That
quote is from Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and was printed in the Anchorage Daily News on
June 9, 2008.
Many people incorrectly believe the "Bridge to Nowhere" refers only to one bridge, the
access to Gravina Island. The reality is there were two spans that Don Young earmarked for federal pork. The other was the
Knik Arm.
Because the Knik Arm would not attach directly to an island of 50
people like the Gravina span would, it received and continues to
receive my less attention. But let's be clear. The Bridge to Nowhere
is really about two bridges.
Palin continues to spread the lie claiming,
I told Congress, 'Thanks, but no thanks,' on that Bridge to Nowhere. Did she really? Impossible.
The actual earmark, that designated federal funds for the two bridges above,
was removed by a law and
signed by Bush on Nov. 30, 2005. That, as it turns out, to be days after Sarah Palin first
announced her candidacy
for Governor of Alaska. So could she say no to congress as she claimed?
No way. She was only a canidate when congress stripped the earmark
part.
But congress did not remove the funding. So Alaska was free to use the federal pork anyhow. Congress did make one effort to
block the funding on the 'Bridge[s] to Nowhere' in 2006 but ultimately allowed the usage, due to the $41 million already spent on the projects.
In June 2008, yes, this year, Sarah Palin and other Alaskan politicans
were asked about the Knik Arm project. You can see all their responses
here; but one question in particular was asked to Palin.
Do you in general support the idea of building a Knik Arm bridge?
Her answer:
You know in general I always have, growing up out there in the Valley.
I've always had that, shared that vision with others, that we would
have that physical linkage with the municipality of Anchorage and I am
such a proponent of muscled up infrastructure in Alaska in general and
you know, beefing up our infrastructure.
She goes on to explain how good and needed this project is for Alaska and then admits how she expected it would be paid.
You know, Palin said,
it was assumed that the feds would be paying for the project.
Next Palin goes on to pose a query herself.
Well things have changed there on the federal front, haven't they?If
I may answer on behalf of the Anchorage Daily News and the rest of
America, yes Sarah. Things have really changed on the federal front
but apparently that doesn't hold true for Alaska and you. At least of
June 2008, that is.
Yes, Sarah, you
assumed the feds would be paying the tab, and now have audacity to claim you are a maverick? Try pork queen instead.
