LEBANON, Ohio (CNN) – Sarah Palin refuses to yield on her claim that she opposed the infamous Bridge to Nowhere earmark, despite charges by the Obama campaign that her assertion is a "lie."
"I told Congress thanks but no thanks for that Bridge to Nowhere," Palin said Tuesday in Lebanon, Ohio.
Earlier: Obama camp calls bridge claim a 'lie'
Though Palin recently came out against the completion of the Gravina Island Bridge, she initially supported the project as governor before it became a national symbol of wasteful pork barrel spending. In 2007, Palin’s office cancelled work on the bridge, but Alaska still kept the federal funds that were allocated for state transportation projects.
In her two years as governor, Alaska has requested nearly $750 million in earmarks, and in a Fairbanks newspaper column earlier this year, she wrote that federal monies, including earmarks, are “incredibly important” to the state. Palin also helped secure millions of dollars in federal money for her hometown of Wasilla while she was mayor.
Nevertheless, Palin told the outdoor audience in Ohio - many of whom came out in spite of the rain – that she was a champion of earmark reform in Alaska.
She then accused Barack Obama of using his role in the Senate to exploit the federal system.
“So as we reformed the abuses of earmarks in our state, our opponent was requesting nearly a billion dollars in earmarks as a senatorial privilege, as I was vetoing half a billion as an executive responsibility,” she said.
Palin said she and McCain “are ready to work together to end these corrupt practices once and for all in our Congress.”
From CNN Politics
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And when is someone in the MSM going to start hammering Palin and McCain about the lies??
Obama claimed $311 million in earmarks last year, none this year. That's a far cry the $1 billion that the Repubs keep lying about.
Now that's REAL change! Republicans are going from an idiot (Bush) and a warmonger (Cheney) to a cheat and a liar. Niiiiice.
McCain=cheat
Palin=liar
Just because you keep saying it does NOT make it true. Repeat a lie reapeat a lie repeat a lie and eventually people will believe it...sounds like the last 8 years to me.
Once a cheat and/or a liar, always a cheat and a liar.
I am one of those "undecided" voters. The reason I am undecided is I dont know who to believe. But what I cant stand is an outright lie. Why would you lie to people who have faith in you, and turn around and accuse your opponent of doing something you clearly do and support? Just Speak the Truth, and let us decide if your ready to lead us or not.
McCain and Palin are shameless. We got rid of the democrats in 2000 when we had a good economy, surplus and peace. Now after 8 years of disaster we are going to give the GOP 4 more years. Americans will the laughing stock of the world
Okay CNN where is this Fairbanks article or should we just take your word on it. As Governor I read she hasn't hasn't had any earmarks for her state and I have read this in various places on the net.
Typical Republican response to bank on the ignorance of the majority of the American public. Worked very well for George Bush!!
It is truly amazing. Looks like truth was the first casualty of this campaign.
For those who thought only Bill Clinton could look in the camera and lie. Meet Sarah Palin. She can lie in the camera and the crowd, and then insist on it, and then go ahead tell another lie.
Maybe Bill Clinton can learn a lesson or two from Miss Congeniality.
"Where books are burned (banned), human beings are destined to be burned too."..........
Oh yeah Sarah and by the way, Barack's earmarks were over a long period of time..Yours were lest than 2 years. Please explain to us how you can leave Alaska with 22 million dollars in debt when Alaska wasn't in debt when you took over...NOT EVEN READY ON DAY 1
No one should be surprised by her lies; this is just the beginning of knowing more about the news media goddss
I've never seen such blatant lying coming out of a candidate since Bush.
Palin doesn't have anything else to say. The speech writer didn't go on the stump with her so she has to keep repeating what she has said for the past 10 days.
She's a republican so the truth is of no concern.
She will continue to lie until you the media do your job
You should clean out your own house Palin before you
try to take care of our nation !!!
Sarah Palin is the Real Deal!
Obama is showing how desperate he is by trying to make this into a LIE!
Better watch out Obama, those of us that have considered voting for you can name all the BIG FAT LIE"S you have been caught in so far,
Which makes you the
LIAR, LIAR TRAINING PANTS ON FIRE!
McCain/Palin-08-In a Landslide!
Palin IS the bridge to nowhere!
Hypocrites and liars. she's another right wing pawn. the Iraq war is a "task from God", did you hear that one yet? bombing another country is a task from God. i think terrorists on 9/11 had the same mentality.
Obama in '08 all the way!
She's got a lot of these skeletons in closet, and just like OJ if you keep hitting the deny, deny, deny button its amazing how many people will actually believe you.
I still can't get over how unqualified she is. Common sense.
John McCain was a prisoner in Vietnam. So was Gary Glitter, and I'm not voting for him either.
I loved Hillary and Palin is no Hillary. Hillary took care of her chid even though she was the wife of the President. It seems to me that Palin's daughters take care of the younger children.
Sorry, Sarah is not good enough for V.P.
No "maverick" here.
Is she trying to say that Sen. Obama is a corrupt politician?! Wow, that is rich, especially considering she hired a lobbyist to secure earmarks which amounted to highest dollar amount per capita of ANY state. Obama represents Illinois, a substantially more densely populated state, of course the numbers are going to be larger. Champion of pork barrel reform my behind!!
And we chose these liars as our leaders. What a shame.
Oh, and thank you to CNN Political Producer, Peter Hambly, who was brave enough to report this story in an accurate, non-partisan, clear and concise manner. It's nice to know that, despite McCain campaign media strongarm tactics of: "Our candidate won't appear on your programs, CNN, unless you tow our line for us", Mr. Hambly came out with this story.
Well done!
She is a liar!