'Bridge To Nowhere' Project Moving Forward, With Palin's Consent

Campaign fact-checkers were back to work on Monday, criticizing Gov. Sarah Palin for restating a false claim about the notorious "Bridge to Nowhere" that had been removed from her stump speech over the weekend. "I did tell Congress, 'Thanks, but no thanks' -- if we wanted a bridge up there we were going to build it ourselves," she said, repeating the line for the 10th time since being selected by John McCain 18 days ago.

In fact, the son of the "Bridge to Nowhere" is still alive and kicking in Alaska. Moreover, state officials are currently reworking designs for the project to allow for federal funds to cover a larger share of the total cost.

(In other words, Palin's administration has actually said "thanks" to congressional spending for the project and is now figuring out how to avoid "building it ourselves.")

In a process begun this past winter, Alaska's Department of Transportation "is currently considering a number of alternative solutions (five other possible bridges or three different ferry routes) to link Ketchikan and Gravina Island," ProPublica's Paul Kiel reported last week, citing an interview with Alaska DOT spokesperson Roger Wetherell.

In a separate interview with the Huffington Post, Wetherell went into more detail about the potential future of the project. While he noted that the various plans are still undergoing environmental impact surveys and other federal reviews, Wetherell said the decision rests with the governor.

"Currently we have $73 million set aside for use on the project," he said, adding "those are federal dollars" appropriated as part of the original "Bridge to Nowhere" project that Palin once supported, but now rejects. Still, Wetherell made clear, the final decision of whether to build a more modest project with the federal dollars rests with her -- and the process is moving forward with her consent.

Explaining her shift to ABC's Charles Gibson last week, Palin said: "What I supported was the link between a community and its airport. And we have found that link now."

Wetherell confirms, however, that those federal dollars already appropriated will be the first funds spent on any approved plan.

"Those funds will be incorporated into the overall costs, once a decision is made on final [environmental impact]," Wetherell said. "Then we'll offer that proposal to the Federal Highway Administration, and they will go forward with their recommendations. That'll give us the guidance as to which option is the viable one. ... Of course the governor will have the final say in the matter. If she chooses not to go forward at all, that's her decision. We will continue to keep the governor appraised of what direction we in the department would like to go under her administration."

And does the department want another bridge -- or some kind of infrastructure -- between Gravina Island and the Ketchikan airport?

"I think what is best is having that transportation infrastructure," Wetherell said, "to allow those people the ability to transit to and from the airport."

Comments

[tsloan]

Thanks, but no thanks for that bridge to another Great Depression.

McHoover/Palin 08

[irishgawdess]

Congress did not approve the "Bridge to Nowhere," yet they gave Alaska the earmarked funds. For what? "Other" transportation projects? Alaska is going ahead with the bridge (or other pricey alternative) anyway. This is lipstick on a pig if I ever saw it! Where is the federal oversight on this?

[LeawoodKansas]

Has the McCain/Palin ticket given any consideration to building a Bridge to Russia?

[USMAMule]

So Palin was for it before she was against it publicly, but still for it privately? How very Republican Flip-Flop-Asaurus of her.

[YouDisgustMe]

LOL

[reachoutofthedarkness]

Ronald Reagan proved that deficits don't matter.
Geo Bush proved that public opinion don't matter
Now McCain is trying to prove the truth don't matter.

"The NASCAR crowd only cares 'bout the race."

[pumpkin]

Here's what McCain had to say about this just a year ago (CNN, Sept 2007)

Just last month, presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, said pet projects could have played a role in a Minnesota bridge collapse that killed 13 people earlier this year.

"Maybe if we had done it right, maybe some of that money would have gone to inspect those bridges and other bridges around the country," McCain told a group of people in a town-hall style meeting in Ankeny, Iowa.

"Maybe the 200,000 people who cross that bridge every day would have been safer than spending $233 million of your tax dollars on a bridge in Alaska to an island with 50 people on it.".

What say you now, Johnny Mac?

[Audrey704]

That was before he met his only chance of ever getting elected...

[gobarackgo]

How about the $600 Million "Bridge to Somewhere"?

That "somewhere" being Sarah's hometown of Wasilla:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080916/ap_on_el_pr/palin_bridge_to_wasilla

[sleek]

It is as simple as this: McCain/Palin are LIARS, HYPOCRITES and FRAUDS.

As others have said, honor comes with honesty.

[oscartucker]

When is this story going to hit all of the news channels and all of the newspapers. So many lies, so little time to get them all out; but they all must be told so everyone will know. I hope people will not fall for all the same old mess again. The polls seem to be showing that folks want MORE of the SAME.

[305Rider]

That may be true about the polls except if you have noticed McCain's lead had almost evaporated. That Palin bounce is fading fast.

[reflectivepundit]

Sarah Palin has lied about the Bridge to Nowhere earmark saga; and John McCain has tried to spin the lie away.
My colleague's posts on "earmarks" and the Palin/McCain campaign is very informative at:

http://www.reflectivepundit.com/reflectivepundit/2008/09/earmarks-3-big.html and
http://www.reflectivepundit.com/reflectivepundit/2008/09/earmarks-a-sm-1.html

[TexMex69]

While I know that the family is "off limits". I think it's pretty unusual that such a "well educated" master of foreign policy would encourage her son NOT to attend college. Don't you find that a bit odd.
Let's see Track joined as private and makes if he's lucky 24k/year. He could have attend a college with an ROTC program and enlisted as an officer @ probably 40-60k.
What kind of judgment, does that show as a parent, much less as an Executive?? Was the kid not able to get into college?? While I understand the desire to serve and make a difference, if you have the means, which the Palins do, then what rational reason is there??

[canobserv]

Actually I don't think Track(is that a real name !!) finished high school...correct me if I am wrong

[305Rider]

Actually I think it's a requirement to be a high school graduate or get a GED if you want to join the military.

[TexMex69]

She can't even look after her children's best interests how can we expect her to look her hours.

[Audrey704]

He would have a lot of trouble getting into college with less than a 2.0 GPA....

In the ghetto they would say that the parents dropped the ball in providing, motivation, guidance and supervision....and it was a parental problem

If you are John McCain you keep repeating Great Family, Outstanding Family .... makes one wonder what else is he out of touch with,,

[kennyfasugbe]

LET'S SEE HOW THE PRESS COVER THIS STORY. IF this gets traction and the losers still cling to their lady-messiah (who will lose anyway this November), then, we know, Houston, we've got a problem!

[KBAR]

This story?

Of the 354 lawmakers who received money from Freddie and Fannie between 1989 and 2008, Sen. Chris Dodd received the most. But next was . . . drumroll . . . Barack Obama. Yup. And he was only there for three years. Not too much went to John McCain, about a sixth of what Obama received

http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/rubin/30411

[LawDem]

Do you understand the misstep in your logic? What Obama and other members of Congress may have received in earmarks has NOTHING to do with Palin's flagrant lying about her position on the bridge to nowhere. No one is arguing with you about who got earmarks and how much, etc. But since you're opening that door, why don't you identify for us all of the "wasteful" earmarks procured by Obama. Actually, I'll even do it for you: http://obama.senate.gov/press/070621-obama_announces_3/. At least one candidate has the candor to disclose projects for which he's played an active role in securing funds. Whether you agree with the projects that these funds are going to is a completely different issue.

[BannedFromCommenting]

But so what??? Obama is not the one going around declaring he took no earmarks!! PALIN IS!!! AND McCAIN SAYING HE IS AGAINST THEM!!

Earmarks make up less than 1% of our budget!! To do improvements to states! Last I heard the states are part of the UNITED STATES. So they can add earmarks if they want all they want. The point is, they get reviewed, accepted, or REJECTED!!

THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT FORCED TO GIVE ANY EARMARKS, THEY VOTE ON THEM!!!
BUT DECLARE YOU ARE AGAINST EARMARKS THEN CHOOSE A RUNNING MATE WHO GETS 20 TIMES MORE PER CAPITA THEN ANY OTHER STATE? HOW DID SHE MANAGE THAT FEAT???

[Nancy84]

The next question to be asked of Sarah Palin is: "Are you now ready to return all Federal funds that were sent to Alaska for the bridge and are you willing to cancel all earmark requests that were made on behalf of Alaska?"

[KBAR]

Senator Obama increased his earmark requests during each of his first three years in office. Governor Palin has cut requests for earmarks for Alaska by $150 million since entering office, and she has cut those requests every single year. She has also vetoed a half billion dollars in wasteful spending at the state level

[BannedFromCommenting]

Let me say this again to KBAR, as it stands for KoolaidBAR.

But so what??? Obama is not the one going around declaring he took no earmarks!! PALIN IS!!! AND McCAIN SAYING HE IS AGAINST THEM!!

Earmarks make up less than 1% of our budget!! To do improvements to states! Last I heard the states are part of the UNITED STATES. So they can add earmarks if they want all they want. The point is, they get reviewed, accepted, or REJECTED!!

THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT FORCED TO GIVE ANY EARMARKS, THEY VOTE ON THEM!!!
BUT DECLARE YOU ARE AGAINST EARMARKS THEN CHOOSE A RUNNING MATE WHO GETS 20 TIMES MORE PER CAPITA THEN ANY OTHER STATE? HOW DID SHE MANAGE THAT FEAT???

[0whole1]

The thing is, Ms. Palin is as the "girl who cried Moose" -- in other words, she has a history of lies and untruths and, to stretch the analogy, disrespect for transparent government that benefits the people.

The outrage is not with her earmarks, which could be for worthwhile things. The outrage is because she said she was agin' earmarks, when not only is she fer 'em in the past, she's fer 'em now -- for the very damn thing she told us she said "no way" to.

Well, guess what? Way. Definitely "way".

In order for the last eight years of malfeasance in the national government to be a blip, a discrepancy, we need to elect people who seem to uphold the rule of law, and who have a moral compass that extends beyond "might makes right;" "the end justifies the means;" and "I'll do whatever it takes to get my way."

By "malfeasance" I mean: support of torture; fabricating false documents to support engaging in an injustified war; manipulating the justice department for political ends; using executive orders *as a matter of course* to circumvent the natural checks and balances of the American form of government; the list continues, and is long.

If we don't elect a government that at least has a *chance* at being truthful, we run the risk of making the last eight years the beginning of the end, and not just a grave but fixable mistake.

*That's* what people are talking about.

[Vote For America]

Sept 15 Polling Update
http://voteforamerica.net/editorials/Comments.aspx?ArticleId=55&ArticleName=Daily+Poll+Update

Cindy McCain's Fallacious Rebuttal
http://voteforamerica.net/editorials/Comments.aspx?ArticleId=54&ArticleName=Cindy+McCain%27s+Fallacious+Rebuttal

The Red November: An analysis on campaign marketing
http://voteforamerica.net/editorials/Comments.aspx?ArticleId=50&ArticleName=The+Red+November

[readyfornewleadership]

Republicans are on a "road to nowhere" (Talking Heads)

[OlderBudWeiser]

That road is under construction to the bridge.