Didn't Palin actually say thanks but no thanks? She WAS initially for the BTN but

later against it.

This is the way that RepubliCons get around lying. They take both sides so they can claim either side of an issue. But when their opponents do the same, they call them flip floppers.

Unless I am missing something, I think the BTN (Bridge to Nowhere) "lie" is a nonissue. Sure Palin was duplicitous, but technically it seems that she really didn't lie.

The US Congress canceled the earmark before she supposedly said "thanks but no thanks."

Believe me. I am no fan of Palin. I am playing the devil's advocate because I keep hearing this assertion that she lied here and on progressive radio and I don't know that it carries that much traction. As part of a bigger picture of lie after lie, I can see this being one more lie that points to her character but alone, it is kind of weak.

Again, I can't stand the woman. I just don't want to see too much time spent on this when there are more important issues--while we keep seeing the BTN issue nobody is talking about PerDiem Gate for instance. I think that using per diem while at home is way more serious that the BTN issue as it shows clearcut dishonesty on her part.

This is all about a sound bite.

If you get into the details, you can claim anything. The way you phrased it in your OP is spot-on.

But she *did* lie and is lying.

And- now here's where it IS getting traction- even the MSM is getting sick and tired of the fact that she keeps lying and lying and lying and lying...

It would've been one thing to have "stretched" the truth about it... but once it was debunked, the proper reaction is to stop saying it... or at least phase it out of her speeches. Instead, she just keeps lying and lying and lying and lying and lying... Every fucking day she repeats the lie. AND NOW EVEN THE MSM IS SICK OF IT.

Even FOX "news" is calling McCain lip-servicers when they try to repeat it... Isn't that traction??

A born bullshit artist.

She said, "Thanks, but no thanks!"?????

Then why, pray tell, did she KEEP THE MONEY??? How in the hell does that not make her a GREAT BIG FAT LIAR???????

When you say No Thanks, that means you are refusing something. When you're talking about money, that means you did not receive the money. Well, if you're telling the truth, that's what it means.

Sarah, on the other hand, swayed with the breeze, was very avidly for it before she was agin' it, and when all was said and done, she kept the money to be used for other pet projects.

She's a liar.

Palin is totally in the clear, as per the original post, if you forget that words have meaning and we can figure out what people mean by reading their words.

bite.

me.

The press "agrees" that it's a lie, and they're going along and pointing that out every time she says it. Why the hell would we back away from one of the only damn things the press will agree with Democrats on?

She gave up on the BTN when it was dead thru no action of her own. That's not "thanks but no thanks" and anyone who says it is, is lying.

first she was for it. then against it. then kept the money

In a vacuum, the BTN is pretty minor. When added to the teleprompter, the Ebay plane, the troopergate, etc, it becomes a pattern. Add it to McCains lies and it becomes a habitually lying ticket. And that is why each individual little deception is important.

she said "i told congress thanks but no thanks....if we wanted a bridge, we'd build it ourselves."

absolutely not what happened. She asked for the money to build the bridge and campaigned on this issue. congress said no. she kept the money and used it for other things. It most certainly is not an example of someone who is against earmarks -- quite the opposite, in fact and that is where the lie lay.

and no, it's not just about the words, it's about the point. they are saying this within the context that she is a reformer and has said no to earmarks. hello?

Not just progressives are calling her out on this- it's common knowledge that they are saying this to people and that it is not true. Every major news outlet has reported this as a lie. Why is this up for debate here?

the reasoning presented here for how it's not really a lie basically means it's alright to run on a platform which misconstrues your position and misleads the people. That is not OK.

'

and I want it back.

She didn't "oppose" it until Congress had already pulled the earmark. But Congress sent the money anyway, and she kept it and used it for other projects. So it was still pork, even if the funds weren't earmarked.

Maybe she "intended" to piss off the MSM... or not. Her constant repetition of what might've otherwise been a nice line is now just a taunt of the MSM, and flagrant insult to their attempt to call her on the lie.

So now the MSM is calling her on it every chance they get... and the entire McCain camp is now branded bald faced liars.

NonIssue? Hardly. She's undermining what little credibility McCain had more and more every day. It's hysterical.


:toast:

She was DEFINITELY for it ....

And for it again ....

And then .... wanted it more ....

And, sometime much later .... when it was politically expedient ... She was against it ...

Then ? ... She said she was always against it ....

She said she was NEVER for it .... Ever ...

She is not only a liar ....

But a GODDAMNED liar ....

Surely you can understand the difference ....