Community | September 02, 2008 | 28 comments

Palin was for 'Bridge to Nowhere'

source: http://therealnews.com/t/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=2191

Vierotchka
McCain's VP did not reject Congressional funds for infrastructure projects in Alaska.

Last week Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain introduced Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. And a lot was made of the fact that she rejected 233 million dollars in Congressional funds for a bridge from Ketchikan, Alaska to an airport on Gravina Island. John McCain reiterated the point on FOX News Sunday with Chris Wallace. But during the Alaskan Gubernatorial campaign in 2006 the Anchorage Daily News reported that she was in favor of the bridge: On October 20, 2006, the Associated Press reported that "Republican Sarah Palin's spokesman, Curtis Smith, said Palin supports the Ketchikan bridge project." Reuters reported that Ketchikan Mayor Bob Weinstein, a Democrat, and Mike Elerding, her Republican campaign coordinator in the area, said that she was insulted by the term “bridge to nowhere”. The 233 million dollars had been earmarked specifically for the bridge by congress in 2005. In August 2007 after political pressure over pork barrel projects brought national attention to the so-called “bridge to nowhere”, Congress removed the stipulation - that the money be used for the bridge to the airport, but gave the money to the state anyway, to use in whatever way they wanted. On September 21, 2007 A press release from the Governors office said that since project costs had ballooned to 398 million dollars the state would be considering alternatives to the bridge. Govern Palin said “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,” The Reuters report added: The state, however, never gave back any of the money that was originally earmarked for the Gravina Island bridge, said Weinstein and Elerding. In fact, the Palin administration has spent "tens of millions of dollars" in federal funds to start building a road on Gravina Island that is supposed to link up to the yet-to-be-built bridge, Weinstein said. Republican Mike Elerding also told McClatchy Newspapers, “he would have a hard time voting for the McCain ticket because of Palin's subsequent neglect of Ketchikan and her flip-flop on the "Ralph Bartholomew Veterans Memorial Bridge."
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28 comments // Palin was for 'Bridge to Nowhere'

  • Inofuilwell
    • 0
      Inofuilwell  

    • This is a perfect question for Charlie Gibson to ask her, nobush3rd!

      Here is what you said *** " The truth is, by the time she got into office, Congress had already released those funds to Alaska to use on any transportation project in the state... and they did. So Sarah didn't speak to Congress AT ALL. And she never told anyone "Thanks, but no thanks." ***

      Let's all write and ask Charlie to ask it just like this:

      In watching your speech and in listening to comments from your detractors, Governor Palin, the truth is, by the time you actually got into office, Congress had already released those funds to Alaska to use on any transportation project in the state... and state records from your office confirm you did use those funds, so you really didn't speak to Congress and tell them or anyone else, "Thanks, but no thanks.", did you, Governor Palin?

      Let's email ABC and see if Charlie will ask that question in that form.

    • 3 years ago
  • nobush3rd
    • 0
      nobush3rd  

    • Tell Governor Palin and the State of Alaska to put OUR money where HER mouth is:

      http://www.petitiononline.com/giveback/petition.html

      This is a petition just started to ask Congress and the President of the United States to request that Gov. Palin and the State of Alaska return the funds that are so obviously scorned by Sarah Palin.

      The truth is, by the time she got into office, Congress had already released those funds to Alaska to use on any transportation project in the state... and they did. So Sarah didn't speak to Congress AT ALL. And she never told anyone "Thanks, but no thanks."

      It is that kind of exaggeration and swagger than typifies the Republican message both by Palin AND McCain. Where's the beef? Do you have NO real accomplishments that are TRUE that you can point to? Or plans and issues you can stand on? And not CHANGE -- we already KNOW whose message THAT is.

      But honestly, Sarah... if you are REALLY so against those funds... GIVE THEM BACK.

      I'm sure the American public can find somewhere to spend the $433,000,000.00 in funding that Alaska received because of that earmark.

    • 3 years ago
  • Inofuilwell
    • 0
      Inofuilwell  

    • **** " How does a "fiscally liberal" governor maintain an 82 percent approval rate in "fiscally conservative" Alaska? I'm thinking that the people of Alaska probably know a little more about it than most of you do. She killed (after she took the money) the bridge and took on other wasteful spending (nope). She fought against the earmarks (wrong - she paid for a lobbyist to go GET them and went to Washington every year to help get them during the "Bridge" era HERSELF)that people are saying that she asked for as Governor of Alaska. She isn't the one asking for the earmarks people (Wrong again - she went to Washington to keep them coming and hired a lobbyist to help with that) . . . don't you get that? (you're way behind)" ****

      You're just as misinformed as you are selfish. And you see nothing wrong with making reckless statements without regard for the truth. Same old John n SC

    • 3 years ago
  • jawnybnsc
    • 0
      jawnybnsc  

    • How does a "fiscally liberal" governor maintain an 82 percent approval rate in "fiscally conservative" Alaska? I'm thinking that the people of Alaska probably know a little more about it than most of you do. She killed the bridge and took on other wasteful spending. She fought against the earmarks that people are saying that she asked for as Governor of Alaska. She isn't the one asking for the earmarks people . . . don't you get that?

    • 3 years ago
  • Inofuilwell
    • 0
      Inofuilwell  

    • Soberwood, are you just a Republican hack?

      How could you write this without laughing at the deceit therein?

      *** " Govenor Palin did not initiate the project in any way, she inherited it. The road they did fix probably needed fixing regardless. She was in favor of the bridge until she saw the bottom line and called the wolves off." ***

      The only calling off of the wolves she did was to promote, back and defend the aerial slaughter of wolves by private hunters who paid a fee to run down wolves by air and then shoot them.

      She was also up to her eyeballs in the Bridge to Nowhere project and traveled to Washington every year to secure more money. She also hired lobbyists to work on the Bridge to Nowhere project.

      At least be truthful when you're hyping this fiscally-liberal Governor that left the town she served as Mayor $20 million in long-term debt.

      ROTFLMAO

    • 3 years ago
  • jawnybnsc
    • 0
      jawnybnsc  
    • Inofuilwell:

      You know what makes me ROTFL . . . a bunch of liberals feigning concern over wasteful government spending. I'd rather pay for her bridge than your healthcare . . . I'll tell you that.

    • 3 years ago
  • Inofuilwell
    • 0
      Inofuilwell  
    • Inofuilwell:

      Another compassionate response from the same great humanitarian who spent months arguing for the insurance industry's abusive treatment of its policyholders.

      Perhaps, when the economy collapses, someone will allow you to build and live in a cardboard home under someone else's bridge.

      Your post was such a magnanimous statement candidly uttered from your "compassionately conservative" heart.

      I'm reminded of your failed arguments in favor of the abusive nature of this country's private health care system and your past posts as a stalwart defender of the status quo.

      It is nice that you admitted exactly what you just admitted.

      It let's all of us know that when we watched you rail in defense of a bloated and dishonest Insurance Industry and their unfair claims practices, that our past conclusions about you were spot on.

      Telling the truth about the selfishness of those who think like you do must feel good. There is nothing like confession of one's sins against humanity to cleanse the soul.

      At least we know where you stand. "Bridges to Nowhere" over "Universal Single Payer Health Care".

      Now, if only your pals, McCain and Palin, would admit their true feelings as you have.

    • 3 years ago
  • jawnybnsc
    • 0
      jawnybnsc  
    • Inofuilwell:

      Still misrepresenting my position I see. Still a complete lying hack. At no time did I ever defend the insurance industry. You know full well that the only thing that I've ever advocated here is free-market solutions to the healthcare financing problem that I fully acknowledge. Quit lying and misrepresenting me. Quit pretending like there is only one way to solve this problem and everyone else wants people to die. It' ridiculous . . . just like your reaction to the joke that I made here.

    • 3 years ago
  • Inofuilwell
    • 0
      Inofuilwell  
    • Inofuilwell:

      He's BAAAACK and lying like always. Your "joke" was never intended to do anything but allow YOUR own brand of the "TRUTH" uttered in jest so that you could deny it later.

      Still trying to twist the words, eh, Johnny B n SC or jawnybnsc?

      I think there are plenty of people here on Current who can testify to your defense of the status quo and your attack of a single payer health care system.

      Among them are twodee, JanforGore, Marilynn_Murray, ssppeencceerr, Philly Harper, Angelina, Covelogibbs, spoon and others.

    • 3 years ago
  • Brockie
  • Tierky
    • 0
      Tierky  

    • i say we the people revolt and take control of things, burn it all down and walk away. this is OUR country right? lets take control for real!

    • 3 years ago
  • CaptB
    • 0
      CaptB  

    • Rick Davis stated that this campaign is not about the issues. It is about personality. So is openly lying the trait of a maverick? Or what about ignoring the issues and trying to focus on personality?

    • 3 years ago
  • iOw
  • soberwood
    • 0
      soberwood  

    • All states usually keep the money for projects they are unable to perform. You really don't want to go there.
      Govenor Palin did not initiate the project in any way, she inherited it. The road they did fix probably needed fixing regardless. She was in favor of the bridge until she saw the bottom line and called the wolves off.

    • 3 years ago
  • laveyN
    • 0
      laveyN  
    • Image

    • The bridge to nowhere was a program established to give people jobs from pork money that was leftover for Alaska, money that agreeably could have went to better causes I'm sure, but still put money in the hands of hardworking American's, crafting a bridge... to nowhere.

      It's hard to point a finger anywhere here, because it's the Senate as a whole that's throwing money towards Alaska, not just Republicans either.

      You gotta admit though, it's a sweet bridge.

    • 3 years ago
  • stratuscloud9
    • 0
      stratuscloud9  
    • laveyN:

      I agree. I think this story is a lot more complicated than people are making it out to be. Money for her state, jobs for fellow Alaskans, and the entire Senate was in on it... It'd be hard to determine whether to go through with it or not until the public gives you feedback. I'm not sure if this is a very strong bash on Palin, if that's what everyone's looking for.

    • 3 years ago
  • symn8
    • 0
      symn8  
    • laveyN:

      True but she was nominated for her stance against corruption and anti pock barrel spending and this was one issue that the McCain camp used as an example of her achievements against pock barrel spending and corruption. so regardless of its complication it was wrong for them to use this as her so called great achievements. and if you dug deeper you would see how dirty the whole situation . she got the cash denied she got it. went on to built part of the bridge denied she was ever involved with the project etc etc.

    • 3 years ago
  • justright
  • khromadjo
    • 0
      khromadjo  

    • What kind of example is she making by not paying back the money to Congress? Not to mention, she just got her Presidential running mate to lie in front of EVERYONE about her "reform" with the 'bridge to nowhere'. I bet they can't cover that up.

    • 3 years ago
  • Marilynn_Murray
    • 0
      Marilynn_Murray  

    • Of course she was for the bridge. I don't fault her for wanting everything they could get for their town or state. I do however fault her for lying about it. She appears to be a journeyman liar.

    • 3 years ago
  • dankitti
  • lenhart
    • 0
      lenhart  

    • Palin is the product of the GOP 'machine'. It's all about appearance. The party slogan should be: "Sincerity is the most important thing and if you can fake that ...you got it made!"

    • 3 years ago
  • ivxx
  • oldgerman
    • 0
      oldgerman  

    • The negative point on Pailin is just she is the one who wants conservative behavior but her own daughter is f... around at this young age; what dit she - the governor - teach her?

    • 3 years ago
  • ihateyou
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