Obama Rebukes Palin On Earmarks Claims

Democratic Nominee Says Palin Took Earmarks When "Convenient"

(AP)  Barack Obama made his first direct criticism of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin on Saturday, saying she pretends to oppose spending earmarks when she actually has embraced them.

Speaking to 800 people at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds in Terre Haute, Ind., the Democratic presidential nominee ridiculed John McCain and his running mate, the Alaska governor, for describing themselves as agents of change at this week's GOP convention.

"Don't be fooled," Obama told the crowd surrounding him in a large barn. "John McCain's party, with the help of John McCain, has been in charge" for nearly eight years.

"I know the governor of Alaska has been saying she's change, and that's great," Obama said. "She's a skillful politician. But, you know, when you've been taking all these earmarks when it's convenient, and then suddenly you're the champion anti-earmark person, that's not change. Come on! I mean, words mean something, you can't just make stuff up."

McCain has vowed to wipe out earmarks, which are targeted funding for specific projects that lawmakers put into spending bills. As governor, Palin originally supported earmarks for a controversial $398 million Alaska project dubbed the "bridge to nowhere." But she dropped her support after the state's likely share of the cost rose. She hung onto $27 million to build the approach road to the bridge.

Under Palin's leadership, Alaska this year asked for almost $300 per person in requests for pet projects from one of McCain's top adversaries: indicted Sen. Ted Stevens. That's more than any other state received, per person, from Congress for the current budget year. Other states got just $34 worth of local projects per person this year, on average, according to Citizens Against Government Waste, a Washington-based watchdog group.The state government's earmark requests to Congress in her first year in office exceeded $550 million, more than $800 per resident. Palin actually reduced the state government's requests for special projects this year in the wake of President Bush's demand for a cutback in earmarks.

Alaska also has become so accustomed to largess flowing from Congress through Stevens that most of Palin's earmark requests this year - such as studies of Alaskan fisheries, grants to combat drug trafficking, and rural airport upgrades - simply keep ongoing programs going. Among her requests was $150,000 to pay the travel bills of state and fisheries industry representatives on the boards that implement North Pacific fisheries agreements.

Until Saturday, Obama had refrained from criticizing Palin directly, saying only that she, like McCain, would continue the Bush administration's policies.

Democrats have debated how to deal with Palin. They want to avoid charges of sexism but find ways to highlight what they see as her political weaknesses.

Obama delivered some of his most withering criticisms yet of McCain, although he did so with chuckles and an air of mock disbelief. McCain has acknowledged voting with President Bush 90 percent of the time in Congress, Obama said.

"And suddenly he's the change agent? Ha. He says, 'I'm going to tell those lobbyists that their days of running Washington are over.' Who is he going to tell? Is he going to tell his campaign chairman, who's one of the biggest corporate lobbyists in Washington? Is he going to tell his campaign manager, who was one of the biggest corporate lobbyists in Washington?"

"I mean, come on, they must think you're stupid," Obama said as the crowd laughed and cheered.

The McCain campaign noted that Obama has steered numerous earmarks to his state of Illinois. However, Obama has not been the critic of earmarks that McCain and, more recently Palin, have been.

Obama said Republicans are targeting his character, and he criticized McCain for saying he would reduce the partisan rancor in Washington. Pretending to address McCain, he said, "Did you pay attention to the last two days of your convention? Were you not watching?"

"When you start just focusing exclusively on trying to tear the other person down instead of what you are going to do on behalf of the American people to deal with this economy," Obama said, "then that's not serving Democrats, that's not serving Republicans, that's not serving anybody."

[existinguser]

4 more years of Sarah W McCain. www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBaCcRMStxc

[jerr11]

I knew Obama is no John Kerry.

He tells it like it is.

[sandycat2]

What a joke Obama is. He is a senator who has voted for millions of dollars in earmarks that are stuffed into almost all bills passed in the senate and he is critizing Palin cause she lobbied congress to get money for projects she felt she needed in her community? Palin was doing what is common and accepted and quite legal for her and others in this country and even outside this country do. Congress makes me sick. They spend all their time passing earmarks for themselves and lobbyists and do nothing about the US''s real problems. Congress should be fired for non-performance.

[omega39-2009]

let me put my fingers in my ears, close my eyes, and go LALALA until tis evil news goes away!

[omega39-2009]

Posted by sandycat2


Can''t read huh? This is a story about the moose hunters short comings!

[existinguser]

Thank god Republicans are not as hypocritical as Democrats. And thank god George Bush is our president (and McCain will be next). www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBaCcRMStxc

[agt-r]

This man is so selfconsumed that he actually thinks he owns the truth; not matter that he''s acussing others of his own shotcomings. He feels and has the urge to critizes those that are better than him just to pull them down to his own incompetence. I think he feels offended whenever someone does not bow down to him in reverence. What an ego!

[platteman]

Now that funny. Alaska has about 600,000 people and they say that they get $300 per person, yet other states only get $35 per person. Wow, as they always say, figures don''t like, but liars will figure.
Come on now, be fair. Obama has gotten more earmarks for his state than Palin ever got. How about the earmarks for his wifes hospital and the fact they they turn patients away.
Get real. The best part is this. Kawame will have a cabnet post if Obama get elected. We need a thug in the cabnet.

[samthetvcat]

---"Democratic Nominee Says Palin Took Earmark''s When "Convenient"---

Seriously, what''s wrong with him?!? Didn''t he take earmarks for his community organizing charity, Father Pfleger, and his Wife''s employer?

This is like when Barack tried to diminish Palin for being a mayor of Wasilla.

Next he''s going to be complaining that she isn''t open to the press . . . how many interviews did he actually do in the month of August? Wasn''t it just the Marie Claire, and People Magazine?

He''s so strange . . .

[samthetvcat]

Also, what''s Barack''s relationship with lobbyists . . . doesn''t he have some on staff, but it''s just that they''re State lobbyists or they''re Federal lobbyists not currently working as lobbyists, or something like that.

The Con Law expert seems to excel at following the letter but not the spirit, and then somehow thinks he''s different than everybody else . . .

[caliguy55]

Johnny McSame is a pathetic excuse for a human being as he tries to steal the mantle of change from Sen. Barack Obama. To hear this bed mate of George W. Bush talking about change is like listening to Adolf Hitler speaking about humility. No matter how McSame attempts to disguise it, the only change he has ever been concerned about is the status of the cancer that seems to have reached his brain. This is proved beyond any doubt by his selection of Sarah Palin to be his running mate. Though the most important decision McSame had to make at this time, he obviously threw out rationality and reality in favor of a novelty he believes will help his campaign. Given the reckless, dangerous, and irresponsible nature of this decision, McSame cannot complain about Sen. Barack Obama''s alleged lack of experience and judgment. McSame just proved to the world that experience (he''s been in the Senate forever) does not bestow on a person wisdom, prudence, and reasonableness in the realm of decision making. Impulsive and rash, Johnny McSame is the last person we need in the White House during this troubled period in our nation''s history, when conservatism has just about managed to destroy the country. A madman and a crook -what a pair the G.O.P. has chosen to lead this country. No way, no how, no Johnny McSame. Obama/Biden 2008!!!

[carpediem60]

For almost 20 months, Obama has been campaigning under the motto of change. Where was McCain? McCain has been and always will be against change. Now suddenly McCain and Palin are agents of change? So funny!

[mainedoggie]

"In the short time since McCain spirited the 44-year-old first-term governor out of Alaska and onto a national stage as his running mate, Palin has become an instant celebrity." (From the AP)


Who''s a celebrity now people? Palin, the ZERO, and your rethuglican HERO!

PIGLET! OINK, OINK.

[jone775]

SamTheTVCat: What''s your view on this presidential election cycle?

[puma2012]

caliguy55

All this *** is just moot. When the DNC chose Obuma over Hillary, the DNC chose a LOSER!

[wmtrib]

obama is so stupid, he likes playing to all your fears and tells you all the lies he has learned from the washington democrats, all liberals should be deported. If you having a black man is americas answer.
Well let''s all go to the hood and hang out.
Obama the puppet master leading all you idots to economic doom.Keep following him and your pocket books will answer for it,
wake up america you need republicans to battle the democratic congress,wakeup wakeup.

[mainedoggie]

==================
Thank god Republicans are not as hypocritical as Democrats. And thank god George Bush is our president (and McCain will be next). www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBaCcRMStxc

Posted by existinguser at 11:54 PM
========================


What a ******!
100% insane, that''s all I can figure.

[momof2or]

I think it''s about time Obama calls her out on her lies. She is not untouchable because she''s a woman. That''s a bunch of bologna. She said that Hillary needed to get tougher and basically to man up, to deal so I expect Palin to get out there and just deal. I expect her to quit whining just as the republicans said to Hillary. They are playing the woman/victim/sexist card. Give it a rest McCain losers. No one is buying it anymore. If you have nothiing to hide then let her answer some of the medias questions. Quit hiding and protecting her.

[mainedoggie]

==========
obama is so stupid, he likes playing to all your fears and tells you all the lies he has learned from the washington democrats, all liberals should be deported. If you having a black man is americas answer.
Well let''''s all go to the hood and hang out.
Obama the puppet master leading all you idots to economic doom.Keep following him and your pocket books will answer for it,
wake up america you need republicans to battle the democratic congress,wakeup wakeup.

Posted by wmtrib at 12:16 AM
====================

Jeeezuz H Christmas, where do these thugs come from?

Go to college and learn something you stupid red-neck!

Dickweed!

[momof2or]

Obama isn''t playing on anyones fears. He''s speaking up and you are just scared. That''s all you republican operatives know how to do. When things don''t go your way you throw a tantrum. GROW UP!

[jone775]

It''s funny how patriotism gets thrown around when you have nothing of real substance to write about...

[rudy654-2009]

"When you start just focusing exclusively on trying to tear the other person down instead of what you are going to do on behalf of the American people to deal with this economy," Obama said, "then that''s not serving Democrats, that''s not serving Republicans, that''s not serving anybody."
******
Well said Obama.

[mainedoggie]

Palin is a pig, just ignore her. She has nothing to offer other than oppression for women, guns, and a scary god shadowing behind her. Abstinence-Only agenda which she can''t even get to work under her own roof, let alone your house and mine. I want my kids to have ***-ed in school. She on the other hand, does not.
The only thing Palin has to offer, is her sports-caster ability to actually speak the english language, unlike the current king of the rethuglican party, George W. Bush.
Lastly, I fail to see how anyone with a degree in Journalism is qualified to be VP of the USA. Sorry.

[rudy654-2009]

Old Sarah the Barracuda will be exposed for her reputation as a liar, a greedy person, and a cut throat. Fundies are the best at this stuff.

[mainedoggie]

I want my kids to have S-E-X.EDU in school. (Sorry, CBS apparently can''t deal with S.E.X in the posts)

[rudy654-2009]

I want my kids to have S-E-X.EDU in school. (Sorry, CBS apparently can''''t deal with S.E.X in the posts)


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

Posted by mainedoggie at 12:26 AM

The funny thing about these fundies and their opposition to s#x education is that if they read their Bible it is quite explicit on the subject, hiding nothing.

[mainedoggie]

Reminder to all of you thugs:

Obama is a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School

Suck it up cowboys, suck it up.

[stephand]

Don''t throw rocks when you live in a glass house...
Obama requested $740,000,000 in earmarks during the last 3 years. $220,000,000 of these were approved. Among those were $1,000,000 for a hospital where his wife works. Compared to this, McCain and Palin is fairly clean.

[wmtrib]

obama is so stupid, he likes playing to all your fears and tells you all the lies he has learned from the washington democrats, all liberals should be deported. If you having a black man is americas answer.
Well let''''''''s all go to the hood and hang out.
Obama the puppet master leading all you idots to economic doom.Keep following him and your pocket books will answer for it,
wake up america you need republicans to battle the democratic congress,wakeup wakeup.

Posted by wmtrib at 12:16 AM
====================

Jeeezuz H Christmas, where do these thugs come from?

Go to college and learn something you stupid red-neck!

Dickweed!


rednecks made this country college boy red necks defend this country college boy and p-ssies ike you destroy it.

[sandycat2]

Omega39, you can''t think, huh? You just have to swallow whatever BS Obama wants to spew out without ever thinking if Obama actually did what he is critizing others for? If you Obama groupies actually thought about the things Obama says instead of blindly accepting his BS, maybe we would have Hillary running for Pres instead of Obama the lying dickweed.

[sandycat2]

maindogge, grads of Columbia and harvard can actually be liars and have no core values just like Obama.

[mainedoggie]

===========
rednecks made this country college boy red necks defend this country college boy and p-ssies ike you destroy it.

Posted by wmtrib at 12:38 AM :
=====================

Have you served in the military yet you little tick-infested smelly bast.a.rd? Hm? Have you been to Iraq to fight and protect your country from all those nasty-diry Iraqis that attacked the US on 9/11 ?? HM?

You are pathetic. Pick up a book and read. Go back to school and get your GED.

[stephand]

One more: According to CBSnews.
"Sen. Barack Obama sought more than $3.4 million in congressional earmarks for clients of the lobbyist son of his Democratic running mate, Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, records show."

[jone775]

stephend71: here is what the New York Times reports about your $1,000,000 for his wife''s hospital:

"...as the Senate debated a bill to restrict the controversial method of paying for home-state projects %u2014 a measure defeated Thursday evening %u2014 Mr. Obama%u2019s presidential campaign also said that only about $220 million worth of his requests had been approved by Congress. And among those that had been killed were his request in 2006 for $1 million for an expansion of the University of Chicago Medical Center, where Mr. Obama%u2019s wife, Michelle, is a vice president."

To quote McBush, "My friend," you are a liar. Further, here is what the Washington Post writes:

"McCain''s talk about eliminating $100 billion a year in earmarks is largely fantasy. His advisers are now promoting a more realistic plan of eliminating $100 billion in overall spending. But it is difficult to take even that promise very seriously given the fact that the senator refuses to identify exactly which projects he will be cut. To use a phrase coined by George H.W. Bush, this is "voodoo economics," based more on wishful thinking than on hard data or carefully considered policy proposals."

[wmtrib]

Palin is a pig, just ignore her. She has nothing to offer other than oppression for women, guns, and a scary god shadowing behind her. Abstinence-Only agenda which she can''''t even get to work under her own roof, let alone your house and mine. I want my kids to have ***-ed in school. She on the other hand, does not.
The only thing Palin has to offer, is her sports-caster ability to actually speak the english language, unlike the current king of the rethuglican party, George W. Bush.
Lastly, I fail to see how anyone with a degree in Journalism is qualified to be VP of the USA. Sorry.





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

Posted by mainedoggie at 12:24 AM : Sep 07, 2008
+ report abuse
Palin the first women that stand up to the washington yahoos. Obama could''nt hood her thongs let alone out politic her . I hav''nt been a big supporter of women in politics but man , sarah has what it takes to be an assset in washington.fear the black man picking your wallet, not the tough white woman that will kick washingtons ***.

[randynason]

If you Obama groupies actually thought about the things Obama says instead of blindly accepting his BS, maybe we would have Hillary running for Pres instead of Obama the lying dickweed.


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

Posted by sandycat2

If all that matters to you is having a vergina in the White House, then vote for the confused old guy and the fundamentalist with boobies. Those two lying idiots are probably more your cup of tea, dear.

[wmtrib]

rednecks made this country college boy red necks defend this country college boy and p-ssies ike you destroy it.

Posted by wmtrib at 12:38 AM :
=====================

Have you served in the military yet you little tick-infested smelly bast.a.rd? Hm? Have you been to Iraq to fight and protect your country from all those nasty-diry Iraqis that attacked the US on 9/11 ?? HM?

You are pathetic. Pick up a book and read. Go back to school and get your GED.






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

Posted by mainedoggie at 12:45 AM : Sep 07, 2008
+ report abuse
Don'' need to read the writing is on the wall your a liberal idiot that couldn''t fight your way out of your ow mind. what an *** hhhole

[mainedoggie]

===========
..... I hav''''nt been a big supporter of women in politics but man , sarah has what it takes to be an assset in washington.fear the black man picking your wallet, not the tough white woman that will kick washingtons ***.

Posted by wmtrib
==========================



Spoken like a true male chauvinist pig!

And thanks for the bigotry as well!
Once a red-neck, always a red-neck eh?

[randynason]

Palin the first women that stand up to the washington yahoos. Obama could''''nt hood her thongs let alone out politic her . Posted by wmtrib

Palin said that the Jews in Israel deserve the terrorism that befalls them because they never accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Is that the sort of Mid-East diplomacy you want that lip-sticked pit bull to conduct and keep you safe?

[stephand]

jone775: So, he did not get the $1,000,000 he asked for to support the hospital where his wife is working... That makes him a saint.

[mainedoggie]

===========
Don'''' need to read the writing is on the wall your a liberal idiot that couldn''''t fight your way out of your ow mind. what an *** hhhole

Posted by wmtrib
======================

DING, DING, DING! You are correct for the first time tonite wmtrib!

When dealing with thugs like you, I am 100% ******!
I cannot stand ignorant people like you!

[jone775]

stephend71: No, it does not make him a saint, but it does make you a liar. You just don''t get it, it''s not about Obama, it''s about us...

[stephand]

jone775: I''m not sure why you are calling me a liar.

If you truly think Obama (or McCain) is going to rescue the American public you are disillusional. They are all politicians. They lie, spin, bend and twist the facts to get elected - and this includes Obama. The government will not help us.

The best we can hope for is a split with republicans controlling some portion of the government and democrats controlling the other. That way they can do the least damage. That is what we had under Clinton. If the democrats gets control of the house, senate and presidency it will be just as bad as the last 8 years.

[samthetvcat]

---"jone775: So, he did not get the $1,000,000 he asked for to support the hospital where his wife is working... That makes him a saint."---
Posted by stephend71

His earmark requests all have a definite pattern to them - the requests were intended to benefit:

his wife
the community organizer neighborhood
father pfleger''s church
his major donors - Emil Jones, James Crown, James Reynolds

Do Dems really think he''s any different than Palin or any other politician? For real?

[stephand]

Do Dems really think he''''s any different than Palin or any other politician? For real?
-- Posted by SamTheTVCat

Yes, they do :-). It will be funny to see them defend him after 2 years in the oval office and nothing changed.

[jone775]

"If you truly think Obama (or McCain) is going to rescue the American public you are disillusional."

I don''t know about you, but I''m tired of being cynical. No, I''m not delusional. And no, you still don''t get it. It''s not about Obama; it''s how he has inspired the U.S. electorate to believe in themselves again. If you can''t see that, it''s you that are delusional.

[paris1969]

Palin was doing her job as Mayor ... and then as Governor ... in other words she had responsibilities to govern to the benefit of her constituents .... something that Obama knows nothing about!

[stephand]

Obama lie #1:
Obama said he could %u201Cpay for every dime%u201D of his spending and tax cut proposals %u201Cby closing corporate loopholes and tax havens.%u201D That%u2019s wrong %u2013 his proposed tax increases on upper-income individuals are key components of paying for his program, as well. And his plan, like McCain%u2019s, would leave the U.S. facing big budget deficits, according to independent experts.

[paris1969]

jone 775 ... he has only inspired the liberals to believe in themselves again! ... and perhaps black people!

[existinguser]

Finally, Carl Rove and other true partiots - people with honor and integrity - are making sense of all that liberal media hoopla:. www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBaCcRMStxc . www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBXeVvoQA9M