Palin Rejecting Hundreds Of Millions In Stimulus Cash
We now have an illustrious addition to the ranks of Republican governors turning down stimulus money: Sarah Palin.
Palin has announced that she is rejecting $416 million, out of $930 million originally headed to her state. "We are not requesting funds intended to just grow government," Palin said in a statement. "We are not requesting more money for normal day-to-day operations of government as part of this economic stimulus package. In essence we say no to operating funds for more positions in government."
Freshman Democratic U.S. Senator Mark Begich has already called on the legislature to override Palin on this.
This is notable for two reasons. First, Palin is widely seen as a potential presidential candidate, and a move like this can help her build up credibility with conservatives. Second, this might actually be the first time that Alaska rejected federal dollars for anything.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Mavericky!
March 19, 2009 5:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
In what respect, Charlie?
March 19, 2009 5:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
"In essence"
Really?
I wonder who wrote that for her.
She's normally as jagged and inarticulate as a two year old. (My apologies to all two year olds.)
Sarah, you are so transparent, you media whore.
Better hope there aren't any follow-up "gotcha" questions and you are required to be quick on your feet with responses.
So full of shite!!!! I really hate that woman and I hate the idiots that worship her even more.
March 19, 2009 7:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right. You. Are.
Wasn't it just a moment ago when she wanted that 500 million bridge to nowhere when no one was watching? Then when we noticed, she didn't? Now she doesn't want the 400 million when we are watching ...... I bet she takes it as soon as we look away!
March 19, 2009 7:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
The only consistent thing about Palin is that she is ALWAYS inconsistent and she has no clue she is being inconsistent.c I lived in Alaska for many years and a down turn in the economy affects Alaska disproportionately. The cost of labor in Alaska is very high and any downturn affects many businesses. When I say a downturn affects Alaska disproportionately, I am very serious. Palin's stubbornness will mean that many rural Alaskans will suffer increased malnutrition and especially the native population. I am sure that is no big deal for Palin and I can even imagine her smugly saying, "Let them eat cake" she is so uncaring. Any old thing will do, just so she can cling to her outlandish anti-people fiscal mumbo-jumbo. The biggest tragedy is that the woman is clueless.
March 20, 2009 5:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin can act all mavericky, while knowing the State Senate will overturn this decision of hers.
March 19, 2009 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
My thoughts exactly. Are you in my head or what?!
March 20, 2009 9:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
If the legislature overrules her, there is going to be an interesting constitutional legal decision. The provision of the bailout bill that allows the legislature to overrule the governor would appear to be unconstitutional if the Alaska constitution gives ultimate budget and spending power to the governor.
March 19, 2009 5:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
So Palin needs to build credibility with conservatives?
March 19, 2009 6:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
You have to win the primary before you even get a chance to run in the general.
March 19, 2009 6:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah. Got that. I just would have thought that after this episode, she'd have all the credibility she'd ever need with conservatives.
March 19, 2009 8:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks NCSteve for the link. I laughed when I first saw it and I'm laughing again. It'll be a classic. I'm surprised the camera people were able to hold the camera so still. I would have had to leave the area.
March 20, 2009 9:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
"We don't need no stinkin' stimulus money when we can just get earmarks. Also, too."
March 19, 2009 6:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!!
March 20, 2009 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm a maverkick!
March 19, 2009 6:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you wink at me again my wife will land one upside your head with a two-by-four.
Just a friendly warning.
March 19, 2009 8:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's because she's jealous because I'm pretty! Yay!
March 19, 2009 11:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
She just winked at me!
March 19, 2009 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Go for help!
March 19, 2009 6:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
She is rejecting LITERALLY HALF of the money, WOW.
March 19, 2009 6:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thought the congress had already said that you can't pick and choose parts of the stimulus. That it's all or nothing.
Wait. She's gonna take it. But will then say, over and over: I rejected the money!
She just wants publicity.
March 19, 2009 6:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
On the other hand, there's this bridge I've had my eye on....
March 19, 2009 6:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
and now the airport to nowhere . . .
I'm sure she is afraid that all of her pork with come up during her campaign.
C'mon GOP, can't you find a better candidate than this. It is disgusting, repulsive and insulting.
March 19, 2009 7:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is all just histrionic posturing. Palin certainly knows that Mark Sanford already tried this gambit and was shot down. He was told by the Obama administration that the stimulus law does not allow partial distributions -- it's all or nothing.
So Palin is playing to the conservative crowd knowing that she'll get all the money anyway.
March 19, 2009 6:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Really? I thought they told Sanford that the money can't be redirected. I didn't know they issued a "take it or leave it" edict.
March 19, 2009 6:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
They did.
March 19, 2009 6:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
And if she doesn't know that, it's part of a pattern, isn't it? I knew that and I'm not a gov!
March 19, 2009 6:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not so sure about that. I thought Sanford asked for a waiver to allow him to use some of the money for other purposes than what is set forth in the stimulus bill and the White House turned him down on that. I didn't think there was any decision as of yet on partial acceptance. I Know some congressional leaders have said that partial acceptance is not allowed but has the White House said it and does the bill say it?
March 19, 2009 7:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Second, this might actually be the first time that Alaska rejected federal dollars for anything.
Ooh, burn.
Is Eric channeling his inner Kelso today?
March 19, 2009 6:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sarah will simply sell her wardrobe and use the proceeds to stimulate the economy.
March 19, 2009 6:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Alaska is scheduled to receipt more money per capital than any other state in the union. This does not bode well for White-Trash Barbie.
"I rejected the stimulus package, before I accepted it, doncha know."
March 19, 2009 7:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good point.
Alaska is the All Time Welfare State Extraordinaire!
Not only do they get a whopping fortune sent to them by working jerks in all the progressive blue states, but they have a huge wealth redistribution system (socialism?) that takes money from hugely profitable corporations and hands it out in big fat checks to every warm body in the state. Wow! I wish California did that .... but then we would be attacked by Sarah Palin for being lazy communists.
See how that works?!
March 19, 2009 7:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's why Sister Sarah keeps an eye on Putin, just in case he tries to sneak over to Alaska and get some of that good American communism.
March 20, 2009 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
AND Palin has never given up a chance to skim a little off the top for herself either . . .
March 19, 2009 7:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I s this the same Sara Palin who said over and over again that she said, "Thanks but no thanks for that Bridge to Nowhere," after she had already taken all the money and used it for other Alaskan projects. That Same Sara? I think she's been pallin' around with liars -- ooops! she's one herself!
March 19, 2009 7:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Has anyone asked the residents of SC, AK, TX, LA how they feel about the rejected stimulus money? Seriously, I'd love to see some polling because I just don't see how this flies with their constituents.
Second question, if it were really to come to pass that money is truly not spent by certain states, what happens to that money? Congress has already allocated it. So can it be redirected?
March 19, 2009 7:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Doh! me too
March 20, 2009 1:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
another example that confirms all politicians are parasites.
the motive is always self, never the people.
"this will help her with conservatives"....
lets see, so called conservatives think it a good idea NOT to receive extended unemployment benefits, for ex.
what a mess.
March 19, 2009 8:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
March 19, 2009 8:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
My understanding is that Palin isn't rejecting a damn thing. She's leaving 45% for the Legislature to accept later. That way, she can reject the money and have it too. Also, the 45% she's "rejecting" are for education, health, and humans services.
Doesn't it figure - must not be a big enough corporate profit in most of those.
March 19, 2009 8:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, if you are going to post crap on this buffoon at least a little entertainment please. What happened to the tongue picture or the insane look picture? I'm sure the old angry white guy base of the republican party loved the tongue picture. Come on. Otherwise don't post crap on the witch.
March 19, 2009 10:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
And, check this out, Millions reject Sarah. It's all about jobs & reining in spending, Oh, & keeping an eye on those commies.
Maverick is as maverick does.
March 19, 2009 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
What will happen to all the money these upstanding governors are depriving their states of? If it goes into a pot, we can use it here in MA. Let me call dibs on it.
March 19, 2009 11:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wish someone would ask the governors of SC, LA, TX and AK if they will be rejecting the moneys allocated via the earmarks in the $410B omnibus bill.
March 20, 2009 1:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'll give her this: she sure knows how to yank the chain of the media and keep her name out there.
Seems to me that the only thing that matters right now is what her poll numbers are like in Alaska. Doesn't she have to worry about reelection soon? If she loses, or gets a serious challenge, doesn't that pretty much seal her doom in national politics, too?
It ought to. Americans don't like losers. It'd be a good thing to make sure her challenger is well-funded.
March 20, 2009 9:19 AM | Reply | Permalink