Earmarks Show Palin's Quite the Political Animal

Fish, crabs, and seals studied with millions Alaska gov. requested
By Dave Arnold,  Newser User
Posted Sep 11, 2008 3:52 PM CDT
Earmarks Show Palin's Quite the Political Animal
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin answers questions about the proposed state budget during a news conference in Anchorage, Dec. 10, 2007.    (AP Photo)

Despite what he calls her “recasting as an anti-earmark champion,” Ben Smith writes in Politico that Sarah Palin has consistently sought millions in such funds for her home state of Alaska. But while "every self-respecting mayor and governor in America seeks federal dollars for local projects," many of Palin's are "exactly the sort that McCain has made a career of mocking—like animal research."

“We’re not going to spend $3 million of your tax dollars to study the DNA of bears in Montana,” McCain has said. But here's what Palin's requests include:

  • $3.2 million to research the genetics of harbor seals.
  • $400,000 for a program to respond to the threat of invasive species in Alaska.
  • $494,900 to assess the Alaskan recreational halibut harvest.
  • $2 million to test the productivity and sustainability of Bering Sea crabs.
(More Sarah Palin stories.)

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