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Title: Palin "bridge to nowhere" line angers many Alaskans -- Palin flip flop
Source:
www.reuters.com
URL Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCa ... ateFeed7/idUSN3125537020080901
Published: Sep 1, 2008
Author: Yereth Rosen
Post Date: 2008-09-01 10:53:17 by Ferret Mike
Keywords: None
Views: 1034
Comments: 53
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - It garnered big applause in her first speech as Republican John McCain's vice presidential pick, but Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's assertion that she rejected Congressional funds for the so-called "bridge to nowhere" has upset many Alaskans. During her first speech after being named as McCain's surprise pick as a running mate, Palin said she had told Congress "'thanks but no thanks' on that bridge to nowhere." In the city Ketchikan, the planned site of the so-called "Bridge to Nowhere," political leaders of both parties said the claim was false and a betrayal of their community, because she had supported the bridge and the earmark for it secured by Alaska's Congressional delegation during her run for governor. The bridge, a span from the city to Gravina Island, home to only a few dozen people, secured a $223 million earmark in 2005. The pricey designation raised a furor and critics, including McCain, used the bridge as an example of wasteful federal spending on politicians' pet projects. When she was running for governor in 2006, Palin said she was insulted by the term "bridge to nowhere," according to Ketchikan Mayor Bob Weinstein, a Democrat, and Mike Elerding, a Republican who was Palin's campaign coordinator in the southeast Alaska city. "People are learning that she pandered to us by saying, I'm for this' ... and then when she found it was politically advantageous for her nationally, abruptly she starts using the very term that she said was insulting," Weinstein said. Palin's spokeswoman in Alaska was not immediately available to comment. National fury over the bridge caused Congress to remove the earmark designation, but Alaska was still granted an equivalent amount of transportation money to be used at its own discretion. Last year, Palin announced she was stopping state work on the controversial project, earning her admirers from earmark critics and budget hawks from around the nation. The move also thrust her into the spotlight as a reform-minded newcomer. The state, however, never gave back any of the money that was originally earmarked for the Gravina Island bridge, said Weinstein and Elerding. In fact, the Palin administration has spent "tens of millions of dollars" in federal funds to start building a road on Gravina Island that is supposed to link up to the yet-to-be-built bridge, Weinstein said. "She said 'thanks but no thanks,' but they kept the money," said Elerding about her applause line. Former state House Speaker Gail Phillips, a Republican who represented the Kenai Peninsula city of Homer, is also critical about Palin's reversal on the bridge issue. "You don't tell a group of Alaskans you support something and then go to someplace else and say you oppose it," said Phillips, who supported Palin's opponent, Democrat Tony Knowles, in the 2006 gubernatorial race. A press release issued by the governor on September 21, 2007 said she decided to cancel state work on the project because of rising cost estimates. "It's clear that Congress has little interest in spending any more money on a bridge between Ketchikan and Gravina Island," Palin said in the news release. "Much of the public's attitude toward Alaska bridges is based on inaccurate portrayals of the projects here." (Editing by Daisuke Wakabayashi and Sandra Maler)
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#1. To: Ferret Mike (#0)
Obama wants to take tax payer money and kill babies with it. Even if they are born. Sick shit.
He has come out against abortion personally and supports the woman carrying having the right to chose differently then he believes she should. Now, I myself do not support abortion nor do I think it should be legal, but you are bombasticizing up his position warping it to try to make him a monster he is not for your own political advantage. You are a hypocrite doing the exact same thing as those allegedly slandering Palin over a pregnancy. If you want to influence people away from what you perceive as a distortion, you don't help the matter when you distort yourself for your own political purposes.
Bush and Cheney used U.S. Tax dollars to kill Iraqi kids, and McCain supported that. Now, that is some sick shit. Anti-abortion, yet baby killers those two. Sad, but true, so much for the currency of being Pro-Life in posture meaning anything anymore.
Personally against it but its ok to kill someone if you want. Anyone who sucks up to would be murderers needs to be in prison or a mental institution. Mike you have better values then that. Why do you want to vote for someone who is for murdering little precious babies. Also on your subject. She ended the "bridge to nowhere". Which I dont care one way or the other. Most roads that were originally built went to nowhere. That bridge could have opened up new territory in Alaska. Then they could have someting there. So this "bridge to nowhere" is really nothing either way. In my opinion.
There is a difference. Obama actually is for abortion. He also voted against the "born alive" act. The only one in Illinois who did that. That makes him an abortion extremist.
Yeah it is. But they don't target them specifically. Obama said he couldn't guaranteed troops out by end of his first term. So they are going to be there regardless. Not to mention he wants to attack Iran and Pakistan as well.
Pro life is a slogan. Just like pro choice. Im anti abortion.
You would make a more productive use of your time continuing to canvass the neighborhoods. The anti-Obama faction on here is strong and not subject to rational argument. The argument ad hominem prevails. I'm in Texas, so I am actually not voting in the presidential race for the first time ever. My vote in an Electoral College-based system is meaningless anyhow and Barr, who would be my usual protest vote, doesn't impress me. What could happen this time around is McStrangelove compile a popular vote lead with Obama squeaking by in the Electoral College, a mirror image of 2000. This is because the mad bomber has a HUGE popular vote lead in his base states (especially in the Deep South), whereas Obama is not that far ahead in his. The whites will then burn down the suburbs. No, they'll just walk away from their unrepayable mortgages, as is already happening to some extent. Seriously, I still expect McInsane to turn this around and cruise to a 30- to 50-EV margin of victory. What would really be fascinating would be for him then immediately to die in office. That would be a hoot (not for him, but for Mrs. Palin and the rest of us, for sure).
“I would give no thought of what the world might say of me, if I could only transmit to posterity the reputation of an honest man.” - Sam Houston
Flip flop bridge to nowhere is the topic. Set up your own anti abortion argument somewhere else.
Obama is for flipping flopping babies right in the trash can. After their skull is crushed. Is that better?
Whatever is politically expedient works for Mrs. Palin. Just because Obama does it doesn't diminsh her complicity. Or does it in your view of Holy Sarah, mother of god?
People who claim to be pro-life who support the death penalty and other 'justified death' are not concerned for the baby, their game is that of controlling women. You cannot be pro-life and pro-capital punishment. That is my quite consistent position on this. Abortion is a deeply divisive issue, and to get the half of Americans for abortion united once again with those of us who want it stopped, some reconciliation and diplomatic language in the dialog working out differences is going to have to happen. I have no interest nor patience with you using the issue as a club to try to beat up on the best candidate running this time around. Obama and many others will come around, but not if jokers like you -- who are not really pro-life anyway with that lust for old sparky you have -- keep the issue divisive and you keep old wounds from healing so we can move forward to the logic of the pro-life position with everyone accepting it.
No argument with that. ;-)
Sure you can. Abortion involves killing an innocent, capital punishment involves killing a brutal murderer. Saying that being anti-abortion and pro-capital punishment is inconsistent is like saying that you can't be anti-murder but in favor of the right to kill in self-defense. Anyway, abortion isn't the topic of this thread. As far as the "bridge to nowhere" goes, if Palin can change from being a Buchanan/Paul supporter to a warmongering neocon overnight, is it any surprise that she flip-flops on less important issues like pork earmarks too?
That would seem to be the best case scenario at this point. She then has to be careful who she picks as her VP so that they don't whack her to install a "made man". Ron Paul would be a good choice.
"The difference between an honorable man and a moral man is that an honorable man regrets a discreditable act even when it has worked and he is in no danger of being caught." ~ H. L. Mencken
Didn't take her long to adopt the PNAC foreign policy line, did it? Why should we expect her to be any more principled on domestic issues? If she were the wonderful, honest person that her fans here say she is, she wouldn't be Mad Mac's VP. Just like Obama wouldn't have been endorsed by Ted Kennedy and John Kerry in the primaries if he were anything but another DNC hack.
and bush and the neocons have not? Ever stop to think that politicians use abortion as a political football and nothing else? It's all just cheap talk for them to try and get votes. You are aware that since 2000 tax payer funding for pro-abortion organizations both within and outside the U.S. has gone up substantially. If bush and the Republicans were truly pro-life, this would not have happened. And don't forget the 60,000 plus children who have been killed in the unnecessary, immoral and illegal war in Iraq and the fiasco in Afghanistan.
Just like Obama wouldn't have been endorsed by Ted Kennedy and John Kerry in the primaries if he were anything but another DNC hack. A group of people 'round here are closet McCainiacs and it's evident in their see-no-inconsistency defense of Palin and her "record".
They aren't children, they're casualties of the war on terrah. /s
You're right. It's not just Palin they're defending now, all of the sudden, McCain is looking good to them too. I'm starting to see a lot of "McCain isn't so bad after all if he picked Palin." How long before the McCain Team here starts calling everyone with any criticism of their candidate "liberal Democrats" or "Obamaites," even though most of us have no intention of supporting Obama either?
Wrong, and when the right thread for this topic comes up, I'll explain the flaws in your argument for you. This bridge issue is an interesting on as it reveals Palin to be just as much a panderer to opportunity as any politician. And actually, it is never a surprise to see a politico has feet of clay. I am deeply amused by the Republican Gramps a Sis show this time around. It is like that old TV show the Waltons done up in a South Park setting. They sure are doing a good job plowing the road for a Democratic victory in November. We are still in deep shit no matter who wins if but for the limits a Barack Obama can bring to react to a locomotive this big, fast and heavy leaving the tracks as the U.S. derails into neocon fascism. But you have to hand it to the GOP, they sure know how to build a losing presidential ticket in style. I am much amused. It is going to be a long struggle to deal with the neocons as ruthlessly as needs doing with people who are ruthless at this level naturally. But I see electing Obama as a good step creating the right climate for the upcoming struggle, so I profoundly support him for POTUS, and will enjoy opposing him where he needs opposing much more then with more neocons in the White House who believe protesters should be in FEMA camps, but are just not ready yet to admit this.
And besides, nits make lice! NITS MAKE LICE! They would've just grown up to hate us for our FREEEEEEEDOMS.
Live from the Bridge to Nowhere...
Yes you can. You can be for protecting innocent life. If your for protecting innocent life you must be for taking of guilty life that kills innocent life. Otherwise you are being inconsistent.
You are mostly correct here. I don't think "all" pro life Republicans are like that though. Or for that matter all pro life democrats. But by in large that is an accurate statement that I can't disagree with. Remember I am a Chuck Baldwin supporter. But the trash talk of these evil liberals (not you ferret) about Palins daughter is almost enough to turn me towards McCain. Just so they don't get their "messiah". To hear them gloat would be sickening.
I think you are a closeted Obama supporter. Palin is easy to defend. She doesn't have a large record of things us true conservatives disagree with. In fact she has fought corruption within the party. Sold the Governors Jet. Seems principled. So so far a lot of us like her. Maybe it is that Obama is so unacceptable that we will stay on the same bad road instead of a much worse one.
That's the same argument the Bush supporters used 8 years ago. I didn't buy it then, and I'm not buying it now.
I don't like it anymore then you do. I voted Bush in 2000 because if my strong dislike of Clinton and Gore. If I stuck to my principals I was going to vote for Buchanan. I voted constitution party in 2004. Mike Peroutka. I don't agree with Bush on very much. Especially not the war on terror. Patriot act, NAFTA etc. But the reality of the situation is that I am doing ok personally. Obama is a whole new can of worms. I think he would make things even worse. Maybe I am wrong but that is the perception I get. He is a full blown marxist. As of now I plan on voting for Baldwin. But as the left shows more and more of its ugly face. I get tempted to pull the lever for McCain. At least things would pretty much continue as they are. If Obama does win I hope that I am wrong about him, but I doubt it.
If more people had voted their principles instead of being conned into the "lesser evil" argument, Buchanan probably would have gotten close to 10% of the vote (what he polled early on) instead of his half of one percent, or whatever it was that he got. Not enough to win, but enough to keep issues like NAFTA, immigration, and foreign policy in the spotlight. Instead, people settled for Bush, and the two party fraud kept perpetuating itself. The truth is, Gore wouldn't have been any worse than idiot Bush and crook Cheney.
Instead, people settled for Bush, and the two party fraud kept perpetuating itself. The truth is, Gore wouldn't have been any worse than idiot Bush and crook Cheney. Pat should have stayed in the primaries and not ceded it to Bush.
This is an excellent argument for voting one's conscience.
Many on the Right were very unhappy with Bush, and many on the Left were very unhappy with Gore. Unfortunately, the mass media spin about being "spoilers" and "wasted votes" scared most of them into voting for establishment candidates. I feel like killing somebody when I hear a DNC or RNC bullshitter talk about "spoilers" and "vote stealers." As if our votes somehow belonged to their rotten party hacks.
Keeping issues alive is a right worthy goal. Thanks for explaining that.
Ya' know, I really despise that argument. The AK governor can gaff about one a day now. Every day brings me one step away from NOTA and closer to voting AGAINST the commie nut cases, Obama and Biden, by voting for McCracked/Palin.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition "Corporation: An entity created for the legal protection of its human parasites, whose sole purpose is profit and self-perpetuation." © IndieTx Do what you want to do with your vote, but like it or not the issue of abortion has been evolving toward the pro-life position, and to bring on board those who need to to get enough national unity to end the practice of abortion is going to require people to find ways to get along or it just won't happen. Obama has taken an important step in saying he is personally against abortions. He has a difficult position on the short term in that he is not about to upset needed supporters who are vehemently pro-choice. I see Obama as someone I can work with and as being generally more forthcoming and honest in his approach to things that are important. I know McCain deep inside is as pro-choice as Obama to be generous to the man, as he well could be even more pro-choice then the Democratic nominee. Obama's honesty on the issue is better then McCain mouthing a lie to pander. Vote for the lie to dis the 'O' guy if you wish, but you will still be voting for someone who is pro-choice. Sis Palin is there in fact to help shore up Grampa McSame's reputation as a waffle on the subject, so at least you have somewhat of an excuse to vote the Gramps/Sis ticket. ;-)
Obviously, you think a lot of things that are incorrect. Accusing me of being an Obama supporter is merely a tactic to avoid the disccusion of the issues at hand. Address the topic of the thread, or come all out for McCain (Palin has)...then you can salvage some semblence of honesty in your discussion.
All the pro aborts say that. Clinton, Clinton, Gore, Kerry. It is nothing new. It is like a murderer saying I'm personally opposed to killing but I needed that money.
It's an argument I counter with saying he's one of them.
Address the topic of the thread, or come all out for McCain (Palin has)...then you can salvage some semblence of honesty in your discussion. I said I think, not I know. But you do seem pretty liberal. No drilling. Are you pro abortion too? ( I honestly don't know) What about gay marriage? How about right to bear arms? ( I think you are probably for that one)
Was Obama being honest when he said the troops would be out in 18 months or when he said he couldn't guarantee them to be out by his first term?
It has worked magnificently hasn't it. Obama has to be runnig scared now. I think McCain rightly or wrongly just checkmated Obama. Remember there are many democrat racists that wont vote for Obama. Yes there are Republican ones too.
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#2. To: Old Friend (#1)
"You only have power over people so long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a man of everything he's no longer in your power -- he's free again. Alexander Solzhenitsyn
#3. To: Old Friend (#1)
"You only have power over people so long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a man of everything he's no longer in your power -- he's free again. Alexander Solzhenitsyn
#4. To: Ferret Mike (#2)
He has come out against abortion personally and supports the woman carrying having the right to chose differently then he believes she should.
#5. To: Ferret Mike (#2)
You are a hypocrite doing the exact same thing as those allegedly slandering Palin over a pregnancy.
#6. To: Ferret Mike (#3)
Bush and Cheney used U.S. Tax dollars to kill Iraqi kids, and McCain supported that. Now, that is some sick shit.
#7. To: Ferret Mike (#3)
Anti-abortion, yet baby killers those two. Sad, but true, so much for the currency of being Pro-Life in posture meaning anything anymore.
#8. To: Ferret Mike (#2)
#9. To: Ferret Mike, old friend (#0)
#10. To: angle (#9)
Flip flop
#11. To: Old Friend (#10)
(Edited)
political leaders of both parties said the claim was false and a betrayal of their community, because she had supported the bridge and the earmark for it secured by Alaska's Congressional delegation during her run for governor.
#12. To: Old Friend (#5)
"There is a difference. Obama actually is for abortion. He also voted against the "born alive" act. The only one in Illinois who did that. That makes him an abortion extremist."
"You only have power over people so long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a man of everything he's no longer in your power -- he's free again. Alexander Solzhenitsyn
#13. To: angle (#9)
"Flip flop bridge to nowhere is the topic. Set up your own anti abortion argument somewhere else."
"You only have power over people so long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a man of everything he's no longer in your power -- he's free again. Alexander Solzhenitsyn
#14. To: Ferret Mike (#12)
(Edited)
You cannot be pro-life and pro-capital punishment.
#15. To: Sam Houston (#8)
What would really be fascinating would be for him then immediately to die in office. That would be a hoot (not for him, but for Mrs. Palin and the rest of us, for sure).
#16. To: angle (#11)
(Edited)
Whatever is politically expedient works for Mrs. Palin.
#17. To: Old Friend (#1)
#18. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#16)
If she were the wonderful, honest person that her fans here say she is, she wouldn't be Mad Mac's VP.
#19. To: bush_is_a_moonie (#17)
And don't forget the 60,000 plus children who have been killed in the unnecessary, immoral and illegal war in Iraq and the fiasco in Afghanistan.
#20. To: angle (#18)
#21. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#14)
(Edited)
"You only have power over people so long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a man of everything he's no longer in your power -- he's free again. Alexander Solzhenitsyn
#22. To: angle (#19)
They aren't children, they're casualties of the war on terrah.
#23. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#20)
--
"You only have power over people so long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a man of everything he's no longer in your power -- he's free again. Alexander Solzhenitsyn
#24. To: Ferret Mike (#12)
You cannot be pro-life and pro-capital punishment. That is my quite consistent position on this.
#25. To: bush_is_a_moonie (#17)
and bush and the neocons have not? Ever stop to think that politicians use abortion as a political football and nothing else? It's all just cheap talk for them to try and get votes. You are aware that since 2000 tax payer funding for pro-abortion organizations both within and outside the U.S. has gone up substantially. If bush and the Republicans were truly pro-life, this would not have happened. And don't forget the 60,000 plus children who have been killed in the unnecessary, immoral and illegal war in Iraq and the fiasco in Afghanistan.
#26. To: angle (#18)
A group of people 'round here are closet McCainiacs and it's evident in their see-no-inconsistency defense of Palin and her "record".
#27. To: Old Friend (#26)
Maybe it is that Obama is so unacceptable that we will stay on the same bad road instead of a much worse one.
#28. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#27)
That's the same argument the Bush supporters used 8 years ago. I didn't buy it then, and I'm not buying it now.
#29. To: Old Friend (#28)
(Edited)
I don't like it anymore then you do. I voted Bush in 2000 because if my strong dislike of Clinton and Gore. If I stuck to my principals I was going to vote for Buchanan.
#30. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#29)
If more people had voted their principals instead of being conned into the "lesser evil" argument, Buchanan probably would have gotten close to 10% of the vote (what he polled early on) instead of his half of one percent, or whatever it was that he got. Not enough to win, but enough to keep issues like NAFTA, immigration, and foreign policy in the spotlight.
#31. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#29)
#32. To: buckeye (#31)
(Edited)
#33. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#32)
#34. To: Ferret Mike, old friend (#2)
He has come out against abortion personally and supports the woman carrying having the right to chose differently then he believes she should.
"There is no 'legitimate' Corporation by virtue of it's very legal definition and purpose."
-- IndieTx
#35. To: IndieTX (#34)
"You only have power over people so long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a man of everything he's no longer in your power -- he's free again. Alexander Solzhenitsyn
#36. To: Old Friend (#26)
I think you are a closeted Obama supporter.
#37. To: Ferret Mike (#35)
Obama has taken an important step in saying he is personally against abortions.
#38. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#29)
Gore wouldn't have been any worse than idiot Bush and crook Cheney.
#39. To: angle (#36)
Obviously, you think a lot of things that are incorrect. Accusing me of being an Obama supporter is merely a tactic to avoid the disccusion of the issues at hand.
#40. To: Ferret Mike (#35)
Obama's honesty
#41. To: Ferret Mike (#35)
Sis Palin is there in fact to help shore up Grampa McSame's reputation as a waffle on the subject, so at least you have somewhat of an excuse to vote the Gramps/Sis ticket.
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