Latest Half-True Fact-checks in Ethics National Republican Congressional Committee stated on January 15, 2014 in in a Web campaign ad: Alex Sink "used a taxpayer-funded plane so she could get to a vacation in the Bahamas." Barack Obama stated on August 9, 2012 in a campaign ad: "We do know that Romney personally approved over $70 million in fictional losses to the IRS as part of the notorious 'Son of Boss' tax scandal, one of the largest tax avoidance schemes in history." Barack Obama stated on January 18, 2012 in a campaign commercial: "For the first time in 13 years, our dependence on foreign oil is below 50 percent." Barack Obama stated on January 18, 2012 in a campaign ad: Says PolitiFact has said he "kept a campaign promise to toughen ethics rules." Kasim Reed stated on January 3, 2012 in a meeting: "Five members of [the Common Cause Georgia] board accepted maximum campaign contributions." Newt Gingrich stated on December 15, 2011 in a debate in Iowa: "I never lobbied under any circumstance" for Freddie Mac. Jim McGreevey stated on October 10, 2011 in a radio interview: "After I had resigned or announced my resignation, I abolished -- I prohibited pay-to-play for people that had county or state contracts." Anthony Weiner stated on March 2, 2011 in an interview on Fox News: "Under the clear letter of the law, (Justice Clarence Thomas) must recuse himself" from the case challenging the constitutionality of the health care law. J.D. Alexander stated on February 16, 2011 in reaction to Gov. Rick Scott’s decision to kill the high-speed rail project.: "The Constitution doesn't allow the governor to not-spend appropriations funds." Livable Damascus stated on October 30, 2010 in a campaign mailer: Says Steve Spinnett has court judgments against him for trespass and harassment. Mark Butler stated on October 17, 2010 in a debate: Darryl Hicks had seven ethics violations and didn't pay most of the fines. Barack Obama stated on September 28, 2010 in a speech in Madison, Wisc.: The Republican election platform "was actually written with the help of a former lobbyist for AIG and a former lobbyist for Exxon-Mobil." Susana Martinez stated on July 22, 2010 in a campaign commercial: In New Mexico, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Diane Denish "spent federal stimulus funds on campaign Christmas cards." Karen Handel stated on June 28, 2010 in a campaign mailer: "John Oxendine is under a state ethics investigation because he illegally funneled more than $120,000 to his campaign from shady insurance political action committees in Alabama." J.D. Hayworth stated on June 14, 2010 in a campaign commerical: John McCain "began his career in Washington as a lobbyist when he was appointed in 1976 as the Navy's liaison to the United States Senate." Steve Poizner stated on June 1, 2010 in an online campaign commercial : As the CEO of eBay, "Whitman started a separate division that only sells porn." Dale Peterson stated on May 25, 2010 in a campaign commercial: Says his opponent Dorman Grace brags on his Facebook page about receiving illegal campaign contributions. Rick Perry stated on May 3, 2010 in a Web video: "Bill White used D.C. connections from his job in the Clinton administration to form a company that did business in the Middle East and defaulted on a $60 million loan." Julian Assange stated on April 12, 2010 in an interview on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report": "The permission to engage was given before the word RPG was ever used." Lone Star Project stated on April 8, 2010 in a press release : "(Pete) Sessions has held at least two fundraisers at adult-themed clubs and made no apologies." Rick Perry stated on March 26, 2010 in a press release: "This week liberal Bill White faced an ethics complaint about more than $83,000 he failed to report to the state Ethics Commission." Charlie Crist stated on March 28, 2010 in a debate on Fox News Sunday: Marco Rubio controlled funds that "out of the $600,000 that were raised, only $4,000 went to candidates to try to improve their chances to be elected to office." Rick Perry stated on February 5, 2010 in an online ad: Says Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison "took 154 private flights all funded by taxpayers" though "commercial flights were readily available at a fraction of the cost." Chuck Grassley stated on March 16, 2009 in a radio interview: In Japan, executives of failing companies "say 'I'm sorry' and then either do one of two things: resign or go commit suicide." Barack Obama stated on October 30, 2008 in a statement by Sen. Claire McCaskill in a TV ad. : Obama "changed the rules in Washington. Gone are the free gifts from lobbyists. Gone are the fancy airplane rides for nothing." Barack Obama stated on April 8, 2008 in Washington, D.C.: Barack Obama's network of small donors constitutes a "parallel public financing system." Barack Obama stated on April 14, 2008 in a television ad.: "He took on special interests and won, passing the toughest ethics law yet." John Edwards stated on January 15, 2008 in Las Vegas: "I believe, Senator Clinton, you've raised more money from those people (the oil and gas industry) than any candidate, Democrat or Republican." Barack Obama stated on October 30, 2007 in a Democratic debate in Philadelphia, Pa.: "I'm the only person on this stage who has worked actively just last year passing, along with Russ Feingold, some of the toughest ethics reform since Watergate." John Edwards stated on September 20, 2007 in a television interview.: "John Edwards never -- has ever from the beginning of his political career has never taken PAC money or the money of Washington lobbyists. Ever." -Joe Trippi, senior campaign adviser
National Republican Congressional Committee stated on January 15, 2014 in in a Web campaign ad: Alex Sink "used a taxpayer-funded plane so she could get to a vacation in the Bahamas." Barack Obama stated on August 9, 2012 in a campaign ad: "We do know that Romney personally approved over $70 million in fictional losses to the IRS as part of the notorious 'Son of Boss' tax scandal, one of the largest tax avoidance schemes in history." Barack Obama stated on January 18, 2012 in a campaign commercial: "For the first time in 13 years, our dependence on foreign oil is below 50 percent." Barack Obama stated on January 18, 2012 in a campaign ad: Says PolitiFact has said he "kept a campaign promise to toughen ethics rules." Kasim Reed stated on January 3, 2012 in a meeting: "Five members of [the Common Cause Georgia] board accepted maximum campaign contributions." Newt Gingrich stated on December 15, 2011 in a debate in Iowa: "I never lobbied under any circumstance" for Freddie Mac. Jim McGreevey stated on October 10, 2011 in a radio interview: "After I had resigned or announced my resignation, I abolished -- I prohibited pay-to-play for people that had county or state contracts." Anthony Weiner stated on March 2, 2011 in an interview on Fox News: "Under the clear letter of the law, (Justice Clarence Thomas) must recuse himself" from the case challenging the constitutionality of the health care law. J.D. Alexander stated on February 16, 2011 in reaction to Gov. Rick Scott’s decision to kill the high-speed rail project.: "The Constitution doesn't allow the governor to not-spend appropriations funds." Livable Damascus stated on October 30, 2010 in a campaign mailer: Says Steve Spinnett has court judgments against him for trespass and harassment. Mark Butler stated on October 17, 2010 in a debate: Darryl Hicks had seven ethics violations and didn't pay most of the fines. Barack Obama stated on September 28, 2010 in a speech in Madison, Wisc.: The Republican election platform "was actually written with the help of a former lobbyist for AIG and a former lobbyist for Exxon-Mobil." Susana Martinez stated on July 22, 2010 in a campaign commercial: In New Mexico, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Diane Denish "spent federal stimulus funds on campaign Christmas cards." Karen Handel stated on June 28, 2010 in a campaign mailer: "John Oxendine is under a state ethics investigation because he illegally funneled more than $120,000 to his campaign from shady insurance political action committees in Alabama." J.D. Hayworth stated on June 14, 2010 in a campaign commerical: John McCain "began his career in Washington as a lobbyist when he was appointed in 1976 as the Navy's liaison to the United States Senate." Steve Poizner stated on June 1, 2010 in an online campaign commercial : As the CEO of eBay, "Whitman started a separate division that only sells porn." Dale Peterson stated on May 25, 2010 in a campaign commercial: Says his opponent Dorman Grace brags on his Facebook page about receiving illegal campaign contributions. Rick Perry stated on May 3, 2010 in a Web video: "Bill White used D.C. connections from his job in the Clinton administration to form a company that did business in the Middle East and defaulted on a $60 million loan." Julian Assange stated on April 12, 2010 in an interview on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report": "The permission to engage was given before the word RPG was ever used." Lone Star Project stated on April 8, 2010 in a press release : "(Pete) Sessions has held at least two fundraisers at adult-themed clubs and made no apologies." Rick Perry stated on March 26, 2010 in a press release: "This week liberal Bill White faced an ethics complaint about more than $83,000 he failed to report to the state Ethics Commission." Charlie Crist stated on March 28, 2010 in a debate on Fox News Sunday: Marco Rubio controlled funds that "out of the $600,000 that were raised, only $4,000 went to candidates to try to improve their chances to be elected to office." Rick Perry stated on February 5, 2010 in an online ad: Says Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison "took 154 private flights all funded by taxpayers" though "commercial flights were readily available at a fraction of the cost." Chuck Grassley stated on March 16, 2009 in a radio interview: In Japan, executives of failing companies "say 'I'm sorry' and then either do one of two things: resign or go commit suicide." Barack Obama stated on October 30, 2008 in a statement by Sen. Claire McCaskill in a TV ad. : Obama "changed the rules in Washington. Gone are the free gifts from lobbyists. Gone are the fancy airplane rides for nothing." Barack Obama stated on April 8, 2008 in Washington, D.C.: Barack Obama's network of small donors constitutes a "parallel public financing system." Barack Obama stated on April 14, 2008 in a television ad.: "He took on special interests and won, passing the toughest ethics law yet." John Edwards stated on January 15, 2008 in Las Vegas: "I believe, Senator Clinton, you've raised more money from those people (the oil and gas industry) than any candidate, Democrat or Republican." Barack Obama stated on October 30, 2007 in a Democratic debate in Philadelphia, Pa.: "I'm the only person on this stage who has worked actively just last year passing, along with Russ Feingold, some of the toughest ethics reform since Watergate." John Edwards stated on September 20, 2007 in a television interview.: "John Edwards never -- has ever from the beginning of his political career has never taken PAC money or the money of Washington lobbyists. Ever." -Joe Trippi, senior campaign adviser
National Republican Congressional Committee stated on January 15, 2014 in in a Web campaign ad: Alex Sink "used a taxpayer-funded plane so she could get to a vacation in the Bahamas."
Barack Obama stated on August 9, 2012 in a campaign ad: "We do know that Romney personally approved over $70 million in fictional losses to the IRS as part of the notorious 'Son of Boss' tax scandal, one of the largest tax avoidance schemes in history."
Barack Obama stated on January 18, 2012 in a campaign commercial: "For the first time in 13 years, our dependence on foreign oil is below 50 percent."
Barack Obama stated on January 18, 2012 in a campaign ad: Says PolitiFact has said he "kept a campaign promise to toughen ethics rules."
Kasim Reed stated on January 3, 2012 in a meeting: "Five members of [the Common Cause Georgia] board accepted maximum campaign contributions."
Newt Gingrich stated on December 15, 2011 in a debate in Iowa: "I never lobbied under any circumstance" for Freddie Mac.
Jim McGreevey stated on October 10, 2011 in a radio interview: "After I had resigned or announced my resignation, I abolished -- I prohibited pay-to-play for people that had county or state contracts."
Anthony Weiner stated on March 2, 2011 in an interview on Fox News: "Under the clear letter of the law, (Justice Clarence Thomas) must recuse himself" from the case challenging the constitutionality of the health care law.
J.D. Alexander stated on February 16, 2011 in reaction to Gov. Rick Scott’s decision to kill the high-speed rail project.: "The Constitution doesn't allow the governor to not-spend appropriations funds."
Livable Damascus stated on October 30, 2010 in a campaign mailer: Says Steve Spinnett has court judgments against him for trespass and harassment.
Mark Butler stated on October 17, 2010 in a debate: Darryl Hicks had seven ethics violations and didn't pay most of the fines.
Barack Obama stated on September 28, 2010 in a speech in Madison, Wisc.: The Republican election platform "was actually written with the help of a former lobbyist for AIG and a former lobbyist for Exxon-Mobil."
Susana Martinez stated on July 22, 2010 in a campaign commercial: In New Mexico, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Diane Denish "spent federal stimulus funds on campaign Christmas cards."
Karen Handel stated on June 28, 2010 in a campaign mailer: "John Oxendine is under a state ethics investigation because he illegally funneled more than $120,000 to his campaign from shady insurance political action committees in Alabama."
J.D. Hayworth stated on June 14, 2010 in a campaign commerical: John McCain "began his career in Washington as a lobbyist when he was appointed in 1976 as the Navy's liaison to the United States Senate."
Steve Poizner stated on June 1, 2010 in an online campaign commercial : As the CEO of eBay, "Whitman started a separate division that only sells porn."
Dale Peterson stated on May 25, 2010 in a campaign commercial: Says his opponent Dorman Grace brags on his Facebook page about receiving illegal campaign contributions.
Rick Perry stated on May 3, 2010 in a Web video: "Bill White used D.C. connections from his job in the Clinton administration to form a company that did business in the Middle East and defaulted on a $60 million loan."
Julian Assange stated on April 12, 2010 in an interview on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report": "The permission to engage was given before the word RPG was ever used."
Lone Star Project stated on April 8, 2010 in a press release : "(Pete) Sessions has held at least two fundraisers at adult-themed clubs and made no apologies."
Rick Perry stated on March 26, 2010 in a press release: "This week liberal Bill White faced an ethics complaint about more than $83,000 he failed to report to the state Ethics Commission."
Charlie Crist stated on March 28, 2010 in a debate on Fox News Sunday: Marco Rubio controlled funds that "out of the $600,000 that were raised, only $4,000 went to candidates to try to improve their chances to be elected to office."
Rick Perry stated on February 5, 2010 in an online ad: Says Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison "took 154 private flights all funded by taxpayers" though "commercial flights were readily available at a fraction of the cost."
Chuck Grassley stated on March 16, 2009 in a radio interview: In Japan, executives of failing companies "say 'I'm sorry' and then either do one of two things: resign or go commit suicide."
Barack Obama stated on October 30, 2008 in a statement by Sen. Claire McCaskill in a TV ad. : Obama "changed the rules in Washington. Gone are the free gifts from lobbyists. Gone are the fancy airplane rides for nothing."
Barack Obama stated on April 8, 2008 in Washington, D.C.: Barack Obama's network of small donors constitutes a "parallel public financing system."
Barack Obama stated on April 14, 2008 in a television ad.: "He took on special interests and won, passing the toughest ethics law yet."
John Edwards stated on January 15, 2008 in Las Vegas: "I believe, Senator Clinton, you've raised more money from those people (the oil and gas industry) than any candidate, Democrat or Republican."
Barack Obama stated on October 30, 2007 in a Democratic debate in Philadelphia, Pa.: "I'm the only person on this stage who has worked actively just last year passing, along with Russ Feingold, some of the toughest ethics reform since Watergate."
John Edwards stated on September 20, 2007 in a television interview.: "John Edwards never -- has ever from the beginning of his political career has never taken PAC money or the money of Washington lobbyists. Ever." -Joe Trippi, senior campaign adviser