The Obameter: Tracking Obama's Campaign Promises
PolitiFact has compiled more than 500 promises that Barack Obama made during the campaign and is tracking their progress on our Obameter.
We rate their status as Not Yet Rated, In the Works or Stalled. Once we find action is completed, we rate them Promise Kept, Compromise or Promise Broken.
The report card at right provides an up-to-the-minute tally of all the promises.
Other ways to browse the Obameter
Promises we’ve rated recently
No. 180: Restrict warrantless wiretaps
The Promise:
"Barack Obama opposed the Bush Administration's initial policy on warrantless wiretaps because it crossed the line between protecting our national security and eroding the civil liberties of American citizens. As president, Obama would update the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to provide greater oversight and accountability to the congressional intelligence committees to prevent future threats to the rule of law."
No. 179: Revise the Patriot Act to increase oversight on government surveillance
The Promise:
"As president, Barack Obama would revisit the PATRIOT Act to ensure that there is real and robust oversight of tools like
National Security Letters, sneak-and-peek searches, and the use of the material witness provision."
No. 511: Recognize the Armenian genocide
The Promise:
"Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term 'genocide' to describe Turkey's slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. … as President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide."
Update March 5th, 2010:
Administration reportedly works against resolution to recognize deaths
No. 431: Reduce earmarks to 1994 levels
The Promise:
"Barack Obama is committed to returning earmarks to less than $7.8 billion a year, the level they were at before 1994."
No. 221: Double the Peace Corps
The Promise:
"Barack Obama will double the Peace Corps to 16,000 by its 50th anniversary in 2011 and push Congress to fully fund this expansion, with a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean."
Update February 18th, 2010:
President's budget continues lower trendline for Peace Corps funding
No. 41: Freeze the 2009 estate tax law
The Promise:
Freeze the 2009 estate tax law, which exempts the first $3.5 million and has a top rate of 45 percent.
No. 339: Support human mission to moon by 2020
The Promise:
Will "endorse the goal of sending human missions to the Moon by 2020, as a precursor in an orderly progression to missions to more distant destinations, including Mars."
No. 335: Work with international allies on space station
The Promise:
"Will enlist international partners to provide International Space Station (ISS) cargo re-supply and eventually alternate means for sending crews to the ISS."
No. 349: Support commercial access to space
The Promise:
"Will stimulate the commercial use of space and private sector utilization of the International Space Station. He will establish new processes and procurement goals to promote the use of government facilities."
No. 340: Conduct robust research and development on future space missions
The Promise:
"Will support a robust research and technology development program that addresses the long-term needs for future human and robotic missions. He supports a funding goal that maintains at least 10 percent of the total exploration systems budget for research and development."
No. 341: Increase spending to prepare for longer space missions
The Promise:
Will "support increased investment in research, data analysis, and technology development across the full suite of exploration missions including the Mars Sample Return mission and future missions to the Moon, asteroids, Lagrange points, the outer Solar System and other destinations."
No. 351: Establish school programs to highlight space and science achievements
The Promise:
Through NASA, "will develop K-12 education activities to translate the successes of our civil space programs, particularly our nation's scientific discoveries, our technology developments, and space exploration activities, into instructional programs for our children."
No. 505: Create a $3,000 tax credit for companies that add jobs
The Promise:
"During 2009 and 2010, existing businesses will receive a $3,000 refundable tax credit for each additional full-time employee hired."
No. 293: Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy
The Promise:
Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the military.
Update February 2nd, 2010:
Gates says repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is no longer a question of "whether," but "how"
No. 258: Simplify the application process for financial aid
The Promise:
"Will streamline the financial aid process by eliminating the current federal financial aid application and enabling families to apply simply by checking a box on their tax form, authorizing their tax information to be used, and eliminating the need for a separate application."
Obama’s To-Do ListHere’s a random sampling of five of Obama's 503 promises:
No. 213:
Work for the release of international dissidents
No. 471:
Provide tax credits for automakers to build fuel-efficient cars
No. 54:
Create a small business tax credit to help with health premiums
No. 101:
Require employers to provide seven paid sick days per year
No. 94:
Set goals and timetables for implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act
We want to hear your suggestions and comments. For tips or comments on our campaign promise database, please e-mail the Obameter. If you are commenting on a specific promise, please include the promise number. For comments about our Truth-O-Meter or Flip-O-Meter items, please e-mail the Truth-O-Meter. We’re especially interested in seeing any chain e-mails you receive that you would like us to check out. If you send us a comment, we'll assume you don't mind us publishing it unless you tell us otherwise.
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