September 12, 2008
Palin defends earmark requests for Alaska
Beth FouhyRepublican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is defending the nearly $200 million in federal earmarks she has sought as Alaska governor. She also tried to explain why she was for the infamous Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it.
Palin told ABC's Charles Gibson that since she took office, the state had "drastically" reduced its earmark requests.
When Gibson noted she had requested funding to study the mating habits of crabs and other small-bore projects that typically draw John McCain's ire, Palin said the specific requests had come through universities and other public entities. She also said they weren't worked out by lobbyists behind closed doors.
The Associated Press