The debate surrounding the Bridge to Nowhere should serve as a teachable moment as they say:
STATEMENT OF SENATOR BARACK OBAMA
SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON FEDERAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION, AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
JULY 18, 2006
I’m still relatively new to Washington. But even during my short time in the Senate, I’ve been surprised and shocked by the examples of government waste, fraud, and abuse that we’ve seen, particularly at a time when this country’s most vulnerable citizens need to see government at its best. In the aftermath of Katrina, we have not seen government at its best, and all Americans – but in particular, the people of the Gulf Coast – deserve better.
It’s been embarrassing to hear about the government paying 15 times more than the market price for plastic tarps to cover damaged roofs in New Orleans, or paying 5 times too much for debris removal, or contracting with vendors for ice or transportation services who don’t even have the relevant experience or equipment.
How can we expect the American people to have confidence in us when all they hear about is overcharging and overpayments, pork-barrel projects like the Bridge to Nowhere, and money being wasted on frivolous expenses? How can we expect them to have confidence when the Administration and Congress seem unwilling or unable really to hold people accountable?
Tough words, right? Here is Obama using his rhetoric to champion fiscal responsibility and getting tough on wasteful spending. This is the change we have been hearing so much about.
Only one small problem. How did Obama vote when given the chance to back up his words?
Just words.
Steve Maley
Moe Lane
Dan McLaughlin
Neil Stevens
THIS is the ad
Wintergreen (Diary) Wednesday, September 10th at 10:36AM EST (link)McCain’s camp should be putting up today.
Wow, that quote followed by his gutless vote is pretty damaging.
If McCain’s people don’t run an ad on this in the next day or two I’ll be really disappointed.
I agree.
randy streu (Diary) Wednesday, September 10th at 10:39AM EST (link)This is exactly the sort of thing the American public needs to be made aware of. This is the guy they’re getting — not some all-things-to-all-people political savior.
Blogging also at
SLC Republitarian
The Minority Report
Palin's pseudo-gaffe is only a trap?
Rod_Patrick (Diary) Wednesday, September 10th at 10:42AM EST (link)I smell a brilliant tactician working at his best.
And what did Palin say to that 'Bridge to Nowhere'?
Chris111 Wednesday, September 10th at 11:05AM EST (link)Yessss, Please!
Obama voted YES twice for the Bridge to Nowhere. Palin did stop the BTN.
Rod_Patrick (Diary) Wednesday, September 10th at 11:12AM EST (link)Here.
Here.
Nice try
Kevin Holtsberry (Diary) Wednesday, September 10th at 11:38AM EST (link)It doesn’t really matter when Palin changed her mind on the issue. She did change her mind and decided not spend the money on that project. To top it off she has a record of cutting waste and spending. Obama does not.
And oh yeah, McCain has always been against it and has a stellar record against earmarks.
Please explain why you think your comment has anything to do with my post.
—————-
Kevin Holtsberry
Earmarks
Chip Boehm Wednesday, September 10th at 7:02PM EST (link)Check out this link http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer to find out who really votes for the most earmarks/pork
you'll never see that ad...
californiatransplant Wednesday, September 10th at 10:37PM EST (link)… because, to do so would mean exposing those other “fiscal conservatives” such as hutchison, inhofe, lott, and cornyn.
and this justification of palin’s BTN position is just political rationalization of the most convenient kind. don’t be offended, both sides do it. but, at least be honest about it. the facts are absolutely this — she lied and continues to lie. she wanted that bridge like an alaskan tick wants a moose. only when it was no longer politically advantageous to continue the campaign, did she suddently see the light and flop. and, did she give the money back? no way — spent on other projects.
‘cmon guys — at least be honest about it. or informed. either way, she lied. look it up.
{Hee.}
Eye_Want_2_Know Wednesday, September 10th at 11:05PM EST (link)Lied? do you know what she is talking about?
Rod_Patrick (Diary) Wednesday, September 10th at 11:57PM EST (link)She is talking about “special earmarks” not regular federal funding. In short, she is really opposed to Earmarks to wasteful projects.
I don’t think federal funding to University of Alaska, wildlife preservation, etc., federal health programs, federal security programs, etc. are Sarah’s own invention. Look at Illinois for you to see the difference.
Sarah is the only Governor who has the integrity of the raising the issue of special earmarks in the national scene, something that Barack doesn’t understand because he has never been a Governor.
Not that it will get through your thick skulls,
Achance (Diary) Wednesday, September 10th at 11:59PM EST (link)but you have to separate what the US spends on its own stuff in Alaska and what goes to the State of Alaska in order to make a valid comparison.
Well over a third of the land mass of that island just South of Hawaii on your map belongs to the US Government as military installations, national parks, preserves, reserves, refuges, forests, etc.
A significant portion of Alaska’s population are federal Indians, a Constitutional responsibility of the US.
That huge Coast Guard presence in Alaskan waters doesn’t really do much for Alaskans other than a little SAR, but it does one Helluva lot to put cheap crap from China on the shelves at your WalMart or Tarjay. I really don’t know that the NorKors want to pop a nuclear cap on Alaska, but they damned well would like to pop one on Seattle or LA; those missiles here are a lot more your defense than mine.
You know, it is really easy for Alaskans to hate arrogant Lower 48′ers in the same way that Southerners hate Yankees. Your arrogance is exceeded only by your ignorance.
In Vino Veritas