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October 7, 2008 12:55:04 PM CDT

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Pork Watchdog Taps Byrd

Posted Apr 2, 08 2:03 PM CDT in Politics 

(Newser) – Fiscal responsibility and vegetarianism took a hit today with the release of the 2008 Oinkers, awarded by a Washington watchdog group for the "most egregious and blatant examples of pork." Sen. Robert Byrd landed the top award for earmarking $386 million for West Virginia, but Alaska was the least kosher state, with $555.54 in earmarks per citizen, reports the Chicago Tribune.

Alaska also ranked high in total earmarked dollars with 379.7 million, earning fifth place although it's 47th in population. Credit for that goes in part to Sen. Ted Stevens, who captured the Cold Hard Cash Award for nailing down defense earmarks. The snark was bipartisan: Charles Rangel won the Narcissist Award for the $1.95 million earmarked for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service.

Source Chicago Tribune

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Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska takes home the Cold Hard Cash Award for securing $167.5 million in defense-related earmarks. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh)   (AP Photo)
Sen. Robert Byrd's, D-W.Va. is singled out as 2008's top porker.   (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
Citizens Against Government Waste highlights "the most egregious and blatant examples of pork."   ((c) Olddanb)
The Pig Book is an annual publication singling out congressional pork.   ((c) Olddanb)
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Congress  • Ted Stevens  • earmarks  • Charles Rangel  • pork barrel spending  • Robert Byrd  • Citizens Against Government Waste


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