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sabang · 02-09-2008, 02:08 PM

^ Dunno- the State Dept thinks Cheney is barking mad.

Norton · 02-09-2008, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by britmaveric

Vetting process is rather extensive - they knew the plus/neg of all the potential running mates for sometime.

Wonder if they knew about this.

"John McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, dealt with two startling disclosures Monday. She announced that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter is pregnant and plans to keep the baby. And Palin has hired a lawyer as Alaska investigates the firing of her public safety commissioner."

Obama's response of which I full agree.

"Let me be as clear as possible," Obama said. "I think people's families are off-limits, and people's children are especially off-limits. This shouldn't be part of our politics. It has no relevance to Gov. Palin's performance as governor or her potential performance as a vice president."

Obama says Palin's family off limits - CNN.com

ChiangMai noon · 02-09-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benbaaa

It doesn't seem to be a VP vetting foul-up.

they are undoubtedly lying about their foreknowledge.

Bugs · 02-09-2008, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

Quote:

Originally Posted by benbaaa

It doesn't seem to be a VP vetting foul-up.

they are undoubtedly lying about their foreknowledge.

If so then they did indeed do a very poor job of vetting Palin. Because it seems the pregnancy was no secret to those in the town she lived in.

From an earlier post in this thread:
In Wasilla, Pregnancy Was No Secret - TIME

Quote:

So his name is Levi. That's about the only thing that I didn't know about Bristol Palin's pregnancy. The rest of the details I picked up almost without trying, while talking about other things with townsfolk — some who know the governor and her family well, some who don't. It was, more or less, an open secret. And everyone was saying the same thing: the governor's 17-year-old daughter is pregnant, the father is her boyfriend, and it's really nobody's business beyond that.

Rattanaburi · 02-09-2008, 04:44 PM

Sorry lost the link!

pai nai ma · 02-09-2008, 06:27 PM

No way they knew. Their lips are moving and you know what that means.

Milkman · 02-09-2008, 07:22 PM

An article on the earmark and appropriation side of Palin. Below, is why I cannot stand these hypocrites. They say they believe in, and support small government, and then they get all of this taxpayer money for their pork-barrell projects not to help citizens, but to secure their own political strength and increase it.

Quote:

By Paul Kane

updated 12:47 a.m. MT, Tues., Sept. 2, 2008

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin employed a lobbying firm to secure almost $27 million in federal earmarks for a town of 6,700 residents while she was its mayor, according to an analysis by an independent government watchdog group.

There was $500,000 for a youth shelter, $1.9 million for a transportation hub, $900,000 for sewer repairs, and $15 million for a rail project -- all intended to benefit Palin's town, Wasilla, located about 45 miles north of Anchorage.

In introducing Palin as his running mate on Friday, Sen. John McCain cast her as a compatriot in his battle against wasteful federal spending. McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, hailed Palin as a politician "with an outstanding reputation for standing up to special interests and entrenched bureaucracies -- someone who has fought against corruption and the failed policies of the past, someone who's stopped government from wasting taxpayers' money."

Entire: Palin secured earmarks for town - Washington Post - MSNBC.com

Boon Mee · 02-09-2008, 08:04 PM

^ Yeah, right...how come she voted to kill the "Bridge to Nowhere" and BO voted for it eh?

Milkman · 02-09-2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

^ Yeah, right...how come she voted to kill the "Bridge to Nowhere" and BO voted for it eh?

If true, good on her.

Interesting that the Bridge to nowhere was not in her hometown, of 8,500 that got the $27 million dollars of WELFARE TAXPAYER money!!!

Boon Mee · 02-09-2008, 08:09 PM

Heh...this Palin chick got the Moonbat Libs panties in a wad for sure! She is gonna cream BO's clock fer sure!

Ace of Spades HQ

Bugs · 02-09-2008, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milkman

An article on the earmark and appropriation side of Palin. Below, is why I cannot stand these hypocrites. They say they believe in, and support small government, and then they get all of this taxpayer money for their pork-barrell projects not to help citizens, but to secure their own political strength and increase it.

I have always struggled with the issue of government waste and how it relates differently depending on ones position in government – on federal, state, and local levels. As a US senator/representative many of the folks in your state look towards you to help do things that are in their interests and thus bring pork into your district. But as a national politician I think it is the responsibility of said senator or representative to also be watching out for the national interests as well as the interests of one’s own state.

Along the same lines many supporters of a state senator/representative expect them to bring pork to their part of the state. But as a state senator/representative they should also keep their eye on what is best for the entire state – and not just their district.

On the other hand as a governor or mayor what responsibilities to they really have to look out for national interests (fiscally) as opposed to the interests of their state/city? Really isn't it their job to get as much assistance as possible from the feds to help build the community? At that level it is the responsibility of the governor/ mayor to go after as much assistance as they can, and leave it up to the feds to sort out how the money is best distributed - thus which state/local projects they will fund. Of course this is within reason, no governor/mayor should seek out projects that are simply employment projects and do not bring other community benifits be they short-term or long-term.

In regard to the bridge to nowhere as I understand it Palin was originally for it, but somewhere along the line changed her mind. It is likely she was for it at first simply based upon bringing more money into the state, and then once she dug into the details decided it was indeed too big of a pork project, hence changing her stance to opposing it.

Carnwadrick · 03-09-2008, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milkman

An article on the earmark and appropriation side of Palin. Below, is why I cannot stand these hypocrites. They say they believe in, and support small government, and then they get all of this taxpayer money for their pork-barrell projects not to help citizens, but to secure their own political strength and increase it.

Quote:

By Paul Kane

updated 12:47 a.m. MT, Tues., Sept. 2, 2008

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin employed a lobbying firm to secure almost $27 million in federal earmarks for a town of 6,700 residents while she was its mayor, according to an analysis by an independent government watchdog group.

There was $500,000 for a youth shelter, $1.9 million for a transportation hub, $900,000 for sewer repairs, and $15 million for a rail project -- all intended to benefit Palin's town, Wasilla, located about 45 miles north of Anchorage.

In introducing Palin as his running mate on Friday, Sen. John McCain cast her as a compatriot in his battle against wasteful federal spending. McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, hailed Palin as a politician "with an outstanding reputation for standing up to special interests and entrenched bureaucracies -- someone who has fought against corruption and the failed policies of the past, someone who's stopped government from wasting taxpayers' money."

Entire: Palin secured earmarks for town - Washington Post - MSNBC.com

As Mayor she would have just been doing her job looking out for the town she works for..getting back from the Feds some of the money her town citizens had paid in taxes..as Governor she has to look out for the entire state population and it looks like she has done a pretty good job of that responsibility

Milkman · 03-09-2008, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carnwadrick

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milkman

An article on the earmark and appropriation side of Palin. Below, is why I cannot stand these hypocrites. They say they believe in, and support small government, and then they get all of this taxpayer money for their pork-barrell projects not to help citizens, but to secure their own political strength and increase it.

Quote:

By Paul Kane

updated 12:47 a.m. MT, Tues., Sept. 2, 2008

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin employed a lobbying firm to secure almost $27 million in federal earmarks for a town of 6,700 residents while she was its mayor, according to an analysis by an independent government watchdog group.

There was $500,000 for a youth shelter, $1.9 million for a transportation hub, $900,000 for sewer repairs, and $15 million for a rail project -- all intended to benefit Palin's town, Wasilla, located about 45 miles north of Anchorage.

In introducing Palin as his running mate on Friday, Sen. John McCain cast her as a compatriot in his battle against wasteful federal spending. McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, hailed Palin as a politician "with an outstanding reputation for standing up to special interests and entrenched bureaucracies -- someone who has fought against corruption and the failed policies of the past, someone who's stopped government from wasting taxpayers' money."

Entire: Palin secured earmarks for town - Washington Post - MSNBC.com

As Mayor she would have just been doing her job looking out for the town she works for..getting back from the Feds some of the money her town citizens had paid in taxes..as Governor she has to look out for the entire state population and it looks like she has done a pretty good job of that responsibility

This is the mentality that drove me from the GOP in 1996.

In a town of 8,500 in Alaska, let's take $27 million dollars of taxpayer money.

I disagree.

This....is ridiculous.

Bugs · 03-09-2008, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milkman

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carnwadrick

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milkman

An article on the earmark and appropriation side of Palin. Below, is why I cannot stand these hypocrites. They say they believe in, and support small government, and then they get all of this taxpayer money for their pork-barrell projects not to help citizens, but to secure their own political strength and increase it.

Quote:

By Paul Kane

updated 12:47 a.m. MT, Tues., Sept. 2, 2008

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin employed a lobbying firm to secure almost $27 million in federal earmarks for a town of 6,700 residents while she was its mayor, according to an analysis by an independent government watchdog group.

There was $500,000 for a youth shelter, $1.9 million for a transportation hub, $900,000 for sewer repairs, and $15 million for a rail project -- all intended to benefit Palin's town, Wasilla, located about 45 miles north of Anchorage.

In introducing Palin as his running mate on Friday, Sen. John McCain cast her as a compatriot in his battle against wasteful federal spending. McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, hailed Palin as a politician "with an outstanding reputation for standing up to special interests and entrenched bureaucracies -- someone who has fought against corruption and the failed policies of the past, someone who's stopped government from wasting taxpayers' money."

Entire: Palin secured earmarks for town - Washington Post - MSNBC.com

As Mayor she would have just been doing her job looking out for the town she works for..getting back from the Feds some of the money her town citizens had paid in taxes..as Governor she has to look out for the entire state population and it looks like she has done a pretty good job of that responsibility

This is the mentality that drove me from the GOP in 1996.

In a town of 8,500 in Alaska, let's take $27 million dollars of taxpayer money.

I disagree.

This....is ridiculous.

One can look at it from both sides - as mayor it is her duty to do all that she can to improve things for her community - thus she should apply for all that she can get from the feds. The more the better. Why should a governor or mayor limit the amount they seek in federal assistance? Their goal is to do all they can to improve the situation in their state/ city. Not to judge the best way for the feds to spend their money.

On the other side $27 million for a town of less than 10K - seems far too much.

How much is too much? And how much of what was spent helped not only her town but the area around her town? How much help not only her town but the state? How much actually helped those outside of the state?

The two big numers are for a transport hub, and for a rail line. I'd be willing to bet that folks outside of her town, and probably folks outside of the state benifit from both. As it is likely that both transport far more goods than they do people, and the flow is probably out of of her town, and out of Alaska and not into her town or into Alaska. So I doubt the whole $27 million went to directly benift the town of less than 10K. And if so who is to blame? Her or the folks on the federal level that wrote the checks?

Palin has shown as she stepped up the ladder - moving from mayor to governor that she way able to adjust her focus. As governor she was able to adjust her focus from what was best for her town to what was best for her state - and went after pork/ corruption that she felt was bad for her state. Thus I would think that as she takes the next step - from governor to VP that she will yet again adjust her focus and do what is best for the nation as as opposed to what is best for her state.

And Obama has not been exactly the candidate for change when it comes to pork:
State pork to Obama's district included allies, donors -- dailypress.com

Best way to spend the money? No way says Obama - I got's to get mine for my people.

Quote:

"My philosophy was that, if money was being distributed, then it would be inappropriate for me to not get my share for my district," Obama, now one of the U.S. Senate Democrats' leaders on ethics reform, said in an interview. "Did I think it was the best way to prioritize government spending? No."

We now have this whole thread on Palin - did Biden get a thread? Good or bad McCain has been able to generate lots of attention via the Palin pick.

Jet Gorgon · 03-09-2008, 06:04 AM

^Well, they have to find something on her Booners. Have to get the crowd to shift away from Biden's plagiarism and his big mouth.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milkman

In a town of 8,500 in Alaska, let's take $27 million dollars of taxpayer money.
I disagree.
This....is ridiculous.

As Bugs notes above, we don't know the full implications of this spending. Don't forget, everything costs way more to develop, build and maintain up north in the frozen wasteland than in temperate climates. That's why workers up north get tax rebates and special comp to live there. Can't work on minimum wage if a head of lettuce costs $20 in the winter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by raycarey

it's also always fun to point out the hypocritical and contradictory statements made by jet gorgon.....by this point, i'm guessing jet wishes the search function was disabled.

You are so predictably puerile, little ray. Your whole issue with me was my calling race an issue many months ago; you got hostile about it then and called me a racist so I gave you a good dose of racism to show you what it really is. Fess up, you're just an unwashed honky from a litter-strewn trailer park where the inhabitants are laid-off union workers collecting welfare. It's OK. I'd find a job for you -- sanitation engineer or bottle recycler.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pai nai ma

race is the bottom line. does the average american have it in him/her to vote black. i honestly wonder.

Already discussed many, many months ago. Careful, or your little playpal ray will call you racist, too.

Boon Mee · 03-09-2008, 06:04 AM

Sick shit on the part of those moonbat libs or what...

"Well, Gov. Sarah Palin’s story is one of those stories. Her husband took a leave of absence as a North Slope oil field production operator to support his wife. But instead of extolling their choice, the leftists have morphed into ultra-social conservative “women belong at home” caricatures. And they are going after Palin’s husband now — digging up dirt on a two decade-old DUI arrest and reportedly offering money to bottom-feeders for damaging info:

As Obama operatives scour records in Alaska for dirt on Gov. Sarah Palin, they are also seeking embarrassing materials about her husband. And it isn’t just the Obama campaign. Several left-wing groups with ties to MoveOn.org have used their network to offer as to $5,000 for damaging employment or personal information about him.

If a Democrat mom chooses public office, she’s a patriot Wonder Woman imbued with Absolute Moral Authority on children’s, health, and social welfare issues.
If a Republican mom chooses public office, she’s the child-neglecting spawn of Satan who has no business debating any domestic public policy because of alleged hypocrisy."

Michelle Malkin

raycarey · 02-09-2008, 08:09 PM

sarah palin ( AKA gimmick) has an earmark problem....

Quote:

In fiscal year 2002, Wasilla (population approx. 7,000) took in $6.1 million in earmarks -- about $1,000 in federal money for every resident. By contrast, Boise, Idaho -- which has more than 190,000 residents -- received $6.9 million in earmarks in fiscal 2008.

Quote:

As mayor of Wasilla, however, Palin oversaw the hiring of Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh, an Anchorage-based law firm with close ties to Alaska's most senior Republicans: Rep. Don Young and Sen. Ted Stevens, who was indicted in July on charges of accepting illegal gifts. The Wasilla account was handled by the former chief of staff to Stevens, Steven W. Silver, who is a partner in the firm.

Quote:

Senate records show that Silver's firm began working for Palin in early 2000, just as federal money began flowing.In fiscal 2000, Wasilla received a $1 million earmark, tucked into a transportation appropriations bill, for a rail and bus project in the town. And in the winter of 2000, Palin appeared before congressional appropriations committees to seek earmarks, according to a report in the Anchorage Daily News.

Palin secured earmarks for town - Washington Post - MSNBC.com

it's like driving by a traffic accident.

Accidental Ajarn · 02-09-2008, 08:12 PM

Why would someone think having a pregnant teenage daughter will be a problem? Can you really imagine voters being turned off by this? Hell, this may make her more attractive to women voters who have less than leave it beaver types of families themselves.

AntRobertson · 02-09-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accidental Ajarn

Why would someone think having a pregnant teenage daughter will be a problem? Can you really imagine voters being turned off by this? Hell, this may make her more attractive to women voters who have less than leave it beaver types of families themselves.

It's not really a problem, the Christian/religious/right tend to be quite forgiving of this stuff when it comes to one of their own.

Now had it been Obama in the same position...

Milkman · 02-09-2008, 08:13 PM

^ It's not a problem. It's just piggy backing off of the mainstream media. The topic has changed by the way, AA.

02-09-2008, 04:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rattanaburi Thailand Expat Last Online: 12-11-2009 12:42 PM Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,962	Sorry lost the link! Last edited by Rattanaburi : 02-09-2008 at 04:50 PM.

03-09-2008, 06:04 AM	#16 (permalink)
Boon Mee Thailand Travel Forum Last Online: Today 02:44 PM Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 12,924	Sick shit on the part of those moonbat libs or what... "Well, Gov. Sarah Palin’s story is one of those stories. Her husband took a leave of absence as a North Slope oil field production operator to support his wife. But instead of extolling their choice, the leftists have morphed into ultra-social conservative “women belong at home” caricatures. And they are going after Palin’s husband now — digging up dirt on a two decade-old DUI arrest and reportedly offering money to bottom-feeders for damaging info: As Obama operatives scour records in Alaska for dirt on Gov. Sarah Palin, they are also seeking embarrassing materials about her husband. And it isn’t just the Obama campaign. Several left-wing groups with ties to MoveOn.org have used their network to offer as to $5,000 for damaging employment or personal information about him. If a Democrat mom chooses public office, she’s a patriot Wonder Woman imbued with Absolute Moral Authority on children’s, health, and social welfare issues. If a Republican mom chooses public office, she’s the child-neglecting spawn of Satan who has no business debating any domestic public policy because of alleged hypocrisy." Michelle Malkin __________________ ผมเป็นคนบ้านนอก

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02-09-2008, 02:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
sabang Watching the Wheels Last Online: Today 01:20 PM Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: where the streets have no name Posts: 11,566	^ Dunno- the State Dept thinks Cheney is barking mad.

02-09-2008, 06:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
pai nai ma I am in Jail Last Online: 18-12-2008 08:14 PM Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,038	No way they knew. Their lips are moving and you know what that means.

02-09-2008, 08:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
Boon Mee Thailand Travel Forum Last Online: Today 02:44 PM Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 12,924	^ Yeah, right...how come she voted to kill the "Bridge to Nowhere" and BO voted for it eh?

02-09-2008, 08:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
Boon Mee Thailand Travel Forum Last Online: Today 02:44 PM Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 12,924	Heh...this Palin chick got the Moonbat Libs panties in a wad for sure! She is gonna cream BO's clock fer sure! Ace of Spades HQ

02-09-2008, 08:12 PM	#18 (permalink)
Accidental Ajarn Ban Phe Last Online: 12-09-2009 05:32 PM Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 615	Why would someone think having a pregnant teenage daughter will be a problem? Can you really imagine voters being turned off by this? Hell, this may make her more attractive to women voters who have less than leave it beaver types of families themselves.

02-09-2008, 08:13 PM	#20 (permalink)
Milkman Gone Off Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: shelf Posts: 15,355	^ It's not a problem. It's just piggy backing off of the mainstream media. The topic has changed by the way, AA.

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