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Palin Interview: Domestic Issues
September 12, 2008 4:05 PM
Here's the early read on Charlie's interview in Wasilla today: lots of time spent on economic and social issues -- including spirited exchanges about so-called "earmarks" and that dreaded "Bridge To Nowhere" in Alaska.
CHARLES GIBSON: You have said continually, since he chose you as his vice-presidential nominee, that I said to Congress, thanks but not thanks. If we're going to build that bridge, we'll build it ourselves.
SARAH PALIN: Right.
CHARLES GIBSON: But it's now pretty clearly documented. You supported that bridge before you opposed it. You were wearing a t-shirt in the 2006 campaign, showed your support for the bridge to nowhere.
SARAH PALIN: I was wearing a t-shirt with the zip code of the community that was asking for that bridge. Not all the people in that community even were asking for a $400 million or $300 million bridge.
CHARLES GIBSON: But you turned against it after Congress had basically pulled the plug on it; after it became apparent that the state was going to have to pay for it, not the Congress; and after it became a national embarrassment to the state of Alaska. So do you want to revise and extend your remarks.
SARAH PALIN: It has always been an embarrassment that abuse of the ear form -- earmark process has been accepted in Congress. And that's what John McCain has fought. And that's what I joined him in fighting. It's been an embarrassment, not just Alaska's projects. But McCain gives example after example after example. I mean, every state has their embarrassment.
CHARLES GIBSON: But you were for it before you were against it. You were solidly for it for quite some period of time...
SARAH PALIN: I was...
CHARLES GIBSON: ... until Congress pulled the plug.
SARAH PALIN: I was for infrastructure being built in the state. And it's not inappropriate for a mayor or for a governor to request and to work with their Congress and their congressmen, their congresswomen, to plug into the federal budget along with every other state a share of the federal budget for infrastructure.
CHARLES GIBSON: Right.
SARAH PALIN: What I supported was the link between a community and its airport. And we have found that link now.
GIBSON: The state of Alaska, under OMB figures in 2008, got $155 million in earmarks for a population of 670,000. That's $231 per person in Alaska. The state of Illinois, Obama's state, got $22 per person. You got ten times per person as much. How does that square with your reforms?
PALIN: We have drastically, drastically reduced our earmark request since I came into office.
GIBSON: But you still have multiple of any other state.
PALIN: We sure are -- and this is what -- you go out and you ask any Alaskan this. This is what I've been telling Alaskans for these years that I've been in office, is no more.
GIBSON: Governor, this year, requested $3.2 million for researching the genetics of harbor seals, money to study the mating habits of crabs. Isn't that exactly the kind of thing that John McCain is objecting to?
PALIN: Those requests, through our research divisions and fish and game and our wildlife departments and our universities, those research requests did come through that system, but wanting it to be in the light of day, not behind closed doors, with lobbyists making deals with Congress to stick things in there under the public radar.That's the abuse that we're going to stop. That's what John McCain has promised over and over for these years and that's what I'm joining him, also, saying, you're right, the abuse of earmarks, it's un-American, it's undemocratic, and it's not going to be accepted in a McCain-Palin administration. Earmark abuse will stop.
September 12, 2008 in Vote 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (95)
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I can't wait to see this. Palin is tanking bigtime.
Posted by: BobTU | Sep 12, 2008 4:08:53 PM
I still want to hear her explination for slamming community organizers as she did in her acceptance speech.
Posted by: community organizer | Sep 12, 2008 4:11:31 PM
"The state of Alaska, under OMB figures in 2008, got $155 million in earmarks for a population of 670,000. That's $231 per person in Alaska. The state of Illinois, Obama's state, got $22 per person. You got ten times per person as much. How does that square with your reforms?"
This single most brilliant question that has been asked of this woman.
Posted by: James | Sep 12, 2008 4:13:50 PM
lol it is almost like she didnt understand the questions?
like hes saying you opposed that bridge only after, and shes like, yea
and hes like so you were for it before you were against it
yea john mccain and i will fight this sort of thing
and hes like you asked for all these earmarks
and shes like no i didnt
and hes like here are some facts about hwat you asked for
and shes like,
yea exactly thats what were fighitng against
what?
Posted by: Bhrandon | Sep 12, 2008 4:21:17 PM
To - community organizer,
She didn't insult community organizers -she slammed Obama for thinking his community organizer days gave him better experience to be a president than her being a mayor of a city/town. If you take off your Obama glasses you will know she is Wright. As mayor, you actually DO have responsibilities that effect the citizens of your town/city. A community organizer does what? Same thing a church leader does - basically isn't it? Maybe Obama should open his own Mega Church - that is the ONE job he is QUALIFIED for!
Posted by: ELAINE | Sep 12, 2008 4:28:05 PM
Apart from his fly down he is shaking like a leaf is this guy on drugs or medication or something? Does anyone know if he is in the early stages of Parkinson? Palin is doing okay -- If you do any kind of research and look back at previous talks Clinton, Reagan, other world leaders gave in their early days they are were a bit sketchy on specifics. Stop nit-picking about her, it's getting tedious.
Posted by: Justine Crawford | Sep 12, 2008 4:28:27 PM
These interviews are doing the country a service, although those on the right absolutely have their minds made up all ready. I've posted comments on the topic on FOX News's website, but none have appeared, so I suspect they don't want to have anyone voicing another view.
Posted by: MN river | Sep 12, 2008 4:29:30 PM
ILL GIVE PALIN APLAUSE I THOUGHT SHE DID QUITE WELL I PERSONALLY LIKE THE LADY I LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTES SORRY IM GOING REPUBLICAN
Posted by: natale from mass. | Sep 12, 2008 4:30:15 PM
the worst show of judgement in the history of Presidential candidates...
the worst person we have ever seen try and fill the role...
all because it is the 9th year of the same tactics that have almost destroyed a nation for power.
more cover ups and more choices for leadership and hiring on something based on something other than most qualified or most knowledgeable of the issues.
Gonzales as AG
Brownie with Katrina
and now we have Palin as VP to top them all.
Posted by: dl (the real one) | Sep 12, 2008 4:34:35 PM
Sarah didn't mention she hired those very lobbists she claims to oppose to get million for her town as mayor.
Seriously, is anybody buying this anymore?
Posted by: Truth Hurts the GOP | Sep 12, 2008 4:34:36 PM
Natalie I hope you like her knowledge and judgement based on that knowledge and historical accuracy and perspective...
and her ethics
and her sujegation of science and fact
as we are faced with a decision how to react to international crisis...
sounds like she made her decision already on any conflict..."we have the right to attack"
pretty much sums up her answers huh?
the worst VP choice in the history of our nation.
period
Posted by: dl (the real one) | Sep 12, 2008 4:37:59 PM
she also hired them when she was governor as consultants on healthcare.
Posted by: dl (the real one) | Sep 12, 2008 4:38:35 PM
Palin's nose is growing...
Posted by: Samantha | Sep 12, 2008 4:38:47 PM
I wanted to see the interview with Charles Gibson questioning Governor Palin. Now I remember the reason I don't watch ABC News. It's definately not fair and balanced. LEFT LEFT LEFT.
By the way, i'm an independent voter.
Posted by: pete | Sep 12, 2008 4:39:50 PM
"By the way, i'm an independent voter."
I think someone else's nose is growing too.
Posted by: rj | Sep 12, 2008 4:40:52 PM
"She didn't insult community organizers -she slammed Obama for thinking his community organizer days gave him better experience to be a president than her being a mayor of a city/town. "
You're waisting your breath, Elaine. He'll never get it. He's forced to spin with what he's got, which isn't much. Somehow in the mind of a librul, being critical of Obama's "experience" as a community organizer means you hate community organizers. Sad, but true.
Posted by: stan | Sep 12, 2008 4:40:56 PM
ELAINE, sorry but she most certainly did slam community organizers and actually she could do with a little community organizer experience herself. Maybe it would put her in touch more with us regular folks and help her understand why THIS Hillary supporter is voting for Obama.
Posted by: outtahere | Sep 12, 2008 4:41:21 PM
SORRY IM GOING REPUBLICAN
--------------------
At least you realize a choice like that necessitates an apology - to reward the GOP for the last 8 years is rediculous.
You're basically saying, I'll be lied to and let you run our nation into the ground. But I'll still vote for you because I buy into Carl Rove's political spin.
I don't want to insult you because you didn't say anything rude, but seriously. Republican? The thought process of certain Americans is baffling.
Posted by: Truth Hurts the GOP | Sep 12, 2008 4:41:22 PM
Mike Rodgers - I guess telling voters the truth isn't consistent with putting Country first, huh.
Posted by: Ed | Sep 12, 2008 4:44:15 PM
McCain's old and not in good health. He picked a novice who will take over when his health fails. Great! What a team! What a joke. I'm not laughing.
Posted by: counting crows | Sep 12, 2008 4:44:22 PM
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