Latest Fact-checks by Dave Umhoefer Clear Any Rating True Mostly True Half True Mostly False False Pants on Fire Full Flop Half Flip No Flip Any Speaker Any Date Range Last 3 Months Last 6 Months Last 12 Months 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Any Category Tommy Thompson stated on June 4, 2012 in a speech: By eliminating the public intervenor’s office, "I was the first one to fire Kathleen Falk." AFSCME stated on June 14, 2012 in a radio appearance: The Wisconsin Retirement System for public employees is "a self-funded pension plan" and "it’s the money of the workers’ that funds it." Tammy Baldwin stated on June 7, 2012 in a speech: Says U.S. Senate rival Tommy Thompson said he wants to "do away with Medicare." Mitt Romney stated on June 18, 2012 in a speech: "The median income in America has dropped by 10 percent in the last four years." Peter Barca stated on June 8, 2012 in a speech: "70 percent of the people who voted" on June 5, 2012, "just didn’t feel comfortable with the recall of the governor," weakening any idea that Wisconsin is "fully behind this Walker agenda." Scott Walker stated on June 6, 2012 in a radio appearance: "Overwhelming Democrat and Republican votes" in 2011 for legislation in two special sessions on jobs demonstrated the bipartisan nature of the Wisconsin Legislature. Jeff Fitzgerald stated on March 21, 2012 in an interview: "Minnesota has passed and Indiana has passed" right to work laws making union membership and dues optional Tom Barrett stated on May 24, 2012 in a website alert: Says Gov. Scott Walker made "draconian cuts" to public safety budgets that put police officers at "greater risk of harm." Scott Walker stated on May 31, 2012 in a debate: The federal government "reviewed and verified" his administration’s numbers showing Wisconsin added 23,608 jobs in 2011. Scott Walker stated on May 31, 2012 in a recall debate: "We’ve seen property taxes go down for the first time in 12 years on a median valued home." Scott Walker stated on May 11, 2012 in a blog post on campaign website: Thanks to our policies, "for the first time in state history, we have put millions of dollars into our rainy day fund in consecutive years." Mark Neumann stated on May 14, 2012 in a website alert: "Victory! Republicans by 2 to 1 vote to endorse Mark Neumann on first ballot at GOP convention." Jeff Fitzgerald stated on May 13, 2012 in Facebook and Twitter posts: Says he posted a "win" in the Republican Party of Wisconsin endorsement contest in the U.S. Senate primary. Chain email stated on April 26, 2012 in an email: The salaries of Wisconsin’s best-educated public school teachers were "slashed" by Gov. Scott Walker through a recent administrative rule change. Gwen Moore stated on April 28, 2012 in a song/speech: Says Gov. Scott Walker approved a "gutting" of two tax credits that help the poor and elderly. Pat Quinn stated on April 17, 2012 in an email to campaign supporters: Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s budget "calls for raising property taxes by nearly $500 billion." Wisconsin Medical Society stated on April 19, 2012 in an interview: Under a new law, doctors performing drug-induced abortions could be charged if women don’t return to them for follow-up care Kathleen Falk stated on April 6, 2012 in a news release: Says Gov. Scott Walker signed abortion, sex education and discrimination bills "in secret." AFSCME stated on April 7, 2012 in a letter to members: In labor negotiations with city employees, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett "demanded concessions that went beyond those mandated" by Gov. Scott Walker’s collective bargaining law Kathleen Falk stated on April 9, 2012 in a television ad: "Together we added more jobs than any other area" while I was Dane County executive. Republican Governors Association stated on March 29, 2012 in a television ad: Says "unemployment tripled" in Dane County due to Kathleen Falk’s tax policies Republican Governors Association stated on April 29, 2012 in a television ad: Mayor Tom Barrett’s policies drove unemployment up 27 percent in Milwaukee, pushing it to "one of America’s 10 worst cities for unemployment." Republican Governors Association stated on March 22, 2012 in a website alert: "In his very first budget, (Milwaukee) Mayor Tom Barrett broke his pledge to keep a lid on property taxes and has continued increasing taxes and fees ever since." Tommy Thompson stated on March 3, 2012 in a speech: Says when he was governor, Wisconsin cut unemployment to 2.1 percent and the state’s unemployment rate was "the lowest in the country for 40 consecutive months." Kathleen Falk stated on February 29, 2012 in an appearance at Marquette University: Says Gov. Scott Walker "didn’t balance the budget" so "we now have a larger state deficit 14 months into (his) term than we did when he was elected." Kathleen Falk stated on February 29, 2012 in an appearance at Marquette University: Says Gov. Scott Walker cut aid to local schools despite campaigning on trying to restore two-thirds state funding for education Scott Walker stated on February 25, 2012 in an interview: Says 94 percent of Wisconsin employers think the state "is heading in the right direction" and a majority say they will "grow their companies in 2012." Christine Sinicki stated on February 21, 2012 in a legislative floor speech: While fighting a move to toughen penalties for workplace gender discrimination, state Sen. Glenn Grothman said "he didn’t believe women belonged in the workplace" but belonged "at home, cooking and cleaning and having babies." Reince Priebus stated on February 14, 2012 in an op-ed piece: "The national unemployment rate has been above 8 percent for a record 36 months." Chain email stated on February 23, 2012 in a chain email: Says Gov. Scott Walker is "openly" backing a move to abolish the state retirement system and convert it to a 401(k)-style plan that will reduce pensions "by at least a third" for current and retired public employees
Clear Any Rating True Mostly True Half True Mostly False False Pants on Fire Full Flop Half Flip No Flip Any Speaker Any Date Range Last 3 Months Last 6 Months Last 12 Months 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Any Category
Tommy Thompson stated on June 4, 2012 in a speech: By eliminating the public intervenor’s office, "I was the first one to fire Kathleen Falk." AFSCME stated on June 14, 2012 in a radio appearance: The Wisconsin Retirement System for public employees is "a self-funded pension plan" and "it’s the money of the workers’ that funds it." Tammy Baldwin stated on June 7, 2012 in a speech: Says U.S. Senate rival Tommy Thompson said he wants to "do away with Medicare." Mitt Romney stated on June 18, 2012 in a speech: "The median income in America has dropped by 10 percent in the last four years." Peter Barca stated on June 8, 2012 in a speech: "70 percent of the people who voted" on June 5, 2012, "just didn’t feel comfortable with the recall of the governor," weakening any idea that Wisconsin is "fully behind this Walker agenda." Scott Walker stated on June 6, 2012 in a radio appearance: "Overwhelming Democrat and Republican votes" in 2011 for legislation in two special sessions on jobs demonstrated the bipartisan nature of the Wisconsin Legislature. Jeff Fitzgerald stated on March 21, 2012 in an interview: "Minnesota has passed and Indiana has passed" right to work laws making union membership and dues optional Tom Barrett stated on May 24, 2012 in a website alert: Says Gov. Scott Walker made "draconian cuts" to public safety budgets that put police officers at "greater risk of harm." Scott Walker stated on May 31, 2012 in a debate: The federal government "reviewed and verified" his administration’s numbers showing Wisconsin added 23,608 jobs in 2011. Scott Walker stated on May 31, 2012 in a recall debate: "We’ve seen property taxes go down for the first time in 12 years on a median valued home." Scott Walker stated on May 11, 2012 in a blog post on campaign website: Thanks to our policies, "for the first time in state history, we have put millions of dollars into our rainy day fund in consecutive years." Mark Neumann stated on May 14, 2012 in a website alert: "Victory! Republicans by 2 to 1 vote to endorse Mark Neumann on first ballot at GOP convention." Jeff Fitzgerald stated on May 13, 2012 in Facebook and Twitter posts: Says he posted a "win" in the Republican Party of Wisconsin endorsement contest in the U.S. Senate primary. Chain email stated on April 26, 2012 in an email: The salaries of Wisconsin’s best-educated public school teachers were "slashed" by Gov. Scott Walker through a recent administrative rule change. Gwen Moore stated on April 28, 2012 in a song/speech: Says Gov. Scott Walker approved a "gutting" of two tax credits that help the poor and elderly. Pat Quinn stated on April 17, 2012 in an email to campaign supporters: Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s budget "calls for raising property taxes by nearly $500 billion." Wisconsin Medical Society stated on April 19, 2012 in an interview: Under a new law, doctors performing drug-induced abortions could be charged if women don’t return to them for follow-up care Kathleen Falk stated on April 6, 2012 in a news release: Says Gov. Scott Walker signed abortion, sex education and discrimination bills "in secret." AFSCME stated on April 7, 2012 in a letter to members: In labor negotiations with city employees, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett "demanded concessions that went beyond those mandated" by Gov. Scott Walker’s collective bargaining law Kathleen Falk stated on April 9, 2012 in a television ad: "Together we added more jobs than any other area" while I was Dane County executive. Republican Governors Association stated on March 29, 2012 in a television ad: Says "unemployment tripled" in Dane County due to Kathleen Falk’s tax policies Republican Governors Association stated on April 29, 2012 in a television ad: Mayor Tom Barrett’s policies drove unemployment up 27 percent in Milwaukee, pushing it to "one of America’s 10 worst cities for unemployment." Republican Governors Association stated on March 22, 2012 in a website alert: "In his very first budget, (Milwaukee) Mayor Tom Barrett broke his pledge to keep a lid on property taxes and has continued increasing taxes and fees ever since." Tommy Thompson stated on March 3, 2012 in a speech: Says when he was governor, Wisconsin cut unemployment to 2.1 percent and the state’s unemployment rate was "the lowest in the country for 40 consecutive months." Kathleen Falk stated on February 29, 2012 in an appearance at Marquette University: Says Gov. Scott Walker "didn’t balance the budget" so "we now have a larger state deficit 14 months into (his) term than we did when he was elected." Kathleen Falk stated on February 29, 2012 in an appearance at Marquette University: Says Gov. Scott Walker cut aid to local schools despite campaigning on trying to restore two-thirds state funding for education Scott Walker stated on February 25, 2012 in an interview: Says 94 percent of Wisconsin employers think the state "is heading in the right direction" and a majority say they will "grow their companies in 2012." Christine Sinicki stated on February 21, 2012 in a legislative floor speech: While fighting a move to toughen penalties for workplace gender discrimination, state Sen. Glenn Grothman said "he didn’t believe women belonged in the workplace" but belonged "at home, cooking and cleaning and having babies." Reince Priebus stated on February 14, 2012 in an op-ed piece: "The national unemployment rate has been above 8 percent for a record 36 months." Chain email stated on February 23, 2012 in a chain email: Says Gov. Scott Walker is "openly" backing a move to abolish the state retirement system and convert it to a 401(k)-style plan that will reduce pensions "by at least a third" for current and retired public employees
Tommy Thompson stated on June 4, 2012 in a speech: By eliminating the public intervenor’s office, "I was the first one to fire Kathleen Falk."
AFSCME stated on June 14, 2012 in a radio appearance: The Wisconsin Retirement System for public employees is "a self-funded pension plan" and "it’s the money of the workers’ that funds it."
Tammy Baldwin stated on June 7, 2012 in a speech: Says U.S. Senate rival Tommy Thompson said he wants to "do away with Medicare."
Mitt Romney stated on June 18, 2012 in a speech: "The median income in America has dropped by 10 percent in the last four years."
Peter Barca stated on June 8, 2012 in a speech: "70 percent of the people who voted" on June 5, 2012, "just didn’t feel comfortable with the recall of the governor," weakening any idea that Wisconsin is "fully behind this Walker agenda."
Scott Walker stated on June 6, 2012 in a radio appearance: "Overwhelming Democrat and Republican votes" in 2011 for legislation in two special sessions on jobs demonstrated the bipartisan nature of the Wisconsin Legislature.
Jeff Fitzgerald stated on March 21, 2012 in an interview: "Minnesota has passed and Indiana has passed" right to work laws making union membership and dues optional
Tom Barrett stated on May 24, 2012 in a website alert: Says Gov. Scott Walker made "draconian cuts" to public safety budgets that put police officers at "greater risk of harm."
Scott Walker stated on May 31, 2012 in a debate: The federal government "reviewed and verified" his administration’s numbers showing Wisconsin added 23,608 jobs in 2011.
Scott Walker stated on May 31, 2012 in a recall debate: "We’ve seen property taxes go down for the first time in 12 years on a median valued home."
Scott Walker stated on May 11, 2012 in a blog post on campaign website: Thanks to our policies, "for the first time in state history, we have put millions of dollars into our rainy day fund in consecutive years."
Mark Neumann stated on May 14, 2012 in a website alert: "Victory! Republicans by 2 to 1 vote to endorse Mark Neumann on first ballot at GOP convention."
Jeff Fitzgerald stated on May 13, 2012 in Facebook and Twitter posts: Says he posted a "win" in the Republican Party of Wisconsin endorsement contest in the U.S. Senate primary.
Chain email stated on April 26, 2012 in an email: The salaries of Wisconsin’s best-educated public school teachers were "slashed" by Gov. Scott Walker through a recent administrative rule change.
Gwen Moore stated on April 28, 2012 in a song/speech: Says Gov. Scott Walker approved a "gutting" of two tax credits that help the poor and elderly.
Pat Quinn stated on April 17, 2012 in an email to campaign supporters: Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s budget "calls for raising property taxes by nearly $500 billion."
Wisconsin Medical Society stated on April 19, 2012 in an interview: Under a new law, doctors performing drug-induced abortions could be charged if women don’t return to them for follow-up care
Kathleen Falk stated on April 6, 2012 in a news release: Says Gov. Scott Walker signed abortion, sex education and discrimination bills "in secret."
AFSCME stated on April 7, 2012 in a letter to members: In labor negotiations with city employees, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett "demanded concessions that went beyond those mandated" by Gov. Scott Walker’s collective bargaining law
Kathleen Falk stated on April 9, 2012 in a television ad: "Together we added more jobs than any other area" while I was Dane County executive.
Republican Governors Association stated on March 29, 2012 in a television ad: Says "unemployment tripled" in Dane County due to Kathleen Falk’s tax policies
Republican Governors Association stated on April 29, 2012 in a television ad: Mayor Tom Barrett’s policies drove unemployment up 27 percent in Milwaukee, pushing it to "one of America’s 10 worst cities for unemployment."
Republican Governors Association stated on March 22, 2012 in a website alert: "In his very first budget, (Milwaukee) Mayor Tom Barrett broke his pledge to keep a lid on property taxes and has continued increasing taxes and fees ever since."
Tommy Thompson stated on March 3, 2012 in a speech: Says when he was governor, Wisconsin cut unemployment to 2.1 percent and the state’s unemployment rate was "the lowest in the country for 40 consecutive months."
Kathleen Falk stated on February 29, 2012 in an appearance at Marquette University: Says Gov. Scott Walker "didn’t balance the budget" so "we now have a larger state deficit 14 months into (his) term than we did when he was elected."
Kathleen Falk stated on February 29, 2012 in an appearance at Marquette University: Says Gov. Scott Walker cut aid to local schools despite campaigning on trying to restore two-thirds state funding for education
Scott Walker stated on February 25, 2012 in an interview: Says 94 percent of Wisconsin employers think the state "is heading in the right direction" and a majority say they will "grow their companies in 2012."
Christine Sinicki stated on February 21, 2012 in a legislative floor speech: While fighting a move to toughen penalties for workplace gender discrimination, state Sen. Glenn Grothman said "he didn’t believe women belonged in the workplace" but belonged "at home, cooking and cleaning and having babies."
Reince Priebus stated on February 14, 2012 in an op-ed piece: "The national unemployment rate has been above 8 percent for a record 36 months."
Chain email stated on February 23, 2012 in a chain email: Says Gov. Scott Walker is "openly" backing a move to abolish the state retirement system and convert it to a 401(k)-style plan that will reduce pensions "by at least a third" for current and retired public employees
