Question: Did Sarah Palin ever support the "Bridge to Nowhere"?
Answer: Of all the accusations the Left has thrown at Sarah Palin since she's become John McCain's vice presidential running-mate, the one that's closest to being true is regarding her support, and sudden withdrawal of support, for the so-called "Bridge to Nowhere."
During her campaign for governor in September 2006, Palin visited Ketchikan to express her support for the Gravina Island Bridge project. Her continued support of the bridge project, among others, attracted criticism from her Democratic rivals.
By January 2007, as part of a pledge to spend responsibly, Palin pulled the plug on the project, by sending a reduced budget request to the Senate that did not include the $185 million state funds for the bridge's construction. Days later, the project died altogether. Palin explained her actions by saying that of all the possible ways to supply transportation to the Gravina Island airport, "a $398 million bridge is not the answer."
In an interview with ABC News' Charlie Gibson, Palin stuck to her guns about her refusal to accept the federal earmark for the "Bridge to Nowhere" project. She didn't, however, deny supporting the bridge originally.
"I was for infrastructure being built in the state," Palin said. "And it's not inappropriate for a mayor or for a governor to request and to work with their Congress ... [for] a share of the federal budget for infrastructure."
When Gibson tried to object, Palin continued, offering perhaps the best argument for her campaign statements.
"Transportation fund dollars still came into Alaska," she said. "It was our choice, Charlie, whether we were going to spend it on a bridge or not. And I said, 'Thanks, but no thanks. We're not going to spend it on the bridge.'"
Sarah Palin FAQ Index
During her campaign for governor in September 2006, Palin visited Ketchikan to express her support for the Gravina Island Bridge project. Her continued support of the bridge project, among others, attracted criticism from her Democratic rivals.
By January 2007, as part of a pledge to spend responsibly, Palin pulled the plug on the project, by sending a reduced budget request to the Senate that did not include the $185 million state funds for the bridge's construction. Days later, the project died altogether. Palin explained her actions by saying that of all the possible ways to supply transportation to the Gravina Island airport, "a $398 million bridge is not the answer."
In an interview with ABC News' Charlie Gibson, Palin stuck to her guns about her refusal to accept the federal earmark for the "Bridge to Nowhere" project. She didn't, however, deny supporting the bridge originally.
"I was for infrastructure being built in the state," Palin said. "And it's not inappropriate for a mayor or for a governor to request and to work with their Congress ... [for] a share of the federal budget for infrastructure."
When Gibson tried to object, Palin continued, offering perhaps the best argument for her campaign statements.
"Transportation fund dollars still came into Alaska," she said. "It was our choice, Charlie, whether we were going to spend it on a bridge or not. And I said, 'Thanks, but no thanks. We're not going to spend it on the bridge.'"
Sarah Palin FAQ Index
- Why did Sarah and Todd Palin announce that their teenage daughter was pregnant?
- Was Sarah Palin chosen to be John McCain's running-mate just because she's attractive?
- Will Sarah Palin's family get in the way of her duties as vice-president?
- Did Sarah Palin commit nepotism as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska
- Did Sarah Palin propose banning books at the Wasilla Public Library?
- Did Sarah Palin try to have her former brother-in-law fired from his job as an Alaska State Trooper?
- Did Sarah Palin ever support the "Bridge to Nowhere"?
- Will Sarah Palin’s interview with Katie Couric factor into the VP Debate?
- Is Sarah Palin's "folksy" talk all an act?
- Are Todd and Sarah Palin really getting a divorce?
