Think Progress

SOTU: Bush Has Used Presidential Earmarks For Political Gain

Bush said: “The time has come to end this practice [of congressional earmarking]. So let us work together to reform the budget process … expose every earmark to the light of day and to a vote in Congress.”

FACT — BUSH HAS ENGAGED IN HIS OWN EARMARKING: Bush has engaged in his own earmarking, using the federal budget process to “reward political supporters, campaign contributors and sometimes members of Congress” for votes on a presidential priority. Unlike with appropriations bills, you have no way to know whether an executive earmark “comes from some agency’s discretionary fund, and they decide to put it in some key district or state” for political gain. [Wall Street Journal, 2/21/06]



11 Responses to “SOTU: Bush Has Used Presidential Earmarks For Political Gain”

  1. Zooey says:

    Chimp: Now that the Dems have control, we must end this practice of earmarking.

    Yeah, I can think of a few things I’d like to see the light of day, Chimp.


  2. unbelievable says:

    So far, his words are so put of touch with his actions that it’s obvious that he’s simply trying to be liked.

    It’s not working.


  3. Chris says:

    Now, after 6 years, NOW that the democrats have control, NOW he wants the line item veto.


  4. unbelievable says:

    “I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that from now on I can’t believe you.”

    –Friedrich Nietzsche


  5. Jimbo says:

    I SMELL A SKUNK……………..

    thy i only serve the people in the utmost integrity

    lies through his teeth.

    and if truth doesn’t matter anymore (obviously stated
    in this prefabricated speech)

    I SMELL A SKUNK………..

    the democrats are about to be bought out

    oh……. i’m sure this this totally corrupted administration
    and criminal class will find plenty of others to build in
    somewhere….. guess it’s just nixon like politics as
    usual continuing on through 2007 and beyond

    that’s dog gone friggin what 40 years worth of corruption

    enough to **** :(


  6. ForTruth says:

    Smach his nuts with that gavel Nancy.


  7. fk says:

    dems are just as guilty of using earmarks. i lobby for them, and have lobbied for earmarks. “this is what [american] democracy looks like.” the issue is the education of congress, with constant turnover, each year during the appropriations process. i’m not a complete advocate, but i must say, earmarks make it much easier for non-profits and large public works projects to continue work year round without the fear (except every few years) of funding being pulled


  8. Jimbo says:

    now lets look at the cozy relationship corrupt bush
    will utilize to totally corrupt the democrat congress

    - ARM TWISTING

    yup…. no more earmarks… but there share will be
    a nice cozy relationship

    - bush
    - demo congress
    - lobbyists

    as the 110th said….. we will clean up lobbyists……
    the very same day $1000 plate fundraiser

    NEVER NEVER trust totally corrupted politicians…

    - it will just be a repeat of the 109th
    - or with the 1994/1995 democratic congress

    LIKE $25,000 silk covered chairs :)


  9. Jay Randal says:

    Bush’s Iraq war fiasco is one giant Earmark > lol.


  10. Think Progress » White House Pressures OMB To Withhold Earmark Data From The Public says:

    [...] his 2007 State of the Union address, President Bush promised to reform the congressional earmarking process: The time has come to end this practice [of congressional earmarking]. So let us work together to [...]


  11. Make Them Accountable / Every time the White House says … says:

    [...] In his 2007 State of the Union address, President Bush promised to reform the congressional earmarking process: [...]



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