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Palin's Town Scored $27M in Pork

McCain has praised her opposition to 'wasting taxpayers' money'

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 2, 2008 8:28 AM CDT
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(Newser) – As mayor, Sarah Palin employed a lobbying firm that secured some $27 million in earmarked federal funds for her town of 6,700, a watchdog group has discovered. The money went toward railways, sewers, a transportation hub, and a youth shelter, reports the Washington Post. Fighting federal earmarks, which are designated for specific projects, is considered a hallmark of John McCain’s record. He has praised Palin for "standing up to special interests and entrenched bureaucracies."

Earmarks garnered $6.1 million for the small town of Wasilla in 2002, compared to $6.9 million secured for Boise, Idaho, with a population of 190,000, this fiscal year. Palin is “a little more savvy to the ways of Washington than she has let on,” said an analyst. Her campaign said she has worked "within the confines of the current system” to support “the best interests of Alaska.”

This undated photo provided by Faye Palin shows Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, right, being sworn in as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska.
This undated photo provided by Faye Palin shows Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, right, being sworn in as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska.   (AP Photo/Faye Palin)
Vehicles drive through Wasilla, Alaska, Friday Aug. 29, 2008.
Vehicles drive through Wasilla, Alaska, Friday Aug. 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Al Grillo)
Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, arrives on a chartered plane with Cindy McCain for the Republican National Convention at the Minneapolis International Airport in Bloomington, Minn., Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008.
Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, arrives on a chartered plane with Cindy McCain for the Republican National Convention at the Minneapolis International Airport in Bloomington, Minn.,...   (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin answers questions after signing three budget bills into law in Anchorage, Alaska, Friday, June 29, 2007.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin answers questions after signing three budget bills into law in Anchorage, Alaska, Friday, June 29, 2007.   (AP Photo/Al Grillo)
Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov., Sarah Palin, shakes hands with supporters at a rally in O'Fallon, Mo., Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008.
Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov., Sarah Palin, shakes hands with supporters at a rally in O'Fallon, Mo., Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and his vice presidential running mate, Alaska Gov., Sarah Palin, acknowledge the cheers of supporters during a campaign rally in O'Fallon, Mo., Sunday Aug. 31, 2008.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and his vice presidential running mate, Alaska Gov., Sarah Palin, acknowledge the cheers of supporters during a campaign rally in O'Fallon, Mo., Sunday Aug. 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
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Alaska • earmarks • mayor • Election 2008 • Sarah Palin • Wasilla

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