Palin Repeatedly Professed Desire To Renew Federal Funding For ‘Bridge To Nowhere’
Palin Repeatedly Professed Desire To Renew Federal Funding For ‘Bridge To Nowhere’
During the unveiling of his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R), Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) tried to cast her as a “reformer” and “fiscal conservative.” She boldly claimed that with regard to Sen. Ted Stevens’s (R-AK) infamous “Bridge to Nowhere,” she told Congress, “Thanks, but no thanks“:
I championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. In fact, I told Congress — I told Congress, ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’ on that bridge to nowhere. If our state wanted a bridge, I said we’d build it ourselves.
It appears, however, that Palin is lying. As Bradford Plumer first noted, the Anchorage Daily News interviewed Palin during her 2006 campaign for governor. At the time, federal funding for the bridge had been stripped by Congress. They asked if she was in favor of continuing state funding for the project. “Yes,” she responded, noting specifically her desire to renew Congressional support:
Yes. I would like to see Alaska’s infrastructure projects built sooner rather than later. The window is now–while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist.
That assistance never materialized. When she finally canceled the $400 million project, Palin lamented the fact that Congress was not more forthcoming with federal funding. She said in a statement at the time:
Despite the work of our congressional delegation, we are about $329 million short of full funding for the bridge project, and it’s clear that Congress has little interest in spending any more money on a bridge between Ketchikan and Gravina Island.
Palin’s desire to have federal funding directed toward pet projects in Alaska, however, did not diminish. As recently as March 2008 — around the time she first met McCain — her special counsel, John Katz, wrote in the Juneau Empire that despite recognizing increased scrutiny of such spending, Palin was not “not abandoning earmarks altogether.” While McCain expressed high-profile disdain for earmarks, the Palin administration held that:
[E]armarks are not bad in themselves. In fact, they represent a legitimate exercise of Congress’ constitutional power to amend the budget proposed by the president.
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But, but, but, she is a maaaaaaaaverick!!!!!
August 30th, 2008 at 2:34 pmI have learned learned far more about Alaskan politics and politicians in the last two days than I thought I would throughout my entire lifetime.
August 30th, 2008 at 2:34 pmPalin is a socialist!
August 30th, 2008 at 2:36 pmI’m still confused at to how she challenged Senator Teddy?
August 30th, 2008 at 2:37 pmWhat our soldiers died for…Iraq signs its first big international Oil Deal..with CHINA:
ain freedumbs great?
http://www.cnn.com/ 2008/ BUSINESS/ 08/ 30/ iraq.china.oil.deal/ index.html
August 30th, 2008 at 2:37 pm> I’m still confused at to how
> she challenged Senator Teddy?
The same way she beat out Romney for VP..a drinking contest. (my second guess was “wet t shirt contest” but the thought of dear old Teddy and “wet t shirt” in the same sentence sends shivers down my spine.)
August 30th, 2008 at 2:40 pma lying REPUBLICAN? say it ain’t so.
August 30th, 2008 at 2:41 pmoh another Palin qualification to be VP…she has EXCELLENT feedback on Ebay, over 99.9 % percent. The only one who gave her bad feedback was an ex-brother in law who bought a lamp from her.
August 30th, 2008 at 2:44 pmChoc Jesus, I heard that there is so much freedom in Iraq today, that they have Wet Burka Contests!
August 30th, 2008 at 2:47 pmGet this…
Sarah Palin has told some people she is a member of the Talibangelical church!!! She seems to think its something to kid and brag about.
TALIGAN + EVANGELICAL = TALIBANGELICAL
Her belief system requires her to impose her beliefs via executive fiat. If she becomes President she will FORCE every American to believe the literal interpretation of the bible and take away freedom of religion!
THAT is a scary proposition!
August 30th, 2008 at 2:47 pmMore tangled webs a-weaving!
August 30th, 2008 at 2:52 pm>Choc Jesus, I heard that there is so much freedom in Iraq >today, that they have Wet Burka Contests!
Yes, and first place prize is “death by stoning”!
Actually I hear “wet beard” contests are more popular, since these days, under the strcit islamic laws created by our “freedom”, men are getting killed for not wearing beards and women for not wearing burquas. i will continue to marvel, awestruck, at the sheer idiocy of a group of people who are sceaming in fear about “the islamofasiohitleriosatans” taking over the world, the very same people who just handed them the keys to a whole, oil rich country! rememer one of the first lines of the iraqi constitution…”there shall be no law which contradicts islam”…now THATS Something worth fighting for, right trolls?
So gee back on subject, I wonder why the “liberal media” isnt playing that daily show clip of Palin from less than a month ago saying “what exactly is it that the vice president does”?
Is it up on you-tube yet? I love youtube, but Im frightened to death that some scumbag like murdoch is waiting for the youtube litigation to resolve itself then buy the company..
August 30th, 2008 at 2:54 pmIt appears, however, that Palin is lying.
BINGO!
As is John McCain when he calls himself a maverick.
August 30th, 2008 at 2:55 pm>Sarah Palin has told some people
> she is a member of the
>Talibangelical church!!!
no way? where? please tell me this is on video somewhere?
August 30th, 2008 at 2:56 pmEarmarks belong on livestock ears
August 30th, 2008 at 2:56 pmThis is interesting… look at how much dirt we posters at TP have already dug up on Palin in just 2 days, and we’re only getting started.
Makes you wonder if the GOOP vetted this choice at all…
August 30th, 2008 at 2:57 pmHmmm… McStain and Palin look like they’re on a game show in that picture at the top of this thread…
“Ah… I’ll pick “Bizarre Political Choices” for $200, John…”
August 30th, 2008 at 2:58 pm“Wheel of Misfortune”???
“Dysfunctional Family Feud”???
“The Price Was Clearly Right”???
August 30th, 2008 at 3:00 pmThe Republic of Stupidity Says: This is interesting… look at how much dirt we posters at TP have already dug up on Palin in just 2 days, and we’re only getting started. Makes you wonder if the GOOP vetted this choice at all…
Seriously.
It really, the more we learn, looks like what it seemed like - a fear-induced, knee-jerk reaction to the fact that McCain has never been ahead of Obama in the polls since the field narrowed down to the two of them. And, the state-by-state polls with Bob Barr must really show a landslide.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:03 pmI gotta say unbelievable, I’m really not getting this choice on the part of McStain and the GOOP…
… a fear-induced, knee-jerk reaction… don’t forget “bottom-of-the barrel”, “hail-mary” and “last-gasp” in there…
August 30th, 2008 at 3:07 pmSo, just to summarize: Palin is a Bible-thumping creationist, shameless liar, and undergoing a state ethics investigation.
Sounds like the ideal Republican candidate to the #2 job to me.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:08 pmI know everyone hates links to other site but this is too good to pass up if you want to know what ALASKANS think of Ms. Palin…and the FACTS behind the reporting..
What a scam this pick is…..
http://mudflats.wordpress.com/
August 30th, 2008 at 3:11 pmSpeaking of other sites, right-wing trolls on other sites are trying desperately to pimp the would-be meme that normal Americans are FRIGHTENED or THREATENED by McSame’s Harriet Miers moment.
The only response to that is — aw, haw, haw.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:15 pmThis b¡tch just keeps getting worse.
¶ AIO
August 30th, 2008 at 3:17 pmI have to say, I just love the picture of downtown Wasilla City, and am impressed by the imposing skyscrapers, awed by their dramatic architecture, surprised by the size of the buzzing crowds. Its cosmopolitan allure is oh so hard to resist.
Imagine the bar scene! And the restaurants! The nightlife must be world-class!
Being the mayor of that city surely has given Palin plenty of executive experience. Next to it, the VP post will be a cake walk.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:23 pmAlaskans get way more back in taxes than they pay.
http://money.cnn.com/ 2006/ 04/ 27/ pf/ taxes/ states_fedspending/ index.html
Typical republicans: complain about pork while suckling at the sow’s teat.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:26 pmObviously, “vetting” in GOPland just means checking her positions on the wedge issues.
Vetting on ethics, lying, corruption, abuse of power, nepotism, etc. would be a useless exercise, as there would be no one left to pick from.
As to nepotism, don’t forget about the other ethics investigation in Alaska, where Palin circumvented the state hiring process to install her fundraiser in a non-political position:
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/486163.html
And the hits just keep coming!
PEACE
August 30th, 2008 at 3:26 pmor maybe this is why people seem to think Palin was in the military
August 30th, 2008 at 3:32 pmIs it not incredable,that in 2008 a candidate for VP of USA would outright lie about the position she held 2yrs ago.But more importantly what it demonstrates is that the outlet(tradmed) responsible for giving US,americans info is so corrupt that a candidate for the Vice Prez of USA knows that she can get away with lieing.That’s how corrupt our country’s governance has become.Can you imagine how such a liar would further erode our country’s welfare.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:35 pmspencers mom Says:
Obviously, “vetting” in GOPland just means checking her positions on the wedge issues.
_________
Perhaps the GOOPers are just so ethically color-blind they really don’t get vetting over issues like this.
Maybe they got so used to just going “Clinton did it too!” they’ve forgotten how to do anything else… frankly, I’m mystified by this one.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:37 pmstjack Says:
or maybe this is why people seem to think Palin was in the military
___________
Good Dog, is that Ms Palin off to hunt for moose?
August 30th, 2008 at 3:39 pmWhatever you do, folks…
Don’t ONE of you dare give backup any help when s/he tries climbing out of that hole…
August 30th, 2008 at 3:42 pmOh this is SO good!!
You left nut libs are in a state of panic - worse than I’v ever seen! And you should be!
Not only does Mc Cain now have his Rep base BUT he also has 75% of the Hillary voters (like women!!!).
I love it!!
Can’t wait to read the next panicky installment of the PALIN PANIC!!
August 30th, 2008 at 3:42 pmJohn Kerry,
What evidence can you provide that McCain “has 75% of the Hillary voters (like women!!!).” Or are you just making stuff up again?
I’ll say it out loud. You are a liar.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:49 pmJohn Kerry..
Please satisfy my Curiosity.
Do you consider the Morning After Pill a Murder Weapon??
August 30th, 2008 at 3:49 pmDid I hear someone screaming, as if in a panic?
Republiscums really need to learn the meaning of projection and irony. They’re not listed in the Newspeak Dictionary I guess.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:49 pmHere’s Palin hangin’ with Alaska’s Alliance for Reproductive Justice, which “Advocate[s] for access to abortion services and high quality reproductive health care for Alaskan women.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ colin-sterling/ does-palin-believe-in-acc_b_122622.html
Now, I’m not implying that her meeting with such a group taints her strict pro-life stance, but I’d sure like to know what she said to make everyone smile so much!
PEACE
August 30th, 2008 at 3:52 pmJK your a delusional idiot.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:52 pmYour the ones in a Panic LMAO
Well, I bet she does know a thing or two about cake walks.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:52 pmBTW, John Kerry, what you seem to perceive as a “state of panic” is actually just us clutching our sides in laughter. We’re simply amazed that a man who is touted by his party as having excellent judgment would pick someone so clearly unqualified to be his running mate.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:53 pmAnother Repub liar. At least she & McCain are well matched. He lies every time he flip-flops, which is almost weekly. Not to mention his lying stories (stick in sand, supporting G.I. bill, etc.). And the only so-called Clinton voters McCain will get are thyose who were Repubs in the first place, planted to make a fuss if she didn’t get in. No true Clinton fan could ever endorse McCain/Palin with their anti-women, anti-science, anti-choice, anti-global warming platform. Anyone who professes to be a Hillary supporter & now says they’ll side with Palin is a fraud.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:55 pm“It appears, however, that Palin is lying. ”
We’re going to see sooooo muchhhhhh more of this as the nation does the vetting that McIIIrd’s idiot staff didn’t!
August 30th, 2008 at 3:56 pmOkay, guys…
When you deal w/ JK, you’re dealing w/ a drug… that’s the only thing that can possibly explain the complete denial of reality and the utter incoherence.
From the quality of said denial and incoherence, I’m guessing Sterno huffing.
Clearly, JK is too inept to actually “find a dealer” and “score”.
Same goes for pharmaceuticals…
Therefore, JK must be doing something readily available and w/ a SERIOUS kick to it. Damn the down side, huh, JK? What’s next? Carbona in a bucket? Glue in a paperbag?
August 30th, 2008 at 3:56 pmHostile vindictive McCain has slapped America in the face with his selection of the unqualified Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential selection.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:56 pmSpencers Mom@37
August 30th, 2008 at 3:59 pmNo, I bet she was there to spy on the opposition.
She is clearly anti-choice/anti-abortion.
Why else would she make her daughter keep a bastard child (possibly incestuos) and claim it is her own.
The only reason’s this woman was picked was to try and steal Obama’s thunder and capture the relegious reich winger’s vote..She’s no better qualified than mcnut’s…Clearly neither are qualified unless one want’s to drive the herd’s of voter’s further over the cliff….P,.B, & J
August 30th, 2008 at 3:59 pmBadger,
August 30th, 2008 at 4:03 pmMcCain has said that full human rights begin at conception. So, taking the morning after pill would be murder. And whoever sold or gave anyone the pill would be an accomplice to murder. Start building more prisons and execution chambers.
If Team Obama does make a Hillary smack down ad, I hope they buy the air time immmediately before and after Palin’s speech next week.
Hillary is, hands down, the best person to go after this Sarah person.
PEACE
August 30th, 2008 at 4:05 pmKeith,
Then all those Discarded Embryos at fetility clinics will need Lawyers, if McCain gets elected.
August 30th, 2008 at 4:07 pmI wonder where Mrs. Life stands on the use of condoms for contraception and the prevention of the spread of STDs and HIV?
If the barrier method is the only way to prevent fertilization and all other forms of birth control are “infanticide” then she must be for them, right?
Or are we dealing with another abstinence only freaks?
Sorry, I think I answered my own question.
PEACE
August 30th, 2008 at 4:10 pmDoes anyone else here find it interesting that we haven’t heard anything from McStain’s BFF Lieberman?
Lindsay Graham seems to be everywhere talking up the Palin pick, but Joe is uncharacteristically silent.
Hmmmmm…. didn’t like this one, Joe?
PEACE
August 30th, 2008 at 4:12 pmKeith Says:
Badger,
McCain has said that full human rights begin at conception. So, taking the morning after pill would be murder. And whoever sold or gave anyone the pill would be an accomplice to murder. Start building more prisons and execution chambers.
______________
If this is true, keith, wouldn’t it make thousands of young GOOPer males mass murderers, and their inflatable sheep accessories?
August 30th, 2008 at 4:13 pmspencers mom Says:
Hmmmmm…. didn’t like this one, Joe?
_____________
It would be hysterically funny to see LIEberman pop up Monday morning as a dedicated, card-carrying Dem again, huh? I wonder if he still intends to speak at the convention?
August 30th, 2008 at 4:15 pmThe bridge to nowhere … what an accurate description of the republican agenda in this election.
August 30th, 2008 at 4:15 pmHas anyone heard if McCain has spoken to Lieberman (or vice versa) since this pick was announced? Are they even still speaking?
August 30th, 2008 at 4:23 pmTRoS, she is for aerial hunting of wolves and for letting polar bears die off. She is evil.
August 30th, 2008 at 4:25 pmTell every republican voter you know to vote for Bob Barr in the next election ! A third party will not win the white house however it would remove the barrier toward voting our consciences over a lesser of 2 evils approach in the next election on the left as well.
August 30th, 2008 at 4:26 pmGOOD LUCK BOB BARR , you are living proof that patriots exist on both sides of the aisle !
Sure JK, women will vote for Palin because there’s nothing that impresses a feminist more than a beauty pageant contestant.
August 30th, 2008 at 4:27 pmGotta wonder if Sen. Biden is going to serve her her liver with onions and bacon after he gently, warmly and precisely slices it out of her during their debate….
August 30th, 2008 at 4:28 pmWhen is McCain going to start screaming I was a POW to excuse himself for this ridiculous pick?
August 30th, 2008 at 4:30 pmIf you haven’t seen this Cafferty Files video, it’s worth a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6MVmv1OY6Q
But I warn you, don’t have liquid in your mouth while you watch!
PEACE
August 30th, 2008 at 4:32 pmYeah, Shayne, without a home, a table, a chair, he was forced to pick a veep whose only qualification was her gender.
August 30th, 2008 at 4:32 pmShayne Says:
Sure JK, women will vote for Palin because there’s nothing that impresses a feminist more than a beauty pageant contestant.
___________
Well, she’ll certainly best Biden in Swimsuit Competition…
August 30th, 2008 at 4:36 pmspencer’s mom.
That was an awesome spot by Jack and Wolfie~
August 30th, 2008 at 4:38 pmTRoS ~ EWWWWWWWW~
August 30th, 2008 at 4:38 pmThanx mom , you bring home the bacon.
August 30th, 2008 at 4:39 pmThe Republic of Stupidity Says:
Well, she’ll certainly best Biden in Swimsuit Competition…
I don’t know. After five pregnancies, I’d bet Joe has fewer stretch marks, not to mention firmer breasts.
PEACE
August 30th, 2008 at 4:41 pmspencers mom Says:
I don’t know. After five pregnancies, I’d bet Joe has fewer stretch marks, not to mention firmer breasts.
__________
ARRRRRRRRRRRGH… hoisted on my own petard… i tip my hat to you, ma’m…
Well played!!!!!!!
August 30th, 2008 at 4:43 pmWho knows how many pregnancies this woman has actually had. The facts seem to be kryptonite to this woman.
August 30th, 2008 at 4:44 pmJK SPEAKS THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!IT’S TYPED IN BOLD AND IN CAPS!!!!!!!!WOWWOWOWOOW!!!!!!!!YOU CAN’T GET MORE TRUTHIE THAN THAT!!!!!
August 30th, 2008 at 4:45 pmTRoS, forgets swimsuit competition. She wants to kill off wolves and polar bears!
August 30th, 2008 at 4:46 pmget your MCCAIN/PALIN 08:THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE! bumper stickers while they last!
August 30th, 2008 at 4:47 pmNow I know why the announcement from McInsane’s camp that he picked a running mate and him later saying he didn’t. I agree with all the posters who have said this was a last minute knee-jerk reaction to the polls even before Obama’s speech showed his 8 pt. jump! McInsane is slipping in his own $hit and can’t react fast enough. It might be funny if it wasn’t so pathetic!
August 30th, 2008 at 4:47 pmShayne Says:
TRoS, she is for aerial hunting of wolves and for letting polar bears die off. She is evil…
________
If you haven’t seen it, go back to the “Top Alaskan Republicans” thread and go down to about 110…
August 30th, 2008 at 4:58 pmI’m going TRoS, I’m going.
August 30th, 2008 at 4:59 pmCan’t wait to read the next panicky installment of the PALIN PANIC!!
~John Kerry
I didn’t realize the citizens of bizarro world had internet connection.
“Palin panick”? This one actually made me laugh…
August 30th, 2008 at 5:02 pmTRoS. EV was the first to point out her murderous tendencies TRoS. It’s time for a truce to work this out. Wayne, tell him this isn’t a trick. Shooting baby wolves in their dens. This woman is sick. And she’s suing W over the protection of polar bears. What kind of twisted person is this.
August 30th, 2008 at 5:03 pmGregor Samsa Says:
I didn’t realize the citizens of bizarro world had internet connection.
“Palin panick”? This one actually made me laugh…
_____________
Let JK have his imaginary Pallic victory…
August 30th, 2008 at 5:06 pmShayne Says:
TRoS. EV was the first to point out her murderous tendencies TRoS. It’s time for a truce to work this out. Wayne, tell him this isn’t a trick. Shooting baby wolves in their dens. This woman is sick. And she’s suing W over the protection of polar bears. What kind of twisted person is this.
______________
I read both articles, Shayne. The one about shooting the baby wolves made me so mad I was shaking. Pro-life? Talk about sick. Why do these people hate the world around them so much?
August 30th, 2008 at 5:07 pmIn other words, she canceled the project because she was not going to get enough money from congress to complete it. So, how is that “opposing” the bridge as she now claims?
August 30th, 2008 at 5:08 pmBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
So, how is that “opposing” the bridge as she now claims?
__________
you forget, Bilbo… we’re dealing w/ GOOPers here… makes PERFECT sense from the other side of the looking glass…
August 30th, 2008 at 5:15 pmAnd as far as the infamous Bridge to Nowhere goes, why couldn’t the state of Alaska pay for it? Don’t they have tons of money from their oil exports? Why should the entire nation help fund an unnecessary bridge that would have benefitted only a few dozen people?
August 30th, 2008 at 5:16 pmSo she was FOR the bridge to nowhere before she was AGAINST it.
August 30th, 2008 at 5:24 pmspencers mom Says:
If you haven’t seen this Cafferty Files video, it’s worth a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6MVmv1OY6Q
But I warn you, don’t have liquid in your mouth while you watch!
Ooo…that’s harsh. But true too. I predict this nomination won’t make it through the convention.
August 30th, 2008 at 5:27 pmBobwurst Says:
get your MCCAIN/PALIN 08:THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE! bumper stickers while they last!
That is so perfect. If her nomination makes it through the convention, I’m getting one of those for sure.
August 30th, 2008 at 5:29 pmShe was only against the bridge because she couldn’t get more money from the federal government. The state I live in gives much more than they get back. Must be nice to live in a pork barrel.
August 30th, 2008 at 5:48 pmShe sounds more like Michele Bachmann with each revelation.
August 30th, 2008 at 8:03 pm> Why else would she make her daughter
> keep a bastard child (possibly incestuos)
> and claim it is her own.
wow, that would be classic republicanism for you. rail against perversity in public while privately sanctioning it or engaging in it yourself.
i wonder what the chances are of getting a DNA test..
August 30th, 2008 at 8:16 pmis it just me or does mccain look exceedingly uncomfortable standing next to her..
August 30th, 2008 at 8:34 pmChocolate Jesus Says:
is it just me or does mccain look exceedingly uncomfortable standing next to her..
August 30th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Why wouldn’t he? He has no idea who this woman is.
August 30th, 2008 at 11:28 pmyeah, this is one veep you’d really not want to go hunting with. you don’t recover from a 25mm bushmaster cannon to the face.
August 31st, 2008 at 12:04 amI feel sorry for John McCain. He’s under the shadow of Bush’s failed legacy or ‘legacy of failure’. Sarah Palin as his running mate? That’s a very odd choice he made.
August 31st, 2008 at 2:38 amIt’s Don Young’s bridge, not Ted Stevens’s. I suggest the author fixes this information, especially considering the link to the article from the Washington Post… perhaps Ryan could even read the full article (not the first paragraph) of what he’s linking to.
August 31st, 2008 at 10:41 am