Video: Palin announces she’ll reject $515 million of stimulus money; Update: Actually, $288 million
posted at 7:50 pm on March 19, 2009 by Allahpundit
Excellent. She’s up for re-election next year and this move won’t do her any favors inside the state, so I can only assume it’s a sign that she’s keeping her options open for 2012.
“We will request federal stimulus funds for capital projects that will create new jobs and expand the economy,” Governor Palin said. “We won’t be bound by federal strings in exchange for dollars, nor will we dig ourselves a deeper hole in two years when these federal funds are gone. For instance, in order to accept what look like attractive energy funds, our local communities would be required to adopt uniform building codes. Government would then be required to police those codes. These types of funds are not sensible for Alaska.”…
“Our desire is to foster a discussion about what is true stimulus and what is just more federal interference in Alaskans’ lives through the growth of government,” Governor Palin said. “We think stimulus items devoted to government agency growth and program expansion ought to be examined in light of the funding needs already being addressed with our pending budget requests.”
Follow the link up top for the full press release or click the image and scroll down for video of her presser. According to the ADN, the biggest chunk of the money that she’s turning down would go to education, so look out for a “Palin hates children” story on “Countdown” tonight or tomorrow. She also promised to work with the legislature if they decide they want to invoke the stimulus’s “Sanford Amendment” and accept the money. Exit question: Er, is the “Sanford Amendment” constitutional? Survey says: No.
Update: My bad: Debbie Schlussel e-mails to note that Palin actually rejected $288 million, not $515 million. Overall, that means she’ll accept 69% of the funds. Sorry for the error.
Update: Why did Palin initially say she was rejecting roughly half the funds when the actual number’s just north of 30%? The ADN explains:
Palin first told the news media that she’s turning down nearly half the federal stimulus money — but later conceded that does not count the Medicaid money she is accepting. That brings down what she’s refusing to 31 percent of what the state government could get. Local governments and nonprofits could still compete for stimulus grants.
Blowback
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That’s a great point. She looks like she’s riding on Jindal and Sanford’s coattails. They rejected it weeks ago.
SnarkVader on March 19, 2009 at 8:33 PM
Michael Barone called Sarah Palin a natural after her convention speech. He hit it right out of the ballpark.
technopeasant on March 19, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Cuda power!! Made my donation to SarahPAC!!!
jencab on March 19, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Did she lead on this? No. Does that necessarily mean that this is then “less” than the right thing to do? No. Does this mean that she’s not a leading voice in the GOP overall? No. So what exactly is your point? Actually, don’t answer that.
Weight of Glory on March 19, 2009 at 8:35 PM
There you go again
Palin was one of the first to release statements regarding the stimulus
joey24007 on March 19, 2009 at 8:35 PM
Girded !
Amadeus on March 19, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Well, if she had been first, it would have been shameless grandstanding. We know the routine.
ddrintn on March 19, 2009 at 8:37 PM
i havent decided which feels better…
donating because of a smear…or donating for “Sarah being Sarah”
alexraye on March 19, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Total pwnage of Sanford and Jindal with this move. More importantly, it’s the right action to take. No reason to get saddled with even more debt in the future, when states can’t even handle the current spending levels. It would mean tax increases in the future to pay for expanded government programs.
therightwinger on March 19, 2009 at 8:37 PM
SnarkVader on March 19, 2009 at 8:33 PM
That’s like saying that Tiger Woods is riding on the coattails of his 2 journeymen playing parters when they birdie the hole before he does.
technopeasant on March 19, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Absolutely beautiful!! She is Lady Reagan! She is not only leading, she’s educating with a smile!
“Is everybody ready?”
“We are not accepting funds, intended though, to just grow government.”
“We are not going to increase our dependence on Washington.”
Quotes Thomas Jefferson: “When all government domestic and foreign, in little as in great things, shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power, it will render powerless the checks provided on one government on another, and will become as oppressive as the government from which we separated.”
JellyToast on March 19, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Palin said that Obama should veto the stimulus all the way back on February 16th.
Jim62sch on March 19, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Compared to that bungling dolt, chief executive in the White House she’s an Alexander the Great.
rplat on March 19, 2009 at 8:39 PM
Thank God you’re here.
SnarkVader on March 19, 2009 at 8:39 PM
Which statement was also condemned.
ddrintn on March 19, 2009 at 8:39 PM
Weight of Glory on March 19, 2009 at 8:35 PM
I won’t.
getalife on March 19, 2009 at 8:40 PM
I appreciate the Governor so much. She is standing up for conservative principles. I loved the Jefferson quote. Thanks for posting this.
manajordan on March 19, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Here is video of Palin being the very first to tell Obama to veto the stimulus and send it back to Congress.
Jim62sch on March 19, 2009 at 8:40 PM
you’re darn right I am here
There is a huge problem in this country today, people run their mouth and they have no idea of what they are talking about
joey24007 on March 19, 2009 at 8:41 PM
We’re lucky to have you, joey. Damn lucky.
SnarkVader on March 19, 2009 at 8:42 PM
Here is Palin’s Jan. 12 release
and her letter to the Congressional delegation from January 7
joey24007 on March 19, 2009 at 8:42 PM
HOT!
SouthernGent on March 19, 2009 at 8:42 PM
Ed Morrissey said that Palin’s advice to veto the stimulus would evoke laughter, and was silly.
Jim62sch on March 19, 2009 at 8:43 PM
You remind me of Sean Avery in the NHL
spend a lot of time running your mouth
and the rest of the time skating away
joey24007 on March 19, 2009 at 8:43 PM
I am sure she is keeping her options open for 12 but I am not sure she is hurting herself within her state. It seems to me that Alaskans have taken issue with all the restrictions the Federal government places on their resource development in exchange for statehood. Rejecting Federal stimulus dollars that place further restrictions on Alaskans might indeed be a wise and popular choice.
msmveritas on March 19, 2009 at 8:43 PM
She’s up for re-election next year and this move won’t do her any favors inside the state, so I can only assume it’s a sign that she’s keeping her options open for 2012.
That is an assumption. She could just be doing what she thinks it right.
Spirit of 1776 on March 19, 2009 at 7:54 PM
I would love if my GOv rejected this federal power grab but noooo my gov is a wimp and wants to raise beer and cig taxes.
unseen on March 19, 2009 at 8:44 PM
“…where government is grown and interferes at unprecedented levels, the tax burden having to increase to keep up with these levels, with no true economic stimulus that we see; WE CANNOT ACCEPT THE BAIT. In that case those strings attached lead us towards dependence and not opportunity and prosperity.”
Sarah Palin, explaining her stimulus proposal
Who would you trust more to provide you with the right bait to land a fish–the Messiah or Sarah?
technopeasant on March 19, 2009 at 8:44 PM
“He should send it back to the lawmakers so they have time to actually read it and understand its impact.”
Apparently they didn’t read it..
the_nile on March 19, 2009 at 8:45 PM
If you were a conservative voter, who voted for a conservative reformer for governor, would you want that person to fight pork or accept it – despite the disadvantages to your home state?
Jim62sch on March 19, 2009 at 8:47 PM
I’ve also linked to that letter way back when. AP is well aware of it and the other item as well, because he used them to update this post from February 1st.
INC on March 19, 2009 at 8:47 PM
How can these idiots in the Frum, Brooks, Noonan, Megan Freeegin McCain camp not take this woman seriously?? She is the ONLY politcian with the balls and the smarts to lead this nation right now.
I don’t care what the other “B” team GOvs have rejected or not, or said about this stimulus crap, Sarah was THE FIRST one to come out in opposition and to cleaarly articulate her positions why. Meanwhile, Jindal, Sanford, and the other B teamers were just, as Obama would say, “just words, just speeches” and just appearing on every talk show while she was actually reading the bill, carefully forward funding education, cuttting the her state budget, and working to only accept the minimun in this package,l which was for true stimulus, infrastructure and national security. I’m sorry, there is NO comparision and anyone who doesn’t see that is ignorant.
I’m getting ready to watch this preseer, but I already know what it will show, a strong woman with true leadership abilities who does what she says and says what she means.
Thanks AP for starting to come around after saying she would not run in 2012 yesterday. I am fairly certain she will run and mop the floor with the rest of the GOP B team. And with the way Mr. Teleprompter is floundering, if he keeps it up it won’t be close in the general.
I’m watching the preseer just to back up my claims then heading over to SarahPAC fill the coffers some more.
davek70 on March 19, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Seconded. Mrs. Thatcher was inspiring and the embodiment of leadership. She whumped the junta and freed the Falklands.
The best thing for Palin is to keep doing what is right and avoid the ruling class tactics that made cynicism a safe bet.
Feedie on March 19, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Quoting Thomas Jefferson my God: Can it be, can it be that Sarah Palin is only a semi-moron and semi-literate? Oh my, what is Poptech going to do?
technopeasant on March 19, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Sarah is looking a little Thunderbirds in that clip.
where are the strings?
RobCon on March 19, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Actually Gov. Palin was the first to state she would reject some of the money. It was back in Feburary when Gov. Palin put out a press release to that effect.
Clyde5445 on March 19, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Even better … it was on January 12th
joey24007 on March 19, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Babble-Stinky Fish Translation:
We liberals are very, very afraid of this woman.
carbon_footprint on March 19, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Oh, and sorry I did not bother to post links to back up my assertions above, Joey, Jim, and Techno took care of that.
Thanks guys…!!
davek70 on March 19, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Complying with new building codes means that the owner has to modify their house or building to meet the code. That means buying materials and paying contractors, plus inspection fees for the visit by the building inspector.
Then the underlying building code would expire. For lots of issues, it would make more sense to pay a fine, or litigate until the law goes away. This is a very unproductive exercise.
Who would want the building inspector jobs that go away, after a couple years of harassing people for no benefit?
Palin would also get the blame for intruding in people’s lives to set up the uniform building code (temporary) regulations.
In Chicago, where they have “the best building code that money can buy”, this may make political sense. In Alaska, I believe it would be a real non-starter.
Right_of_Attila on March 19, 2009 at 8:54 PM
Funny how people on here are Dis’n Palin for taking her time to study the bill, and make an informed choice… when they are some of the same folks who blasted congress for not having time to even read the bill…
Romeo13 on March 19, 2009 at 8:54 PM
Quoting Thomas Jefferson my God: Can it be, can it be that Sarah Palin is only a semi-moron and semi-literate? Oh my, what is Poptech going to do?
technopeasant on March 19, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Ya’ mean she has a clue who Thomas Jefferson was? But I thought Sarah Palin was dumber than a 3rd grader according to Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews and all those other “geniuses” in the MSM?
/sarc
sarahpalinfan99 on March 19, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Yes, Palin was the very first Governor to publicly articulate this strategy – in early January. Other Governors copied her and gave her no credit. Then, while other governors were running off half-cocked with press releases and TV appearances, she was actually studying the bill and analyzing its impact – not going public until she was sure about the specific actions she wanted to take, and the legislative strategy she wanted to follow.
The woman is scary smart.
Jim62sch on March 19, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Ditto.
bluelightbrigade on March 19, 2009 at 8:59 PM
The guy that did the internship at Vogue? Yeah, not my style. Thanks anyway, though.
SnarkVader on March 19, 2009 at 8:59 PM
“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. ” Thomas Jefferson
the_nile on March 19, 2009 at 9:00 PM
Guess which leader set aside a savings fund for her state when times were good,……….
……….. so when times were bad, she wouldn’t have to raise taxes on the citizens or depend on a hand out from the Federal Government?
Guess which leader promotes the clean and efficient harvesting of our natural energy resources that employ thousands………..
…………. and produces a product that you can sell and generate revenue instead of just a bureaucracy?
Guess which leader doesn’t need a teleprompter to make an intelligent and coherent speech…..?
Gov. Sarah Palin……..
……….. that’s who.
Seven Percent Solution on March 19, 2009 at 9:00 PM
And LOOK, she did so WITHOUT a teleprompter or a taped delay!!!
Gohawgs on March 19, 2009 at 9:00 PM
Amen.
One of my favorite apocryphal Margaret Thatcher lines concerns her dining with her cabinet. Asked whether they would like menus, Lady Thatcher replied in her clarion voice “I’ll have Beef.”
“Yes, Mum,” replied the waiter. “And what about the vegetables?”
“They’ll have beef, too.”
Go Sarah.
warbaby on March 19, 2009 at 9:01 PM
P.S. I hope she succeeds.
bluelightbrigade on March 19, 2009 at 9:02 PM
Luv her and I hope Brewer in AZ tells the worms so shove it up their bungs also. We need to stick that insignificant 9th amendment in dc’s face.
GlocknRoll on March 19, 2009 at 9:04 PM
Happiest thread on HotAir in some time.
CK MacLeod on March 19, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Well said! I admire Gov. Palin for her sense of fiscal responsibility and dedication to the people she serves. She is principled; she is not a grandstander.
onlineanalyst on March 19, 2009 at 9:05 PM
She really is hot…. I’m sorry, can you repeat the question?
RightWinged on March 19, 2009 at 9:06 PM
New Axelrod talking point: Palin quotes Jefferson … Jefferson was also “uninformed”
joey24007 on March 19, 2009 at 9:08 PM
news.aol.com is currently conducting a poll of who you would vote for President in 2012:
current results:
Obama: 45%
Palin: 42%
Neither: 13%
79,822 votes cast
Please go over and vote ASAP.
technopeasant on March 19, 2009 at 9:09 PM
MSNBC smears Jefferson:
“Jefferson once said that he could see the British from his house”
“Jefferson can not explain the Monroe Doctrine”
joey24007 on March 19, 2009 at 9:10 PM
She looks…very nice…in that picture.
Grafted on March 19, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Would these materials be limited to US made and the contractors all union members?
News2Use on March 19, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Alaska legislators were in Washington, D.C. for the Energy Council meeting. Palin went on record at the time that if she were Obama, she would veto the bill as originally proposed (even before that meeting. )
It seems like her priorities were deciding which earmarks she would request and how necessary this stimulus was. I think this demonstrates that Palin is prudent and thoughtful, someone who takes her time making decisions.
chunderroad on March 19, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Palin quoted Jefferson in her speech…Jefferson owned slaves
Palin is RACIST!
Jim62sch on March 19, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Norah O’Donnell:
“Jefferson referred to King George as a tyrant”
“Palling around with dictators”
joey24007 on March 19, 2009 at 9:13 PM
To Joey and Jim –You beat me to it. It was just one of those things I could not let pass. I had to correct the record. It was Gov. Palin and Gov. Barbour(sic) of MS. that where the first one to mention the strings.
Clyde5445 on March 19, 2009 at 9:14 PM
How many White House staffers do you think are charged with keeping tabs on Palin? I wonder if they use federal funds to run the Palin war room….cuz you know they are watching her!
Rockygold on March 19, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Maybe it’s just me, but I find it symbolic that she quotes the author of the Declaration of Independence in that presser.
The only way it could have been better was if there had been a Sam Adams beer ad in the frame.
Jim62sch on March 19, 2009 at 9:16 PM
You don’t understand politics of the 21st century. She probably made up her
mind weeks ago. She was waiting for the right time to announce. And the best time to do that is when Obama is taking heat for AIG. You strike blows when
your opponent is on the ropes. She learned a lot from watching old John of what NOT to do. She is her own person. Unlike Obama who is only a somber telepuppet.
izoneguy on March 19, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Poptech:
Jefferson can’t say what he reads
Jefferson doesn’t know Africa is a continent
Jefferson drives away independents
joey24007 on March 19, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Meghan McCain thinks Thomas Jefferson is partisan and divisive. And also Thomas Jefferson doesn’t like BBWs.
Jim62sch on March 19, 2009 at 9:19 PM
She is a BRILLIANT governor. Has just GREAT common-sense too. Also she is really easy on the eyes as well. Which is always a plus.
ousoonerfan15 on March 19, 2009 at 9:19 PM
David Brooks calls Jefferson a “cancer” to the United States
“Limited government is out of fashion”
joey24007 on March 19, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Still Obama 45 Palin 42 Neither 13
95680 votes cast at news.aol.com
technopeasant on March 19, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Fights like man. Speaks like a woman.
Where have they been all these years?
warbaby on March 19, 2009 at 9:24 PM
i have only three word for sarah palin:
GET IT HONEY!
Ghoul aid on March 19, 2009 at 9:27 PM
She has more balls than my Gov. (Colorado)
KBird on March 19, 2009 at 9:27 PM
The ADN is a liberal rag. Palin says herself she’s taking $ for education. I think she’s doing the right thing. Only time will tell how the media spins the story…but we know they will.
njpat on March 19, 2009 at 9:27 PM
This needs to be clearly stated … Sarah Palin was THE FIRST Governor to talk about rejecting the stimulus.
It is true that the Republican Governors of SC, MS, LA, and AL did actually announce FIRST that they would … in fact … turn it down.
However … it’s clear the Governors of those States are in “collusion” – they’re all turning down the same stuff.
Palin is going her own “maverick” route here. She waited off to announce it – because she’s bringing her State Legislature into the fold on this smackdown (or trying too).
And she is trying to turn down A LOT MORE MONEY than the other governors are.
Basically – and God, I love ‘em – but Sanford, Barber, Jindal, et al – they’re using a safety net here – and not performing a trick too complicated.
Palin has no safety net and her trick is a lot more complicated.
HondaV65 on March 19, 2009 at 9:30 PM
I would assume Palin knows how to balance a checkbook (unlike the Ivy League hot shots who now have us 11 trillion in the hole).
mylegsareswollen on March 19, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Oh good, you are here, maybe you can answer my question.
Do you have any idea how much Governor Sanford plans on rejecting?
No one seems to be able to answer that question. Not even Sanford. Any idea if he will reject education funds, infrastructure funds, health care, medicare or anything in particular?
Since Sanford has refused to answer these questions, perhaps you can.
Well, I figure Sanford cannot possible reject the unemployment funds. After all, his unemployment coffers are so low that he actually had to go out on Jan. 1st and beg the federal government to give him some money or the unemployment checks would not go out. Plus Sanford has the second highest unemployment rate in the nation. Good golly, even California has a better unemployment rate than his state does.
Of course, Sanford did attempt to take $700 million in stimulus funds just to pay down the state’s massive debt, but that did not work. The White House rejected his request.
So I am trying to figure out, what exactly did Sanford turn down?
kcarpenter on March 19, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Inflation’s a comin’. Plan accordingly.
mylegsareswollen on March 19, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Snack on that for lunch, you hoser!
smellthecoffee on March 19, 2009 at 9:33 PM
I did that poll over at aol and I was surprised at how close it was. 45 Obama, 42 Palin. But on the part about which GOP candidate you preferred, Romney was ahead.
But Palin was still within 3 of Obama. Of course these polls are not scientific or whatever. There was some poll that said Obama would win by 20 against her. I don’t believe that.
Terrye on March 19, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Sounds to me that she doesn’t want to be under Big Gubment Thumb. Plain and Simple.
5u93rm4n on March 19, 2009 at 9:36 PM
She’s got it goin on. Thats for sure.
johnnyU on March 19, 2009 at 9:36 PM
I wonder if Sarah will have her thetans cleansed.
SnarkVader on March 19, 2009 at 9:37 PM
I thought I heard her say she is taking it but making sure it goes to whats best for what ALaska needs and not what DC wants.
johnnyU on March 19, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Not that it matters much, but how in the hell is Romney winning the GOP vote over there? But, Palin is only within 3 of Messiah. I guess that is a reflection of how bad he’s doing. And since there is no question Palin beats those other GOP wannabees in real life, I guess the poll is good, but sheeesh, Romney and Huckster??!!!
davek70 on March 19, 2009 at 9:39 PM
How will it not do her any favors within the state? Aren’t Alaskans just as outraged at this March to Socialism as other Americans? This is wonderful news.
ashleymatt on March 19, 2009 at 9:39 PM
I find it inspiring that Gov Palin has thrown down the gauntlet. With this brilliant move she has said “put up or shut up” to all the wannabe’s. She has also laid this stimulus money at the feet of the Alaskan senate/congress to go through and on record justify all of these programs they want. She will hold their feet to the fire and make sure they get famous. She’s got moxy, and you can’t put moxy into a teleprompter.
portlandon on March 19, 2009 at 9:40 PM
LOL she calls it “the bait.” I love it!
ashleymatt on March 19, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Please guys. You can’t talk about loins, or even “girding” when speaking about the Cuda. Makes me sweat–I feel like Radar O’Reilly. (Slaking.)
But seriously–does she seem like a dope to you?
Yeah, reaalll dopey. You would have lost all the Democrats with the phrase “true stimulus,” which they couldn’t separate from “appropriations” with a freakin crow-bar.
smellthecoffee on March 19, 2009 at 9:41 PM
hahah according to jake tapper obama may have stumbled BIG time on Jay Leno. When he was talking about his bowling skills Barry said “It is like special olympics or something” he said. haha he cant talk without his teleprompter.
ousoonerfan15 on March 19, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Because the 45 percent who voted for Obama went over and voted for Romney in the other poll. Do you think the average Teleprompter worshipper wants a head to head with Palin?
portlandon on March 19, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, behold the next President of the United States.
I fecking LOVE this woman!
NoLeftTurn on March 19, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Whether she’s the first to do this or not is irrelevent. Only one person can be first. She’s doing the right thing.
This increases her already high stock among conservatives.
Go Sarah!
single stack on March 19, 2009 at 9:45 PM
I’m going to be PISSED if Palin doesn’t run in 2010.
She’s like Golda Meir…only…well, you know……younger…
bluelightbrigade on March 19, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Terrye on March 19, 2009 at 9:35 PM
The Romney poll is troll-contaminated; notice 29% for someone else; who would that be? How could voters only favor Palin at 13% while she is only 3 points behind Obama.
On the Obama-Palin matchup the trolls can’t affect those results. That’s why they are accurate.
technopeasant on March 19, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Thank you so much for posting this!
(Of course, I had to look up the definition in an internet slang dictionary, but now that I know what it means . . .)
DITTO’S!
Good job!
Loxodonta on March 19, 2009 at 9:49 PM
What a jerk. Without the teleprompter he can’t even stop from revealing who he is.
INC on March 19, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Moderates for Mitt!!!
Jim62sch on March 19, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Good point. Didn’t think of it that way. Obama trolls voting for Romney, kind of like the Huckster idiots voted for McCain to squeeze Romney out of the nomination last year.
davek70 on March 19, 2009 at 9:53 PM
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