Stevens Defends Palin's Stance On 'bridge To Nowhere'

By Daniel W. Reilly

(The Politico)  Embattled Republican Sen. Ted Stevens defended fellow Alaskan and Republican vice presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin, amid accusations that she once supported the infamous “bridge to nowhere” earmark but has now changed her tune.

“I don’t remember her ever campaigning for it,” said Stevens Monday night. “She was very critical of it at the time.”

Palin and Stevens have had a somewhat frosty relationship ever since Palin ousted longtime Stevens’ friend Frank Murkowski in the 2006 Republican gubernatorial primary. So far, Palin has not endorsed Stevens in his reelection bid this fall, however, Stevens is currently facing charges from the Justice Department that he provided false information on his financial disclosure forms.

However, when grilled about Palin’s support for the notorious $398 million bridge in Ketchikan, Alaska, Stevens replied unequivocally: “She did not support that.”

In her acceptance speech last Wednesday at the Republican Convention in St. Paul, Palin said: “I told Congress, ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’ on that bridge to nowhere.”

Many left-leaning blogs have jumped all over the statement, accusing Palin of an outright lie.

Palin herself has insisted she opposed the bridge from the beginning.