Palin used 'Bridge to Nowhere' for gain

[Zomby Woof]

Yes, it's the AP, so look for the gratuitous anti-Kerry swipe. But there's some good info in here that helps us.

Critics: Palin used 'Bridge to Nowhere' for gain
By MARY PEMBERTON (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated Press
August 31, 2008 2:28 PM EDT
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Gov. Sarah Palin was for the so-called infamous "Bridge to Nowhere" before she was against it, a change of position the GOP vice presidential running mate conveniently ignored Saturday when she bragged about telling Congress "thanks but no thanks" to the pork barrel project.

Federal funds for the $398 million bridge were tacked into an appropriations bill as an earmark, the practice by which members of Congress get special funding for pet projects. Sen. John McCain opposes earmarks as an avenue for pork barrel and special interest spending.

After McCain introduced her as his choice for vice president on the Republican ticket, Palin talked about her reform credentials, and said she stopped the bridge project as part of an effort to end of earmarking in appropriations bills.

The Alaska bridge pushed by Sen. Ted Stevens became a symbol of congressional misuse of tax dollars. It would have connected the town of Ketchikan to an island with 50 residents and an airport on it. Ferries and water taxis serve the island now.

"I have championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress," Palin said in her vice presidential campaign debut in Dayton, Ohio. "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," she said.

She didn't talk that way when she was running for governor. The Anchorage Daily News quoted her on Oct. 22, 2006, as saying yes, she would continue state funding for the bridge because she wanted swift action on infrastructure projects. "The window is now while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist," she said.

More:
http://enews.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=20080831/48ba1740_3ca6_1552620080831824977746

[Gabi Hayes]

1. stephie caught Lindsey Graham lying about that today, but let him off the hook without

comment when he started blathering about her reform credentials, and ignoring the point made. unbelievable

no mention of it at all in the roundtable afterward, and, from what I saw on MTP, no mention there, either

are ANY dems out there screaming about this, the centerpiece of her image as reformer, and she blatantly lied about it?

why isn't THAT the story of the day? if this is an example of the media work, Obama has no chance

Olbermann discussed this on Friday, so it's out there. they know, but they WON'T discuss it, apparently

it's up to the namby pamby dem surrogates to bring it up.....