 My name is Glenn Kessler, and I write the fact checker column for The Washington Post. At least five days a week, I take a detailed look at a politician's statement and examine the facts behind that claim. And then I make a ruling, ranging from one to four Pinocchios on how truthful that statement is. It is kind of like a reverse restaurant review. But four Pinocchios is not something to be proud of. It means the statement is utterly ridiculous and flatly false. Now on rare occasions, I give a Geppetto check mark for a completely truthful statement made by a politician. It does not happen often, but hope springs eternal. Now I will readily admit the Pinocchios are a bit of a marketing gimmick. It is not especially scientific, and it is open to subjective analysis. The line between two Pinocchios and three is sometimes fuzzy, but I do find it to be a useful tool for maintaining consistency over the months and weeks of writing columns. Many other fact checking organizations, such as Factograph and Coetia, have developed similar rating systems. I believe it helps readers understand our bottom line assessment of the accuracy of a politician's statement.