Reality Check: Sarah Palin's Claims

CBS Evening News: How The Alaska Governor Really Stacks Up On Earmarks

(CBS)  When John McCain introduced Gov. Sarah Palin, she not only was someone who shared his distaste for Congressional earmarks, all those direct, often hidden federal grants of tax dollars for local projects. She went on to claim she'd killed off one of the worst earmarks ever, a $233 million bridge from Ketchikan, Alaska, to Gravina Island.

"I told Congress, 'thanks, but no thanks,' on that bridge-to-nowhere," Palin said.

'No thanks' to that bridge? Here are the facts, as reported by CBS News correspondent Wyatt Andrews. Congress killed off the earmark well before Gov. Palin formally abandoned it. And while the bridge is in fact a dead project, the state still kept the money — all $233 million in federal funds — for other transportation needs.

The record also shows that two years ago, Palin supported the bridge.

"It's not true that she was always opposed to the bridge. If you go back to the things that she said when we was running for governor, she was an advocate," said Bill Adair, who edits PolitiFact.org and is the Washington bureau chief for the St. Petersburg Times.

Just like John McCain, Palin claims she's ending the waste that comes from earmark spending.

"And I championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress," she said.

Maybe she is against abusive earmarks, but she has not been against all earmarks.

The facts are: Under Gov. Palin, Alaska applied for $197 million of earmarks for the 2009 fiscal year. And when Palin was Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, population 6,500, she was a champion of earmarks. In her second term, ending in 2004, Mayor Palin hired a well connected lobbying firm, with offices just outside Washington, which helped the town take in $11.9 million worth of earmarks.

"She used the system, she hired lobbyists with connections to the powerful members of Congress from her state, and she was able to obtain a lot of money," said TK Alexander of the non-profit tax watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense.

The McCain campaign responds that Governor Palin, as mayor, was only "working within the current system to get funding for her city." But as governor, "knew the system didn't work, and ordered cutbacks in the state's requests."

Palin also faces a state investigation into why she fired the Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan - the allegation being she fired him for personal reasons, because Monegan refused to fire a state trooper, the ex-husband of Palin's sister.

Here are the facts: The state trooper in question made threats against the Governor's family, and was suspended from duty. But Governor Palin insists the firing of Commissoner Monegan was a completely separate issue, that Monegan was fired but for professional reasons related to the budget.

[allurfears]

Wow. What a liar she is!

"I was for earmarks and the bridge money before I was against them".

"I changed my position so I could run for V.P."

[notbuynit]

All republicans are liars.

[shouterguy]

Uncle Ted? Can I have a bunch of money?

Certainly, my dear. It just belongs to the taxpayers, after all.

Thanks, Uncle Ted.

[hawksprings]

In the interest of the Fairness Doctrine that Libs are so fond of, (because they can''t compete in the arena of ideas)
Where is the Reality Check Hit Piece on Joe Biden?

[kansas1946]

Rrom a June speech that Palin gave to the graduating class of commission students at Palin''s former church in Wasilla, Alaska. While describing her family, Palin told students about her oldest son, 19-year-old Track, who is set to be deployed to Iraq this month with the U.S. Army. She urged students to pray %u201Cthat our leaders -- that our national leaders -- are sending [soldiers] out on a task that is from God.%u201D

She added, %u201CThat''s what we have to make sure that we are praying for: that there is a plan and that that plan is God''s plan.%u201D

**************************************

Sheesh, now talk about scary. This is one scary woman.

[kansas1946]

It''s not true that she was always opposed to the bridge. If you go back to the things that she said when we was running for governor, she was an advocate," said Bill Adair, who edits PolitiFact.org and is the Washington bureau chief for the St. Petersburg Times.
***********************

Oops. Another flip-flopper. I am for it...no I am against it...no wait...
The botten line she is no different than any other conniving politician, but the difference is, this a conniving politician with NO experience.

[hawksprings]

By the way, another question about Senator Biden.
If plagiarism and being a bald faced liar was sufficient to torpedo his run for the Democrat nomination against Dukakis back in 1988, why is it not sufficient to disqualify him for the vice presidency now?
What''s the difference?
Can you see the double standard?

[atlasshrugd]

"If, in order to get that passed, we have to compromise in terms of a careful, well thought-out drilling strategy that was carefully circumscribed to avoid significant environmental damage - I don''t want to be so rigid that we can''t get something done," the paper quoted Obama as saying.

The above is Obama changing his stance on ANWAR and offshore drilling... no difference, cut from the same cloth.

Let''s see if they can dig up any more dirt on her. On a scale of 1-10 I rate it a 3, it''s no different than Obama suddenly switching his stance on opening up ANWAR and drilling for oil.

I would like to see what her stance is on things like Affirmative Action, Social Reforms, Ending the War and getting our people back home, Abortion and immigration.

Earmarks are a problem but that''s not high in rank of what is tearing the fabric of this country.

Politicians always waffle when the vote is on the line and she is most likely a smoke-screen to help combat Obama''s rising popularity. He''s young, articulate, charismatic and black. She''s young, articulate, charismatic and female. It makes me think they are running for home-coming King and Queen, no real substance... just popularity.

[callurfears]

wow- the truth hurts

[sy80]

Why are the Republicans putting this 17 yr old girl on display for Americans to gawk at. Shame on McCain and Shame on Sarah Palin!!

[aaabee-2009]

"critics of President Bush will be banished to hell; questioned whether people who voted for Sen. John Kerry in 2004 would be accepted to heaven; charged that the 9/11 terrorist attacks and war in Iraq were part of a war "contending for your faith;" and said that Jesus "operated from that position of war mode."

More from Obama''s preacher, Paster Wright? No, this is from Pastor Kalnins, Wasilla Assembly of God. Sarah Palin''s church.

More from Paster Kalnins, on Sen. John Kerry: "I''m not going tell you who to vote for, but if you vote for this particular person, I question your salvation. I''m sorry."

Two ministers, both speaking their truth to their flocks, with strong opinions. Shall we see if the words of a white conservative minister get as much vitriolic media coverage as the words of a black liberal one?

[twitterpater]

There is a lot more information about the "Troopergate" scandal than what appears in this article.

A timeline with a collection of links to media reports about the allegations can be found here:

http://apocalyptickiwi.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/palin-vs-wooten/

[twitterpater]

There is a lot more information about the "Troopergate" scandal than what appears in this article.

A timeline with a collection of links to media reports about the allegations can be found here:

http://apocalyptickiwi.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/palin-vs-wooten/

[whitemale08]

Where is the Reality Check Hit Piece on Joe Biden?

Posted by HawkSprings at 07:32 PM : Sep 02, 2008--

HEY STOP THE WHINNING YOU REPUBLICAN CRY BABIES!!!!

THE HIT PIECES ARE IN YOUR HEAD...YOU WHINNERS!!!!!

[calman5]

She is liar and so crazy with her radical social views she wants to put on millions women.
It''s so funny that an "ABSENTEE MOTHER" is trying to sell family values to the people.

[twitterpater]

There is a lot more information about the "Troopergate" scandal than what appears in this article.

A timeline with a collection of links to media reports about the allegations can be found here:

http://apocalyptickiwi.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/palin-vs-wooten/

[twitterpater]

There is a lot more information about the "Troopergate" scandal than what appears in this article.

A timeline with a collection of links to media reports about the allegations can be found here:

http://apocalyptickiwi.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/palin-vs-wooten/

[zerato-2009]

Mccain has been railing against earmarks / pork for many years. The question becomes why did he pick someone that seems to love to have earmarks for her state? The only problem is taht he did not choose her and his staff did. I guess tucker bounds was right when he said mccain does not speak for the campaign

[twitterpater]

There is a lot more information about the "Troopergate" scandal than what appears in this article.

A timeline with a collection of links to media reports about the allegations can be found here:

http://apocalyptickiwi.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/palin-vs-wooten/

[aaabee-2009]

...according to sources close to the McCain campaign: "information is that Karl Rove wanted Romney and pushed him. McCain pushed back. He really wanted Lieberman. That was completely out of the question. Palin is the result."

LOL. Party cohesiveness working well for ya?

McCain/Leiberman wouldn''t have been a bad ticket. Instead of the US going Muslim like the anti-O''s whine about, we''d be going Gaza Strip.

Sarah Palin is the compromise, who''ll bring God''s Plan to the White House... guess that is still Gaza Strip...

[jmurrieta1]

Members of the LDS church would do well to remember that McCain passed over by far and away the best qualified VP candidate, Mitt Romney, to put this born-again nutcase on the ticket.

And these are the same born-again Proddies who called the Book of Mormon the works of Satan.

McCain-Palin, anybody?

[aaabee-2009]

is trying to sell family values to the people.
Posted by calman5 at 07:54 PM : Sep 02, 2008

That "abstinance plan" working for ya, Ms. Palin?

[aaabee-2009]

Exactly who does this sound like:

"The Alaska state senator running an investigation of Gov. Palin says the McCain campaign is using stall tactics to prevent him from releasing his final report by Oct. 31, four days before the November election.

"It''s likely to be damaging to the Governor," said Senator Hollis French, a Democrat, appointed the project manager for a bi-partisan State Senate Legislative Counsel Committee investigation of claims that Palin abused her office to get the Alaska public safety commissioner, Walt Monegan, fired."

The Bush Administration? Anyone for 4 more years of Bush Administration tactics by a fresh set of conservative "One set of laws for me, another set of laws for you" hypocrits?

[kstar42]

seriously liberal are we? Only a liberal would say that......a little sexist tooooooo!

[atlasshrugd]

What is all this "God" stuff anyway? With the separation of Church and State we can''t display religeous symbols or rhetoric in government buildings or on government property. How is it that God plays such a key role during election time in speeches and moral media debates yet the same people that profess thier faith on the podium work to remove it from sight after they are elected? Are we really that ignorant that we can''t see them using emotional subjects and ficticious morals to stroke us for votes? Neither side is offering "common ground" they are just furthering the gap between Republican and Democrat while pandering for votes.

[idnnsg]

Reality Check: McCain and Palin are BOTH nutz!

[kansas1946]

McBush hasn''''t made a blunder this bad since he nominated Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Voltaire777 at 07:43 PM : Sep 02, 2008
**********************************

LOL. That is kinda what I though, but at least McCain stays with the "beauty queens." :o)

[mcvet-1]

seriously liberal are we? Only a liberal would say that......a little sexist tooooooo!

Posted by kstar42 at 08:13 PM : Sep 02, 2008

Now you got to explain that one to me swastika breath! You fascist have call 90% of this nation "liberal" at one time or another... by the way isn''t that EXACTLY how we got the Bush''s?? Since everyone with a Brain KNOWS George W is the WORST in our history don''t you think you should stop putting people in a BOX. FDR? That was LIBERAL! Thomas Jefferson? THAT was RADICAL LIBERAL! Does that help? Now stand... let shooter and the fuhrer know you freaks are out here tonight. SIEG HEIL McSLIME

[mcvet-1]

So yet another Fascist Republican is LYING to us... what''s new about that. SIEG HEIL McBush

[chuegevera]

there is more teriying here

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/09/02/1327574.aspx?CommentPosted=true#commentmessage

[pensacola98]

Take the $233 MILLION and later kill the project and then later say, "Thanks, but No Thanks" on a national press conference.

Sarah Palin politics must have Rush Limbaugh scrambling for a double-speak, double-standard, and double-tongued theme for tomorrow''s show!!

Sarah Palin just painted her own theme - policy to nowhere - at your expense.

[pensacola98]

On second thought....Sarah Palin''s political theme should be - budget earmarks to nowhere...at your expense.

[markcan72]

So Democrats are being sexist for attacking Sarah Palin? Does that mean Republicans (who have a history of blatant bigotry) attacks on Barack Obama are racist? Of course not! First of all, Sarah Palin is not qualified to be VP anyway. Second, her troubles are her own doing. She caused Troopergate by firing her the police commissioner for not firing her sister''s husband! Her heterosexual daughter was the one who got pregnant while not married while Sarah Palin and John McCain blocked *** education funding! Her husband got a DUI and it was Palin who admitted to inhaling unlike Bill Clinton marijuanna! It is her and her husband that support the AIP who wants Alaska to secede from the Union! It''s Sarah Palin who said U.S. soldiers should only be used for American jihads or holy wars! You know ''a task from God'' before sending troops to battle! Shame on the Republicans for playing the gender card while criticizing Obama for supposedly using the race card! I guess McCain is more like Bush than I thought. He is obviously using Karl Rove as his adviser. Talk about a bridge to nowhere. I think is where the American people should send McCain-Palin.

[concerned222]

The USA is in real trouble. We truly have no viable candidates for the highest office in the land. The Republican and Democratic parties should be disbanded and we all need to start from scratch. I am very fearful of the next 4 years.

[jbright9]

Republicans and conservatives are no more moral or ethical than those they criticize. What a show this is becoming.

[concerned222]

And if the democrats had someone who was "hot," there would be tons of complaints about that too. Women who want to be viewed as feminine and women who want to be viewed as intelligent/career women always take the insults. To be honest, there''s no one who could make everyone happy. Even to those so-called Christians, even Jesus wouldn''t make a good President. WE ARE IN BIG TROUBLE for the next 4 years.

[loobus]

I am a woman who lives in a western state. I have talked to several other women who have the same reaction to Sarah Palin''s selection as I do. It wasn''t that I wanted a woman, I wanted Hillary. Not necessarily because she is a woman but because I think she was the best candidate. I think the stories of McCain choosing Palin because she is a woman (and might bring the former Hillary supporters to vote for McCain) is a smoke screen. The other women I have spoken with and I feel McCain chose her to get the fundamentalist religious votes, especially in the west. It is such an obvious ploy that it won''t work. We do not hold any of Palins postions or beliefs. Of course I''ll vote for Obama.

[concerned222]

I haven''t been made aware of any politician who didn''t lie.

[keithle1]

Give me more biblical quotes! I can never get enough!

McCain could easily die of a heart attack or something else & Palin would be Prez.

Does that prospect make anyone feel good? Hmm?
How about you hardcore Republicans? Satisfied with the old man''s choice?

[elz523]

I am a woman who lives in a western state. I have talked to several other women who have the same reaction to Sarah Palin''''s selection as I do. It wasn''''t that I wanted a woman, I wanted Hillary. Not necessarily because she is a woman but because I think she was the best candidate. I think the stories of McCain choosing Palin because she is a woman (and might bring the former Hillary supporters to vote for McCain) is a smoke screen. The other women I have spoken with and I feel McCain chose her to get the fundamentalist religious votes, especially in the west. It is such an obvious ploy that it won''''t work. We do not hold any of Palins postions or beliefs. Of course I''''ll vote for Obama.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Loobus at 09:55 PM : Sep 02, 2008

Way to go. That is in keeping with the spirit of what Hillary Clinton stands for.

[elz523]

From the article: "Maybe she is against abusive earmarks, but she has not been against all earmarks."

That pretty much sums it up. It sounds alright to me. Of course, Democrats will still find reason to bittch.

Oh, by the way, she''''s hot. The Democrats have not been able to produce a female that looks like a woman. Democrat "women" are essentially men with vaginaz. That''''s a fact.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by mike071067 at 09:49 PM : Sep 02, 2008

Typical Republican sentiment. I am against it, except as it benefits me.

[mojuan-2009]

, I have always been tired of the GOP using Religion and God to sway voters%u2026.it should simply be about the critical issues and the best leaders to build concensus and implement necessary change to help ALL Americans, not just the faithful. I thought it was hypocritical that Gov. Palin had her poor 17year old daughter holding the 4-month baby with a blanket covering her belly%u2026if she was sooo proud, why were they hiding this? This is so obviously a tactic and it insults educated women like me who can see right thru this risky move. I wonder how the GOP and the media would react if it was a political family that happeed to be Hispanic or black? Would we see it as simply a %u201Ccommon mistake%u201D?! or, would we call it another example of the lack of American values and a baby out of wedlock?!?

Clearly there is a double standard and hypocrisy%u2026Again, it should be about the best candidates and focus on issues.

[sy80]

Oh, by the way, she''''''''s hot. The Democrats have not been able to produce a female that looks like a woman. Democrat "women" are essentially men with vaginaz. That''''''''s a fact.


----------------------------------
----------------------------------------
------

Posted by mike071067 at 09:49 PM : Sep 02, 2008


"She''s not bad looking. She looks like one of those women in the Van Halen videos who takes off her glasses, shakes out her hair, and then all of a sudden, she''s in high heels and a bikini. All of a sudden, I am FOR drilling in Alaska.

[elz523]

Here''s the thing. Most Republicans will, in the same breath as they praise Palin''s experience as a mayor of a town with 6500 people, say Obama doesn''t have enough to be President.

Even if so, which I don''t grant, at least Obama has Biden''s experience. If Obama dies in office, the country will have benefit of Joe Biden''s 35 years of experience.

What does the country have if McCain dies in office? He is, after all, 72 and a cancer survivor.

If McCain dies in office all of our enemies will eat our lunch with Palin in office. Are you willing to gamble that she can handle Putin and all the other tin pots if McCain dies? This "hockey mom from Alaska".

Country first! Vote Obama!

[elz523]

I have always been tired of the GOP using Religion and God to sway voters%u2026.it should simply be about the critical issues and the best leaders to build concensus and implement necessary change to help ALL Americans, not just the faithful. I thought it was hypocritical that Gov. Palin had her poor 17year old daughter holding the 4-month baby with a blanket covering her belly%u2026if she was sooo proud, why were they hiding this? This is so obviously a tactic and it insults educated women like me who can see right thru this risky move. I wonder how the GOP and the media would react if it was a political family that happeed to be Hispanic or black? Would we see it as simply a %u201Ccommon mistake%u201D?! or, would we call it another example of the lack of American values and a baby out of wedlock?!?

Clearly there is a double standard and hypocrisy%u2026Again, it should be about the best candidates and focus on issues.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by mojuan at 10:08 PM : Sep 02, 2008


Yes and just listen for the real issues at their convention. Guess what? You won''t hear any.

[sy80]

Here''''s the thing. Most Republicans will, in the same breath as they praise Palin''''s experience as a mayor of a town with 6500 people, say Obama doesn''''t have enough to be President.

Even if so, which I don''''t grant, at least Obama has Biden''''s experience. If Obama dies in office, the country will have benefit of Joe Biden''''s 35 years of experience.

What does the country have if McCain dies in office? He is, after all, 72 and a cancer survivor.

If McCain dies in office all of our enemies will eat our lunch with Palin in office. Are you willing to gamble that she can handle Putin and all the other tin pots if McCain dies? This "hockey mom from Alaska".

Country first! Vote Obama!






Putin would spit out Palin and pass her on to Chavez. not a chance in hell would she survive or Mcsame.

[loobus]

I am a woman who lives in a western state. I have talked to several other women who have the same reaction to Sarah Palin''s selection as I do. It wasn''t that I wanted a woman, I wanted Hillary. Not necessarily because she is a woman but because I think she was the best candidate. I think the stories of McCain choosing Palin because she is a woman (and might bring the former Hillary supporters to vote for McCain) is a smoke screen. The other women I have spoken with and I feel McCain chose her to get the fundamentalist religious votes, especially in the west. It is such an obvious ploy that it won''t work. We do not hold any of Palins postions or beliefs. Of course I''ll vote for Obama.

[mojuan-2009]

, I have always been tired of the GOP using Religion and God to sway voters%u2026.it should simply be about the critical issues and the best leaders to build concensus and implement necessary change to help ALL Americans, not just the faithful. I thought it was hypocritical that Gov. Palin had her poor 17year old daughter holding the 4-month baby with a blanket covering her belly%u2026if she was sooo proud, why were they hiding this? This is so obviously a tactic and it insults educated women like me who can see right thru this risky move. I wonder how the GOP and the media would react if it was a political family that happeed to be Hispanic or black? Would we see it as simply a %u201Ccommon mistake%u201D?! or, would we call it another example of the lack of American values and a baby out of wedlock?!?

Clearly there is a double standard and hypocrisy%u2026Again, it should be about the best candidates and focus on issues.

[shouterguy]

In honor of Sarah Palin, our NEXT VICE PRESIDENT (or not)let me post my first..."Palin-drome!"*

Campus Motto: Bottoms up, Mac


*Note: Palindromes are phrases which read the same frontwards and backwards.

[shouterguy]

Of course, she''s a religious girl.

This Palin-drome says it all:

Dogma: I am God