Palin claimed to have stood up to Congress on the subject of the infamous “Bridge to Nowhere,” the Gravina Island bridge in Ketchikan, Alaska, about which we wrote last November.
Palin: I told the Congress, "Thanks, but no thanks," on that bridge to nowhere.
Fact:
This is not the first time Palin has cited her choice to kill the bridge in 2007 as an example of her anti-waste stance. It’s true that she did eventually nix the project. But the bridge was nearly dead already – Congress had removed the earmark, giving the requested money to the state but not marking it for any specific use. Palin unplugged its life support, declaring in 2007 that the funds would not be used for the Gravina bridge.
When she was running for governor, however, Palin expressed a different position. In 2006, the Ketchikan Daily News quoted her expressing optimism and support for the bridge at a Ketchikan campaign stop.
Palin, 2006: "People across the nation struggle with the idea of building a bridge because they’ve been under these misperceptions about the bridge and the purpose,” said Palin, who described the link as the Ketchikan area’s potential for expansion and growth. … Palin said Alaska’s congressional delegation worked hard to obtain funding for the bridge as part of a package deal and that she “would not stand in the way of the progress toward that bridge.”
Palin also answered "yes" to an Anchorage Daily News poll question about whether she would continue to support state funding for the Gravina Island bridge if elected governor. "The window is now," she wrote, "while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist." It was only after she won the governorship that Palin shifted her position. And even then, it’s inaccurate to say that she “told the Congress ‘thanks, but no thanks.’” Palin accepted non-earmarked money from Congress that could have been used for the bridge if she so desired. That she opted to use it for other state transportation purposes doesn’t qualify as standing up to Congress.
The bridge reversal is not the only matter throwing doubt on Palin’s credentials as a government waste reformer. Watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense has reported that the small town of Wasilla, Alaska, which had not previously received significant federal funds, hauled in almost $27 million in earmarks while Palin was mayor. (McCain has explicitly criticized several of the Wasilla earmarks in recent years.) To help obtain these earmarks, Palin had hired Steven Silver, the former chief of staff for recently indicted Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, as Wasilla’s lobbyist.
And Palin continued to solicit federal funds as governor. A request form on Stevens’ Web site shows that she requested $160.5 million in earmarks for the state in 2008, and almost $198 million for 2009.
You need to check your facts.
Thanks. I'll check on this issue. I never quoted you anything about her bridge, so I wasn't putting out any info on this particular subject. You'll notice when I don't have my info on hand, I don't comment on it.
And, BTW, I'm not going to get caught up in a smart aleck tit for tat with you. Everyone has, thus far, discussed this subject on an intelligent, intellectual level.
Thanks. I'll check on this issue. I never quoted you anything about her bridge, so I wasn't putting out any info on this particular subject. You'll notice when I don't have my info on hand, I don't comment on it.
And, BTW, I'm not going to get caught up in a smart aleck tit for tat with you. Everyone has, thus far, discussed this subject on an intelligent, intellectual level.
I did not mean you personally I was referring to the republican establishment in general. I will try to watch how I say things from now on.
First of all, Palin is obviously read for the public eye. She was watched by about 37 million people during her speech Wednesday night. But IF she will be waiting for some coaching before she steps out for interviews and debates (I still haven't received a verifiable source), then that is simply a good political decision. Preparation is a good thing.
Secondly, I am aware of the earmarks, but this is simply an example of a point of disagreement between SP and John McCain. They differ on other issues as well, including abortion. This doesn't reduce their ability to work as a team, nor does it limit her ability to be supportive of the President in the position of VP. Unlike Obama, McCain obviously wasn't too intimidated to choose a running mate that differs from him, and even, in some ways, outshines him. Obama picked a boring, old-school dud.
The "bridge to nowhere" is an example of a changed mind...isn't it? I'm not getting the "lie" part. If it is a lie, then Obama is guilty of multiple "lies" in the same context.
Also, can you provide for me a list of Obama's "stories?" Thanks.
__________________
"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
First of all, Palin is obviously read for the public eye. She was watched by about 37 million people during her speech Wednesday night. But IF she will be waiting for some coaching before she steps out for interviews and debates (I still haven't received a verifiable source), then that is simply a good political decision. Preparation is a good thing.
Secondly, I am aware of the earmarks, but this is simply an example of a point of disagreement between SP and John McCain. They differ on other issues as well, including abortion. This doesn't reduce their ability to work as a team, nor does it limit her ability to be supportive of the President in the position of VP. Unlike Obama, McCain obviously wasn't too intimidated to choose a running mate that differs from him, and even, in some ways, outshines him. Obama picked a boring, old-school dud.
The "bridge to nowhere" is an example of a changed mind...isn't it? I'm not getting the "lie" part. If it is a lie, then Obama is guilty of multiple "lies" in the same context.
Also, can you provide for me a list of Obama's "stories?" Thanks.
MissB, part of the issue is that in the list of Palin's accomplishments, scrapping the Bridge to Nowhere has always been listed as one of her chief accomplishments(even here on this forum). Finding out later that she was actually for it while campaigning kind of makes people wonder.
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There are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Chuck Norris lives in Houston.
Either the United States will destroy ignorance, or ignorance will destroy the United States. – W.E.B. DuBois
MissB, part of the issue is that in the list of Palin's accomplishments, scrapping the Bridge to Nowhere has always been listed as one of her chief accomplishments(even here on this forum). Finding out later that she was actually for it while campaigning kind of makes people wonder.
Hey at least she was For something... she didnt vote present all the time.. she actually VOTED!!!! LOL
Hey at least she was For something... she didnt vote present all the time.. she actually VOTED!!!! LOL
AmazingG, The talking points that people use now are so absurd that they are not even logical. You cannot at the same time say that a man never voted...then castigate him as the most liberal Senator in all of the Senate due to his voting record.
Once again I'd like to point out the fact that it was McCain who was unable to even be graded due to his lack of votes. But why meddle with facts when you can just repeat the old mantra. I think that it is very reasonable to tell people to not vote for Obama, but it is counterproductive to use arguments that are so contrived that they are not even logical. Once again there is a whole generation who is sharp enough to pick up on these inconsistencies.
Where is the exhasperation emoticon?...maybe a little yellow man bashing his head into a brick wall
__________________
There are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Chuck Norris lives in Houston.
Either the United States will destroy ignorance, or ignorance will destroy the United States. – W.E.B. DuBois
Us Magazine Hit Hard by Canceling Subscribers After Palin Attack
By Warner Todd Huston
September 5, 2008 - 06:19 ET
Courtney Hazlett over at MSNBC's "The Scoop" is reporting that thousands of "Us Weekly" subscribers have not only called the magazine to cancel their subscriptions -- some reports say up to 10,000 cancellations have occurred -- but have also contacted advertisers and expressed their outrage that they are advertising with the celebrity news magazine that would so blatantly try to destroy Governor Palin.
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