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.

[shameonbush]

When Palin said that her son joined the army on 911 and will be sent to Iraq on 911, I can''t help but wonder if Palin knows that Iraq had NOTHING to do with 911. But like Bush and the whole Republican trip, Iraq is always brought up in the same sentence as 911. We are at war over blatant LIES. Why isn''t this investigated?

[lacolombe]

John McCain''s Vice President selection is "Pal(e)in" comparison to more qualified and experienced female politicians.

[rjstan1]

Watching this week all of the shots of those in the audience at the Republican Convention, I didn''t see people, but rather, little birdies looking up at their speakers, mouths open, naive, ignorant of the real issues, fooled by their own party into believing whatever is fed to them--true believers for sure. I''ve come up with a new nickname for the Republicans:
THE TWEET TWEETS.

[rachee1025]

I was a completely undecided voter until last night. How dare she even imply that a Community Worker is not important. Community workers are the people that help pick up the pieces when all hope is lost. Who do you think helped get New Orleans back in order? It is a selfless, giving, honorable position and I am humbled by the fact that someone would be so giving.
Not to mention her comment on the pilars at the Democratic convention. Seriously? This is not high school!! GO OBAMA!!!!

[semajwisdom]

First, allow me to say that I believe no ones personal life should ever come to play in politics unless; they are truly doing something inhumane as a rapist, pedophile, or selling drugs for example. Other than that, I totally disagree with the postings here by the supporters of Gov. Palin. Her belittling the sweat, tears, sacrifices, and hard work of community organizers to make a political point is saddening. Many of these groups, whether they are secular or faith-base perform their duties with minute resources and therefore in order to succeed must be ran like a well-oiled machine. This is the reason, they hire Executive Directors and give them power to make decisions that not only affect the day-to-day operation of the organization but that which directly affect the lives of those they are attempting to assist. That is exactly the job of a Mayor, over seeing the operations of a city.

[hertpride]

I''ll have to add, kudos to Omama for telling people to leave the family out of it. Too bad the leftist media will ignore that and hurt Obama''s cause.

Obama does have class, just not enough experience to be POTUS.

[hertpride]

Much the same from CBS as before. I wonder what kind of fake documents CBS will come up with this time?

Too bad Dan Rather won''t be there to cry after Obama gets defeated.

[nemcalija]

Palin did a good job of being the republican attack dog last night. Lets keep in mind that all dogs bark loud and mean when there behind there own fence. Lets see what happens when she steps on the other side of the fence and tangles with an opposing attack dog

[hertpride]

It''s a sad day when the leftists ignore Obama''s earmarks. That''s alright, they''ll pay for it, all of this trashing Palin will cost Obama the election. The liberals are the democrats worst enemy.

[hertpride]

So what? Obama asked for 750 million in earmarks since he''s been a junior senator.

[hertpride]

So what? Obama asked for 750 million in earmarks since he''s been a junior senator.

[franksmitley]

I disagree with all the talk about Sarah Palin%u2019s credentials and baggage. She is as qualified as any other Republican to be VP choice and just like so many other good Republicans before her, her private life is irrelevant. Republican Senator Mark Foley, despite being a pedophile and self-admitted alcoholic, still advocated many bills to protect out nation%u2019s children. The present Republican VP, *** Cheney, didn%u2019t let the fact that he has a lesbian daughter get in the way of him keeping America safe from the left wing assault against marriage, as too with Republican Senator Larry Craig, who didn%u2019t let his personal life stand in the way of his duty to oppose the *** and protect our nation%u2019s morals and family values any that he could. Even in Palin%u2019s own state of Alaska, Republican Senator Ted Stevens%u2019 personal graft didn%u2019t prevent him from doing his job obtaining millions in earmarks on behalf of his constituents. Like all these good Republicans, and George Bush himself, Palin can be counted on to set aside personal issues, to focus inflexibly on the correct Republican talking points and what%u2019s right for the country, regardless of whatever the facts in their own lives say. She and John McCain are the unquestioning, good soldiers we Republicans need!

[Sharkdog2000]

Once again, the GOP proves that they are far more interested in getting "the job" and holding onto power than doing anything for our country. They play to the fears and naivete of their conservative religious base, confident that they''ll believe anything fed to them. The sad part is that so many continue to drink the Koolaid and buy the lies, unaware or unconcerned that they are being used and uninterested in doing their own research. This little stunt of picking someone who is completely unqualified to run our country is just the lowest. I mean, come on - she''s got "international experience" because they neighbor Russia? It would be hysterical if it wasn''t so terrifying.

[ohbombus]

She ROCKED tonight!
Palin has my attention. Can''t wait to see her in action at the White House.

[csp66]

I''m not sure I want a VP who has attended a Doomsday cult most of her life that is obsessed with starting Holy Wars and "End Times". Since McCain ain''t no Spring Chicken, chances are pretty good that this thoroughly inexperienced woman with an extreme evangelical agenda might one day be holding "the button". Kind of makes all the other issues against her pale in comparison. Check this out. It''s one of quite a few rather disturbing articles from various news sources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/palins-church-may-have-sh_n_123205.html

He preaches repeatedly about the "end times" or "last days," an apocalyptic prophesy held by a small but vocal group of Christian leaders. During his appearance with Palin in June, he declared, "I believe Alaska is one of the refuge states in the last days, and hundreds of thousands of people are going to come to the state to seek refuge and the church has to be ready to minister to them."

DON''T THINK IT WOULD BE WISE TO VOTE FOR THIS.

[sure_winner]

The thought and voting police are out in full force trying to tell women who to vote for. Effectively trying to control the women right of individual assessment and control of their individual vote thru lies and distortion projected thru a bias media and internet blogs.

Palin is extremely successful, strong; a determined woman who has the potential to become 1st seed material for future political office like heading ticket in future against Clinton. They are scared and they now the impact of letting an alternate vision of leadership of moral clarity and reflection for women. They are scared to hell of religious, community serving, moral and successful women who raise children and attend church and are soccer/hockey mom types rallying against the self-centered, elitist, moral deficient types that say they are the current leaders of the women movement.

Palin has 13 years of elected office, given birth five times, loved her country as much as her husband, fought corruption in her own party, dealt with relations with two countries that are direct neighbors of her state. She smashed the big oil good old boy system with her straight talk approach in leadership in Alaska. She risked death to fight corrupt men in the Alaska government whom were so corrupt they could have eliminated the threat using evil force.

She is a hero and a joy to all women''''s hopes and as a Christian Man I love her and trust her as my vice-president or president in my future.

Go Palin

[sure_winner]

The thought and voting police are out in full force trying to tell women who to vote for. Effectively trying to control the women right of individual assessment and control of their individual vote thru lies and distortion projected thru a bias media and internet blogs.

Palin is extremely successful, strong; a determined woman who has the potential to become 1st seed material for future political office like heading ticket in future against Clinton. They are scared and they now the impact of letting an alternate vision of leadership of moral clarity and reflection for women. They are scared to hell of religious, community serving, moral and successful women who raise children and attend church and are soccer/hockey mom types rallying against the self-centered, elitist, moral deficient types that say they are the current leaders of the women movement.

Palin has 13 years of elected office, given birth five times, loved her country as much as her husband, fought corruption in her own party, dealt with relations with two countries that are direct neighbors of her state. She smashed the big oil good old boy system with her straight talk approach in leadership in Alaska. She risked death to fight corrupt men in the Alaska government whom were so corrupt they could have eliminated the threat using evil force.

She is a hero and a joy to all women''''s hopes and as a Christian Man I love her and trust her as my vice-president or president in my future.

Go Palin

[dwill890]

How terribly sad American politics have become; no civility, no honor, and no decency; men act like little boys, and women act like little girls. Perhaps the Staff of CBS should take note of a basic high school journalism rule taught. Report the facts in an unbiased manner, let the viewer, reader, or listener decide. Clearly what is taught in a simple high school journalism class is not practiced at CBS, just ask Dan Rather.

I would challenge the Staff at CBS to state on air who each of them supports in this election, and whom they support in the last Presidential election. I can respect some telling me their position, then telling me the facts. Of course this will never happen.

This is a truly defining moment in the traditional media, this is either your fines hour, or height of power to have Barak Obama elected President of the United States, or it is the last fighting breath of relevance; which of course we will have to wait to see.

Consumption of the traditional media is down, and continues to slide further. Perhaps this is a new dawn of media, or perhaps you now feel as the dinosaurs did right before their end.


Have a Nice Day!

[brashertech]

Fair game. If you bring a total unknown into your campaign, you must expect that SOMEONE will need to inform the public about them.

Since the McCain campaign believes the public is on a strictly need-to-know basis when it comes to Palin''s background and "qualifications", the media is left to do the digging themselves.

Since when has any public figure running for office been off-limits to public scrutiny? Equal rights means equal responsibilities%u2026 every candidate faces the same scrutiny.

Obviously, those with skeletons in the closet have the most to fear from the process. It sucks that Palin''s family is getting the rake here, but she made the decision to run, and her past seems to be outpacing her.

[brashertech]

Fair game. If you bring a total unknown into your campaign, you must expect that SOMEONE will need to inform the public about them.

Since the McCain campaign believes the public is on a strictly need-to-know basis when it comes to Palin''s background and "qualifications", the media is left to do the digging themselves.

Since when has any public figure running for office been off-limits to public scrutiny? Equal rights means equal responsibilities%u2026 every candidate faces the same scrutiny.

Obviously, those with skeletons in the closet have the most to fear from the process. It sucks that Palin''s family is getting the rake here, but she made the decision to run, and her past seems to be outpacing her.