Palin Drops Reference To "Bridge To Nowhere" In Speech

NY Times:

In speech after speech to crowds in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia in recent days, Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican candidate for vice president, has made sure to mention the so-called Bridge to Nowhere, the Alaska project that has become the symbol of earmarks, and what she portrays as her "thanks but no thanks" position on it.

When she landed in Fairbanks in her home state on Wednesday night, though, the bridge was notably absent from an (otherwise mostly similar) speech she made inside an airplane hangar before her homestate crowd.

Ever since she first said it, two weeks ago, critics have questioned her claim that she "told Congress, 'thanks but no thanks on that Bridge to Nowhere.'"

Read the whole story: NY Times

Comments

[Informed Voter]

Ok guys let's be fair. Do you take the time to INVESTIGATE anything or would that get in the way of your AGENDA. "Bridge to Nowhere" no story at all. You have to do better than that to take down Palin.
MEG STAPLETON (she was there) has appeared on CNN with WOLF BLITZER and clearly answered this issue. CANDIDATE Palin, while campaigning for Gov, was FOR the Bridge to Nowhere when the size and cost was reasonable for getting to the small number of people who where relying on a ferry to get to the airport. After the Election and AFTER the FEDS got involved, the Bridge became a MONSTER in SIZE and COST. Most all of you would agree that the Fed GOV has a way of INFLATING everything it touches (remember the $700 toilet seats for NASA). She stopped the madness and said NO THANK YOU to the FED craziness; and said if Alaska wanted the bridge they would build it themselves (meaning at a realistic size and cost). Now I know that all you KOOL-AID drinkers don't want the truth, because it messes up your anti everything you don't understand agenda! Sorry!!!!

[drzoon]

she took the money anyway!

[Danigirl65]

Wow - I think you need to change your name. Perhaps to misinformed voter??

[CurtisEMayle]

I saw Ms. Stapleton in that interview and don't recall her "clearly answering this issue." I heard her give a political response, but nothing that was lucid regarding or citing facts.

And tossing in $700 toilet seats by NASA does not make a case for overspending if you were aware of how cost amortization is performed. i.e., a) they can't use COTS, commercial-off-the-shelf, for space flights to meet flight and testing criteria, b) they're not mass produced, so c) the cost of the unit will be high and makes good political fodder, but is not the waste you may think it is.

I have much different information on the BTN, its support, Palin's position, and the cost timeline. Please provide reference and citations for your allegations. Otherwise, it's your agenda.

[DebbieinPhx]

Again, since she didn't end up FOR the bridge, why the h*ll didn't she return the $233 million she received from the FED?

[mairs]

Ok, she has been using it as proof that she has refused earmarks for her state. Alaska kept the money and has been using it for other purposes. Great story, Palin, but dishonest as heck. We're supposed to love her for refusing the money and not taking it from the Treasury, but that's not what happened. If you're going to run on no earmarks, then don't boast that you refused earmark MONEY that you took anyway. If you run on no earmarks, then your record should show NO EARMARKS, and NO MONEY KEPT.

[wearyvoter]

Here's what's truly sad: The bridge to Gravina Island would make it possible the residents of Ketchikan to drive to their airport instead of taking the ferry. However, from the sounds of it, the state treasury has funds available. It's just that the governor doesn't want to use that money for the bridge. (Meanwhile, as I understand it, the access road leading up to where the bridge would be has been built.)

[mamala4]

She IS on a bridge to nowhere....because she is a nobody....

[layman]

She repeatedly referenced the Bridge to nowhere before she droped it. However. she holds on tight to the money for the Bridge to Nowhere, and can't let go.

[mari2JJ]

I doubt her dropping that statement will convince to o many voters to vote for her ticket. She has already firmly established herself as a liar of the first order. As things keep coming unraveled in Alaska, McCain may wish he had done some vetting, err done any vetting. Nah, McCain thinks he is omniscient so he is sure he made the right pick.

[chewie2008]

Bridge to hell.Thanks,but no thanks.

[Egalitare]

This doesn't happen unless internal GOP polling is telling them that the ticket loses ground everytime she mentions it.

But expect her to continue using it at closed fundraisers for the party faithful: they won't care if what she says is inaccurate. This is her version of Reagan's "Chicago Welfare Queen "-- a parable for the faithful.

[mairs]

If you tell a Republican that she's lying, they just shrug and say they all lie. They couldn't care less that she and McCain do it.

[GSMRaleigh]

The real problem is she is still speaking a scripted speech written by right wing republican thugs.

[cassidynj]

She's still selling us a bridge, and it's to nowhere.

[jesuslovesObama]

Bingo!

[inluvwkeitholbermann]

ROFLMAO!!!!

[moongal6]

Let us not forget the hockey rink to nowhere.

[Nyla785]

Ah, now comes the Republican 'editing' of reality on Palin.

[madmonkey]

Wait! Is she saying one thing to the people in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and another to the people in Fairbanks?!!!? I tend to prefer candidates who don't talk one way in one place, then another way in a different place.

[DWP]

Great Comment.

[KGinSanFrancisco]

That's exactly right! The people of Alaska can't be duped about the bridge tale. They have followed the story all along and she would be booed if she repeated the lie in front of them.

[Arleen1]

Congress should ask for that money back from the coffers in the Alaska reserve.

[dejayel]

Fabulous Idea, and that makes it impossible. Congress hasn't got the "gonads" to force that. And the gates to actual real reform would be opened. That cannot be allowed to happen!

[KayeOh]

Obama's Intrade number has come up two points since the interview aired.

[YouDisgustMe]

lol i don't pay attention to those things but yay

[SailFree]

How about because they've heard it before, they know the truth, and she's too considerate to bore them? This analysis here is toocute by half. Grasp the nettle firmly.

[Tommygun264]

Too little, too late - Caribou Barbie is already known as a proven liar.

[Outofnowhere]

After her performance in the Charlie Gibson interview, I'm willing to build a bridge to nowhere and put her on it.