Biggest falsehoods of the presidential campaign

The campaigns and the super PACs have kept the Truth-O-Meter busy. Here are six claims that pushed the needle into the red.

By Bill Adair :: Published on Thursday, November 1st, 2012 at 04:00 a.m.

A campaign full of red-hot statements

By Jim Tharpe PolitiFact Georgia   In politics, there are truths. There are falsehoods. And there’s Pants on Fire. PolitiFact and the AJC Truth-O-Meter complete hundreds of fact checks every year. And a few fall into that fiery netherworld of the ridiculously misleading. The 2012 campaign between President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has produced some memorable misstatements. Below are abbreviated versions of some of the top Pants on Fire rulings of the campaign. Look for the complete fact checks at the PolitiFact online sites. Want to comment on our Truth-O-Meter rulings? It’s easy. Just go to our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/politifact.georgia?fref=ts. Readers can follow us on Twitter at: PolitiFactGA.  

By Jim Tharpe :: Published on Wednesday, October 31st, 2012 at 06:00 a.m.

Scariest lines of the 2012 campaign

For Halloween, we highlight the scare tactics of 2012. Don't be afraid! The Truth-O-Meter says they're not true!

By Bill Adair :: Published on Tuesday, October 30th, 2012 at 05:36 p.m.

Obama and Romney on women's issues

Women are a key demographic of this presidential campaign. Both Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama have targeted this swing group, trying to sway female voters on issues such as contraception, equity pay and employment. The focus on females has produced some of the most memorable statements during the campaign from both men and their running mates, Vice President Joe Biden and vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan. Below are abbreviated versions of fact checks about the candidates’ statements during the campaign. Look for the complete fact checks at the PolitiFact online sites. Want to  comment on our Truth-O-Meter rulings? It’s easy. Just go to  our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/politifact.georgia?fref=ts. Readers can follow us on Twitter at: PolitiFactGA.

By Janel Davis :: Published on Tuesday, October 30th, 2012 at 06:00 a.m.

Obama and Romney on taxes

Taxes have been a major focus of this presidential campaign. Both President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney have different ideas on the issue, and each has a specific tax plan. Democrats have criticized Romney’s plan as being vague and a potential burden on middle-income families. Republicans have complained that Obama’s tax policies will keep the country mired in an economic slump. Along the way, both men -- and their running mates, Vice President Joe Biden and vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan -- have kept the AJC Truth-O-Meter busy. Below are abbreviated versions of fact checks about the candidates’ statements during the campaign. Look for the complete fact checks at the PolitiFact online sites. Readers can comment on our Truth-O-Meter rulings at our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/politifact.georgia?fref=ts.  And they can follow us on Twitter at: PolitiFactGA.

By Janel Davis :: Published on Monday, October 29th, 2012 at 08:29 a.m.

Obama and Romney on the economy

The economy has been the central issue in this presidential race. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney have divergent visions about how to help create more jobs, sell more American goods overseas and make the nation more energy-independent. Along the way, both men have made claims that caused the Truth-O-Meter to sway in all directions. Below are some abbreviated versions of fact checks about the candidates’ statements during the campaign. Look for the complete fact checks at the PolitiFact online sites. Readers can comment on our Truth-O-Meter rulings at our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/politifact.georgia?fref=ts.  And they can follow us on Twitter at: PolitiFactGA.  

By Eric Stirgus :: Published on Sunday, October 28th, 2012 at 09:58 a.m.

Checking the facts on China

Both sides have used China as a villain in the 2012 campaign. We've put their claims to the Truth-O-Meter PolitiFact and PolitiFact Georgia are checking statements made by the presidential challengers, who have less than two weeks until Election Day. We will be updating our online site -- www.politifact.com/georgia/ -- as more fact checks are completed. Readers can comment on our Truth-O-Meter rulings at: www.facebook.com/politifact.georgia?fref=ts. They can follow us on Twitter at PolitiFactGA.

By Jon Greenberg :: Published on Friday, October 26th, 2012 at 09:03 p.m.

Twisting the truth on windmills, pensions and prostitutes

Both sides have used China as a villain in the 2012 campaign. We've put their claims to the Truth-O-Meter.

By Jon Greenberg :: Published on Friday, October 26th, 2012 at 05:12 p.m.

Fact-checking the third presidential debate

We continue to post new fact-checking reports from the debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney on Monday night. The topic was foreign policy. Did you hear something you would like fact-checked? Suggest ideas by tagging tweets with #PolitiFactThis. You can also email us at truthometer@politifact.com.

By Becky Bowers, Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Monday, October 22nd, 2012 at 11:56 p.m.

Romney, Obama, foreign policy debate

Truth-O-Meter plugged in? Check. PolitiFact is fact-checking the third Romney-Obama debate in Florida.

By W. Gardner Selby :: Published on Monday, October 22nd, 2012 at 09:42 a.m.

Fact-checking foreign policy

In advance of Monday night's debate, we look at our recent fact-checks on foreign policy.

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Sunday, October 21st, 2012 at 08:35 p.m.

PolitiFact's guide to Mitt Romney and abortion

We review what Mitt Romney has said about Roe vs. Wade, personhood, the Human Life Amendment, Planned Parenthood, federal funding and contraception.

By Jon Greenberg, Molly Moorhead :: Published on Friday, October 19th, 2012 at 03:52 p.m.

Attack in Libya a hot topic for both candidates

We fact-check claims by Mitt Romney and Joe Biden about the fatal attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. We will be updating our online site -- http://www.politifact.com/georgia/ -- continuously as fact-checks are completed. Readers can comment on our Truth-O-Meter rulings at our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/politifact.georgia?fref=ts. And they can follow on Twitter at: PolitiFactGA.

By Jon Greenberg :: Published on Thursday, October 18th, 2012 at 05:24 p.m.

Sorting out the truth on the attack in Libya

We fact-check claims by Mitt Romney and Joe Biden about the fatal attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.

By Jon Greenberg :: Published on Thursday, October 18th, 2012 at 04:07 p.m.

Another debate, a new round of fact-checks

The second presidential debate is in the books. A third and final face-to-face showdown between Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama is set for Monday. PolitiFact and PolitiFact Georgia checked statements made by the candidates during Tuesday’s town hall-style event. Below are some (abbreviated versions of) fact-checks on statements by the candidates or major themes they broached during their second debate. We will be updating our online site -- http://www.politifact.com/georgia/ -- continuously as fact-checks are completed. Readers can comment on our Truth-O-Meter rulings at our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/politifact.georgia?fref=ts. And they can follow on Twitter at: PolitiFactGA. Look for the complete fact-checks at the PolitiFact online sites.

By Janel Davis, Eric Stirgus :: Published on Thursday, October 18th, 2012 at 06:00 a.m.

Obama’s flawed claim about Romney and Arizona’s immigration law

What twice we rated False in Texas remained so when Barack Obama said it (again) in New York.

By W. Gardner Selby :: Published on Wednesday, October 17th, 2012 at 04:35 p.m.

Candidates mix it up in tense debate

PolitiFact and PolitiFact Georgia are checking statements made by Mitt Romney and President Obama during Tuesday’s debate. We will be updating our online site -- http://www.politifact.com/georgia/ -- throughout the day as fact-checks are completed. Readers can comment on our Truth-O-Meter rulings at our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/politifact.georgia?fref=ts. And they can follow on Twitter at: PolitiFactGA. Below are some initial (abbreviated versions of) fact-checks on actual statements by the candidates or major themes they broached during their second debate. Look for the complete fact-checks at the PolitiFact online sites.

By Becky Bowers :: Published on Wednesday, October 17th, 2012 at 07:13 a.m.

Romney, Obama and fact-checking the town-hall debate

Colleagues deliver a breaking story on who got the facts straight in the Hofstra University presidential debate.

By Becky Bowers :: Published on Tuesday, October 16th, 2012 at 11:27 p.m.

Fact-checking the town hall debate

President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney clashed at a town hall debate Tuesday night. We're putting many of their claims to the Truth-O-Meter.

By Becky Bowers :: Published on Tuesday, October 16th, 2012 at 09:20 p.m.

Fact-checking taxes in the presidential race

What are the facts when it comes Barack Obama's and Mitt Romney's tax policies?

By Angie Drobnic Holan :: Published on Tuesday, October 16th, 2012 at 04:09 p.m.