October 31, 2008
Posted: October 31st, 2008 04:00 PM ET

The Statement
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, in an interview October 31 on ABC's "Good Morning America," praised his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, saying in part that she has "more experience than Senator Biden and Senator Obama put together."

Get the facts!

The Facts:
McCain doesn't clarify what he means by "experience." But during the campaign, Palin, 44, has said she has ore governmental "executive experience" than Obama.

She served as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, from 1996 to 2002, and has been governor of that state since December 2006, a total of nearly eight years executive experience. She also served for four years on Wasilla's City Council.

Obama and Biden have held elected posts as lawmakers, but have not, like Palin, served in elected executive posts, such as mayor or governor. However, they have around four times the amount of elected office experience combined than Palin.

Obama, 47, has 11 years and around eight months of experience. He served in the Illinois State Senate from January 1997 to November 2004. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in Illinois in 2004 and was sworn in on January 3, 2005.

Biden, 65, has 37 years of elected office experience. He served two years on the New Castle County Council in Delaware and then was elected to the U.S. Senate in Delaware in 1972. He was sworn into the Senate on January 5, 1973, and has served there since.

McCain, 72, himself has more elected office experience than Palin, with nearly 26 years of experience in Congress. He was elected to the House in Arizona in 1982 and then was elected to the Senate in 1986.

The Verdict:
Misleading. McCain didn't use the caveat "executive experience." Obama and Biden combined have four times the amount of elected office experience than Palin. McCain himself has more than twice the amount of experience.

Filed under: Barack Obama • Fact Check • John McCain


subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

twitter
@edhenrycnn: My colleague Dan Lothian and I show what's it's like on the road with the President - http://bit.ly/7XSU53 #cnn
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:09:21 -0800
hambypCNN: Big game for the Hoyas tonight against Butler @ 7PM. @moelleithee, @mikemadden and @karentravers will be watching, and you should too.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:04:26 -0800
@wolfblitzercnn: DNC's Tim Kaine debates RNC's Michael Steele today 6 PM Eastern in SitRoom. They disagree on how to create jobs and reform health care.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:14:20 -0800
@wolfblitzercnn: Sir Nigel Sheinwald, Britain's ambassador to US, comes into SitRoom today. Afghanistan, Iraq on the agenda. Are two allies on same page?
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:49:31 -0800
@CNNPolitics: RT @@psteinhauserCNN: New CNN Poll: Optimism on economy fading? - http://bit.ly/5saSOJ
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:31:47 -0800
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP