The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

junkmail7 — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:36:55 GMT

Your accusation is pretty weak...and borders on intellectual dishonesty.

It would seem to me if she really wanted the bridge and was only against it for the reason you stated...when she got an equivalent amount federal money anyhow, then she could have spent it on the bridge if she wanted to...but instead spent it on other transportation.

What she said in her speech about the bridge to nowhere was that she told the feds thanks but know thanks..if we wanted the bridge we would have built themselves. Where is the lie?

She didn't say she refused the money, she simply stated she wasn't going to spend it on the bridge,

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Lawyer822 — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:37:32 GMT

I'm glad to see that finally Obama is hitting back. Pit Bull-Palin came out swinging so now Obama campaign needs to hit her back.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Yes! We ALL Can — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:48:40 GMT

Junkmail7 - how truly messed up is your moral compass right now?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

usedToLikeMccain — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:49:28 GMT

Graham's explanation would be more believable if Palin quit asking for and using earmarks of her own accord. Sadly, her record indicates she only stopped when congress cut her pork.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

ghostcommander — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:49:30 GMT

Who received the contracts from "the Bridge to Nowhere" funds that were used for other transportation needs in Alaska? Why didn't Palin just send the money back to the Treasury. What about the pipeline contract to Trans Canada that will cost $40 to $50,000,000,000. The oil companies are going to build their own gas pipeline. Does this mean that there will be a "Pipeline Empty' alongside the oil companies? In addition, did you know that some of those Independence/separatist movements are associated with right wing extreme organizations such as the KKK, WAR, Aryan Nations, and others?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Yes! We ALL Can — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:49:38 GMT

You forgot to note how McCain was a fierce critic of Palin's adventures at the time - and according to him - still is!!

“They call themselves mavericks. Whoa! Truth is…they’re anything but. John McCain is hardly a maverick, when seven of his top campaign advisors are Washington lobbyists. He’s no maverick when he votes with Bush 90 percent of the time.

“And Sarah Palin’s no maverick, either. She was for the bridge to nowhere before she was against it. Politicians lying about their records? You don’t call that maverick. You call it more of the same.”

The McCain campaign claimed in an ad released Monday morning: “The original mavericks. He fights pork barrel spending. She stopped the Bridge to Nowhere.”

An Associated Press fact check found that exaggerated: “She vowed to defend Southeast Alaska ‘when proposals are on the table like the bridge and not allow the spin-meisters to turn this project or any other into something that's so negative’ — something that McCain was busy doing at the time, as a fierce critic of the bridge.”

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

bdhotwheel — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:49:50 GMT

http://ginacobb.typepad.com/gina_cobb/2008/09/when-obama-refe.html

And this is who the Democrats want as their President! Sure lets change the Bible to the Koran and "negotiate" with Terrorist nations (wink wink) like Iran's leader and Russia who supports them! Are you Democrats that dumb that you would nominate someone just on the idea that you think Republicans are the reason the economy is weak and that it is their fault alone? Wake up, you need a slap in the face people!

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

bdhotwheel — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:52:00 GMT

how truly messed up is your moral compass right now?

That's a great statement coming from a person who supports the liberal movement in the Democrats. They are full of themselves and would vote for Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd!

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Jim Indiana — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:52:47 GMT

Dinner must be an interesting time at the Palins: So Mom, how come you are telling everyone you were againts that long bridge when you were fighting for it for so long? Isn't that a lie?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

bdhotwheel — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:53:55 GMT

Let's talk about how Clinton and Biden were critical of Obama and how they feel he is not ready to be President! You don't want to hear about that though. You want to pick on the unknown Palin, because you prey on the rookie.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

ademeyer — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:56:27 GMT

Wow, Andrew, thank you for practicing real journalism. I take back any mean things I ever said about you.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

bdhotwheel — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:56:52 GMT

Dinner must be an interesting time at the Palins: So Mom, how come you are telling everyone you were againts that long bridge when you were fighting for it for so long? Isn't that a lie?

How about ObAmAs dinner table explaining to his kids how he screwed up and gave up his true identity by saying he was Muslim on the ABC interview with Stephantopolous? Isn't your future President already lying?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

usedToLikeMccain — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:57:04 GMT

junkmail7 - as I understand this story, there was a national outrage about the 'bridge to nowhere project'. Palin initially fought back against the sense that the the 'bridge' was a waste of money (see the picture of her with the nowhere t-shirt) in her campaigns for governor. However, the US congress cut a significant amount of the money for the project. At that point Palin would have to have paid for the majority of the project out of Alaskan state funds, and it appears she didn't think the project was worth spending her own state's money on. She did not return the leftover federal funds but reasonably used them on other state projects.

Someone please correct me if they have credible evidence for a different version of events.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Jim Indiana — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:59:05 GMT

Junkmail, your picking fly *** out of the saltshaker there! Palin wanted the damn bridge until she was shamed into cancelling the thing. It appears Gov. Palin is going to face many difficulties along the way in the coming weeks....especially keeping track of her lies.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

james john lee — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:59:39 GMT

Why the hell is this woman immune from answering questions from the press ? Is it the fact that she is pretty and spunky and a hockey mom . Since when does that qualify someone to take over the most powerful office in the world.

Tell ya what . I'd be willing to LAY ODD'S THAT SHE TURNS OUT TO BE A HOCKEY PUCK NOT A HOCKEY MOM.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

rojack777 — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:59:51 GMT

I did not write this; the original author is listed at the end of the post, including her email address. After reading it I felt I had to share it, as widely as possible - it's just too important not to. --------------------------------------------------------ABOUT SARAH PALIN I am a resident of Wasilla, Alaska. I have known Sarah since 1992. Everyone here knows Sarah, so it is nothing special to say we are on a first-name basis. Our children have attended the same schools. Her father was my child's favorite substitute teacher. I also am on a first name basis with her parents and mother-in-law. I attended more City Council meetings during her administration than about 99% of the residents of the city.

She is enormously popular; in every way she’s like the most popular girl in middle school. Even men who think she is a poor choice and won't vote for her can't quit smiling when talking about her because she is a "babe". It is astonishing and almost scary how well she can keep a secret. She kept her most recent pregnancy a secret from her children and parents for seven months.

She is "pro-life". She recently gave birth to a Down's syndrome baby. There is no cover-up involved, here; Trig is her baby. She is energetic and hardworking. She regularly worked out at the gym. She is savvy. She doesn't take positions; she just "puts things out there" and if they prove to be popular, then she takes credit.

Her husband works a union job on the North Slope for BP and is a champion snowmobile racer. Todd Palin’s kind of job is highly sought-after because of the schedule and high pay. He arranges his work schedule so he can fish for salmon in Bristol Bay for a month or so in summer, but by no stretch of the imagination is fishing their major source of income. Nor has her life-style ever been anything like that of native Alaskans. Sarah and her whole family are avid hunters.

She's smart. Her experience is as mayor of a city with a population of about 5,000 (at the time), and less than 2 years as governor of a state with about 670,000 residents. During her mayoral administration most of the actual work of running this small city was turned over to an administrator. She had been pushed to hire this administrator by party power-brokers after she had gotten herself into some trouble over precipitous firings which had given rise to a recall campaign. Sarah campaigned in Wasilla as a "fiscal conservative". During her 6 years as Mayor, she increased general government expenditures by over 33%. During those same 6 years the amount of taxes collected by the City increased by 38%. This was during a period of low inflation (1996-2002). She reduced progressive property taxes and increased a regressive sales tax which taxed even food. The tax cuts that she promoted benefited large corporate property owners way more than they benefited residents.

The huge increases in tax revenues during her mayoral administration weren’t enough to fund everything on her wish list though, borrowed money was needed, too. She inherited a city with zero debt, but left it with indebtedness of over $22 million. What did Mayor Palin encourage the voters to borrow money for? Was it the infrastructure that she said she supported? The sewage treatment plant that the city lacked? or a new library? No. $1m for a park. $15m-plus for construction of a multi-use sports complex which she rushed through to build on a piece of property that the City didn’t even have clear title to, that was still in litigation 7 yrs later--to the delight of the lawyers involved! The sports complex itself is a nice addition to the community but a huge money pit, not the profit-generator she claimed it would be. She also supported bonds for $5.5m for road projects that could have been done in 5-7 yrs without any borrowing. 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. She’s not very tolerant of divergent opinions or open to outside ideas or compromise. As Mayor, she fought ideas that weren’t generated by her or her staff. Ideas weren’t evaluated on their merits, but on the basis of who proposed them. While Sarah was Mayor of Wasilla she tried to fire our highly respected City Librarian because the Librarian refused to consider removing from the library some books that Sarah wanted removed. City residents rallied to the defense of the City Librarian and against Palin's attempt at out-and-out censorship, so Palin backed down and withdrew her termination letter. People who fought her attempt to oust the Librarian are on her enemies list to this day. Sarah complained about the "old boy’s club" when she first ran for Mayor, so what did she bring Wasilla? A new set of "old boys". Palin fired most of the experienced staff she inherited. At the City and as Governor she hired or elevated new, inexperienced, obscure people, creating a staff totally dependent on her for their jobs and eternally grateful and fiercely loyal--loyal to the point of abusing their power to further her personal agenda, as she has acknowledged happened in the case of pressuring the State’s top cop (see below). As Mayor, Sarah fired Wasilla’s Police Chief because he "intimidated" her, she told the press. As Governor, her recent firing of Alaska's top cop has the ring of familiarity about it. He served at her pleasure and she had every legal right to fire him, but it's pretty clear that an important factor in her decision to fire him was because he wouldn't fire her sister's ex-husband, a State Trooper. Under investigation for abuse of power, she has had to admit that more than 2 dozen contacts were made between her staff and family to the person that she later fired, pressuring him to fire her ex-brother-in-law. She tried to replace the man she fired with a man who she knew had been reprimanded for sexual harassment; when this caused a public furor, she withdrew her support.

She has bitten the hand of every person who extended theirs to her in help. The City Council person who personally escorted her around town introducing her to voters when she first ran for Wasilla City Council became one of her first targets when she was later elected Mayor. She abruptly fired her loyal City Administrator; even people who didn’t like the guy were stunned by this ruthlessness.

Fear of retribution has kept all of these people from saying anything publicly about her. When then-Governor Murkowski was handing out political plums, Sarah got the best, Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission: one of the few jobs not in Juneau and one of the best paid. She had no background in oil & gas issues. Within months of scoring this great job which paid $122,400/yr, she was complaining in the press about the high salary. I was told that she hated that job: the commute, the structured hours, the work. Sarah became aware that a member of this Commission (who was also the State Chair of the Republican Party) engaged in unethical behavior on the job. In a gutsy move which some undoubtedly cautioned her could be political suicide, Sarah solved all her problems in one fell swoop: got out of the job she hated and garnered gobs of media attention as the patron saint of ethics and as a gutsy fighter against the "old boys’ club" when she dramatically quit, exposing this man’s ethics violations (for which he was fined). As Mayor, she had her hand stuck out as far as anyone for pork from Senator Ted Stevens. Lately, she has castigated his pork-barrel politics and publicly humiliated him. She only opposed the "bridge to nowhere" after it became clear that it would be unwise not to.

As Governor, she gave the Legislature no direction and budget guidelines, then made a big grandstand display of line-item vetoing projects, calling them pork. Public outcry and further legislative action restored most of these projects -- which had been vetoed simply because she was not aware of their importance -- but with the unobservant she had gained a reputation as "anti-pork". She is solidly Republican: no political maverick. The State party leaders hate her because she has bit them in the back and humiliated them. Other members of the party object to her self-description as a fiscal conservative. Around Wasilla there are people who went to high school with Sarah. They call her "Sarah Barracuda" because of her unbridled ambition and predatory ruthlessness. Before she became so powerful, very ugly stories circulated around town about shenanigans she pulled to be made point guard on the high school basketball team. When Sarah's mother-in-law, a highly respected member of the community and experienced manager, ran for Mayor, Sarah refused to endorse her. As Governor, she stepped outside of the box and put together of package of legislation known as "AGIA" that forced the oil companies to march to the beat of her drum. Like most Alaskans, she favors drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. She has questioned if the loss of sea ice is linked to global warming. She campaigned "as a private citizen" against a state initiaitive that would have either a) protected salmon streams from pollution from mines, or b) tied up in the courts all mining in the state (depending on who you listen to). She has pushed the State’s lawsuit against the Dept. of the Interior’s decision to list polar bears as threatened species. McCain is the oldest person to ever run for President; Sarah will be a heartbeat away from being President. There has to be literally millions of Americans who are more knowledgeable and experienced than she. However, there’s a lot of people who have underestimated her and are regretting it. CLAIM vs. FACT: *Hockey mom: true for a few years

*PTA mom: true years ago when her first-born was in elementary school, not since

*NRA supporter: absolutely true

*Social conservative: mixed. Opposes gay marriage, BUT vetoed a bill that would have denied benefits to employees in same-sex relationships (said she did this because it was unconsitutional).

*Pro-creationism: mixed. Supports it, BUT did nothing as Governor to promote it.

*Pro-life: mixed. Knowingly gave birth to a Down’s syndrome baby BUT declined to call a special legislative session on some pro-life legislation

*Experienced: Some high schools have more students than Wasilla has residents. Many cities have more residents than the state of Alaska. No legislative experience other than City Council. Little hands-on *Supervisory or managerial experience; needed help of a city administrator to run town of about 5,000.

*Political maverick: not at all

*Gutsy: absolutely!

*Open & transparent: ??? Good at keeping secrets. Not good at explaining actions.

has a developed philosophy of public policy: no

*A "Greenie": no. Turned Wasilla into a wasteland of big box stores and disconnected parking lots. Is pro-drilling off-shore and in ANWR.

*Fiscal conservative: not by my definition!

*Pro-infrastructure: No. Promoted a sports complex and park in a city without a sewage treatment plant or storm drainage system. Built streets to early 20th century standards.

*Pro-tax relief: Lowered taxes for businesses, increased tax burden on residents

*Pro-small government: No. Oversaw greatest expansion of city government in Wasilla’s history.

*Pro-labor/pro-union. No. Just because her husband works union doesn’t make her pro-labor. I have seen nothing to support any claim that she is pro-labor/pro-union. WHY AM I WRITING THIS? First, I have long believed in the importance of being an informed voter. I am a voter registrar. For 10 years I put on student voting programs in the schools. If you google my name (Anne Kilkenny + Alaska), you will find references to my participation in local government, education, and PTA/parent organizations. Secondly, I've always operated in the belief that "Bad things happen when good people stay silent". Few people know as much as I do because few have gone to as many City Council meetings. Third, I am just a housewife. I don't have a job she can bump me out of. I don't belong to any organization that she can hurt. But, I am no fool; she is immensely popular here, and it is likely that this will cost me somehow in the future: that’s life.

Fourth, she has hated me since back in 1996, when I was one of the 100 or so people who rallied to support the City Librarian against Sarah's attempt at censorship. Fifth, I looked around and realized that everybody else was afraid to say anything because they were somehow vulnerable. CAVEATS:

I am not a statistician. I developed the numbers for the increase in spending & taxation 2 years ago (when Palin was running for Governor) from information supplied to me by the Finance Director of the City of Wasilla, and I can't recall exactly what I adjusted for: did I adjust for inflation? for population increases? Right now, it is impossible for a private person to get any info out of City Hall--they are swamped. So I can't verify my numbers. You may have noticed that there are various numbers circulating for the population of Wasilla, ranging from my "about 5,000", up to 9,000. The day Palin’s selection was announced a city official told me that the current population is about 7,000. The official 2000 census count was 5,460. I have used about 5,000 because Palin was Mayor from 1996 to 2002, and the city was growing rapidly in the mid-90’s.

Anne Kilkenny

annekilkenny@hotmail.com

August 31, 2008

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

maryrose — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:06:24 GMT

I belive you are correct that Governor Palin had no trouble spending federal taxpayer (everyone's, that is our) money on the bridge, but when Congress disallowed the bridge as an outrageous waste of money she decided that it wasn't important after all because her own constituents would have to pay for it.

She is campaigning as having been a governor who righteously fought pork sparrel spending and Congressional earmarks, when that is not the case.

The intellectual dishonesty is apparent.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

save17 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:06:31 GMT

This is less about Palin specifically than about McCain's campaign. Maybe he was a Maverick years ago (pre-2000) but he hasn't been one since. You can't vote with Bush 90% of the time and then bill yourself as his conscience. This campaign has been kind of up-and-down throughout, since Rick Davis took over and tried to find good angles. This reformer one is probably the best, but it won't work because it simply is not true. Palin is lying about her past because she's being told to fit the narrative, and her malleability here is further evidence that she doesn't have the spine, self-awareness - or whatever you want to call it - for office. We need leaders in this country, not empty PR.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Jim Indiana — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:09:07 GMT

McCain has good eyesight ie: Palin but lacks forsesight ie: Palin

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Huey303 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:10:57 GMT

Actually what it sounds like is she was all for it until she realized it was a losing battle. Then suddenly she becomes a "maverick." This is just one of several things that point to "what happens in Alaska stays in Alaska" politics. She probably never thought at the time she would have to defend herself in the national spotlight. It's interesting that she interviewed with McCain a mere 5 days before the selection (right after Hillary was not selected). I was on the fence with McCain/Obama; but with the snub of a moderate with an outstanding record like Tom Ridge in order to pander to the Evangelicals, see you later GOP. I voted for Ron Paul in the primaries because I really did want change, but when you really are a maverick, the two party system just won't allow that. I spent five years defending a country I love that is seriously letting me down. I'm going to go read the Federalist/ Anti-Federalist papers to remind me of what really matters.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

james john lee — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:14:39 GMT

bdhotwheel. You must have been huffing paint out behind the shed again .Either that or yer on the straight jacket express.When and where did Obama state he was a Muslim . So what if he WAS a Muslim. Yer talking about a major world religion with hundreds of millions of adherents . Only someone with all three major kinds of retardation would conclude that all muslims are terrorists . hitler was christian does it follow that all chritians are like hitler . take your meds and shut the *** up .

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

PaulStewart — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:16:18 GMT

I think the ad pointing out the lying is what is necessary. Let's see the response on that from McCain. And, this will be fair game for Palin when she starts to answer some questions.

I would like to hold Newsweek and the rest of the media to the responsibility to fact check. This is the foundation of democracy - not partisanship. And I will say that the test today in America is not one for Obama, for McCain, for Palin or Biden. It is one for democracy. For the very foundations of America as a nation. For the voting public.

And the test is to get the facts right, to get the choice understood right. To see the reality, not the Rabbit Hole's view. I am losing confidence, but still hope to see it happen. And the test is one from the good Lord himself.....

And I ask all American voters - how will you answer Him? What will your vote be?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Ironmike61 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:16:44 GMT

All of this would be easier to take if there was any scutiny of Obama's words and deeds. Most criticism of abuse of earmarks have to do with those in Congress that write these laws to benefit their constituants and to feather their own nest. It is quite unusual to see the constituents being castigated for receiving these benefits, and to be sure a govenor that turned away Federal dollers would be seen as working contray to the interests of the citizens of their state. Look to what she has done to pare the budget of Alaska and how the citizens feal about the job that she has done, both in her job as mayor and now Governor. Obama has made promises to everyone, and these intail large expenditures of tax dollers were they implemented. Perhaps you should refer back to Rev. Wright when he said "those are just words, and Obama is a politician, he'll say what he needs to say". This is a paraphase but it is close. Spend some time to get to know this guy, he scares me and I am a life long Democrat. I am voting the integrity ticket this time.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

John Leisure — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:16:58 GMT

bdhotwheel you distort what Sen Obama said I saw the same interview and he was quite clear that what he ment was that some on the reactionary side were still trying to paint him as a Muslim. This type of deception belongs on Faux News and on Newsmax not Nwesweek please try to keep your webpages straight

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

ladca — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:17:22 GMT

Andrew I think you got those e-mails mostly out of desperation by the Democrats when they saw today's polls, that says it all. Now the Republicans armed with two true and very well prepared candidates have made the liberals run like chickens with their heads cut off and they don't know what to do. The other side is that the more dirt they want to place on the Republican ticket people are beginning to notice the false-hood of the liberals.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

true_patriot — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:18:07 GMT

How many times do you have to be hit over the head before you realize who's hitting you?

McCain/Palin can try to steal the platform of change all they want. The reality is McCain's positions are the same as Bush's, and Palin is a social conservative who will take us back to the days of the Terri Schiavo intervention. They are Republicans, and after eight years of making a mess of things, no Republican deserves to be elected in 2008.

Obama is the least in debt to lobbyists and big business. He has raised funds from the grass roots, refused to pay street money, gotten an ethics bill passed, and doesn't have lobbyists in his campaign.

Where's the proof that McCain/Palin aren't just more of the same? I haven't seen one thing different. Enough!

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

M.seattle — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:20:36 GMT

So Palin was for the bridge to nowhere in the begining, and then against it. Didn't we hear similar stories from all politicians before?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

eluvon — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:20:52 GMT

This is from the link bdhotwheel posted...

This idiot Obama says one thing then back tracks himself...He is an idiot...just listening on XM radio where Obama said a supporter ask him about abortion and his view since he has been president..then back tracked quickly to say Nominee for president..

From article:

Mr. Obama noted that when Republican vice presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin "was forced" to talk about her pregnant 17-year-old daughter, he issued a forceful statement to reporters that the line of inquiry was "off limits." But he said the McCain campaign tried to tie him to "liberal blogs that support Obama" and are "attacking Governor Palin."

"Let's not play games," he said. "What I was suggesting -- you're absolutely right that John McCain has not talked about my Muslim faith. And you're absolutely right that that has not come."

Mr. Stephanopoulos interrupted with, "Christian faith."

"My Christian faith," Mr. Obama said quickly. "Well, what I'm saying is that he hasn't suggested that I'm a Muslim. And I think that his campaign's upper echelons have not, either.

____________________________________________

I have seen and heard many of his interviews this idiot has done this. Get over the Obama fad people. You all are picking on Sarah Palin, well that idiot can't talk straight and does not have anymore experience than she does and he is the stupid Democratic nominee for President. Come on! He professes to understand the working class. My father worked in the coal mines for 20 years..I would like to see Obama do it for a week. He couldn't get his pretty hands dirty. I know so many men and women who have served in the military whether a war was going on or not..what is his problem??? He didn't deem our country worthy?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

DrMan — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:22:35 GMT

By now, I suspect many, if not most, people have made a decision as to whom they will vote for. I'd bet that Palin could discover the cure for cancer and come up with a new way to fuel our cars and the libs still wouldn't vote for, so all these comments praising or condemning her are moot.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

malispina — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:23:38 GMT

Ok folks, I am a resident of "99901" which is the zip code for Ketchikan, Alaska (AK is NOT Arkansas!!!) The City of Ketchikan lobbied long and hard for a bridge that would connect Ketchikan to Gravina Island. yes there may be only 50 residents that live there now, but our airport is also over there. We are the only place in the world where you have to take a boat, and carry your own luggage up and down a ramp, to get to the airport. There is no luggage handling and at low tide that means you are carting luggage up and down very steep ramps. We wanted a bridge so that we could grow and have access to our airport. I do believe that at one time, the brooklyn bridge was a "bridge to nowhere". More to the point however, is that through our State Senator and State Representative in Congress, we got the money for our bridge. Then we made the mistake of electing Mrs. Palin and the next thing you know, the money for the bridge was dwindling and dwindling because it was being used for projects in Anchorage and Wasilla and Fairbanks. There was suddenly not enough money left for our bridge, so it got "nixed". The Southeast communities in Alaska have been abandoned by Ms. Palin in favor of the larger cities of Anchorage, Fairbanks and her precious Wasilla and Palmer. Go to the State of Alaska home page and check out the capital budgets with the vetos done by Mrs. Palin. It's interesting to see the projects she cut, and the ones she kept. If you are aware of the geography of Alaska you will note that the Southeast Communities were the most severely "hit" by her red pen. I guess she feels that she does not need our votes, and for VP that is true, the election is usually decided before our polls evern close, but I would caution her not to "burn her bridges" with Souteast Alaska.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Senator Snort — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:25:30 GMT

Wikipedia's coverage of "The bridge to nowhere" provides a much more thorough discussion than this lame article and also provides several associated links for reference. I'm not exactly certain why Alaska would build an airport on an island (the 2nd busiest in the Juneau area) in the first place but it is true that Palin did initially back it to replace the existing ferry system (it has significant traffic) and did change her mind.

“ Ketchikan desires a better way to reach the airport, but the $398 million bridge is not the answer. Despite the work of our congressional delegation, 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. Much of the public’s attitude toward Alaska bridges is based on inaccurate portrayals of the projects here. But we need to focus on what we can do, rather than fight over what has happened."

~ AK Gov. Sarah Palin

So of the original $398 million asking price, 69 million was kept (or about 17%). Also there was this Katrina thing going on at the time and taking money really didn't seem a good idea.

"Asked why she initially supported the bridge, Palin's communications director Bill McAllister said, "It was never at the top of her priority list, and in fact the project isn't necessarily dead … there's still the potential for improved ferry service or even a bridge of a less costly design... She changed her mind, he said, when "she saw that Alaska was being perceived as taking from the country and not giving ..."

Isn't very odd that the author failed to report this? why does the author fail to address the actual reform issues Palin addressed? And speaking of taking pork for his state, the same state I live, Obama, as revealed in today's news, is just a culpable. And who is to not blame them when they can use the money for hopefully a good cause. If you can get it use it!

And if you want to see dysfunctional big blue government at its "best," look no further than Obama's state of Illinois. Bounded by state constitution to have a balanced budget, the democratically controlled congress and governor, for the 2nd straight year, can't do it. The dem speaker seeks to have the dem governor impeached (although they had a recent love fest), and, in attempts to balance said budget, Gov Blow has decided to terminate 14 parks, most of which are actually serious revenue streams for the local towns, and keep true pork for Chicago projects (where the votes are) and the Daley machine (to which Obama is a graduate). This is a great example of what you can look for if Barry is elected.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Shad — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:27:36 GMT

Sarah Palin's Churches and The Third Wave: New Video Documentary

Sarah Palin's churches are actively involved in a resurgent movement that was declared heretical by the Assemblies of God in 1949. This is the same 'Spiritual Warfare' movement that was featured in the award winning movie, "Jesus Camp," which showed young children being trained to do battle for the Lord. At least three of four of Palin's churches are involved with major organizations and leaders of this movement, which is referred to as The Third Wave of the Holy Spirit or the New Apostolic Reformation. The movement is training a young "Joel's Army" to take dominion over the United States and the world.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-wilson/sarah-palins-churches-and_b_124611.html

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

juanbobo — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:28:11 GMT

bdhotwheel said:

"How about ObAmAs ...identity by saying he was Muslim on the ABC interview with Stephantopolous? Isn't your future President already lying?"

No YOU are LYING- like most Republicans- this NEVER happened.

Wake up people: don't you think this would be the TOP story if it had actually happened? Factcheck.org says it did not.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

labman57 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:31:46 GMT

It's typical political spin. The GOP has turned it into an art form. The more they lie, the easier it gets, and eventually they even begin to believe their own lies. But the Machiavellian mentality in the McCain campaign eases their collective conscience. They absolve themselves of their sins by continually telling themselves, "If it gets us elected, it's all good. If it gets us elected, it's all good".

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Iam4thiscountry — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:32:16 GMT

eluvon:

Give me a break. he is always having to defend he is a Christian. And, besides, I really don't care what religion he is as long as he doesn't try to shove it down my throat. Unlike some people who believe that their Christian views are the only correct views and all people should believe as they do. And they will be more than to dictate to you what and how you should believe.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

knox county — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:33:50 GMT

"They were clearly hoping that me and my blogging colleagues would jump on the "pants on fire" bandwagon. " How can anyone who graduated with honors in English from Princeton post a sentence with such poor grammer?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Integrity first and foremost — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:43:16 GMT

Senator Snort: Me sayth you protesth too much! Palin is a politician just like all other politicians except that she's very, very conservative. This will appeal to some people but as for me, no thanks. I care too much for others . . . .

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

svengalifx — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:44:14 GMT

McCain/Palin - 10% Maverick 90% Bush

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

lololand — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:45:21 GMT

So how about you Obamaites try to spin something like 183 "present" votes instead of going on record for something you BELIEVE in. Talk about twisting the truth! If it had been a democrat they would have screamed and hollered about "prejudice" instead of a governor bowing down to political realities. So democrats don't like pork belly politics - get a REAL life and make some INFORMED choices instead of being sheep. Baaaa

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

I'mconcerned — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:45:55 GMT

The bridge issue is minor compared to what should really be of concern:

1.Sarah bounced around to 4 colleges before finally getting a degree in journalism from the University of Idaho.

2. She was the mayor of a town of approximately 5000 with a council of 6 people and had to hire a city administrator to do the day to day work. (I've run larger professional organizations)

3. She is in her second year as gov. of a state with less than 700,000 people (how many of you live in larger cities) and most of Alaska's funding comed from oil (drill more get more $$)

4.She has never held a passport, which means her foreign travel has been limited to Canada and possibly Mexico (which I doubt).

So forget the troopergate, the bridge to nowhere, the mommy issues, the far right and the far left. IF elected she will be the heartbeat away from the presidency, with her boss being the oldest elected first term president ever. Can you imagine her confronting Putin, reestablishing our position and reputation in the world (which curreltly sucks), ensuring our various agencies do the jobs they were established to do, etc.

I like and respect John McCain but he pandered to the ultra right for their support and in my opinion made a poor decision. He had other good choices, men and women who whould have been better for the USA.

Time magazine has an interesting article on Sarah Palin and Googling Wasilla city council is also revealing.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Iam4thiscountry — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:48:02 GMT

Eluvon:

i watched the Clip, You can spin it any way you want. He was not saying he was a Muslim. And fact check has already debunked that lie.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

soverysad — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:50:04 GMT

I am not a Republican and I am not a Democrat. But I was never so involved with politics until McCain picked Palin. What do you get when you mix an old fox with a pit bull? It's America in trouble. I have nothing against Palin because she's a woman. I'm a woman myself. But Palin scars me. Her beliefs scars me. If she becomes President our country will be back in the Dark Age. What's the difference when the terrorists kill innocent people in the name of Allah and Palin insinuating that the Iraq War is God's task? Americans used to be respected and well liked, now showing off your American passport in a foreign country is scary. So what's wrong with this picture?

McCain is old. Having Palin as President is just a heart beat away. Do we really want this woman to run our country? Obama might not be the best choice, but I rather have four years of hope than four years of extreme right wing dark policies.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

AlanTuring — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:50:37 GMT

Yes it was a very touching GOP convention especially the essay about John and Cindy McCain and how they met. What a pair for the right wing so called moral Christian supporters. John McCain was introduced to Cindy by none other than Keating while he was married to his first wife who was disabled. He divorced his first wife to go after the money. I guess they left that part out but it must be moral. Then he chooses a person who claims to be a super social and fiscal conservative and behold Palin's daughter Bristol had her first child unwed at age 16. Now she's pregnant with yet another one. Didn't Mrs. Palin explain to her daughter what sin causes that? And why did she have to lie and state the baby was hers and then have all the pictures of her family removed from the website. Why was Bristol out of school for five months supposedly because of mononucleosis but yet she received two traffic tickets in other towns during that period. And why do people still have photos of Mrs. Palin supposedly pregnant seven months but when viewed close up she was as flat as a pancake. But Bristol was blooming with a belly and a pregnant face after she gained 15 pounds in just 3 weeks. The real question of Palin is not the bridge to nowhere or the 6.9 million in earmarks her home town received while the population is only 6 or 7 thousand(smaller than the state of Idaho which received a total of 6.1 million and it's not the fact that the daughter received proper sex education and not the fact that her mayor job was about the size of a street monitors job here in Illinois and not the fact the Chicago has 2.9 million people five times more than all of Alaska but why is she a habitual liar? Nice pick for morality-GOP side show!

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

quellerin — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:51:07 GMT

I just want to punch Palin in the face, I'm not sure why. But I like her politics!

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

DeGrand — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:51:30 GMT

The post allegidly by Anne Killkenny has been posted by numerous left wing Democrats on various web sites. It is totaly false. There is no Anne Killkenny and none of this ever happened. It is one hacker/blogger's attempt to put Sara Palin down and cause people to overreact. Going forward in the election process, you will see more of this nonsense by idiots of both parties. The big news today was/is that Obama peaked way too soon. Most polls have McCain/Palin ahead now by 4-14 points and, the electoral votes show a 6-8 point lead for Obama. I suspect in the next 30-60 days that most real voters will see the light and the McCain/Palin ticket will be a runaway.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Iam4thiscountry — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:52:14 GMT

I'mconcerned:

Don't forget to add that as mayor of Wasilla she built a Sports Complexe on property that the city did not actually own Also, that when she stepped down as Mayor of Wasilla that she left a town that had ZERO debit when she became Mayor with $20million in Debt. Sounds like she has executive experience. Yea Right!!!

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

firstcitytrading — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:53:55 GMT

The common thread in most of the posts I've read on this subject is a total misapprehension of the reality of life in Alaska. One suggestion woud be for some of you to throw away the road atlas you use to acquaint yourself to the state so you can pull a couple of town names out of the hat when discussing the bridge. Then go get yourself an accurately scaled Alaska map and lay it on top of a map of the lower 48 that has the same scale. Alaska is different. All the towns up here are like a bunch of little political kingdoms. Sarah Palin was never in favor of the Bridge to Nowhere. Nobody in Wasilla, or Anchorage, or King Salmon, or Kodiak, or Bettles, or Nome or ANYWHERE else in Alaska was for it because it wasn't for them and the likelihood of any of them even seeing the thing was essentially zero. The Bridge was a speculative endeavour on the part of former Gov Murkowski, Rep Don Young and various commercial interests in S E Alaska. The Bridge was never meant to serve an Island with a population of 50. That was a smokescreen to facilitate development of commercial timber and development interests. Palin's interest in the Bridge was for the appropriation it represented because she knew once the money was earmarked, it could be diverted to other uses. Which it was. Up in her kingdom of Wasilla. We're disappointed here in K town about the Bridge but we like her as Governor, so I'd like to urge all the yuppie bloggers on the net to get as fired up as the twerp who wrote this article. Elect Obama, send us back our Gov. and all of you take cruises next year and bring that Gold Card.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Bill A — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:55:36 GMT

Happy to hear that God directs are troops and international policies.Today on the stump,Talk about flipping and not telling the truth on a number of topic..Also, when she became mayor of her town they hand a balanced budget,when she left office it has and still does a $20m deficit.She also build a sports center on part of the land that the city didn't own.The owner of this land had filed a law suit.Check the facts,folks.The stories are factual......

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

pugs — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:55:56 GMT

She stopped the project. Easy story. She stopped the 400 million dollar bridge.

Thanks Gov Palin you saved the tax payers a few bucks, way to go. Which by the way Obama voted for.

My vote McCain Palin all the way.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Rose Black — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:59:55 GMT

For Senator Snort:

If you're going to reference a website, I wouldn't suggest you reference wikipedia as it is not a reliable source. Anyone can edit that so it says whatever they want. As far as the electoral votes are concerned (polls don't really count), Obama has always had the lead and will continue to do so because; fortunately, the majority of Americans are not fanatical conservatives. What kind of sense does it make to put another Republican into office? That's just dumb. When have McCain/Palin discussed any issue specifically? The only thing they know how to do is rabble rouse, fear monger, and attack their opponent because they don't have any new ideas. Think about it. At first, McCain was all about foreign policy experience being most important and when he saw that wasn't working; now he's all about change. I think that he will do and say anything to become President and it scares me to wonder what secrets he'll keep if he ever gets into that office.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

AK4PALIN — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:00:39 GMT

Recall Campaign? Talk about stregthing the truth! If I were governer and a Trooper threatened to make my father eat a bullet, tasered my 10 year old nephew, and broke several other laws, I wouldn't fire him. I would've created a Trooper Post in Kipnuk, AK and made him the Officer in Charge. I'm sure the thought crossed Sarah's mind but she probably thought it would be in the best interest of the public's safety to remove this trooper who demostrates a lack of judgement when it comes to protecting those he is supposed to serve and the laws he is to uphold! Would you want someone in law enforcement to say, "Your father will eat a f*@&ing bullet if he gets involved!" I dare you idiots to take up the banner to defend this trooper at your own peril!

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Iam4thiscountry — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:00:48 GMT

DeGrand: Actually, if you go to Snopes.com you will find that the letter is for Real. Anne Kilkenny lives in Wasilla. You should check something out before you call it false. I do love Factcheck.org and Snopes.com. This is one letter, that is Oh So True!!!! If you go to Snopes.com she gives her reason why she is speaking out.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

stryk55 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:01:26 GMT

So when Hillary sheds a tear during the primaries, its "Boo hoo, suck it up, don't play the gender card" from the Conservatives. But question Palin's decision to take on such a responsibility with her family situation and everyone cries foul for "picking on her for being a woman". Tell me I'm not the only one who sees the hypocrisy in this...

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

NotFooledByDistractions — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:04:39 GMT

Ah...pugs, she didn't personally stop the project and she kept the money. Yep, the republicans think you're stupid...and folks like you prove it.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Iam4thiscountry — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:05:01 GMT

Pugs:

she didn't stopped the Bridge because she thought it was wrong; there was such an uproar that she lost the "earmarks" for it (McCain was against the Bridge) She did not have the "Earmarks" to finish the Bridge.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Phigment300 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:09:53 GMT

The key idea point here is the following - the bridge did not get built, but the MONEY still went to Alaska. All this political spin makes me wanna puke! She was as bad if not the worst proponent of earmark money. This is not my opinion - this is a fact! I only believe on politics from the following sites

1. http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/

2. http://www.factcheck.org/

It is so much better to read a story with a bibliography of the facts at the bottom of the article!

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

CMHSanJose — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:11:08 GMT

What a shock! Another anti-McCain Newsweek article!! I'm surprised Newsweek found a way to squeeze this in between feature stories about Obama's historic years at Punaho High School and Biden's heroic speech at the DNC.

In the meantime they managed to somehow overlook ties between Obama and a guy that actually bombed the Pentagon and his 'like family' relationship with one of the most bigoted clerics known to man - it took those horrible right-wing AM radio hosts to even bring this to the light of day.

I consider myself an independent and I actually think this blatantly biased reporting is doing more harm to Obama than reporters realize. While I can't really argue with the facts in this story I can argue with the overall message - which is clearly a non-stop barrage of attacks against anyone who happens to be a Republican.

So Andrew - you really nailed Sarah Palin on this one. She probably did initially support that Bridge to Nowhere during her run for Governor, then later decided to reject it. I think the real point should be that she did actually reject some pork - something that I don't think Obama has ever done. And I think the real story should be what Newsweek chooses to cover and write and about and why it is virtually always either pro-Obama or anti-McCain.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Iam4thiscountry — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:22:13 GMT

stryk55: You are so right. They were criticizing her for playing the Gender card. Even Palin said that she gave women a bad rep. But, now when it is Palin's turn then it is different. Noone is picking on her because she is a woman, mother or has a pregnant daughter. But, I do have to point out that she is against sex education in schools and wants to teach Abstinance only and abstinance did not work so well for her Daughter. it is not the daughter I have problems with it is Palin's believes. If herbeliefs do not work in her own home how can they work for this country? Did you know that Palin is against equal pay for women. She thinks that we just need to work harder to prove ourselves.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

SKVAM — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:25:25 GMT

For a Party that claims to believe in the virtues of the Bible, lying seems to come so easy.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

mart7lin — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:28:06 GMT

CMHSanJose: Sarah did not reject jack. She took the money and ran with it. Then, she stood on national TV and told this bald face lie and several others. As mayor, she inherited a surplus, but like Bush is leaving the country with a deficit, she left Wasilla with a whopping $20 million dollar deficit PLUS a lot of legal problems that they are still dealing with. So much for Sarah's superior executive skills and know- how. She good at stand-up comedy though. She should interview for Comedy Central.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

SKVAM — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:33:08 GMT

Of course Republicans want to win but must they win with sleaze? Lies? A serial adulterer on the top of the ticket? A corrupt Keating 5 Senator? Ironic that he finished 5th from the bottom in the Naval Academy (who exactly wants to fight next to the entire graduating class failure?) and was in the TOP 5 of the Keating 5. And now he picks a bottom 5 governor of a state with fewer people than any old lower 48 mid size city. What Bush, the Yale yuppie, all hat no cattle, did not ruin with the economy and the elective war, McCain, a man who called his current wife a c**t in public will. How do born again Christians of the rabid right justify their support of this man? On the other side is Obama, loyal to the wife of his youth, worked hard, gave up moneied jobs to work for the poor. If we judge as Jesus said to, there are enough fruits of Obama's character to vote for him as a Christian and not McCain, whose witness is quite, quite poor.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Iam4thiscountry — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:34:06 GMT

CMHSanJose: Before you go Criticizing Trinity Church you should go to a Black Church. If you think they are bad you should check out Palin's Church. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-wilson/sarah-palins-churches-and_b_124611.html , There is a move out called "Jesus Camp". Their views are soooo far right that the right don't even like them.

This is scary. I am religious but I think this goes to far. These people are just as fanatical as the Fanatical Muslims. (most Muslims are not fanatical as are most Christians are not)

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Ratwood — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:34:08 GMT

After watching an RNC speaker address the economic plight of specific Americans suffering diffuculty, I heard Obama proclaim to his audience that during that entire convention such matters were never discussed at all. He made a rather large point about it. It's a lie. Where is this wonderful "pants on fire" internet coverage as well as Newsweek's, when it's not to Obama's advantage? Probably they just missed it.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

eightstarsofgold — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:36:12 GMT

So why isn't anyone talking abut the FACT (first reported in the news way back in April) that Governor Palin flew to Houston TX for a speech when she was +7-8 months pregnant. She apparently went into labor while in Houston but did NOT go to a hospital, gave her speech, caught a plane to Seattle WA, then a plane to Anchorage Alaska and then drove to Wasilla to deliver her baby.

See Anchorage Daily News article dated 4/22/08. " Palins' child diagnosed with Down syndrome"

Supposedly, she called her doctor in Alaska who reportedly said it was OK to return home. This was a high risk pregnancy, a 44 year old mother having her fifth child and that child was already diagnosed as having Down syndrome. AND this baby born a month premature!

I can't believe a doctor would give the blessing to fly to Houston in the first place but certainly NO responsible doctor would give permission to fly back home -- some 6 to 8 hours actually on board an airplane and another hour or more in a car -- after Gov Palin's water broke (or leaked according to this story).

After arriving in Anchorage (the largest town in Alaska), Governor Palin then got in a car and drove some 50 miles to the smaller hospital in her home town where she gave birth some eight hours later and just over 24 hours after first noticing that her water had broke - or leaked.

The story has Governor Palin denying she was actually "in labor" during the flight. And her doctor was quoted as saying that labor was induced after Governor Palin reached the hospital in Wasilla.

None of this makes sense - why would a doctor "induce" labor a month early for a baby with Down syndrome? Why not bed rest? Why fly to begin with when you are in a high risk pregnancy situation. How can you put your unborn child at risk just to satisfy your political ambitions (at that time, Palin was just determined to give a speech).

How totally irrersponsible - this is an incredibly selfish and irrersponsible judgment call on her part. In my never humble opinion -- it's criminal -- but I guess charges are only filed when the mother's irresponsiblity actually results in the baby's death.

Granted, it all went well - but no one knew that for sure until after the delivery. This is not an old decision - way in her past that can be explained away. This is Governor Palin - the pro life, Christian values, Hockey Mom who made this extremely poor judgment call just over four months agao. Well,Mom - shame on you.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Iam4thiscountry — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:36:46 GMT

Stry55: I forgot to mention that there is a clip on comedy central you have go to see if you haven't already. It is 3 Republicans (one of the being Karl Rove.) and it shows their 2 faces. it is great.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

mart7lin — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:41:17 GMT

Nice try DeGrand: Anne Kilkenny does exist. I saw an AK news article on the Internet, with Anne's picture. The article was about the letter that Anne wrote.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Iam4thiscountry — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:41:58 GMT

Ratwood: No, it is the Truth. I watched both conventions. The Republicans did alot of attacking. (and you can go to Factcheck.org to see what they lied about) especially the "community Organizers. (McCain had to cancel his Photo Op with "habitat for Humanity" as they are the Biggest Community Organizer) Besides bashing and making fun they really did not say anything about how they plan on helping the economy or Healthcare. There were no specifics. The whole 3 days was about how wonderful McCain was, How brave McCain was and bashing.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Iam4thiscountry — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:46:23 GMT

Eightstarsofgold: I was wondering all that myself. That is all true. That is why the rumors starting flying around that it was Bristol's kid and Mom was covering up. But, even if she wasn't covering up (as it seems now) that was very irresponsible of her with any baby let alone a High Risk Baby. Also, I heard (don't know if it is fact) that she was 7 months along before she told her family. You would think that she would have told her husband (atleast) right away. This makes absolutely no sense. Women (who have had children) should especially be questioning this.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

mart7lin — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:46:44 GMT

Ratwood: We do not need for John Mccain to tell us that we are having economic problems. WE KNOW THAT ALREADY! We need for him to tell us how he plans to FIX it. The RNC did not give a hint of how they plan to fix anything. The just threw zingers and lies to distract everybody. It was not funny to me.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

mart7lin — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:46:54 GMT

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Iam4thiscountry — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:49:01 GMT

Mart7Lin: You can also go to Snopes.com and they have the letter there and they confirm that it is for real.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

allfacts — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:49:36 GMT

Of course, what this incredibly well-balanced-as-usual Newsweek article fails to mention, is that Sen. Biden and Sen. Obama voted FOR funding the Bridge, even when given a second chance by Sen. Tom Coburn, who proposed shifting earmark funds to Katrina relief. John McCain opposed the bill. Never let the facts get in the way of a good story, Newsweek. If your subscribers continue to decline at the astonishing rate they have over the past three years, Newsweek won't be around for the next election...what's the bad news?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

drcaddy — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:52:29 GMT

Hmmmm-It's interesting that such microscopic evaluation is occurring with Governor Palin while Senator Kennedy led the way in funding the most expensive and corrupt civil engineering project in the history of this country (The Big Dig-Boston). I don't see the Democratic party mentioning anything about that fiasco and what it has cost US taxpayers while we walk the "Rose Kennedy" park. The only difference is that Palin walked while Kennedy lined the pockets of his cronies in the political and private sector. Wake up Democrats, wake up America. Look at the reality and see that party politics is dead and you must vote on your hope that your candidate will do and say what they say they will during the campaign. Talk is cheap, experience is what we need-regardless of party.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Ratwood — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:53:26 GMT

Iam4thiscountry: No, it is not the truth. Such individuals were talked about, contrary to his claim. Furthermore, you are also guilty of inaccuracy when you state: "The whole 3 days was about how wonderful McCain was, How brave McCain was and bashing." The hard times were pointed out, as was even the fact that republicans also got on in the wrong over the years.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

willow207 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:58:26 GMT

Republicans....can count on that bunch of liars since Watergate to continue being a bunch of liars and Sarah Palin is no different, she has just completed her public initiation into the "Liars Club". Suits her very well.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

joelpalmer — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:06:18 GMT

There is nothing McSame and Palin won't do to win; lie cheat and steal. Right out of the Bush Rove playnook

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

qudrcps — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:12:59 GMT

Until this insane system of attaching "earmarks" and totally irrelevant amendments to legislation stops... and bills are voted on their own merit, this insanity will continue.

On the other hand, without the "the you scratch my back, I scratch your back" compromises, perhaps nothing would get done at all.

That's the sad fact of the real world...

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

daugust — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:16:21 GMT

Governor Palin declares herself to be a reformer, strongly opposed to

congressional earmarks. As widely and correctly reported, while Mayor of

Wasilla from 2000 to 2003, she hired lobbyists, who brought her town $27

million of earmarks. This tidy sum amounts to about $1000 per year for

every human in Wasilla; it is twice the average and notoious earmark rate for

the state of Alaska and 20 times the average for the country. If her Wasilla

pork rate were implemented for the Nation as a whole, over $300 billion in

earmarks would appear each year. This would constitute the majority of

what is now the discretionary, non-military part of the total federal budget. I

am glad Palin opposes earmarks. This must be what is meant by "change."

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

stevenchao — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:16:32 GMT

UPDATE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlP_IJHy0ls

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

OBWan — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:17:44 GMT

I'll make this simple are you better off today than you were 8 years ago of 5 years ago?

Where does John McCain differ from George Bush?

Does McCain/Palin represent transparency in government?

Remember 1988 - A kindler/gentler GOP or 1992 - I am a compassion conservative Republican? What the GOP new slogan?

Do you really want four more years of the last eight?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

ChurchOfRealism — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:20:08 GMT

DrCaddy,

Last time I checked, and I just checked again, Kennedy wasn't running for VP. The Church of Realism would like to offer you an all expenses paid vacation to the present, where anyone who runs for one of the highest offices in the land is put under the proverbial microscope.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

lucasorion — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:26:08 GMT

"That said, the most interesting thing about today's give-and-take is not that Palin and McCain are misleading the public. In politics, that happens all the time."

The reason that happens all the time is because they are allowed to get away with it. They use a cynical calculus that even if they are occasionally called on their lies by a scattered selection of voices, they can drown those out by repeating the lies even louder. Righteous indignation should be the reaction of not only the political opponents of the liars, it should be the reaction of those who claim to be on the side of truth - the reporters, et. al., who have become so enamored of the game of politics, that they seem to scoff at those of us who take this more seriously than a horse race. To them, we are just partisans, and as long as all the partisans are complaining about the press/mainstream media (even if one side is really just "gaming the refs"), then they must be doing their jobs.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

nick2331 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:26:26 GMT

What I want to know is when is Newsweek, Time, National newspapers and such going to call the McCain's teams assertions what they are... A LIE! You know it's a lie, you insinuate it's a lie, for goodness sake use the word that fits... LIE

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

REALITY CHECK — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:33:58 GMT

The problem with Newsweek is that they've lost most of their credibility by being so biased in favor of Democrats and against Republicans that we just don't know whether to believe anything they say. Such is the price to be paid for abandoning journalistic integrity.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

lvbartman — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:36:17 GMT

We shouldn't be surprised about the fact that republicans only lie when they are speaking (or writing). That has become their standard approach to campaigning. It sure isn't on the issues. The only way the wealthy and the corporations can win an election---LIE enough to trick people into voting for them. They distract people from the real issues by rolling out their usual divisive tricks, like gay rights, abortion rights, and LIES about taxes. Then they shift the lies into high gear with personal attacks, the politics of personal destruction. Then the bring out more lies, with which to bring the fear and threats into play, for political gain. As in, "If you vote for that guy, you will go bankrupt, but then lose your job, but then be killed by terrorists!" How can these people fall for it time after time??

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

PhillyLawyer — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:36:55 GMT

One of the most remarkable facts that is getting overlooked in much (but not all) of the continued media coverage of the Bridge to Nowhere controversy is that Palin not only changed her position but also KEPT THE FEDERALLY EARMARKED MONEY and used it for other purposes. To me, this compounds the lie, and raises it to another level.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

qudrcps — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:37:48 GMT

For those of us who live in Boston...

"while Senator Kennedy led the way in funding the most expensive and corrupt civil engineering project in the history of this country (The Big Dig-Boston). I don't see the Democratic party mentioning anything about that fiasco and what it has cost US taxpayers while we walk the "Rose Kennedy" park. The only difference is that Palin walked while Kennedy lined the pockets of his cronies in the political and private sector."\

Actually, the abuses occurred during multiple MA Governors administrations, including Republicans William Weld and Mitt Romney.

We all know this, and are mad-as-hell at all of them...

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

REALITY CHECK — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:50:56 GMT

The new polls are interesting - showing McCain ahead of Obama. What's even worse for Omamites is that these polls reflect the opinions of ALL registered voters. When the pollsters start narrowing it to LIKELY voters, the Republicans will pick up another 4-8%. and then, of course, you have the "Bradley Effect". I've consistently said we should have picked Hillary as our candidate. She'd be ahead by 10+% and she'd be a shoe-in for November - Darn (polite) those Super-delegates. Oh well, there's always 2012.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Carol C — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:52:14 GMT

If the NBC parent company felt it was necessary to put a "legitimate" anchor to cover the debates and remainder of the race, then let us hope that this anchor will expose the lies, hypocracy, and lack of ANY substantive discussion of any of the issues by McCain and Palin. Keith Olberman and Chris Matthews may be one sided, but they do point out the shortcomings of the McCain/Palin discourse.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

DC_Washington — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:54:28 GMT

"It's just a journey that we've all taken," Lindsay Graham said. "I think that what this shows is that she's taken this journey just like John. She's gone from, 'I'm a mayor who's supposed to bring home the bacon' to 'Enough already. Enough.' It's a journey that I've taken, too. I've taken earmarks. But I'm willing to pull the trigger now and say, 'Stop.' Because it's just killing everything."

She's for CHANGE in government...

She's on a JOURNEY...

She's saying "ENOUGH..."

Question: Why are the Republicans using Obama's words now? Because they don't have one real thought of their own in their campaign, and are stealing and twisting the campaign words of someone who is principled, dedicated, and CONSISTENT in his thoughts, beliefs, and actions.

Say NO to McCain/Palin - they are not to be believed or trusted!

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Ratwood — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:58:29 GMT

ChurchOfRealism: A qualm with this: "... the present, where anyone who runs for one of the highest offices in the land is put under the proverbial microscope." Yet, in the here and now, not so for Obama. His claim of experience as "community organizer" is widely respected in MSM, yet Palin's mayoral experience is dismissed as pathetic. Per recent standards (say, last 60 years), what other major party's candidate for president had such flimsy experience as Obama? A state legislator turned junior senator for 4 months prior to making a run for the highest office in the land? His supporters now try to reject any examination at all, let alone microscopic ones, with the claim that he's been thru a primary race! Well, that's a rather universal defense for any nominee against any further examination!

In fact, both Palin and Obama are woefully inexperienced by recent standards, and neither would be in their respective positions if they were white males. On the other hand, whose to say recent standards have worked all that well? Either one might do better than many or all in the past 60 years. Who really knows?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

tangerinehouse — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:04:51 GMT

As a mayor or governor, you should use the money wisely. They should not reject the money got from the federal government. The earmark stuff needs to be blamed for the regional Senators or Congressmem, who got the money to help their election. I respect Palin and McMain most is they sent their kids go to Iraq. I am waiting to see if Obama's kids will join the Army, Navy or etc.

Another thing I am always wondering why no media is digging into the relation of Obama's neighbor, I have a co-worker living in Chicago area. He bet there is something between Obama and his neighbor who was charged. But I have read any articles on this from either Newsweek or Time. Are you guys are all blind?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

davewheeliams — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:13:38 GMT

The media has long celebrated John McCain and his maniacal behavior as a Maverick. His behavior at times is erratic. When it comes to politics, he has had a few high profile issues where he has broken with his party, but has a very conservative and Republican record, not independence. He only did campaign finance reform to resurrect himself after his embaressing involvement in the Keating Five scandal. Palin is no better than McCain, and indeed may be worse. The media has not done their job in exposing her deceptions, finally Mr. Romano does in this article. And for those who claim Obama hasn't been subjected to horrible media scrutiny and bias, you clearly are so biased you can not see it, or you haven't been paying attention. If Obama's daughter was older and pregnant, the media would have gone into a frenzy!! Get real!

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

qudrcps — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:13:45 GMT

"I am waiting to see if Obama's kids will join the Army, Navy or etc."

Would you like to make that... Obama's daughters?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

maninthewilderness — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:22:22 GMT

first I think its retarded to think that ANYONE should join the military... we should NOT be in Iraq... we should NOT be thinking of more wars.. we have NO business being there..

second... the list of "bad" on Palins resume is evern longer than McCains... neither of these people are someone who should have ANY kind of power... they should be on trial...

third... why would ANYONE vote for the GOP at this point? are you REALLY better off than you were 8 years ago? and if not.. do you really think the GOP is blameless in our plight? and if so... omg.... please rethink... you are about to make a terrible mistake... and it will be YOU who will be responsible for the destruction of America....

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

SeaWren — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:23:49 GMT

Interestingly enough BOTH BARAK and BIDEN voted FOR the Bridge to Nowhere.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

DC_Washington — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:25:20 GMT

"I respect Palin and McMain most is they sent their kids go to Iraq. I am waiting to see if Obama's kids will join the Army, Navy or etc"

Biden's son is off to Iraq...and Obama's kids (girls) are like 8 and 10 years old. The democrats have as much at stake with their children and their children's futures as the republicans (we all do), so quit thinking patriotism, the military, and 9/11 are wholly owned by republicans.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

cadjockey500 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:28:23 GMT

It seems to me that with abundant scrutiny available today, no candidate is going to escape the knicks and scrapes of fessing up to past actions. That said, what concerns me most are the undeniable conflicts that surround Obama, his former allies, and confidants. First, Michelle saying that "for the first time in her adult life she is proud to be an American" only after the Dems picked her man as nominee. Where the hell has she been to justify a statement like that? My heart bleeds for any American who comes from a modest income family (according to her story) and has the opportunity to attend some of the finest schools in this country, which are the envy of the world. Same goes for Barry. Where did the money come from? What would their lives have been like had they been citizens anywhere else in the world?

How is it that Obama can claim after 20 odd years attending a well known church with a self promoting militant style preacher that he had no idea that his preacher was saying all those "Crazy Uncle" things? “Crazy Uncle” who now disowns his “boy who will say what he has to, to get elected.”

What ever happened to Louis Ferracon? Are we going to put him on the cabinet after the election? I don’t see Obama patting him on the back and honoring him now!

I see that the American flag is back in style, both on stage and on the lapel of his suit. Maybe Obama won’t mind the stars and stripes after he has his graphic artist redesign it like the one on his jet.

Are we putting our hand over our hearts again when the National Anthem is played? Must have been a moving experience to change his mind about that!

Perhaps after the election we can come up with a new one like “I’d Like to Teach The World to Sing”.

Obama says he doesn’t have any ties to lobbyists, oil companies, or any of the bad image supporters of the current political climate. His campaign is supposed to be financed by $10 -$20 donations from his fans? What is Move on.org and who is George Soros? Oprah and her zombies are also big supporters, right? Maybe now that Obama is without a church he could promote Oprah’s newly invented religion. You know, the one with the burned out druggie from days gone by that, according to him, had a revelation while sleeping on a park bench. If your country or church disagree with you, then just make a new one. What the hell, we have the money! Who does Jesus think he is? We have a better way, has to do with more ME, ME, ME!

It sounds like Jessie Jackson is off the Christmas card list. Something about cutting off Obama’s privates for “lying to the Black People”.

Obama is a man for all people, to be sure. He is a poor black single-parent Hawaiian kid who is a white Kansas farm boy living in Indonesia whose step father works for the oil company, Ivy League kind of guy. Chameleon qualities at their finest.

I would hate to think that people can be so gullible as to hand the keys to the White House over to such a questionable character as this. We need change, no doubt, just how far do we really want to go?

The people of America still have the right and ability to fix the situation through their votes for the servants they elect. Don’t use the right unwisely. I’m pissed at some of Bush’s policies just like most folks, but I’m not willing to surrender my country to a sweet talkin’, charisma totin’, lavish-production lawyer who has assumed his job as Senator of the Great State of Illinois was sufficient with a “Present” vote. You can’t make folks mad if you don’t vote for or against them. Sounds like a plan of attack for things to come, doesn’t it?

I guess that is part of the “change” we have to look forward to.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

sledge149 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:31:27 GMT

This story sounds all too familiar to me.

Down here in Alabama, the newly elected Governor Bob Riley, set a package of tax INCREASES before the voting public as a way of balancing the budget because at that time, he couldn't foresee maintaining State services without it. This package of various taxes was soundly voted down by the Alabama public.

Two years later (and a year before re-election) billboards stated popping up reminding Alabamian's how Bob Riley has DECREASED the taxes and balanced the budget! He needs our vote to continue on this course it said!

My, ooh my! How short lived do politicians think our attention spans are?!

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

writer8856 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:35:02 GMT

When did we, as Americans, become so easily manipulated that a huge number of people would suddenly throw their support behind a presidential ticket with a VP candidate who could feasibly end up in the Oval Office when all she's done of national merit, thus far, is read a speech--and one that was not written by her but by a former Bush aide? (Change? When Bush's former aides are writing the speeches?) But let's forget Sarah Palin for now--don't worry, she'll inevitably end up on another magazine cover--and let's step back and take a broader look at the McCain campaign and what he has done...what principles and beliefs he's abandoned...to become his party's candidate. Here's just a few. In 2000, he stated was against repealing Roe v. Wade because it would mean thousands of young women would have dangerous, illegal abortions. Now, he wants it repealed. In 2002, he stated Bush's tax cuts should not be made permanent. Now, he thinks they should. Shortly after the beginning of the Iraq war, he stated that it would be an "easily fought, easily won" war. Now, he states that he "knew all along it would be long, costly and difficult." He repeatedly criticized Obama of placing the country at risk for the purpose of furthering his political career. Yet, literally on his 72nd birthday, he selected a woman as his running mate who--let's face it--was not chosen for her qualifications or experience or proven ability to run the country should she be put in the position to do so, but for the strength she would bring to his ticket. He talks about taking on the Washington culture but has 7, that I know of, former corporate lobbyists running his campaign. In fact, did anyone check out the fact that Georgia--yes, that one that's been taking on the Russians--paid in the neighborhood of $800,000 to one of his staffers to lobby on their behalf? Have people forgotten that, until recently, one of McCain's chief economic advisors was Phil Gramm-- as in the senator from Texas who accused Americans suffering economic difficulties of "whining"-- whom McCain only disassociated from his campaign after it became wider public knowledge that Gramm's wife was the head of Internal Auditing for the Enron Corporation? (Don't even try to debunk that one; I live in Texas and that was made public down here immediately after the Enron scandal hit the media.) But let's leave Senator McCain for a minute and go back to Sarah Palin. She made her debut speech attacking Obama with numerous, numerous falsehoods. Okay, so some say that's just politics. But it's the absolute height of hypocrisy for Palin--regardless of gender--to criticize Obama for earmarks when her own home state has ten times the national average in earmarks, much of which she's responsible for requesting. It's beyond hypocrisy for her to snidely reference Obama's time as community organizer while she "was a mayor with actual responsibilities" when she was so inept at the job that they had to hire a city administrator. (Don't believe it? Check out the Alaskan newspaper The Frontiersman for the articles covering the situation--written at the time they were happening.) The Republican handlers are counting on the American public to look beyond all this--if the public even looks, at all. But the truth is, the Republicans simply can't have it both ways. They can't justify Palin's selection as VP candidate on the basis of mayoral and gubenatorial experience and then cry foul when what she did as mayor and what she's done as governor is discovered to be directly contradictory to her own campaign speeches.

Are we Democrats scared? Of course we are. In 2000, we watched a group of very powerful, manipulative men claim victory an election that was fraught with irregularities and violation of voters' rights. We watched our government march young men and women off to a war based on lies...and have seen that war continue at the cost of over $16,500 per American family so far, with no clear end in sight. We've watched that very same Republican machine turn the 2004 election into a discussion of same sex marriage while the fact that our country was at war took a second seat. We've watched the K Street Project take control such that lobbyists were basically writing legislation in exchange for donations. We've watched legislators go to jail at an unprecendented rate --some of whom were good friends with those very same people who are advising McCain as we speak. And now, in the midst of people losing their houses, major banks going under, an environment in serious trouble, a war that continues to cost us $10 billion a month, people getting sick without health care, a rising unemployment rate, more people in prison and a distribution of wealth that hasn't been this unequal since the time of the Robber Barons in the 1920s--we're watching those same group of powerful, manipulative men sell with some success a candidate whose most quoted description is "a hockey mom" to the point that she could possibly be within one heartbeat of being the president. Yes. We Democrats are scared--with very, very good reason.

So, continue with the snide comments about Obama and blaming the press for revealing Palin's background. Meanwhile, we'll give money we don't have and time we can't spare to work as hard as we possibly can to tell people the truth in our devotion to take back America before we go any further down this dangerous, destructive path.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

writer8856 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:43:00 GMT

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

docsuby — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:43:32 GMT

The real idea here has nothing to do with Palin because the project was in the works far before she was in power. The idea that she is soley responsible for either its creation or dismissal is absurd. For anyone to accuse a 2 year public official of a project that takes a decade to plan and implement is stupid. Not that I'm for a self described soccer mom, (sorry hockey mom) that uses that as one of her strongest credentials for leadership, However I would prefer to focus on her ideas and (if any) politics.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

jayway — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:43:36 GMT

Yet again, liberal bias in the media rears its ugly head. The fact is, no one can know the whole story until Palin herself is called on it, something likely to occur in the Vice Presidential debates. Maybe she did flip flop; how is this worse than the constant flip flopping and reposturing Obama does? At least she's only running for VICE president.

If liberals insist that the McCain-Palin campaign keep getting called on the Bridge to Nowhere issue, then conservatives have a right to insist that Obama-Biden keep getting called on the Rev. Wright scandal, or perhaps even the yet-unreported-by-the-liberal-media William Ayers issue. It's true folks, Obama has a unexpiring Get-Out-Of-Negative-Coverage-Free card from the liberal media monopoly, and he plays it all the time.

The reality of it all is that the Democratic party knows that Palin is the perfect VP nom for McCain: she diversifies the ticket, exemplifies conservatism for those whom McCain is too moderate for, has more experience than Obama, and is tough, beautiful AND smart. In the coming weeks you will see every attempt to assassinate her character, belittle her experience, sensationalize her family's challenges and other such lowbrow plays to gain the upper hand again.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

sassyc — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:51:38 GMT

people, wake up..get back to the issues. it is not worth discussing Helen of Troy. the republicans wanted a distraction and they surely have one. john mcsame is about as phoney as a three dollar bill with his seven houses, talking about how he is going to washington to get the poor repubicans their money. hell, one of cindy's outfits cost more than what half the people in kentucky make in two to three years.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

docsuby — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:53:31 GMT

in responce to writer8856, I have little to argure with you about your critiques of Mcain and Palin...... However...We have no such ability to critique Obama, because he has almost no record. Period. Please keep that in mind while flyin the democratic banner. (ie one in the hand is better than two in the bush)

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

docsuby — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:57:48 GMT

LOL!!! As if you know a thing about Kentucky!!!! HAHAHAHAHA!

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

air35 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:59:30 GMT

i just saw the real story on the "other station" guess what ? the funding was there and encluded prok barrel that the same people who are trying to debunk this added to it!. she said NO because it would run tax payer more than twice the actual price to build if the feds payed for it. this is why there is so much slandering going on they don't want you to know the truth (and i don't mean mccane/palin)she cut it because of entrenched pork barrels and earmarks attached to it from the demacrats.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

agnstheflow — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:00:25 GMT

Who better to know what kind of leader Obama is then the people of Chicago.

chicagoagainstobama.wordpress.com

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

rabbut — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:10:40 GMT

Every time McCain's campaign is called on their lies, they cite the big, bad bogey man "the liberal media". I recall "the liberal media" not being so liberal when George Bush lied us into war. The "liberal media" embedded itself and took spoon-fed information from the administration itself. They failed us. When Iraq went poorly we heard "the liberal media". When someone in the Bush administration outed a secret CIA operative, we heard "liberal media". Now, when people in the media have the audacity to demand some accountability about statements Palin made during her campaign speech (opposing the bridge to nowhere), it is because the media is liberal. If the McCain camp intends to run its campaign by trying to get us to discount everything we hear from anybody but them, they are going to fail. I want to like you!! You must stop, however, arguing the nature of reality, stop wrapping yourself in the American flag, and suggest some pragmatic ways you can help this country. I don't care if Barack Obama had a pastor who said some crazy things! He is not the one airing the dishonest ads and it is high time the media woke up, acted like a watch dog, and quit enabling smears! Last election, Kerry ran against the Republicans instead of for himself, this time around McCain is running against the Democratic party and not suggesting ideas of his own.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Charles_BCCA — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:16:10 GMT

Sara Palin proudly described herself as Pit ball with lipstick. Is that what America needs, after eight years of Bush Cheney administration, a self proclaimed vicious bitch in a Vice President? Have the Americans or indeed not have enough of that? Do we need another four more years? Given John McCain’s age and the state of his health, who will keep her on a leach if god forbid she becomes the president by default and that is very likely. Not that McCain can likely reign in on her in his old age. She is extremely dangerous not only to the America but also the rest of the world being clearly loose cannon with zero experience in the world affairs and without any inclination to learn and understand the rest of the world, especially the delicate art of diplomacy and co-cooperation. She is know it all and promises to use the Military might of the USA to get her way, including the nuclear arsenal, as that is what she claims God wants.

She promises extensive social engineering, impose her extreme religious views, ban abortions including in case of incest and rape. She considers that to her direct calling from God. Such extreme views have been responsible for the assassinations by her likeminded religious zealots of Doctors whose only crime was to perform legal medical procedures, namely terminate unwanted pregnancy. She is opposed to abortions and that is admirable as no woman is for abortion, but she is also opposed to sex education that may help reduce unwanted pregnancies and thus need for abortion.

What kind of mother is she? What kind of values did she teach her daughter? Did she give her any information on birth control and STD? Or was she too busy with her own career? Any woman can produced kids but it takes a real woman to raise responsible kids and that type of mother Sara Palin was defiantly not. She has learned nothing from unwanted pregnancy of her own teenage daughter, to whom she was neglectful mother, as she is neglectful of her five months old baby with Dawn syndrome. Her passion is producing children, moose hunting, and perusing her political career, but not putting family first in her list of priorities.

As to her ethics, she has none. Like John McCain, it turns out that Sara Palin brings her own contradictions, she was for the “bridge to nowhere” in Alaska and bosom buddy of the corrupt Senator from Alaska but the she became against all that to gain political advantage. While she was pretending to fight corruption she was secretly instructing the man her sister was having custody battle to be fired and she lied about it, except she got caught on tape. How typical of Bush/Carle Rove like behavior.

Republicans are going Gaga over the selection of Sara Palin but then they represent ever decreasing fringe extreme of America. It is hard not to notice that less than two percent of delegates at the republican convention are of African Americans or other minority, rest are all whites, when whites represent barely fifty percent of the American population. Is it any wonder that the Republicans are so out of touch with the electorate? Their party is dominated by special interest groups and extreme fringe right and intolerant religious demagogues. In Sara Palin they have found their poster Pit ball with lipstick, a proudly self described vicious bitch.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

christimarie — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:20:38 GMT

Me thinks she speaks in tongues.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Tyrantstalktoomuch — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:22:22 GMT

To all of those bitter Republicans who cry foul at the difficulty the press seems to have reporting your party in a favorable light. The Republicans party is a brand, soon to be rebranded as the GOP. It is a product and marketed to you as a product. To the folks who sell this product, the product is not as important as the sale. To them all of the profit is in the sale and accumulative benefits and bonuses associated throughout the term of the contract, which is one election cycle.

They have branded you to the point that you see them more as a Harley Davidson then a Honda. They are good at what they do and they play you like a fiddle. They know what pushes your buttons and they love to push those buttons.

My family has been in this country since James Town, If you count my Indian blood from the year 1647 I am a true blue American. I tell you this just so that you know when I say that you folks who cannot seem to wake from the delusion that Republicans are working for your best interest, are an embarrassment to everything my ancestors stood for.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

patmac — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:24:47 GMT

Likewise, as mayor. "Wasilla, Alaska, which had not previously received significant federal funds, hauled in almost $27 million in earmarks while Palin was mayor. (McCain has explicitly criticized several of the Wasilla earmarks in recent years.) To help obtain these earmarks, Palin had hired Steven Silver, the former chief of staff for recently indicted Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, as Wasilla’s lobbyist. And Palin continued to solicit federal funds as governor. A request form on Stevens’ Web site shows that she requested $160.5 million in earmarks for the state in 2008, and almost $198 million for 2009. "

Source: http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/gop_convention_spin_part_ii.html

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

martin_gray — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:25:38 GMT

Logically the Democrats should win because they are the most prepared to solve America's major problems. Will they win? I think not ... they have a well-developed knack for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Next time, I'm going to go with the Libertarians. The Republicans love to spend our tax money helping corporate America and the wealthiest of citizens. The Democrats do not know how to win and always blink first. Only the Libertarians actually believe in shrinking down the government and reducing our destructive role as the world's policeman.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

ajironworks4usa — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:32:40 GMT

The Book Springfield Doesn’t Want You to Read”

Why has Barack Obama not been leading Reform in His Home State , and worked diligently too bring Fiscal Responsibility to the State of Illinois ??????? Is this not a requirement for a Resume' for the Highest Office in the Land of Lincoln , let along the United States of America ??????

http://www.cagw.org/site/DocServer/2008_Illinois_Piglet_Book.pdf?docID=3041

The Illinois Policy Institute

and

Citizens Against Government Waste

2008 ILLINOIS

PIGLET BOOK

“The Book Springfield Doesn’t Want You to Read”

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

ajironworks4usa — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:35:42 GMT

Self-Made Man or Mysterious Stranger?

Charles Krauthammer

Friday, August 29, 2008

WASHINGTON -- Barack Obama is an immensely talented man whose talents have been largely devoted to crafting, and chronicling, his own life. Not things. Not ideas. Not institutions. But himself.

Nothing wrong or even terribly odd about that, except that he is laying claim to the job of crafting the coming history of the United States. A leap of such audacity is odd. The air of unease at the Democratic convention this week was not just a result of the Clinton psychodrama. The deeper anxiety was that the party was nominating a man of many gifts but precious few accomplishments -- bearing even fewer witnesses.

When John Kerry was introduced at his convention four years ago, an honor guard of a dozen mates from his Vietnam days surrounded him on the podium attesting to his character and readiness to lead. Such personal testimonials are the norm. The roster of fellow soldiers or fellow senators who could from personal experience vouch for John McCain is rather long. At a less partisan date in the calendar, that roster might even include Democrats Russ Feingold and Edward Kennedy, with whom John McCain has worked to fashion important legislation.

Eerily missing at the Democratic convention this year were people of stature who were seriously involved at some point in Obama's life standing up to say: I know Barack Obama. I've been with Barack Obama. We've toiled/endured together. You can trust him. I do.

Hillary Clinton could have said something like that. She and Obama had, after all, engaged in a historic, utterly compelling contest for the nomination. During her convention speech, you kept waiting for her to offer just one line of testimony: I have come to know this man, to admire this man, to see his character, his courage, his wisdom, his judgment. Whatever. Anything.

Instead, nothing. She of course endorsed him. But the endorsement was entirely programmatic: We're all Democrats. He's a Democrat. He believes what you believe. So we must elect him -- I am currently unavailable -- to get Democratic things done. God bless America.

Clinton's withholding the "I've come to know this man" was vindictive and supremely self-serving -- but jarring, too, because you realize that if she didn't do it, no one else would. Not because of any inherent deficiency in Obama's character. But simply as a reflection of a young life with a biography remarkably thin by the standard of presidential candidates.

Who was there to speak about the real Barack Obama? His wife. She could tell you about Barack the father, the husband, the family man in a winning and perfectly sincere way. But that only takes you so far. It doesn't take you to the public man, the national leader.

Who is to testify to that? Hillary's husband on night three did aver that Obama is "ready to lead." However, he offered not a shred of evidence, let alone personal experience with Obama. And although he pulled it off charmingly, everyone knew that, having been suggesting precisely the opposite for months, he meant not a word of it.

Obama's vice presidential selection, Joe Biden, naturally advertised his patron's virtues, such as the fact that he had "reached across party lines to ... keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of terrorists." But securing loose nukes is as bipartisan as motherhood and as uncontroversial as apple pie. The measure was so minimal that it passed by voice vote and received near zero media coverage.

Thought experiment. Assume John McCain had retired from politics. Would he have testified to Obama's political courage in reaching across the aisle to work with him on ethics reform, a collaboration Obama boasted about in the Saddleback debate? "In fact," reports the Annenberg Political Fact Check, "the two worked together for barely a week, after which McCain accused Obama of 'partisan posturing'" -- and launched a volcanic missive charging him with double cross.

So where are the colleagues? The buddies? The political or spiritual soul mates? His most important spiritual adviser and mentor was Jeremiah Wright. But he's out. Then there's William Ayers, with whom he served on a board. He's out. Where are the others?

The oddity of this convention is that its central figure is the ultimate self-made man, a dazzling mysterious Gatsby. The palpable apprehension is that the anointed is a stranger -- a deeply engaging, elegant, brilliant stranger with whom the Democrats had a torrid affair. Having slowly woken up, they see the ring and wonder who exactly they married last night.

The Book Springfield Doesn’t Want You to Read”

http://www.cagw.org/site/DocServer/2008_Illinois_Piglet_Book.pdf?docID=3041

The Illinois Policy Institute

and

Citizens Against Government Waste

2008 ILLINOIS

PIGLET BOOK

“The Book Springfield Doesn’t Want You to Read”

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

cadjockey500 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:41:24 GMT

I keep hearing about such and such politician supporting some idea or policy in 2000 or even farther back and taking hits for changing their position today. Ponder this, how much has changed in our world in the last 8 years? For better or worse, things are very different now, thanks to a lot of different situations. Even if a politician believed what he or she is telling us is true today and has a plan for the future, something will always change thanks to the Osama's of the world. Not to mention greedy unregulated bankers, over the top C.E.O.'s, and common people taking huge financial risk because it is the in-thing to do. Why would you not expect anyone to lead a government without the ability to adjust to any given situation? Sometimes they will simply make mistakes. Most of our current problems are largely accountable to an overly rigid point of view on both sides of the isle and the inability to modify their stance with reasonable compromise. Blame is shared by all of our representatives in both State and Federal levels. I can't say that I'm thrilled by any of our choices, but this is what we have to choose from.

My concerns are directly aimed at the character of the candidates and what their intensions will be after elected. Even a pretty speech with elaborate promises doesn't mean success when the real battle starts after the election.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

ajironworks4usa — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:41:55 GMT

I want to see Obama challenge Byrd on his Pork , and McCain on Stevens Pork , these guys need to retire Today !!!!!!!!!!!

Enough all ready , or write off the national debt if they want to keep spending like this !!!!!!!!!

http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=reports_pigbook2008Oinkers

The Hogzilla Award

to Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) for his $646 million in pork for Alaska.

The Flipping the Byrd at the Taxpayer Award

to Senator Robert Byrd (D-W. Va.) for his $399 million in pork for West Virginia.

The Whole Hog Award

To Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) for his $524 million in pork for Alaska.

The Byrd Droppings Award

To Senator Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) for his $238 million in pork for W.Va.

The Cold Shoulder Award

to Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) for $325 million in pork for Alaska.

The Pacific Fleeced Award

to Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) for his $482 million in pork for Hawaii.

The Cold Hard Cash Award

to Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) for $165.7 million in defense pork.

The Tax Dollars on Drugs Award

to Representative John Murtha (D-Pa.) for $23 million for the National Drug Intelligence Center.

The Pantheon of Pork Award

to Senator Robert Byrd (D-W.VA) for $386 million in pork.

The Narcissist Award

to Representative Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) for $1,950,000 for the Charles B. Rangel Center for

Public Service.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

jayway — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:49:12 GMT

"rabbut" is right: the liberal media really is the big, bad bogey [sic] man. But, yes, the liberal media was still being liberal in its coverage of the beginning of the Iraq war. People are suffering from Bush Derangement Syndrome: he lied us into war, he sold us to China, he stole the election, he eats small children, he planted bombs in the WTC, he wastes food when people in the world are starving... He's become a projection screen for all our fears and hatreds. Let's get rooted back in reality: the intelligence with which Bush made decisions at the start of the Iraq war were provided to him by numerous agencies of the federal government, and with the support of many of your favorite Dems: Hillary, Kerry, Biden, etc. No one is asking you to like how the war began, just how it will end: Victory. Not just for us, but for the Iraqis too. The Republican-sponsored "surge" was successful, and now the once-opposed Democrats are reposturing to take advantage of it, quantifying their pleas to an end of the Iraq war with the term "responsibly". Prior to the surge, they just wanted a staggered withdrawal to take effect immediately. They realized Americans just weren't too keen on the idea of surrender and that victory is indeed possible. The Democratic-controlled Congress with the lowest approval rating in history needed to adjust some of its stances to make amends.

Anyway... No one is trying to prevent Palin from being held accountable, but you bet that conservatives are trying to prevent the prevalent liberal spin in the coverage of her and her record. Some of the challenges to her have been absolutely incredulous: asking her who would come first, her family of 5 or her country? When has a male politician ever been asked this?! She gets barbs regarding her tough image, her record, her daughter, her husband, even her hair... nothing is off limits to the libs, except when the tables are turned of course.

I, for one, DO care if Obama had a crazy pastor or set on two nonprofit boards with the self-proclaimed terrorist William Ayers: it reveals character. If he can't make good judgements about the company he keeps then how can we expect him to make good judgments with the most important job in the world? I also care if his only qualifying experience is as Community Organizer. I'm sure one such person can play an important role in their community, but seriously, don't try to build a Presidential resume with it.

"sassyc" says, "the Republicans wanted a distraction". What a weak argument. Not worth debating. In fact, its a moot point, as anything that either campaign does can easily be labeled as a distraction. It's just that our distraction will cost Obama his presidency, which he thinks he already has: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJKkl4gsm3U.

"writer8856" is another dim bulb copying and pasting from a script he/she probably got from MoveOn.org. In the future, why don't you annotate your "facts" with your sources? McCain has leaned a left on some issues, and was pulled back to the right by conservatives. Obama got nominated and financed by proclaiming to be hard left, and is now constantly flip-flopping in order to move closer and closer to the center to improve his electability. The man just will do and say whatever it takes to be President. So they both flip-flop. There, it's settled. Who has better character? Who has shown better judgement? Who has more EXPERIENCE and MERIT? We need more than empty calls for change, we need someone who has a proven record. If Obama is so interested in change, let's nominate him for Bank Teller.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

deansf — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:56:00 GMT

Why are the Dems bringing this issue up? This is just a distraction, and so easily rebutted by the Republicans. The Dem ticket voted TWICE for this awful project:

http://bit.ly/3nvcjH

Stick with other more compelling issues. Going tit-for-tat with the VP of the other slate is a losing proposition.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Paula_SA — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:25:56 GMT

If McCain and Palin are in the White House it would be :

AMERICA GOING NOWHERE.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

wildlifeusa — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:37:14 GMT

The truth about 9/11... religion, 9/11, war. financial collapes... the connection... long term bush agenda..

it is all in this video.

http://propagandameatgrinder.magnify.net/video/Zeitgeist-s-hrvatskim-titlom/theater#theater_title

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Aware! — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:37:18 GMT

Obama is on the road to nowhere. His lies are no longer believed by the majority of Americans, and his record is so thin you can see through it (pun intended!) !

The Liberal media and the Obama camp can keep attacking Palin and keep watching the McCain/Palin team rise in the polls and in credibility with mainstream America!

You people trashed Hillary but you won't get away with trashing Palin. She is an authentic American woman who won't cave in to lies and obfuscation! :)

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

bridge to nowhere !! I live there — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:38:17 GMT

I live in Ketchikan and yes I wanted the bridge because our island does suck!! but the truth is Sarah Palin was not going to use federal money to build it!! oooo hhh we were so close!! So ya she says if Alaska wants this brigde we have to pay for it

Fact is she did not lie and obama is lying!!! because he is behind in the polls!!!

Its nice because I feel like Ketchikan is famous!!! We matter all the sudden because of a stupid bridge that Palin did not want to build with federal money!!! I guess its a small world after all ha ha

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Dollared — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:38:20 GMT

Wow, Andrew, all politicians lie. You can't tell any difference between them. We might as well not have elections, we might as well not have laws, we might as well not have a Constitution.

You, sir, are Orwell's favorite journalist. Or are you just the monkey with your hands over your eyes?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

bridge to nowhere !! I live there — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:40:37 GMT

Fact is she did not lie and obama is lying!!! because he is behind in the polls!!!

Report Abuse

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

bridge to nowhere !! I live there — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:43:44 GMT

Also if palin would not have stopped the bridge I would have been fishing off it already ok!!!!!

YEs I live on that island where they were going to build it so my comment is the most relevent !!

I know the facts so Obama is the lier end of story!!!

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

bridge to nowhere !! I live there — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:45:25 GMT

ANd another thing Juneau's economy was booming after they built there bridge and the same thing would have happened to mine so its not a bridge to nowhere even though I support Palin's

Decision

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

snippet — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:36:39 GMT

Palin is the one calling it the Bridge to nowhere. And though she did state she would not build it with federal funding she still kept the money the feds gave her to build it and used the money for something other that building the bridge as the money was intended...is that honest and fair? What if that money could have gone to help New Orleans to rebuild their levies and save lives? Honesty, integrity, fairness and doing the right thing should be the kind of behavior that Christian Governor Sarah Palin should model her life after...for no other reason than to be a good role model for her children. If Gov. Palin is the good Christian she purports to be and innocent of any wrong doing why does she not talk to the media and tell us she is innocent, explain why she is being investigated and sued and discuss her management and spending of Alaska's state funding? Having also done a fair share of my growing up in a very small town (pop 10,000) I know it is one thing to pull the wool over the eyes of the townsfolk who do not want to believe their friend and neighbor could do wrong but a whole other thing to expect to do the same with people who are not the friend and neighbor of the small town, people who see objectively without any small town social attachments. Gov. Palin may be a mountain of a person to the folks of Alaska but to the other 49 states she is just another politician and her record supports that. Being Vice President could lead to being President and the job is too important, too serious and too dangerous for anyone to just "fill" the spot....Gov. Palin needs to answer questions under scrutiny and make her life as a public servant transparent to all Americans. What is Gov. Palin hiding from? How can a person claim to be ready to be Vice President of the United States and at the same time hide and claim that others are being to mean spirited to her ? Either Gov. Palin can handle it or she can't...or maybe the rules for women really are different than for men...............maybe she feels she is ready to be in the normally male dominated world but feels because she is female she should be treated with kid gloves so she won't get her feelings hurt. Women can be as tough as men and men can be as weak as women so why should gender etiquette even be an issue? Gov. Palin should tell all and make the great state of Alaska proud of her instead of shunning the other 49 states she claims she is so ready , able, and anxious to represent.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Ann B. — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:34:43 GMT

Thank You for keeping on top of any and all Sarah Palin stories. The cables and networks sure are doing a poor job. I'm extremely concerned about her dangerous religious beliefs also as I've experienced the Pentecostal agenda as a child.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Ann B. — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:47:25 GMT

Please stay on this story too. Palin's religious beliefs scare me because I've seen them at work personally. These people are why the Reverend Wrights of the world exist and they are much more dangerous than he or any of his parishioners. I'm sure by now the McCain camp has given her a stock answer to how she feels about the all important question of the separation of church and state. But she must be pressed on it if you as journalists care one iota about this country.

The Southern country church my parents dragged me to on Sundays for religious purposes was the local Missionary Baptist Church, a fire and brimstone evangelistic off shoot of the Southern Baptist Church. About a mile up the road was the community’s Pentecostal Church where we sometimes spent our Saturday evenings for entertainment purposes, which I will describe shortly. Both Preachers railed, in the true fire and brimstone fashion, against sin and the ten “thou shalt not's”. Anything connected to sex was a mortal sin and if caught the “thou shalt not kill” commandment was ignored. But then just about everything was a sin in those days: Women shaving their legs and underarms; wearing make-up; wearing slacks or shorts or sleeveless and above the knee dresses; Anyone owning or watching a television; Homosexuality; Catholicism because they worship Idols; Judaism because they killed Christ and didn't believe in Jesus but we had to save them even if it meant blowing up the planet. By the time I was ready to go off to college; I hated just about everybody and didn't know who I was more afraid of, God or the devil!

The entertaining Pentecostal group provided all the Evangelical teachings listed above but with lots of titillation thrown in. Once they got going, there was jumping up and down, speaking in tongues and foaming at the mouth mostly from the women parishioners. In the frenzy, a few women would fall to the floor trembling, their dresses usually wound up above their thighs, some with bras and breasts partly exposed when buttons would pop off their blouse as the frenzy grew. At this time the good Pastor and the male Deacon’s would stand over them railing about the good works of Jesus while thoroughly enjoying the show as was every male onlooker in the audience. Now that’s sexism in its lowest form!

Times have changed and the good parishioners are now allowed to watch and wear pretty much what they want – including lots of lipstick! Even fornication seems to have become acceptable since Sarah entered the picture? But they still believe in that old, Catholics worshipping Idols and Blowing up the Planet to save the Jews thing. Forwarding Obama hate emails is big on their modern day agenda too and I'm treated to many of them from the old homestead. By nominating Sarah Palin as their VP candidate, the Republican Party is taking the Bush Administration's Evangelical hiring agenda to new heights of excessive danger. We can forget about separation of Church and State if McCain and Palin wins the election. That will become a thing of the past along with the freedom to know and freedom of speech.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

LA2000 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:35:59 GMT

Thanks for covering this. I have tried to convince some of my McCain/Palin supporting friends that they aren't getting the whole story from the republican spinmeisters, but they insist that if the McCain claims were false, they would be hearing about it all the time in the media. The public assumes that lying political figures will be loudly and consistently called to account for their lies by news organizations. Your suggestion that the media covers the distortions once and then moves on, while disheartening, at least explains why politicians feel so emboldened to spin such brazen nonsense. If they can manage to get by the whispering media fact checkers without creating a stir, they are home free. Their lies become the new truth.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

writer8856 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:50:15 GMT

to jayway...Gosh, if you really want to talk about the character of John McCain, you might want to investigate his role in the Keating Five. For those who don't know, Charles Keating owned a savings and loan in California and had the illegal practice of borrowing from the S&L to make personal loans to himself and friends money they didn't have to repay. How much money, you ask? $3.4 billion that the FDIC (--i.e. American taxpayers) had to eventually repay to customers of the savings and loan. What was McCain's involvement? He was one of five senators asked by Keating to keep the feds from investigating him. What did these senators do? They met with the feds twice, trying to pressure them to stop the investigation. When word got out, the Senate Ethics committee had a four month long investigation. The results? Four of the senators left office. McCain, the fifth, was rebuked for his involvement but the senate felt it couldn't do anymore than that because, at the time McCain was taking gifts from Keating and travelling to the Bahamas, he was in Congress and the senate felt it didn't have any jurisdiction. It's only speculation, but since this all occurred during Bush Senior's administration--and his own son, Neil, was involved in a similar scandal in Denver with Silverado Savings and Loan--it's difficult to know what kind of legal action might have been pursued under a different president. Yes, it was twenty years ago. But that's one hell of a skeleton to have in your closet, wouldn't you say? Especially if you pretend to represent yourself as a maverick who represents himself as being against "the gool old boys' club". And, at some point, the candidates you're supporting are going to have to stop using the "that was then, this is now" approach and at least take responsibility for their past.

One last thing, jayway...as far as your personal insult--gosh, what a unique tactic in a political discussion--I may be a "dim bulb", but I didn't "copy and paste" anything from Moveon.org. In the future, you might want to hold back on false accusations...especially in a message devoted to the righteous character of your candidate. But then, remove personal attacks from the McCain campaign, and there's not a whole lot left to say, is there?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

roooth — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:47:12 GMT

But, but, Sarah is so lovely. And she's perky. And feisty. And she goes to church. What else matters? She can run the world on gumption!

Besides, if she can breed, she can lead. Just ask her.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

c4logic — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:55:23 GMT

Misleading happens all the time? Sounds like you have been focusing too much on Republicans.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Simply Put — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:00:34 GMT

Of the four candidates running for the President and Vice President of the United States, Two voted for the ear mark funds for the "Bridge to no where" Obama and Biden, even after they were asked to divert the funds to Katrina victims aid, they choose not to. Senator McCain and Governor Palin voted against it. Check the Senates vote records and the truth is there.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

jayway — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:24:38 GMT

I only wish "writer8856" could see the blatant hypocrisy here. The libs love the Keating 5 scandal, it's all they've really got on McCain, other than agism. And what was the end result of it all? McCain was cleared of any wrongdoing by a bipartisan Congress. Unlike the other four senators, McCain was not censured and was merely accused of having shown "poor judgment", something Obama knows all too well about: he has admitted doing marijuana and cocaine in his adult years. Everyone is guilty of having exercised poor judgement. In the years since, McCain has developed a record of bipartisan cooperation and of trying to better America. Some of his views have changed over the course of the decades, but this pales in comparison to many of Obama's views changing over the course of months and weeks.

You'd be hard pressed to find a national politician without any type of scandal or issue lurking in their resume. McCain has Keating 5. Obama has the "Reverend" Wright scandal, the Bill Ayers scandal, ScrantonGate. We can go toe to toe all day long: scandals aside, who has more EXPERIENCE? Let the truth prevail. Let not anyone call out McCain or Palin on any one such subject without applying the same scrutiny to their new messiah. I stand firmly by my previous assertion: Obama has a unexpiring Get-Out-Of-Negative-Coverage-Free card from the liberal monopoly, and he plays it all the time.

One last thing, writer8856...as far as my personal insult. Get over it. This is politics. This is not for the faint of heart. I just have to call 'em as I see 'em. Your arguments are so hypocritcal: proud to trumpet any dirt you can collect on McCain but quietly overlook that which exists for Obama. Proud to call attention to Palin's minimal experience but quietly disregard the Obama has EVEN LESS experience, yet is running for PRESIDENT. Remove the attacks from the McCain campaign and they've got nothing? Hardly! Quite the same is true for the Obama campaign. They are resorting to dissecting her family to try to find some way to discount her. When they same gets done to Obama, he says to leave his wife out of it, all the while she's campaigning for him in this "downright mean country" that she can't be proud of unless her husband is the Presidential nominee.

Give me a break.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

katiec — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:37:55 GMT

The media only followed up BECAUSE the bloggers demanded the truth.

And, they must on all; discrepancies.

The media has been in the Mccain camp since day one, giving him a

pass on all his distortions, lies and out and out fraud (the so called

religious debate where he knew the questions ahead of time).

Keep up the good work, bloggers. These phonies MUST be exposed!!

ENOUGH!!

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

jayway — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:46:15 GMT

The media has been in the McCain camp since day one?? Are you kidding me? Have you seen any magazine covers? Read any newspapers? Any blogs? What planet do you live on?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

bcrawf2033 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:51:38 GMT

I totally agree with writer8856 about Senator McCain's involvement in the Keating Five Savings & Loan scandal. How can McCain be trusted after a fiasco like that? His involvement has been swept under the rug like it never happened and it's a major reason why he should not be elected as POTUS. Both he and Palin are itching to go to war with any nation they think won't comply with their will and their way of thinking. Their theme is "It's my way or the highway!" Copying the CHANGE theme from the Democrats shows McCain has no original or creative ideas. The man has no vision. And even worse, he chose an extremist for a VP that will reach for the gun first over diplomacy. The McCain/Palin ticket is reckless and frightening. They are totally insensitive to people of other cultures.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

ProgressiveInTexas — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:37:23 GMT

In your article you give only one small portion from Governor Palin's Press Release and placed it out of context to make your editorial point.

To me, the entire quote is more sour grapes, than nixing the project. She seemed to be whining that congress did not understand Alaska’s Special needs?

The entire quote from September 21, 2007:

“Despite the work of our congressional delegation, 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,”

Governor Palin added. “Much of the public’s attitude toward Alaska bridges is based on inaccurate portrayals of the projects here.

But we need to focus on what we can do, rather than fight over what has happened.”

Just when did she decide she was against it. Obviously NOT as of September 21, 2007.

Shouldn’t a journalist get the WHEN for their story.

I have included a link to the Alaska DOT for a PDF of her Press Release.

http://dot.alaska.gov/stwdplng/projectinfo/ser/Gravina/images/092107_palin_gap_release.pdf

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

jayway — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:30:51 GMT

To bcrawf2033: "How can McCain be trusted after a fiasco like that?" How can Obama be trusted after being a cokehead? Do any of you argumentless libs realize that the other 4 senators in the Keating 5 scandal were DEMOCRATS?? McCain's involvement swept under the rug? Really? The bloggers, Newsweek, NY Times, et al. are sweeping this under the rug? Hardly.

"Itching to go to war"? We ARE at war. McCain made a point to comment at the RNC that he fully denounces war. Some excepts from his speech:

"As president, I will work to establish good relations with Russia so we need not fear a return of the Cold War."

"I'm running for president to keep the country I love safe, and prevent other families from risking their loved ones in war as my family has. I will draw on all my experience with the world and its leaders, and all the tools at our disposal — diplomatic, economic, military and the power of our ideals — to build the foundations for a stable and enduring peace."

McCain knows firsthand the cruel horrors of war. To say that he is itching to go to war is just flat out illogical.

They copied the CHANGE theme from the Democrats? Since when are ideals copyrighted? Morever, Obama's calls for change are EMPTY. "Hope". "Change". "Change we can believe in". "Yes we can". "Powered by hope". Oh gag me. Soon enough, his new slogan will be "Do you want fries with that?"...

McCain does have a vision: peace, prosperity, individualism. Obama has his own vision: himself. Palin an extremist? Why? Because she can fire a gun? Because she has religious beliefs? Do you really think she'd come to Washington and desegregate church and state?

"The McCain/Palin ticket is reckless and frightening. They are totally insensitive to people of other cultures." Those two lines are completely laughable. No basis in reality. You really are reaching there.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

wurlitzer46 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:50:17 GMT

Perfect anagram for "Sarah Palin":

Ha! Span Liar!

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

kirt — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:28:01 GMT

McCain was ready to blow up anybody that dissagreed with the Bush policies. Go back and do a fact check on his early speeches. Now McCain is a dove a agent of change, oh my God I just poot.

The continuation of tax breaks for the oil industries, is change the continuation of Bush tax policies is change? My father and his father along with myself bro and sis and son are vets. One just got out and this policy is wreaking our military and the continuation is change? We can't get enough troops for Afganistan where peole trained attact us but continues to wast money in Iraq and thats change? McCain is going to be a maveric to the same budies he has been wheeling and dealing with for the last ten years? GIVE ME A BREAK

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

rookie@65 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:33:41 GMT

Why smack Mrs. Palin????

Mr. Obama and Mr. Biden voted FOR the bridge twice!!!

Second time when funds were to be diverted to Katrina Obama and Biden voted to keep funds FOR the bridge...which kept the funds from going to Katrina..Where is this in the news???

At least she is honest...for the bridge, no support, dump the bridge.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

rookie@65 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:43:06 GMT

(Remember Obama said in his book "Audacity of Hope", 'I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction'.....what better place for the Muslins to control our country, than in the office of the President of USA .

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

nightsweeper — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:46:29 GMT

How come Sarah and Todd Palin are so rich?

The Palins say they had to elope 20 years ago because they had no money.

Todd said he could not finish college because of money problems.

The Palins tried but failed at a car wash business.

In her big speech, Sarah bragged that her husband is a union worker (implying that he is just a hard working "9 to 5" kind of guy).

But, Todd has been a stay-at-home dad for about a year, which means he had no employment income.

Don't forget, that the Palins have been raising a bunch of kids, which, of course, is expensive to do.

Sarah started working in politics around 1996, when she became a mayor.

But, somehow (according to this web page http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-78448) the Palins have amassed a net worth of about NINE MILLION DOLLARS.

How is that possible?

Where did all that money come from -- considering that for most of the past 20 years Tood has been a union worker and Sarah has been a public servant?

Someone needs to investigate this, no?

Big oil responsible for the Palins amazing wealth??

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

politicsfun — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:08:58 GMT

I count 10 to 15 lies from these two hacks in the last week. Now they won't let her in front of the press by herself. McCain lies Palin Lies and so do the rest of the republicans. Rove has his crap all over this but yet fair and unbiased on Fixed News. I'd like to see the books for Fox to see if they even charge McCain for his commercials. Also nice to see Obama shows up on Billo the Clown show and makes Billo look like the real fool he is. Republicans better find another candidate soon cause Johnny going to drop before Nov. 4th. Also love the fact Bush is taking 4500 troops out of Iraq but here in Wis. we are redeploying 4500 National Guard. Get your leftist heads out where the sun shines and relize these people can't lead a scout troop acroos the street. A verb, a noun, 100 lies and a POW . Foreign policy BOMB BOMB BOMB. Energy policy DRILL DRILL DRILL off shore every where so the storms can destroy all the new platforms. Economic policy I'll sell my homes and give everyone a $5.00 rebate. One more thing I would also like all the freedom Bush took from the American people and give it back. This was the constitution he walked all over not a gum wrapper.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

deejay — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:17:45 GMT

hi all, it's interesting that the people that keep crying that Obama lacks experience, have taken to spouting out all of his proposed plans to restore America back to the great country she once was!!

Obama stated that because we now live in a global economy, we must cultivate relationships with other leaders without conditions and was poo-pooed by republicans and even the white house. but wasn't it Rice that just went to talk to the leader of libya and didn't she also go to Iran? all of a sudden, the white house decides it's time to cultiate relationships.

Obama also deemed that if we give the Iraq gov't a definitve time-line, they would rise up to take leadership of their own country. he was vilified in the press and by many repub's. but when the leader of Iraq gladly stated that this was the best idea he's heard in a while, guess what Bush is doing? setting up a time-table to move our wonderful soldiers out of Irag. additionally, there's an article on fox news web-site (surprise, surprise) stating that Pratreaus thinks we can be out of Irag by JULY!!!!

Obama states that more soldiers are needed in Afghanistan, because that's where our true enemy resides. again, the repub's denounced his lack of foriegn policy expierence as to the reason he would make this statement. but now Bush just announced that the soldier's he's pulling out of Irag are going-----where? to Afghanistan!!!!

Obama's idea of a united America is to have ALL of us devote our time to making our individual communities better (comm organ), in order to make a STRONGER America, so that we can once again be a nation that other countries want to emulate. the repub conf talked of nothing but change, taking another lead from OBAMA.

do we want a president that has the ideas and the ability to make our nation great once again? or one that needs to wait for the ideas to come to them???

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

deejay — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:52:46 GMT

hi all, it's interesting that the people that keep crying that Obama lacks experience, have taken to spouting out all of his proposed plans to restore America back to the great country she once was!!

Obama stated that because we now live in a global economy, we must cultivate relationships with other leaders without conditions and was pooh-poohed by republicans and even the white house. But wasn't it Rice that just went to talk to the leader of Libya and didn't she also go to Iran? All of a sudden, the white house decides it's time to cultivate relationships.

Obama also deemed that if we give the Iraq gov't a definitive time-line, they would rise up to take leadership of their own country. He was vilified in the press and by many repub's. But when the leader of Iraq gladly stated that this was the best idea he's heard in a while, guess what Bush is doing? Setting up a time-table to move our wonderful soldiers out of Iraq. Additionally, there’s an article on fox news web-site (surprise, surprise) stating that Pratreaus thinks we can be out of Iraq by JULY!!!!

Obama states that more soldiers are needed in Afghanistan, because that's where our true enemy resides. Again, the repub's denounced his lack of foreign policy experience as to the reason he would make this statement. But now Bush just announced that the soldier's he's pulling out of Iraq are going-----where? To Afghanistan!!!!

Obama's idea of a united America is to have ALL of us devote our time to making our individual communities better (comm organ), in order to make a STRONGER America, so that we can once again be a nation that other countries want to emulate. The repub conf talked of nothing but change, taking another lead from OBAMA.

Do we want a president that has the ideas and the ability to make our nation great once again? Or one that needs to wait for the ideas to come to them???

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

ManuelG — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:30:44 GMT

So, what you're saying is, the ad is NOT lying. The article says so right here: "McCain's new running mate nixed the project." Sure, there's a dispute about her motivation for ending the bridge to nowhere. But in no place in the article do you establish that this basic fact -- "she stopped the Bridge to Nowhere" -- is untrue.

And what about Obama and Biden, what did they do about the Bridge to Nowhere? Oh, yeah, they both voted FOR it. But you could read this entire Newsweek post and not learn that. So, Obama and Biden supported the bridge, but they attack Palin for her inconsistency on the issue. Well, at least they were consistent -- in favor of it from beginning to end.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

gosara — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:46:32 GMT

If Palin is to get no credit for killing the project why did the Alaska Democratic Party give her credit for this on their website and why did local papers give her credit for the action at the time? Dems can try to argue her motives were not pure but that is different than saying she did not kill the project. Reminds me of their attack on her claim that she sold the state plane- complaining that while she did try to sell the plane on ebay ultimately that did not work and she had to sell it in a private transaction. So what- she sold the plane and saved the state money. The Dems and their many partners in the press seem so desperate to make Palin look bad that they are getting mired in minor points. I think in the long run this type of coverage will hurt Barak more than it does Palin.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

jayway — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:18:36 GMT

deejay, you really think any of those ideas were Obama's? We all know Barry likes to amass credit in order to make up for lack of experience. He's a regular Al Gore. "Obama stated that because we now live in a global economy...". Wow. How observant. We've been living in a global economy for decades. Rice has the foreign policy experience to meet with other countries on behalf of the US, Obama doesn't. End of story.

There was always a goal of leaving Iraq. Did you think we were going to annex them? As our Iraq policy changes (this is war after all, strategies are supposed to change or the war will be lost) to reflect the successful surge, which Obama was against, the restoration of complete Iraqi sovereignty can be pursued. This was always the intent, and not an "Obamidea".

Yes, Obama would probably like us all to be community organizers. And, yes, that would be great for America. But, folks, it still does not qualify him for President...no matter how many different ways you try to maximize his thin record.

politicsfun, what are you, 14? No cohesion in your argument. Laughable at best.

nightsweeper, why are Obama and Biden rich? What different does it make if McCain has 7 homes and Obama has just 1 million dollar mansion (which was acquired rather scandalously: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3433485.ece). Since when should anyone with wealth be penalized for it? Everyone wants to be rich, and us that aren't often envy the rich. But rich people invest, they start businesses, the spend. And this gives us jobs. It's called capitalism, and it's not evil. Look into it.

You guys are reaching so hard that this has become a joy to chronicle...the desperate left swinging so hard but not landing any punches. People want to paint the GOP as warmongers, Bush clones, rich, white people. The Democrats have successfully crafted that false image over the course of decades. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a card-carrying Republican. Why? The Republican Party championed freedom and civil rights for blacks.

The Democratic Party was the part of slavery, secession, segregation. Now its the party of socialism. I can think of another S word the Democratic party represents....

The reality of it all is that if you want to keep more of your paycheck, if you don't want your doctor's visits to become more like DMV visits, if you believe our troops are capable of victory, if you believe in honest competition, free markets, individualism, if you want to help fellow Americans not by robbing Peter to pay Paul but by letting American's keep more of their hard-earned money and by helping to promote business, create jobs, and boost the economy, if you are proud of your country, then, my friends, you are a Republican. Moreover, if you believe experience, not cockiness, is the prerequisite for President, then McCain-Palin is the ticket.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

SAY NO TO DECEIPT — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:09:05 GMT

This situation proves that we, as Americans, have lost touch with integrity and desire for the better good. To allow a politician get away with the high level representation of this country, with OBVIOUS INDISCRETIONS AND LIES that are blatently out there for all to see.....proves sadly that, all most of us have become are surface level bodies, with no use of brain for thoughtful research or consideration of fact. We have had the WORST of 8 years, and now, we just want to vote in a WOMAN that lies too?????? ,Because Palin was well practiced, and LIED so well, that is enough to put this woman into the WHITE HOUSE TO BE SECOND IN LINE TO AN ELDERLY GENTLEMAN? What happened to our patriotism as Americans? Why do we want to put Sarah Palin in the white house after ONE WELL PREPARED speech at a convention?? What about the issues? How will she do what she said? (If she said anything that was solid).......WE CANNOT accept another person who has the CAPACITY to lie.......bend the truth.........sway opinion with fabrications for votes??!!! SAME OLD STUFF ON A NEW DAY WITH A FEMALE FACE. WAKE UP. OBAMA is a sincere guy with a SINCERE TRACK RECORD. NOW....... compare the two on the truth. YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO IT. WAKE UP AMERICA

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

deejay — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:26:21 GMT

jayway, you really are a republican.....personal attack, personal attack, personal attack!!! and asking my age is a sexist remark. LOL!!! instead of attacking, understand that attacking does not hide the fact that we have'nt heard any positive ideas of how a mccain/paelin ticket will LEAD the country away from the downward spiral it's on.

....and we have already annexed Iraq.........

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

DUMPLIN — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:26:22 GMT

you democrats need to learn how to spell

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

DUMPLIN — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:26:23 GMT

you democrats need to learn how to spell

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

deejay — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:34:13 GMT

sorry dumplin....i guess you don't understand that sometimes my hands don't keep up with what i'm trying to get out....i'll try not to offend you agian...............

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

drobin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 01:05:39 GMT

There is a great article explaining the entire bridge to nowhere saga at scockerham@adn.com published Mar. 12, 2008. People really need to do their homework better. There's even a democratic blog which explains that Palin in fact did what she claims. Oh well, I figure people will believe what they will without finding out for themselves. The jist of the whole earmark idea will be answered if you bother to look. I did because I wanted to know the truth. Just a couple of Palin quotes from the above article.

Palin "The Alaska delegation, along with President Bush and the front-runners in this year's presidential election, have made it clear earmark reform is coming. You can either be proactive a be a part of the positive changes that are coming, or you can try to fight this new system that's coming in."

Stevens "It is a difficult thing to get over right now, the feelings that we don't represent Alaska because Alask doesn't want earmarks."

Palin "Alaska has got be more self-sufficient. We've got be be given the opportunity to start producing more and contributing more, providing jobs for Alaskans."

Read the truth! This was stated before it mattered.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

jayway — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 02:39:51 GMT

deejay, I must really be a Republican because of my personal attacks? What about all the personal attacks on Palin, her record, her hair, her glasses, her pregnant daughter, he child with Down syndrome and her motherhood by all the left wingnuts? They must really be Republican too, eh? Why do the libs cry foul against agism and sexism when they are the victims, yet employ just the same in their attacks against McCain and Palin, respectively?

Fact is, McCain-Palin does have a plan: keep the tax cuts and let Americans keep more of their paychecks, decrease the size of government, stop wasteful spending, no earmarks, no pork barrel projects, victory in Iraq, energy independence by fasttracking new technology and offshore drilling to tap into American resources. Main goals: peace and prosperity.

What else do you want? They have a plan. McCain has a lot of experience. Palin has some, but MORE than Obama. Both parties have skeletons in their closet. But the McCain-Palin ticket is not going to start wars, impose religion, or otherwise do anything "frightening" or "risky" as one such commentator posted. They will be fiscally conservative. They will reform our federal government that is rife with BOTH Republican and Democratic corruption.

Obama has no experience. OK, some Senate experience..but he's been out on the campaign trail for the last 19 months. He talks of change. Change. Change. Hope. Yes. Believe. Change. Hope. More taxes. Change. Hope. Taxes. Yes we can tax. Oh, and did I mention Change? You see, he has NO REAL PLAN. He just wants to throw money at all the problems to make them go away. But the bigger problem is that it will be YOUR money. OUR money. He'll claim the tax increases only apply to big businesses. Everyone knows businesses don't pay taxes, they pass them along to the consumer. This is not a Republican thing. This is not a Democrat thing. It's not an evil capitalism thing. It's just business.

Unless you can introduce a talking point about some real experience qualifying Obama for President or produce evidence for what Obama will do to make our lives better (try not to use the word Change), what have you got?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

El Mugroso — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:19:57 GMT

Let's just make sure that the "Bridge to NoWhere" DOES NOT lead to the White House.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

jayway — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:36:31 GMT

Let's put Obama on the Bridge to Nowhere for once and for all.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

weezy1 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:37:18 GMT

I would lide to know why noone is diging upPalin's PENTECOSTAL roots and her speech in he pastor's podium about it's God's plan for hte wars when they scrutinized Pastor Hagee and Pastor Wright about their statements. Could it be that McCain knew her longer and advised her to leave that house of worship so he could bring her in to the party? By the way i'm pentecostal.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

jayway — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:03:33 GMT

weezy1, use Spell Check

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

giveemhell — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:24:09 GMT

I wonder if anyone is ever going to let Sarah Palin speak on her own? Don't they trust her? Every day she is wound up like a toy and says the same things over and over. Interesting once, ok a second time in case someone missed it, now boring. Sarah is also dimishing John McCain as a candidate. Is he loosing his voice? I haven't heard that but she is making me doubt him as a candidate. Their campaign is on the Bridge to Nowhere. Lets get serious about the issues.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

lawyeredup — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:40:33 GMT

How hard actually did the media went after Obama when he was being challenged, either for he associations, his church affiliations or his experience? I did remember the media saying that experience do not matter when Hillary was kicking his ass in the "who is most experience to answer the 3 AM phone ring". but now all they want to do is point out the inexperience of a vp candidate on one hand while all along they ignore the experience of the Presidential candidate on the other side.

I sincerely hope that if and when Sarah Palin start taking their question, she kicked their asses all over the place.... Amen.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

jayway — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:01:25 GMT

giveemhell, let's get serious about the issues. Stop the personal attacks on Palin. Admit that as a VP nom she actually has more experience than Presidential nom Obama. She's been a councilwoman, a mayor, a governor. Maybe its small-town America, but more experience than Obama for sure.

Palin says the same things over and over? What? When? Examples please. Obama throws around the word Change so much it no longer means anything.

"Sarah is also dimishing John McCain as a candidate." In what way? She has invigorated him. She has invigorated the party. And she instills fear in the Democratic campaign, as is obvious by the continual character assassination.

What we need are REAL leaders with REAL experience and REAL plans. No COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS with empty calls for CHANGE. McCain-Palin.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

eagles1776 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:19:19 GMT

Karl Rove is alive and well in the GOP.

If the Democrats let them get an inch they'll take a mile. It is good to see Obama fighting back against the slurs and lies unlike that wiener John Kerry.

By picking Palin the question of experience is put to rest. Now we need to look at political philosophy. The center vs. the extreme right. Somehow the Democrats have to start framing their campaign to reflect this truth and take the offensive rather than the defensive.

McCain has gotten a free pass these past few months it is time the MSM went after him with the same furvor as they have against Obama (and to some degree Clinton).

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

kassie85 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:09:42 GMT

I am all for a woman becoming President, but that woman is not Sara Palin. My first choice was Hillary Clinton and I was very disappointed that she did not receive the nomation. But, I have put my trust and my vote behind Barack Obama. He is getting my vote this time. I want a President who will work with the people of the United States to fix the mess that Bush has put us in. I don't feel McCain will do that. We will have 4 more years of the same old policies as we have now. I listened to both speeches and got absolutely nothing from McCains. I don't care that he was a POW. If that is all he feels will make a good President, he is senile. I don't want the country to be put into Palin"s hands and that is what very well could happen. Come on Americans, wise up, and lets put Obama and Biden in Washington for the next four years. By the way, he has white blood in him as well.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

jayway — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:07:40 GMT

The Obama campaign is struggling for an angle. Their slurs and character assassination against Sarah Palin is working against them. Lipstick on a pig? Come on, Obama...show some class. Same Democratic tactics as always: avoid the issues, deflect the tough questions, name calling. The agism against McCain was just foul, but the rampant sexism against Palin is downright embarassing and shameful. For the world to see this Democratic campaign is humiliating. If these tactics were being committed by Republicans against Democrats the whole liberal nation would be up in arms.

McCain has NEVER gotten a free pass from the media. When he goes to Iraq he gets no media. Obama goes and 3 famous news anchors become his groupies. Go look at the magazine aisle sometime. Count the covers with Obama on it. Now count the McCain covers. Look at the fluffy questions Obama gets asked. Look how the media helps him sweep his scandals under the rug. Rev. Wright. Bill Ayers. How his multimillion dollar mansion was purchased. How he becomes a different person depending on the crowd he is talking to. Case closed.

Let's look at political philosophy: If you are trying to avoid extremism you better stay away from Barry; he has the most liberal voting record in the Senate. He was too extreme even for Nancy Pelosi when he took to the floor to argue against caring for a newborn baby that was born despite an abortion attempt. He supported legislation to teach sex ed to kindergarteners. This guy is a complete nut with the most twisted priorities. Except we all know who his first priority is: himself. There's video clips of him already talking about his second term. Wow. If cockiness were an equal replacement for experience then he would be well qualified for President.

They will try to scare you. The economy is in a slump. Gas prices are high. We are still at war. Everyone hates Bush. McCain-Palin is a strong ticket with real experience that they can't compete against. So what are they going to do: try to convince you McCain is another Bush. Try to belittle Palin. McCain-Palin do not live in the corporate pocket. McCain has a proven record of reaching across party lines. They both know all too well the growing uneasiness about the war in Iraq. They both have a proven record of reform and fiscal conservatism. If you want to keep more of your paycheck, do not vote for Obama.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

El Mugroso — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:20:05 GMT

I predict that Sarah Palin WILL NOT show-up for the VP debate, as per one Rovian scheme.

____________________________________________________

**** I am Nostradamus, and I approve this message ****

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

basedrum777 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:55:31 GMT

" The Obama campaign is struggling for an angle. Their slurs and character assassination against Sarah Palin is working against them. Lipstick on a pig? Come on, Obama...show some class. Same Democratic tactics as always: avoid the issues, deflect the tough questions, name calling." jayway

Umm.... what issues are they avoiding? Obama has been trying to get the campaign back onto the issues rather than just talking about how bad the other candidate is. If Barack was talking about Palin during that speech than I"m Pat Buchanan. Was McCain talking about Hillary when he used the phrase last year? Or was McCain's advisor being sexist when they used it as the title of their book? Get real. Issues are not in favor of the GOP this election and therefore they are avoiding them. Open your eyes.

If you're just going to spout GOP lines that have been proven wrong on earlier MSNBC fact checks than its better that you don't post. Obama supported a bill that was aimed at preventing child abuse and McCain characterizes it as sex-ed for kindergarteners. What a disgusting bending of the truth. And just for you lets list a couple of times McCain has "reached across the aisle"..... Immigration reform, which he now opposes. Bush's Tax cuts to which he said, "Never in American history have we given tax cuts when we are at war". Now he wants to make them permanent. Campaign finance reform, which he now thinks should be curtailed because its too encroaching on his ability to use PAC's.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

jayway — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:55:39 GMT

Oh Palin we'll be there for the debate. Let's see how Obama does without his teleprompter or an audience full of useful idiots.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

jayway — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:18:28 GMT

Well, one issue they are avoiding is how they've flip-flopped on the Iraq war. All those Dems were strongly opposed to the surge, which has proven successful. Now, instead of calling for an inmmediate start of staggered withdrawal, they are moving a little to the center by qualifying their phrases with the word "responsibly", as in "let's end this war responsibly". Something the GOP wanted to do all along.

Secondly, they are trying ever so hard to distract the American people away from the fact the Palin has more experience as a VICE Presidential nom than Obama does as the PRESIDENTIAL nom. So they enlist sexism: calling into question whether she can lead and be a mommy of 5, speculating on her pregnant daughter. Shameful. Who questioned Biden's ability to lead as a single parent after his wife died? Now that's tragic, but if we're going to treat our leaders this way, let's be consistent.

It truthfully doesn't matter if Obama was indirectly trying to ding Palin with an Illinois phrase: the bigger picture here is that Palin has rattled his campaign and his eloquent exterior is cracking and pieces of it are falling by the wayside and we are getting clearer and clearer view of the man underneath. Without all the glitz, glamour and media fawning it's easy to see that he is really just another politician, playing the same ol' games. He's playing to MoveOn.org with his Iraq stance, he's playing to American misery with the economy with his lofty socialist programs, which require an increase in the size of our government by 22%. He can spend your money better than you can apparently. Open YOUR eyes.

"MSNBC fact"? Now that's an oxymoron. Their liberal bias is embarassing. What McCain phrase? What book title? Be specific. The Dem campaign is so vague, full of idioms and walking motivational posters.

McCain has reach across the aisle on several occasions. How about McCain-Feingold for another example. McCain went too maverick on conservatives in immigration reform, and he heard the outrage and heeded the call. He's proven himself to be that maverick and independent thinker, but willing to listen to the people. We need that. He might've stated "Never in American history have we given tax cuts when we are at war" as a fact, but he still supports the tax cuts. What of it? Who doesn't want to keep more of their own money they've worked for? Who doesn't realize that successful businesses not sharply taxed can grow and expand, which equates to more jobs?

Obama proudly trumpets his new phrasing that we don't need another 8 years of Bush policies in McCain. What, you mean another 8 years of tax cuts? Another 8 years of preventing terrorist attacks in the US? Another 8 years of believing American troops should never surrender and are always capable of victory? Another 8 years keeping our healthcare out of government hands, where everything turns to crap, as is evidenced by many of our failed social programs? Sign me up! I'll take another 8 years of that!

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

goddy — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:47:43 GMT

"All those dems were strongly opposed to the surge, which has proven successful". "What, you mean another 8 years of tax cuts?, Another 8 years of preventing terrorist attacks in the US?, Another 8 years of believing American troops should never surrender and are always capable of victory?,Another 8 years keeping our healthcare out of government hands, where everything turns to crap, as is evidenced by many of our failed social programs?". jayway

Sir, if I may knight you, when one idiotically spills milk and looks for a rag to try to clean up the mess, it will be and is disingenuous for him or her to pat themselves on the back and say, hey look at me I found a rag to clean the mess and you thought I wouldn't. Before the surge, what were we fighting for?.

One of the logical points for the tax cuts was to create an economic atmosphere that will fashion all kinds of jobs and bring down unemployment. It seems to me that unemployment has gone way up and the country has mortgaged its future to China.

When a lazy and complacent person was put in the office of the presidency, the scoundrels attacked like never before. Maybe they knew something that the conservative supreme court did not. Again, if you take resposibility for something good do the same for the dire.

I would think as Americans we should be willing to die for our freedom and defend that freedom to the fullest of our might. That does not mean being stupid or dieing for ridiculous reasons. Why did we go to IRAQ?, What is the victory? Stupid war and the stupid leaders who started it all?

Social security which will maybe subsidize your living someday or, maybe even helping someone you konw well, if you are honest, is not some kind of parasitic louse in public hair. It has been good for the country and so too could be some form healthcare programe.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

basedrum777 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:41:13 GMT

"McCain has reach across the aisle on several occasions. How about McCain-Feingold for another example. McCain went too maverick on conservatives in immigration reform, and he heard the outrage and heeded the call. He's proven himself to be that maverick and independent thinker, but willing to listen to the people. We need that. He might've stated "Never in American history have we given tax cuts when we are at war" as a fact, but he still supports the tax cuts. What of it? Who doesn't want to keep more of their own money they've worked for? Who doesn't realize that successful businesses not sharply taxed can grow and expand, which equates to more jobs?" jayway (September 11, 2008 at 10:18 AM)

Ummm... You can't tout someone as a maverick when he has backtracked off of his two biggest examples of being a maverick. That's like saying well I did disagree with this but now I don't but boy was I a maverick for opposing them originally. McCain of 2000 had integrity and was smart enough to not follow in lockstep with the GOP. This McCain is gone.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

jayway — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:50:40 GMT

"Sir, if I may knight you"? Good grief. And people think conservatives are self-righteous! Some are, which of course is true of all people. As an aside though, most conservatives aren't, but the media and the liberals like to characterize them that way. The irony here is that Obama and his devoted apostles have epitomized self-righteousness from day one. But I digress....

I don't even feel like arguing that Iraq, better yet, the world, is a much better place without Saddam, as evidenced by the many mass graves and torture stories. In fact, this is basic logic, and warrants no further investigation. I could talk about how millions of Iraqis risked their lives to vote in their first free election in 50 years. But whagt about the fact that the liberal media likes to portray Saddam Hussein as benign. But Hussein himself, during seven months of secret debriefings, admitted to FBI agent George Piro that he had planned to resume his nuclear weapons program within a year. The Bush Derangement Syndrome suffering liberals just can't bear to hear that Bush might have made the right decision in removing Hussein. So, "If this is true, why did I not hear about this?" you might be thinking. Why didn't you? Why didn't we? Great question. Let's ask our media....

Folks, really...No one expects you to like how the war in Iraq began. Frankly, I don't like how the war began either. What we should agree on is how it will end. Not just a US victory, but an Iraq victory too. NOT premature withdrawal just to appease MoveOn.org. We don't occupy a country, otherthrow their murderous dictator and then just bail. No way. We rebuild, we reconstruct, we ensure their society doesn't collapse unto itself or waste away to terrorists as soon as we take our leave. The liberal media was always so quick to highlight every failure, each loss of power or water, each disruption... Where was the positive reporting? Where were the pictures in the paper and on TV of schools being rebuilt, of soldiers playing with children, or Iraqis waving to the troops? I'm not trying to proclaim it was all peaches and cream. It was still war. Innocent lives were lost, homes destroyed, cities ravaged. But the one-sided liberal portrayal of the progress of the war will forever be a shameful and embarassing chapter in American history.

It is quite fair to say Bush is not an eloquent speaker, but complacent? Hardly. Just ask yourself one question: has there been another terrorist attack in the US since 9/11? The answer is NO. But not for lack of trying on the part of al-Qaida and others: the FBI, the CIA, and the military have rolled up about 5,000 terrorists worldwide since 9/11. Remember the al-Qaida plot to plot up 9 airliners crossing the Atlantic in 2006? The liberal media revels in minimizing terrorist plots that have been quashed. For instance, in June of 2007, the NY Times buried the story of the plot to blow up JFK airport that was foiled by the FBI. What did they report on page 1? A story of how 75-year-old Andrea Mosconi plays violins in an Italian museum to keep the instruments in shape. Ridiculous. "Journalistic integrity" is the biggest oxymoron of the 21st century.

"goddy", you seem to want to draw a connection between tax cuts and unemployment and the mortgage crisis. Are you kidding me? So you are in favor of ending the tax cuts? If the foreclosure rates are soaring, how is taxing people more and taking more of their paycheck going to make it easier for them to pay their mortgage? But, hey, if you want to give the government more of your money then go right ahead. I'm keeping mine.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Therese in NV — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:07:32 GMT

The Barack Obama Campaign has completely been misleading the general public regarding "earmarks" and this "Bridge to No Where" supposed flip-flop by Governor Palin. This report came straight from a Watch Dog Reporting Group at the Wall Street Journal. First you need to really understand what an "Earmark" truly is. When a politician wants to get elected, there are state agencies and special interest groups that will endorse the candidate for "special considerations." These may be pet state projects like building a musuem, bike paths around a state park etc., or special interest groups, like unions, or monster mortgage lending agencies, that want less govermental review or control. Perhaps these special interest groups want to build a new Administrative Building or want to shift part of the tax burden back to the people. All of these costs are suppose to be absorbed by state agencies and the special interest groups, however, they are attached to usually a reform or legislative bill that appears beneficial to the public.

When Governor Sarah Palin first received the project bill for the "Bridge to No Where," it was portrayed as a bridge from Ketchikan, Alaska to Island residents stranded in winter conditions. On the surface this looked like a "Win" situation. However, when Governor Sarah Palin was able to read the"fine print"; in this project were over $230 Million in earmark attachments by state agencies and Alaska special Big Business Special Groups hoping to obtain funding by this project bill. Governor Sarah Palin effectively killed this "Bridge to NoWhere" project saving tax payers over $400 Million Dollars. Even the Alaska Democratic Party praised Governor Sarah Palin for seeing through this political Ploy and killing this project.

Alternately, let's look at Senator Barack Obama's actions regarding this "Bridge to No Where" funding project. When Governor Sarah Palin vetoed and killed this "Bridge to No Where" Project, Congress was going to re-allocate over $223 Million of the returned funds to Hurricane Katrina Victims in Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast. However, both Senator Barack Obama and Senator Joe Biden, along with other "Good ole boy" Democratic politicians voted to redirect those funds away from Hurricane Katrina Victims and funds were released to State "Pet Projects" and other Private interest "Earmark Bills." To day, neither Senator Obama or Senator Biden have publically apologized or renounced these votes.

Senator Obama has one of the worst Senate record for "earmark" spending. Senator Obama voted to release earmark funds for (a) $12 million dollar bicycle path (b) $450,000 for an International Museum (c) $500,000 for a Baseball Stadium (d) $392,000 for a state visitor Center. Additionally, Senator Barack Obama delivered $100 Million dollars in "Earmark" special interest funding to the State of Illinois (I guess we all know why Joe Biden joined the ticket) since 2005. Additionally, Senator Joe Biden has been indulging in securing $90 Million Dollars in "Earmark" spending for the State of Illinois and special interest groups this year alone.

Senator Barack Obama had an opportunity to take on his party and Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, over a sham ethics bill initiated by Senator Reid and the Democratic Party. This bill was to inhibit watchdog groups against governmental waste spending, from reporting their finding to the public. An example of one of these groups in Washington is " Citizen's against Governmental Waste." Instead of standing with taxpayers, Senator Barack Obama voted along with Senator Harry Reid and then tried to cover his tracks, by claiming he helped write Senator Reid's bill "that failed to clean up Washington." (Sound familar).

Senator Barack Obama has shown little restraint on "Earmark" voting and spending until this year. Realizing his vunerability in this area, Senator Barack Obama attempted to attach himself to a governmental waste reform bill sponsored by Senator John McCain. This bill would create an "Earmark Moratoruim on Spending." Now, Senator Barack Obama is stating he Co-Sponsored this bill for "Earmark" reform and is lashing out at Governor Sarah Palin in attempts to hide his own record.

Governor Sarah Palin has cut $268 Million in Governmental waste from the Alaska State Budget. One of the "Earmark" spending Sarah Palin eliminated was $200,000.00 for Irrigation sprinklers for a Tennis Court used by Politicians. Senator Palin has cut "Earmark" requests in Alaska by 1/2 in her tenor as Governor. Even Anchorage Daily News reported that "Alaska Senator Tec Stevens," was aggravated at Governor Sarah Palin over her veto refusal in allowing state special interests from steering funds from the Federal Budge to state and private interest special interest projects.

Governor Sarah Palin has one of the strongest "Anti-Earmark" policies of any Governor in the country. If more State Governor's would follow her lead, we would be much closer in fixing our national fiscal debt problems. What Senator Barack Obama doesn't want voters to realize is , Governor Sarah Palin has a proved record of Reform and "Anti-Earmark Policies," along with Senator John McCain's unquestioning record of 22 years. Senator Barack Obama is more of the "Good ole boy" one hand washes the other same, and the McCain/Palin Team will shut down Washington "Favor Factor."

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

jayway — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:33:12 GMT

"Therese in NV" has nailed it. Obama is a VERY charismatic man, and it's hard for many people to get beyond that. It's hard for many people to not be steamrolled by the liberal media coverage of him. But try. For your sake and for the country's sake. Take everything that any politician says with a grain of salt, whether Democrat or Republcian. Instead, spend the time to research their record. Their actions are what count, not words. Not speeches. Only when you learn how Obama votes, how he spends, how he plays the same ol' political games can you make an informed decision of whether or not he should be President.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

4Reel — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:00:37 GMT

The following is a Press Release from Sarah Palin's official governor's website. It is not written by the press, but Palin's own staff, and the quotes come directly from Palin.

_________________________________

State of Alaska > Governor > News > News Archive

(Found at http://gov.state.ak.us/archive-28635.html)

Press Release:

Gravina Access Project Redirected 07-192

Gravina Access Project Redirected

September 21, 2007, Juneau, Alaska - Governor Sarah Palin today directed the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to look for the most fiscally responsible alternative for access to the Ketchikan airport and Gravina Island instead of proceeding any further with the proposed $398 million bridge.

Ketchikan deserves a better way to reach the airport, but the $398 million bridge is not the answer,” said Governor Palin. “Despite the work of our congressional delegation, 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,” Governor Palin added. “Much of the public’s attitude toward Alaska bridges is based on inaccurate portrayals of the projects here. But we need to focus on what we can do, rather than fight over what has happened.” The Department of Transportation has approximately $36 million in federal funds that will become available for other projects with the shutdown of the Gravina Island bridge project. Governor Palin has directed Commissioner Leo von Scheben to review transportation projects statewide to prepare a list of possible uses for the funds, while the department also looks for a more affordable answer for Gravina Island access.

“There is no question we desperately need to construct new roads in this state, including in Southeast Alaska, where skyrocketing costs for the Alaska Marine Highway System present an impediment to the state’s budget and the region’s economy,” said von Scheben.

“The original purpose of this project was to improve access to Gravina Island, and we will continue to work with the community to help them attain that goal,” von Scheben said.

The commissioner said his department would continue to work with local officials to discuss future plans for development of Gravina Island.

_______________

I don't see any "Thanks, but no thanks here. I see 1) The bridge got stopped because they didn't have enough money to continue it and 2) Palin admits that Congress had little interest in continuing the project-not that she killed it. and 3) It seems that Palin did support the project, and regretted that it had to be stopped for lack of funds.

All Palin's comments about stopping the bridge, and saying "Thanks, but no thanks are simply not true. What she did seem to say was, darn, you aren't going to give us the money to do this? Well we will have to do something else, but we will keep the money you've already given us. She didn't kill anything-it died a natural death that she is taking credit for.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

jayway — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:43:27 GMT

Why do people get so easily distracted from the real issues? Everyone knew the attacks on Palin would start coming swiftly and surely. Obama has air-dropped a team of 30 lawyers and investigators into Alaska to try to dig up dirt on Palin in a sleazy attempt to regain his lead. Meanwhile, he's out raising 9 million at a 25,800-a-plate Hollywood fundraiser with the likes of Spielberg and Streisand. Oh Lord.

It is a known fact that Palin initially supported the Bridge To Nowhere and *** after visiting Ketchikan as part of her gubernatorial campaign and with all the pork-barrel spending getting attached to the project. She still killed the project. The article says it all:

"Governor Sarah Palin today directed the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to look for the most fiscally responsible alternative for access to the Ketchikan airport and Gravina Island instead of proceeding any further with the proposed $398 million bridge."

The MOST FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. When has Obama EVER been FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. In June 2008, Obama voted with the Democratic party to kill the sunset provision of the Bush tax cuts. By letting these tax cuts expire, single mothers with two kids will pay an additional $1,800 annually. Married couples with incomes of $50,000 will pay an additional $2,180 annually. Elderly couples will pay an additional $2,000 annually and a family of four will pay 191% more per year in taxes. Barack Obama often claims to be for taxing the rich their fair share, but by voting to eliminate the Bush tax cuts, Obama is taxing most middle class and blue collar families.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

robhoey — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 22:30:00 GMT

It's so obvious, as George Carlin said, that politicians don't really care about you. I believe this is true of all politicians at least to some extent, but particularly with the presidency because so much of their ego is invested in the position of power. But with that being said, the Obama campaign, at least on paper, appears to be the only one taking the situations of the average American into account. McCain would tax middle class America and create tax breaks for the wealthier class, and this was clearly pointed out with his proposal. Obama's tax breaks for the middle class runs into the thousands while increases for the rich would significantly increase. The efficacy of both McCain's and Obama's plans will likely be debated next Friday in greater detail, but McCain appears weaker than Obama in this area. Isn't it interesting how people who have already made up their mind in who they are voting for will hear what they want to hear about the candidates?

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

jayway — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:47:10 GMT

McCain is not proposing any tax cuts directed at the wealthy, he wants tax cuts across the board. Also, being wealthy shouldn't be penalized. There's a term for trying to punish those who are successful, and for redistributing wealth: socialism. And history has taught us that it does not work. The desire to be your own boss, to achieve success, to make a good living is a great motivator. It drives capitalism, it gives us jobs, it provides us with goods and services.

Obama is NOT taking the situations of the average American into account. His tax increases will aversely affect nearly all of us. We don't need socialism, we need more of our own paychecks in our pockets. Let's make our own decisions about how to spend our own money,.Don't let Obama spend your money for you.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

groundpounder — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:03:40 GMT

What disturbs me is that the State of Alsaka is the highest recipient of federal funds of all the states in the country and recieves over $1.50 for every tax dollar paid. At the same time they have no state sales tax or income tax and yet they recieve a check for over $3,000.00 per family member for oil royalties. What a scam. Talk about welfare and gamin g the system.

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Krohn — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 04:15:43 GMT

The Wall Street crisis was planned the night of Obama's meeting at Bill Ayres home to put Obama in The White House. Together they put a beautiful plan into place.

This Strategy was first elucidated in the 1966 issue of 'The Nation' Magazine by a pair of radical Socialist Columbia University professors, Richard Andrew Cloward and Frances Fox Piven.

David Horowitz summarizes it as:

"The strategy of forcing political change through an orchestrated crisis. The "Cloward-Piven Strategy" seeks to hasten the fall of Capitalism by overloading the Government bureaucracy with a flood of impossible demands, thus pushing society into crisis and economic collapse.

unquote

Obama begin with ACORN by funneling millions into their organization. He then trained ACORN to stage protests in banks to force them to issue risky loans or they would be threatened to face racial charges. ACORN was trained to intimidate financial institutions into giving ???Ninja??? loans to people with NO assets, NO job and NO income, who couldn???t afford these loans.

That caused the housing bubble two years ago it was by ACORN's actions they were able to destroy our credit system.

As this played out, D-Barney Frank and D-Chris Dodd were able to cover up the millions of improvident loans to these bad risky house buyers. And Barney Frank and his chums successfully were able to block all of President Bush's attempts to put a rein on this problem.

So Fannie & Freddie was forced to purchase all these failed subprime mortgages.

Then both Frank and Dodd denied that there were any problems, and refused the Bush Admin. requests to set up a regulatory agency to watch over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and they were still pushing for these agencies to go even further in promoting sub-prime mortgage loans almost up to the 'minute they failed'.

Democrats then blamed Bush saying it happened on his watch knowing it would hurt the Republican Party in the election setting it up that Barack Obama could use this to his advantage.

Karl Marx once compared a Revolutionary struggle with the work of the mole, who sometimes burrows so far beneath the ground that he leaves no trace of his movement on the surface.

Barack Obama is that Marxist mole !

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

Krohn — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 04:16:17 GMT

The Wall Street crisis was planned the night of Obama's meeting at Bill Ayres home to put Obama in The White House. Together they put a beautiful plan into place.

This Strategy was first elucidated in the 1966 issue of 'The Nation' Magazine by a pair of radical Socialist Columbia University professors, Richard Andrew Cloward and Frances Fox Piven.

David Horowitz summarizes it as:

unquote

That caused the housing bubble two years ago it was by ACORN's actions they were able to destroy our credit system.

So Fannie & Freddie was forced to purchase all these failed subprime mortgages.

Democrats then blamed Bush saying it happened on his watch knowing it would hurt the Republican Party in the election setting it up that Barack Obama could use this to his advantage.

Karl Marx once compared a Revolutionary struggle with the work of the mole, who sometimes burrows so far beneath the ground that he leaves no trace of his movement on the surface.

Barack Obama is that Marxist mole !

re: The Politics of the 'Bridge to Nowhere'

billmabrey — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:22:00 GMT

What nobody mentions is that the "Bridge to Nowhere" was actually two bridge projects. The Ketchikan-Gravina Island Bridge is the one everybody talks about because it was a very expensive project serving very few people. However, the other bridge (The Knik Arm Bridge) was a much needed project. Unfortunately it was tainted by association with the other bridge. It was also a very sleazy deal. The undeveloped land that would have increased in value was owned by various relatives of the biggest names in Alaskan politics - people like Ted Stevens, Frank Murkowski and other corrupt Alaskan politicians and would have been a windfall for some well connected people. It is ironic that THIS transportation project becomes such a symbol of pork-barrel spending yet we are ready to spend money for similar projects as part of an economic stimulus plan. Alaska is also part of the USA. We deserve economic stimulus and infrastructure repair as much as any other part of the country. Also, people may not realize it but most things cost more here because of higher transportation costs, higher environmental standards, more extreme climate, etc. Basically, we are farther away and smaller in population so where I live we have NO Wal-Mart! No cheap goods from chinese slave labor.

As far as one reader's comments about tax dollars go and the Permanent Fund Dividend Check (the free money some people talk about), I pay as much tax as the federal government requires of me - same as anybody else. I pay sales tax to the borough and city, I pay property taxes which go up whenever the government reassesses my property (arbitrarily, every year). The permanent fund check is NOT free money. I have given up all subsurface mineral rights in exchange for a dividend from stock market investments made by the State of Alaska from mineral royalties. If natural gas or oil were found on my land it would not belong to me but to everyone in the state. If the stock market takes a dump (like it did recently) those dividends go down. I didn't create this arrangement but I think most citizens would be pleased if their state had created a system that didn't require them to pay state income tax. The funds coming back to Alaska were because Republicans controlled both houses of Congress AND the executive branch and Ted Stevens had a lot of seniority. The republicans proved themselves to be corrupt and self-serving and have since lost both houses and the presidency so you probably won't be able to make that complaint much longer. The Democrats will surely direct their pork-barrel spending elsewhere. Maybe YOUR state this year, hmmm?