Palin's push for earmarks

Posted: Thursday, September 18, 2008 4:45 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Sarah Palin

From NBC's Jim Popkin
As a vice presidential candidate, Gov. Sarah Palin has railed against federal earmarks, or congressional funding for pork-barrel projects. "In our state, we reformed the abuses of earmarks," Palin recently boasted to a rally in Lancaster, Pa. "We championed earmark reform up there," she said, "to stop Congress from wasting public money on things that didn't serve the public interest."

But musty records culled from the archives of the Wasilla, Alaska, city government reveal that Palin was directly involved in soliciting millions of dollars in earmarks for Wasilla when she was mayor. And she got help from a well-connected Washington lobbyist.

In a monthly status report to the city on March 7, 2000, newly hired "City Lobbyist" Steve Silver describes how the Palin administration had requested $6.6 million in federal earmarks for water and sewer improvements for Wasilla, and another $1 million for police equipment. Mayor Palin reviewed and signed the lobbyist's report, dated April 5, 2000.

For more, check out NBC's Deep Background investigative blog.

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Comments

The hypocrisies coming from the McCain/Palin ticket are becoming comical.

Alexis, SC (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 5:21 PM)

This is old news that was out right after she was picked. The lobbyist had a connection with Ted Stevens.

EJ, Weterloo, Iowa (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 5:21 PM)

Try living in the largest state in the Union, with the lowest ratio of people per square mile & maybe you'll figure out why you need earmarks to get things done.

You folks in middle America farm country ever hear of rural electric? You wouldn't have had electricity w/o it.

getreal, US (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 5:22 PM)

Don't Eat the Yellow Snow

Palin is LYING !!

It's an old technique invented by the original neo-cons: The Bib Lie

Just keep repeating a lie long enough and people might believe it

Palin is no reformer

And niether is McCain

they're both right wing Republicans

MSierra, SF (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:05 PM)

Earmarks can be good. Improved roads, parks, environmental issues, etc. It's the abuse of earmarks that needs to be dealt with. That and blatantly lying about not taking earmarks for your city when you did.

Bailey Qrtrs., Twin Cities, Mn (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:07 PM)

If earmarks are so important as mayor/governor, then why would she, as VP, take that away from all the other mayors and governors around the country??

D.L. CA (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:09 PM)

That's fine getreal, but then she needs to BE HONEST about earmarks. She isnt. However, given everything else, it may just be pathological...maybe she just can't tell the truth.

wearereal, US (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:10 PM)

It's not that she used earmarks, I guess they all do it. But they painted her as such a reformer, and now it turns out she's just like everybody else.

dennis (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:10 PM)

Getreal...Try living in the largest state in the Union, with the lowest ratio of people per square mile & maybe you'll figure out why you need earmarks to get things done.

**********************

Yep..that explains the rebates to citizens every year from the State of Alaska.. Question? Why not spend the surplus on Alaskan projects.. and of course let's not forget that Alaska gets more federal money per capita than any state in the union.... Palin can spin and lie all she wants but she cannot hide from the truth...

For Real, US (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:11 PM)

wow lies and more lies. Everything she has said is a lie. There are two things to learn here. She lies and McCain should have done a much better vetting job. Wow what sloppy work by McCain.

frank, NC (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:11 PM)

Get real indeed...I'm sure it is tough I imagine comming up with the money to benefit that low ratio of people per square mile, however… more money requested in earmarks than Boise, Idaho for a city of 7K? I guess the oil revenues looked better in tax rebates than they did as infrastructure projects. Everyone who tries to defend Palin on this stuff just looks irrational.

Ghost of James Brown (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:12 PM)

How much did New York state get in earmarks in 1950? How much did Alaska get that year? Who built the Interstate Highway, O'Hare Airport?

Jim, Anchorage, AK (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:12 PM)

is john mccain aware of this woman's remarks or is tone deaf to his running mate. maybe he can't admit that choosing her was a political blunder of all times

jt mcguire, bethlehem, pa (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:12 PM)

What we are all having a problem with are the lies that continue to be told as truth. And when caught in them what all politicians on both sides are doing is continuing to mislead us. Can anyone say Clinton, Bush or Edwards? Add McCain and Palin to that list.

Fed Up, Richmond, VA (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:13 PM)

I agree with getreal that it is not necessarily inappropriate to have earmarks. Earmarks, when reasonable, have accomplished great things in states, and sometimes they are the only way to have important projects funded in a state. The issue here is the hypocrisy. Palin is "anti" earmark, while pursuing them as mayor and govenor. If she said, "Alaska needs earmarks because of the unique nature of the state", that would be reasonable. If she said, "earmarks are sometimes necessary, but there should be transparency and accountability", that would be reasonable. But she didn't. She said "I'm a maverick, I rail against earmarks, earmarks are bad". So, getreal, the issue isn't whether earmarks were necessary to build rural elecricity, it's that Palin presumes to say that there should not have been earmarks to do so, while utilizing them for Alaska.

Sarah D., Springfield, VA (turning red to blue!) (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:14 PM)

Its not about your states condition. Its the fact that she is misrepresenting herself. These little factual blunders are hurting the GOP with the independent voters. Unless the GOP can smoke the Dems in the debates, they are in trouble and will lose.

Chad Somewhere in Northern,Ca. (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:14 PM)

We understand earmarks as much as you do. We are not waging a phony war against it like Senorita Failing.

Naush, Homestead, FL (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:15 PM)

"Getreal, US", I'm sorry, I didn't realize we were forcing folks to live up there.

Shelly, Tucson (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:17 PM)

For those of you who don't get it: The only reason this is a major issue is because of Caribou Barbie's railing against earmarks, how all earmarks are evil, and how Alaska can take care of itself. She doesn't take earmarks, doesn't like earmarks, and neither does John McCain!

Her record clearly demonstrates otherwise, i.e. SHE LIED! She lied about her record on earmarks, about her stance on government spending. She lied about her "reformer credentials."

It's not that she lobbied for and took the earmarks that newsworthy, it's that she lobbied for and took earmarks and then, as VP Candidate, Palin told us all that she hates earmarks! That she doesn't take earmarks! That all earmarks must stop! That they want to eliminate ALL earmarks! So, she's either a liar, a hypocrite, or just plain dumb.

And by the way: Obama and Biden's record on the matter is irrelevant, since they never took such a hard line stance against earmarks. They never said they didn't ask for them or take them.

AndyC, San Diego, CA (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:17 PM)

At least she is in a position to ask for earmarks unlike another candidate who would have taken any earmark granted him and thought he was entitled to it.

Howard , Gerald, MO (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:18 PM)

Get real, maybe you need to get out more. We have the REA down here! The real question is ... Why would some speck on the map in the middle of no where, rolling in oil money, need millions of dollars of earmarks from down here? Maybe Palin should rethink her tax refunds and divert some of that money to what it was intended to do, instead of asking the rest of us to kick in for her earmarks and taking federal funds she asked for for her "bridge to nowhere" and spending it on whatever else struck her fancy?

We can't afford government by the secretive elite few a second longer - have you taken a look at the headlines today?

Get your head out of the snow.

JD, Casper, Wy (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:20 PM)

my problem with palin is she tell stoo many lies with a straight face every day is something new about palin and its not good.

claudia (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:20 PM)

TO getreal, US -- your point may be valid (I admit I hadn't thought about it that way) but McCain/Palin can't run on being AGAINST earmarks, and keep saying Palin was AGAINST them, when in fact she actually SOUGHT them. And considering your point, McCain's stance of being against ALL earmarks doesn't make sense. Life isn't just black or white, and it would be nice if our politicians -- and us citizens -- would realize that.

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:20 PM)

"to stop congress from wasting public money on things that didn't serve the public interest."
Last time I checked, water and sewer and police equipment would qualify as a service to the public.
This is just another of many unfair attacks upon Gov. Palin.
BTW, Palin is a GOVENOR now. At least be a little more current with the lies and smears.

Rhj (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:20 PM)

getrealus...

You may be right. But the Bush/McCain/Palin ticket is out, front and center, as being against earmarks. Their team made it an issue and now Palin is out-and-out LYING about her involvement with earmarks. It is crystal clear that when she was mayor of Wasillia, and now as governess of Alsaka, she has not only accepted earmarks, but actively solicited them, and then reallocated those funds to projects for which the earmarks were never intended. If she would just say that yes, she sought them and yes, she accepted them, and explain why, she would hold a lot more credibility than saying "I said thanks, but but thanks" to the fiasco that is the bridge to nowhere.

James, San Francisco, CA (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:20 PM)

the problem is not getting ear marks the problemis acting or saying you dont take ear marks.

claudia (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:22 PM)

Barack Obama, the San Francisco treat (sung to the tune of Rice-a-Roni)

Roustabout (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:22 PM)

my problem with palin is she tells too many lies with a straight face every day is something new about palin and its not good.

claudia (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:22 PM)

getreal, you are missing the point! It's not about requesting earmarks. Its about the fact that she boasts about fighting against them when she was clearly for them.

Big Brown (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:25 PM)

Integrity appears to be nonexistent in this Republicant candidate's campaign. Here is an appropriate analogy...
Sarah is to honesty as John is to ability. The key phrase would be "Lying about".

When Pigs Fly (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:25 PM)

I think the repubs live in a bubble and fantasy world. Can you imagine having a president who changes his mind like McCain? Or a pretty VP who has no clue as to what's really going on out there in the big world. Just what we need. Bye Republicans, don't let the door hit you in the behind.
Obama/Biden 08'

cindy, Las Vegas, Nv (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:27 PM)

My god, this is funny! By the numbers:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-kurtzman/sarah-palin-by-the-number_b_127355.html

David Z, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:29 PM)

Palin is as much of a lier as is John McCain!That should provide us all with the reason he liked her after meeting, then talking, with her for 15 minutes before he asked her to run with him.

A.Brocco,Albuquerque,NM (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:31 PM)

What's the difference between a Hockey Mom and a Pit Bull? Pit Bulls are genetically related to Bulls, whereas Hockey Moms are just full of Bull$^&t!

With only 47 days left until November 4th, do you know the Top 50 Swing Voter Demographics in 2008?

#50 - Hockey Moms
#49 - Godless Hollywood Liberals
#48 - Baristas
#47 - People with STDs
#46 - ???

Check out http://swingvoters.wordpress.com

Conrad (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:32 PM)

It is one thing to be against earmarks and pork spending, but it is completely hypocritical for someone (Palin) to use it, abuse, take advantage of it, and exploit it, then turn around and say 'porkbarrel is completely unaceptable' when politically advantageous. WELCOME TO THE DOUBLE TALK EXPRESS MRS. PALIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Franklin Carrasco, Nashua,NH (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:34 PM)

The problem is getting earmarks. The problem is that Palin received earmarks for Alaska and NOW says she's against them and would keep other states from benefitting from earmarks. If it's good enough for Alaska, why isn't it good enough for the rest of us?

SWE 123 syracuse ny (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:37 PM)

Regardless if this is old news, it is news that is relevant to the current state of hypocrisy and lies coming out of McCain and Palins' mouth in interviews and during their rallys! I really do think that Sarah Palin is a pathalogical liar at this point. This is not a beauty pageant contest! Doesn't she realize everything she says will be very heavily scrutinized? MCain's judgment was already flawed, but it appears to be even more dire and off the wall by this Sarah Palin pick! The two of them kinda remind you of Bush and Cheney. Claiming to serve the best interest of the public, by "reforming" wasteful spending, having a transparent goverment laced with "straight talk"!! Even this e-mail debacle with Palin. Reminds me of when Cheney (the white house for that matter) didn't want to give up his e-mails either!! Talk about secrecy and lies!!

Kimberly (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:38 PM)

I don't believe earmarks are bad. Rural electric is one example of a good earmark.

What is bad is saying you oppose earmarks, then refusing all questions about why the earmarks you went after are an except.

J Edge (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:38 PM)

What does Palin care what anyone has to say about all her lies, she knows she can lie until we're all blue in the face and no one is going to do a thing about it except yell; sarah! sarah! sarah!! The woman is loving where she is right now and no one is taking that away from her, not even McCain. But I would get a food tester if I were McCain.

LJ (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:39 PM)

Hey getreal,US why did you not show your name and what state you are from and don't tell me that your message identifies that.

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:39 PM)

She can't help herself. She opens her mouth and out pop a lie.

Basically this Palin/McCain going on and on about earmarks is silly anyway. Not all earmarks are the same. Some are necessities but if you're going to try to act like they are all bad at least have the decency to have clean hands when you talk about them. otherwise you're just a good old fashioned HYPOCRITE just trying to score political points with no substance behind it

HomeSchoolingFam (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:40 PM)

Right getreal, US. But a difference was that these bills were pasted by legitimate bills, debated by Contgress as stand alone issues and not by attaching them to other Items with out debate nor public knowledge.

A second point, the governor said she did not like nor ever approved earmarks. Hmmm

Richard Delmar, NY (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:41 PM)

Sarah is a witch...She is Alaska's "Bree Hodge on Wisteria Lane"

VOTE DNC (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:44 PM)

No prolem at all with her request for earmarks...just with her lying about it.

DT (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:47 PM)

One thing is needing earmarks for your large state small population fixer upper, but lying about it is what insults me !!!!!!

FYI.....middle America are the ones buying/believing it!!!

Monty Rodriguez, Miami,, Fl. (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:49 PM)

to 'get real' but wasilla is not in the 'greater Alaska area it's near the largest city Ancorage. And since AK has no state income tax like 'folks in middle america' perhaps you could try taking care of your own a bit. I would love for my state to give up it's income tax and start getting money from the federal gov. instead.

eyes wide open (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:49 PM)

The point is that McCain Palin have been campaigning on "thanks but no thanks" to the Federal government handing out earmark $$$ and yet, she has been requesting millions of earmarks as both mayor and governor. You can't have it both ways.

deb (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:49 PM)

Federal earmarks for needed infrastructure in the states is ONLY an issue because John McCain made it an issue. The amount of money is negligible compared to the billions each month we are spending on Iraq.

If you pick a ridiculous platform to stand on, at least have the sense and judgment to properly vet your VP choice. Now you have no legs to stand on Mr. McCain.

Aaron F. American abroad (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:49 PM)

The point is not that her and wasilla did not need the earmarks, the point is that she states that she is against them, but really isnt. During the abc interview she stated that they are okay as long as they are not hidden (earmarks for crabs and seals)????. She just says what she is told and what conservative Americans want to hear.

Bruce, Hartford CT (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:53 PM)

If you are running as a reformer as Sarah Palin is, then this is legit news. She is portraying herself to be something she is not. The main qualification for her being on the ticket was the fact that she will cut goverment spending. Now she doesnt have that credibilty anymore. What does she have left, economic policy? NO foriegn affairs? NO!

George Oklahoma City, Ok (Sent Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:54 PM)

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