Palin's transparency proposal already exists in D.C.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/18/art.palin.9.18.jpg caption="Sarah Palin says she will bring the same kind of transparency she brought to Alaska to Washington, D.C.."]
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (CNN) - Sarah Palin likes to tell voters around the country about how she “put the government checkbook online” in Alaska. On Thursday, Palin suggested she would take that same proposal to Washington.
“We’re going to do a few new things also,” she said at a rally in Cedar Rapids. “For instance, as Alaska’s governor, I put the government’s checkbook online so that people can see where their money’s going. We’ll bring that kind of transparency, that responsibility, and accountability back. We’re going to bring that back to D.C.”
There’s just one problem with proposing to put the federal checkbook online – somebody’s already done it. His name is Barack Obama.
Watch: Palin says 'Obama hasn't lifted a finger'
In 2006 and 2007, Obama teamed up with Republican Sen. Tom Coburn to pass the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, also known as “Google for Government.” The act created a free, searchable web site – USASpending.gov - that discloses to the public all federal grants, contracts, loans and insurance payments.
In June of this year, Obama and Coburn introduced new Senate legislation to expand the information available online to include details on earmarks, competitive bidding, criminal activities, audit disputes and other government information.
Palin might also have noted that her running mate, John McCain, was an original co-sponsor of the 2006 transparency bill that became law.
UPDATE: A campaign spokesperson insisted that Palin was referring not to that specific proposal, but rather to "that kind of transparency in general."
Wow! Between McCain getting old and Palin not having a clue in the first place, we are in trouble with these two. Is this really the best that the Republicans have to offer?
Country Frist? Which country because it appears the dynamite ding dong team isn't paying too much attention to what's going on in this one; they get their news 2nd hand from the Obama ticket. Surely McCain and Palin could get up-to-the minute news on their Blackberry?
JOHN MCCAIN WAS A CO-SPONSOR ON THE CHECKBOOK ONLINE BILL. HE WAS AS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT AS OBAMA. YOU REFUSE TO GIVE HIM CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE.
I do not like Palin but I also do not think the woman is stupid.
What has happened however is this.
McCain picked a woman who is not even close to being prepared to handle the job he picked her for. He has thrust her into this roll and tried to lie to all of us to make it seem she knows more than she does.
This choice says so much about the judgement of this man. It is actually frightening to think he could possibly be in charge of this country.
Palin has been used and used badly in this whole deal. What I can't understand is if she is so independent why on earth would she have alowed herself to be taken advantage of in this way?
"There’s just one problem with proposing to put the federal checkbook online – somebody’s already done it. His name is Barack Obama."
LOL!! What an idiot this Palin is.
You are a joke Palin!! Welfare for the CEO's is all you repugs do
I can only formulate one response to those comments of hers.
EL OH EL.
😀
Obama-Biden '08!
McCain/ Palin should take a notebook and ask Obama to teach them some lessons! They have a lot to learn!
GOOD JUDGEMENT – that is what a leader neeeds to have, not necessary experience.
Geez, Sarah are you really that stupid. Before your next speech you might want to make sure your folks have done some fact checking.
EITHER SHE IS SO UNKNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT WHAT"S THERE OR
SHE JUST WANTS TO GET CREDITS FOR SOMEONE ELSE's WORK, IN THIS CASE OBAMA.
VOTERS PLEASE DO NOT GET FOOLED BY HER TALK.
MEDIA, CNN, TIMES, .... PLEASE RAISE THE AWARENESS TO PEOPLE.
AMERICANS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE REAL CHARACHTER OF THEIR REPUBLICAN VP.
*sigh* It's bad enough that the proposal already exists but it was actually proposed by Obama. I mean, this is why GOOGLE was invented.
Maybe it's time for Sarah to review what's already been done in Washington by legislators who ARE busy doing the nation's work instead of flying around the country spouting generic empty promises.
Or better yet, maybe we should take a look at the 'transparency'
of the Alaskan gov't under Ms Palin (fiscal and otherwise) and find out the real reasons behind the Troopergate shutout by Republicans, as well as the allegations of secrecy,favoritism, dismissals based on personal animosities and other misconduct on Ms Palin and her husband's part.
Let's see the financial info on the 300 nights she charged the State a substantial per diem when she was at home with her family. ....and the money spent on family activities and lodging when she was traveling......and how much money she lost on the sale of the jet, etc. etc.
Welcome Gov. Palin to team Obama, we appreciate your support
Just goes to show you how important it is to READ....especially when you are running for a huge (that's a big person) job. Some of us who barely got under grad lberal arts degrees in so-so schools really didn't read the hard stuff or things with BIG WORDS...like laws. I wonder why she did not pursue a graduate degree??? May TOO HARD ???? Guess it was easier to go into local politics .
I believe it is time to put Palin on eBay.
Thanks, but NO THANKS.
You have been exposed Palin! The bloom has come off the rose!
OBAMA/BIDEN (No drama!)
DEMOCRAT IN HIDING...
Are you nuts???? We are all in favor if it- this article is just proving your candidate doesn't know anything on the Federal level and is not qualified to be VP or POTUS. And on an even funnier note- it is her rival that created the CHANGE and the other half of her ticket..ie her new boss, that supported it....already.
Get it?
"Hello Grand Rapids!!!!! Oops, Cedar Rapids. Now that I've screwed that up, let me tell you about a new transparency bill for the budget I've come up with. Darn I messed that up too. You know I was against the Bridge to Nowhere....." She is completley lost. McCain is probably cringing with each comment she makes. No wonder they do so few "solo" events with her. She's a disaster
John from PIttsburgh September 18th, 2008 3:17 pm ET
She wouldn't have known that being that she is a hockey mom from Alaska with an online degree.
----
Now, now. She went through five stints at four actual colleges over the course of six years to get that Bachelor's degree in Communications.
It just doesn't matter. I've been a Democrat all my life, but I do not like, do not trust, and will NOT vote for Obama. McCain will get my vote this year.
Let her keep on putting her foot in her mouth
McCain is flirt and Palin is a Empty skirt. If these two win this country will be last not first.
THIS IS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND PEOPLE REALLY WANT HER AS THEIR VP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT A LOSER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
No surprise. Obama runs on Change, now Grandpa runs on change. Obama states "enough is enough", now Grandpa states enough is enough.
Folks, this women should not be VP.
BUAHA HA HA HA HA
SHE IS SOOOOO SLOW.
COPYCATS
The McCain camp is being called out and they can't stand the it! If she did her homework, she would have known that this has been done already??? And you want her to be VP??? If she really care about that position not the prestige, she would have been known. What a joke!