Does anyone do research about candidates?

Yes I research all candidates. I have received emails on Obama on some of what you mentioned. You can get the truth at snopes.com. I have found that there are many people out there that will just believe anything they are told. Many are basing their votes on what they see on TV and not doing any research whatsoever. Unfortunately these same people will be casting votes. So all we can all do is get as much info as possible and try to make the best informed decision for each of us. There is no reason, in a time of all our high tech, that we can't find out the truth from all the bull flying around out there. Good for you though checking things out!