan Deal, shows 8 percent Kept and 27 percent In the Works.

Wisconsin — The Walk-O-Meter, which tracks the promises of Gov. Scott Walker, is timely because of the recall election next month. It shows 34 percent Kept and 12 percent Broken.

Rhode Island — The Linc-O-Meter rates the promises of Gov. Lincoln Chafee. It shows 32 percent Kept and 6 percent Broken.

Ohio — The Kasich-O-Meter keeps track of the promises made by Gov. John Kasich, with 24 percent Kept and 52 percent still In the Works.

Oregon — The Kitz-O-Meter follows Gov. John Kitzhaber’s promises, with 9 percent Kept and 18 percent In the Works.

Virginia — The Bob-O-Meter rates the promises of Gov. Bob McDonnell, with 16 percent Kept and 12 percent In the Works.

Our Sources

See individual meters.

 

Browse the Truth-O-Meter

More by Bill Adair
John Kitzhaber
stated on July 18, 2014 in a campaign debate:
Oregon “is the most trade-dependent state in the nation”
False
Donald Rumsfeld
stated on February 17, 2013 in an op-ed in the "Washington Post":
Says wrestling was a favorite sport of Abraham Lincoln.
True
Rick Perry
stated on January 8, 2012 in a Republican debate in New Hampshire.:
Says President Barack Obama “is a socialist.”
Pants on Fire!
C.W. Bill Young
stated on February 20, 2010 in a speech to Pinellas County Republicans.:
The Democratic health care plan is a “government takeover of our health programs.”
Pants on Fire!
Dick Cheney
stated on December 30, 2009 in a statement to Politico.:
President Obama “doesn’t … want to admit we’re at war.”
Pants on Fire!
Barack Obama
stated on September 20, 2009 in an interview on Meet the Press:
“Mathematically, the White Sox can still get in the playoffs.”
True

Tracking governors’ campaign promises



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stated on October 21, 2026 in a social media post:

Christina Bohannan
stated on October 7, 2026 in a Des Moines Register candidate Q&A:



Donald Trump
stated on October 12, 2026 in a rally in Youngstown, Ohio:



Josh Turek
stated on October 7, 2026 in a debate:

Donald Trump
stated on October 24, 2026 in a rally in Perry, Georgia:









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