Why did Palin seek federal funds for the Bridge to Nowhere, then spin it, even though she kept the Federal $?

Question

Palin initially expressed support for the Gravina Island Bridge project, commonly known outside the state as the "Bridge to Nowhere." However, once it had become a nationwide symbol of wasteful earmark spending and some federal funding was lost, Palin cancelled the bridge because Alaska's congressional delegation was unable to prevent the state of Alaska from having to pay for part of the bridge's construction. Alaska still kept the federal money, but she stated that Alaska should rely less on federal funding.

Reform or more of the McSame?

Answer 1

Corrupt Politics for a Corrupt Party.

Answer 2

you don't even know what she did with that federal money do you....she used it to give every Alaskan citizen $1200. She couldn't give the people of her state the money in the form of a bridge (alaska has a population of 500,000 so the state is freakin' poor) so she gave it to them as strait up cash.

"It's a one-time, special return of the vast wealth that Alaska has right now. We're returning it to the resource owners, the people of Alaska," the governor said Friday. "I am confident the people of Alaska can spend the surplus dollars better than state government is going to spend them."

evan if everyone in alaska is rich, the state still wouldn't have as much money. they have less people to tax AND they have less taxes than a lot of other states....

Answer 3

no more of the same McCain! REFORM!

Answer 4

I am so glad some one is finally pointing this out. Then in her speech she has the nerve to say, "I told Washington thanks, but no thanks on that bridge to nowhere." Hopefully this will have some steam by the time the convention is over.

Answer 5

Thank you for the references.

The senators garnered the money.

Palin got to keep it with the pigs' blessing.

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/09...

Answer 6

She expressed support at the time, but she was not Governor. The funds were sought by former Governor Murkowski. She canceled the bridge.

UPDATE:

@ David,

Alaska isn't poor, it has the sixth highest median household income, far above the national average, and the fifth largest per capita Gross State Product.

Answer 7

Because she's a lying s***k!

Vote Obama

Answer 8

Big words...SOURCE?  

Answer 9

Duh?  She is perfecting her flip-flopping skills right outta the gate.  

Remember, this is the woman whose state is melting out from under her. . . but heck no, global warming is not a problem. . . not contributed to by human activity.  And she wants to open ANWR to drilling?  Ha!  Try building roads up there when the tundra thaws. . . . .

Polar bears do not need protection because their numbers are up?  Only because shooting them dead was banned ages ago!  

Pro-life . . . but revels in killing wolves from the air?  

There were actually TWO bridges she lobbied for, until the she could no longer ignore the uproar over earmarks!  

Sorry . . . .you pushed a button. . . . and yes, more of the same AND McShame. . . . these two would make Bush look almost competent.  (Don't ever quote that I used "Bush" and "competent" in the same sentence.  LOL!)

Answer 10

The cons are telling the story that she stopped the bridge to nowhere as one of her "accomplishmens". They are liars.

Answer 11

You really groping for something, aren't you?  And that is the best you could come up with...good job Palin!

Answer 12

Reform...please....I don't fear change.