Not as much as Republicans

John Edwards has targeted Clinton before for taking money from federal lobbyists. (Edwards and Barack Obama do not.) We’ve previously checked his allegations

here

that she gets the most money from the health industry, pharmaceutical companies, health insurance companies and defense companies. He was mostly right on those claims.

At the Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Edwards charged Clinton with raising the most money from the oil and gas industry.

But Edwards is a bit off here. Clinton is No. 1 among Democrats, according to the latest data analyzed by the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research group that tracks money in politics.

Analyzing contributions from political action committees and individuals filed through Sept. 30, 2007, the center found the following totals from oil and gas companies:

* Rudy Giuliani $545,058

* Mitt Romney $309,933

* Hillary Clinton $220,550

* John McCain $189,935

* Barack Obama $106,112

* Ron Paul $34,102

* John Edwards $27,850

So it’s true that Clinton has gotten significantly more than her Democratic rivals, but so far she’s also been outraised by Republicans Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney. For this reason, we give Edwards’ statement only a Half True.

By

Angie Drobnic Holan

Former Editor-in-Chief

January 16, 2008

Truth-o-meter Ruling

Half-True

Statement

"I believe, Senator Clinton, you've raised more money from those people (the oil and gas industry) than any candidate, Democrat or Republican."

Context

Las Vegas

Speaker/Target

Speaker: John Edwards

Statement Date

January 15, 2008