McCain's tweet not sitting well with one newspaper
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/02/11/art.getty.mccain.face.jpg caption="McCain has been Twittering his '10 Porkiest Projects.'"]WASHINGTON (CNN) - A South Carolina newspaper isn’t too happy with what John McCain’s been Twittering.
McCain has been using the microblogging site to post a near-daily list of the “10 Porkiest projects” in the omnibus spending bill. On Wednesday, the Arizona senator posted “#6. $950,000 for a Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, SC.”
The Myrtle Beach Sun News editorialized Friday that McCain is using the site “to make congressional earmarks a political wedge issue for the Republicans” by posting such earmarks without context.
The paper wrote that “readers of McCain's Convention Center tweet are now invited to think - without the inconvenience of critical reflection - that the Myrtle Beach Convention Center project has no value.”
The editorial argued instead that the convention center project has the potential to create long-term wealth and jobs in the coastal resort city.
“The irony in all this,” the paper wrote, is that the earmark was inserted into the spending bill by one of McCain’s closest friends: South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.
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That SC paper should probably look up "irony" in the dictionary. McCain has always been an enemy of earmarks/porkbarrel and this is nothing new. Brushing aside the fact that Palin had her history with it, most politicians do and he's never liked it. Simply because Lindsay Graham wanted the money does not make this ironic. It's not ironic if a member of a party doesn't like something another person in his/her party does.
And for once, I agree with McCain. If SC wants a convention center, let the people of SC pay for it since they will reap the benefits of it. Federal funding for a convention center in a city? Ridiculous.
Even Bill Clinton, who was lucky to preside over the country during economic glory days was at least cautious in spending federal tax dollars. Here we are in debt and the answer is simply to spend more tax money? Maybe it is time to stop electing lawyers and start electing economists to Congress and the White House.
as usual, mccain's vetting fell short, some ppl never learn!!
So, McBrainless – why don't you charge up your blackberry and send a message direct to Lindsey Graham about that Myrtle Beach convention center? I'm sure if your dear friend understood your objections he would pull his earmark request immediately!
Can you say OOOPS?
Come on John, you're starting to look more and more like Joe Biden.
McCain knows how to twitter. Whats his username: McCainsoreloser. I thought McCain didn't even know how to turn on a blackberry or a PC. I bet his whiny daughter taught him how to use the darn thing.
I wonder is McCain whines about earmarks for Arizona? This money for S.C. creates jobs. I am sick and tired of Americans whining about every thing that dosen't pertain to themselves.Selfish, self-centered egomania people who only think about themselves.
In today's economic situation, taxpayers money should not be used for pet projects, period.
John McCain has NEVER, ever taken any earmark. He has ALWAYS been against earmark. Say what you will about him, but he has been true to this fight in DC and I meant DC not against Democrats, not against Republicans. Can anyone say that about our President who took earmarks while serving as a Senator, vowed during the campaign to us that he would stop the practice of earmarks and then gives us this excuse of it being last years business. Note to our President; Sir with all due respect, last year is over and it is still your signature that will be on the bottom line. Next we will be fighting about "is" again.
People be objective!
I 've worked for a state convention center, and the money that is generated and the job growth that is created by convention centers is unbeliveable. Often times their revenues are used to help fund city budgets in the area tourism...if this is considered an earmark, not all earmarks are bad. Some creat job growth and business opportunity (small business growth opportunity when it come to tourism).
how many homes does mcain own.
And this is why this man isn't president...back to your bamboo cage, McCain.
Isn't it strange how southerner is for McCain? We are going to hear the most ignorant, backward opinions for the next four years until these people get "their" kind back in office. I wouldn't be surprised if they put "Hush Limpburger" up to run for president. On second thought, he is having too much fun spewing nonsense all over the radio!
McCain needs to shut-up. Twitter that!
How US jobs are created...an example of how one "pork" project in SC could create jobs.
1. US Companies provide the raw materials
2. Trucking companies move the supplies to the site
3. Architects and designers are hired to plan the project
4. Construction workers build the convention center
5. Restaurants and stores (some of them national chains) get more business
6. Everyone from the construction company owners to the truckers to the person waiting tables at a nearby restaurant spend the money they make on other good and services…and the cycle continues.
No, Darko, because if you have been listening to the news, states do not have $ either. The federal stimulus package is designed to help in exactly these types of situations. We HAVE to focus on the nation as a whole, instead of continuing to bicker over who has and who has not. The health of this nation depends on the cooperation of such revenue sharing.
McCain strikes a resemblance to a white-haired lizard.
In response to all my critics:
Yes, people in those areas do pay taxes. I don't argue that point. But why should MY tax dollars go to helping THEIR area recover? If they want it, then they should pay for it. I will see no benefit from this. If the federal gov't wants to help pay for this then present a bill about this and vote on this alone. Don't include it as a side not to an important piece of legilslation like the budget. This kind of back room dealing needs to stop. If you don't agree then I got a proposal for you. My house needs a deck. Give me some of your money and I promise to throw a party my neighbors every Saturday so everyone in the community can enjoy it. Don't like that idea? Well that's how I feel about paying for stuff so YOU can enjoy it.
Phil in In needs to check his facts the Wasilla Sports Complex was NOT built with Pork from Washington. It was built with a sales tax increase and yes it had a cost overun but it had nothing to do with Pork. Seems like folks just have to criticize Gov Palin even when whe is not the subject or remotely related to the topic at hand. It must really suck to be someone so consumed with hatred toward another human being.
McCain sure slopped the pork when his good buddy Bush was in office. Now, he's obsessed with fiscal responsibility? Get real.
This kind of project costs a fortune so I wonder why this comparatively tiny amount is even in the bill. What did SC want this money for? It may not even pay for the salary of the owner of the contracting business. I am sure it is some huge corporation.
Debating the benefits of any specific earmark misses the point. Earmarks are an abomination, perverting any thoughtful budget process and should be stopped. If any given idea is so great it can be championed through a serious, adult, budget process. Earmarks are a lazy way to govern. Having the power to merely insert anything ONE person wants (even a Senator) is just begging for abuse.
Let us return to serious management and leadership and utilize a mature budget process that allows vetting, arguments pro & con and lets items stand on their own merits. That is really what the debate should be about. Lazy journalists tossing some given specific earmark into the air for a feeding frenzy is not debate – and it does not addresswhat is broken.
Better call Rush and see what he wants to do.
McCain ALWAYS WAS computer capable. It was the stupid liberal media force feeding lies down your throat. Swallow. You're all good at that.
Obama is a Hoax
John McCain is the poster grandparent for the term "twit."
The point is there is no oversight on these projects, clearly payoffs and handshakes from the election cycle.
"Vote for me and I'll build you a convention center, and your brother the contractor will get the job"