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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What a joke, it seems that truth and record mean very little to the mccain campain.
What a Liar!!!
What's the big surprise? Do you expect her to deviate from here script? She's been getting coached up on these one-liners since she was tabbed for VP. She shouldn't be expected to speak off the cuff. She's been giving the same speech since the convention and noone calls her out on it. Get some new material Ms. Palin. Particularly in light of the fact that most of what you're saying has been discredited.
Once again the Republians have put up a bold face lier for national office and expect the American voter to turn a blind eye to their lies. Shame on McCain for folding to the conservative rightwing religious zelots in the party to pick this dispicable person for VP.
How can she claim she said no when 1) she first said yes and 2) she took the money regardless? More opposite talk from the republican spinmasters (up is down, black is white, in is out). Welcome to 1984.
God Bless You Sarah
Do not let the left wing try and bring you down to their level
You see, you are a reminder of what a woman should be, someone successful who does not need to abort every child past the second because it does not fit into your finances
You will be the true roll model for young girls again, as we had those like you 50 years ago, and not what we have today
I know she's lying, but I like what I hear; so I'm going to vote for her. BTW, who is her veep choice?
So, keep lying to the people while the people keep eating it up. Such sad times for our country that this is even happening.
Before anyone accuses Obama of requesting earmarks, please realize that he isn't running on a platform of wanting to eliminate them. McCain and Palin are, all the while she has been requesting the most earmarks per citizen than any other state.
Rick Davis said on MSNBC on Friday morning that the McCain campaign will do WHATEVER it takes to win including shielding Palin from the press totally if that is what it takes. This statement is frightening and disturbing! Why should Palin be shielding from questions that ALL American should have about the person who may well be responsible for this country should McCain win and something happens to him. We deserve to know where she stands on the issues and she should be under the same microscope that certainly Obama, Biden and (somewhat) McCain have been under. Please don't allow race, lies, smears and even fears to cloud your judgement in this election. We have way too much at stake to allow another Republican to take office for another four years. If John McCain really wanted to "shake up Washington" he would have done so by now. After all, he has had more than 25 years to do it. Don’t be fooled – not this time!
While Mayor, City Hall was extensively remodeled and her office
redecorated more than once.
These are small numbers, but Wasilla is a very small city.
As an oil producer, the high price of oil has created a budget surplus
in Alaska. Rather than invest this surplus in technology that will
make us energy independent and increase efficiency, as Governor she
proposed distribution of this surplus to every individual in the state.
In this time of record state revenues and budget surpluses, she
recommended that the state borrow/bond for road projects, even while
she proposed distribution of surplus state revenues: spend today's
surplus, borrow for needs.
You know I been following this election for months. And republican supporters don't really care about these things (lies, distortions). So whenever I read these blogs that mention these things, they don't really matter. The only thing that could sway voters away if palin or mccain do or say something extreme. Other then that, it is a very slow movement to obama or palin. The only movement will happen is the VP debate and presidential debate and thats it. Whatever changes will happen before Nov 4th is minimal, unless Obama goes after Mccain 10x harder than now.
YOU TELL A LIE LONG ENOUGH MAYBE THEY WILL BELIEVE YOU. TOO MANY SOURCES HAVE DEBUNKED HER CLAIM AND SHE CONTINUES TO SAY IT ANYWAY. WOW.
THANKS BUT NO THANKS TO MCCAIN OR PALIN!!!!!!
She took the money and didn't build the bridge! That's great stuff from the "Queen of Pork."
Ask Scott Richter the other meaning of that nickname
She can stand firm all she wants. But she is on video in two different places saying she was for it (before she was against it).
Who is she trying to fool? Wisen up, America.
I don't think it's just the democrats calling her out on this lie – the media and everyone else who has vetted her for lazy McCain has researched this and it's clearly documented for the record. The democrats could take advantage of her serious case of denial if they are smart! It's obvious the McCain camp doesn't yet know how to best spin this so in the meantime Obama camp, don't let this lie go!!!
Re: McCain/Palin
If your trophy wife is rich enough and your trophy running mate is pretty enough who needs truth?
She is definitely a George W fan...when caught in lies...just continue to lie. How in the hell can someone who requested $750 million in earmarks now be a reformist. i guess she got that epiphany when she got the surprise phone call to be VP. GIVE ME A BREAK!!!
She is full of fluff. So is McCain. They are the perfect example that people will say anything to get into office. I just hope that America wises up and throws the Republicans on their face! It's time for the real change to occur! I'm tired of John McCain stealing all of Obama's views on issues and trying to make them his own. Can Nov.4th get here any sooner? I'm ready for Barack to take office.
She built a road to the bridge...look it up.
She was for it until it was already dead in congress...look it up.
She kept the money that was meant for it...look it up.
This woman is a joke. Wait until an unscripted interview....that's when we all get to hear the punchlines.
very nice meeting you so far, Gov. Sara Palin...are you really for real? do you really know what it means to be a hockey mom?
Quite honestly, i would really like Biden's mom to weigh in... afterall, she's the REAL "hockey mom" and then some...
Si Se Puede!!!
I really dont understand how anyone can just flat out lie about something. I was an independent until she was picked as a VP. for one, it was pure politics and you can never sell her as experinced for goodness sake she hasnt even finished her term as governor. 2, AN 18 year old in wisconsin, or michigan cant remember, became mayor of a small town, that really doesnt tell me much for experince. And for her to claim reform on wasteful spending yet her young doughter can claim thousands of dollers for trips with her mom to different national conventions and "STATE" buisness , REALLY WHAT IS THE KID DOING FOR ALASKA??
Is Charles Gibson going to ask her these tough questions in the exclusive interview or will he softball her with "what's your favorite color?" Dig deeper into her record and maybe the American people will realize how scary this woman is. She thinks because no one knows who she is she can ignore parts of her past and lie about her record.
I don't know how she can wake up in the morning and look at herself in the mirror.
HA! HA! It's just like the co-captain to go down with the Titanic!!
I mean she can't even speak and read her cue cards at the same time. Did you see her keep looking down at her flash cards? Wow....
NOW she's holding on to her political plunder over the BRIDGE TO NOWHERE. By the way WHO SUPPORTS A BRIDGE GOING NOWHERE? Obviously, Gov. Palin does....
Even when she is caught in a lie she denies it. Sounds like more of the same to me.