Stevens (R-AK) bitter about bridge to nowhere

[babylonsister]

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004313.php

Stevens: Harumph!
By Laura McGann - September 27, 2007, 2:11PM

After giving the press "no comments" since the FBI raided his home in August, Sen Ted Stevens (R-AK) finally spoke yesterday. And what did he have to say? Stevens told a Fairbanks Daily News Miner reporter that he's on "frosty" terms with Gov. Sarah Palin (R), and she should think carefully about how she spends Alaska's federal bridge to nowhere money.

Short about $329 million to build the bridge that would have connected an island of 50 people to a more densely populated, neighboring island, Palin told transportation officials to direct the $200 million to an alternative project like an upgraded ferry system.

Stevens worries the federal government might want the money back, even though the language that targeted the money to the project was stripped from the bill after it became a scandal. Alaska got the money just the same, however, and Stevens has never admitted defeat.

Stevens said regardless of whether Congress can force the state to return the bridge money, it’s now a political issue that could harm Alaska in future funding fights.

The governor’s decision “may well jeopardize further funding by the Congress of any bridges in Alaska, which I think is a dangerous precedent,” he said. “I think they should be very careful how they use that money.”

Way to stick to your guns, Senator.

[rodeodance]

1. tsk, tsk

[MrCoffee]

2. how did AK get the money?

i'm very confused. i remember when the bridge money was taken out of the appropriations bill (or so i thought), so how did the state still get the money?

[gatorboy]

5. Stevens chaired the Senate Appropriations Committee

So the man could write himself as many checks as he deemed fit when the Repugs were in power.

[MrCoffee]

7. duh. if i'd have thought about it for half a second...

thanks.

[KharmaTrain]

3. Maybe He Can Get Don Young To Sneak An Earmark

Volcano Stevens must be getting to critical max. I'm expecting another crying jag on the Senate floor or some confrontation with a stenographer. He's just too good theater to miss.

While it's sometimes hard for us to see it, there's a big sword hanging over the Repugnican party. From Stevens to Vitter to Doolittle to Craig to Jerry Lewis to the growing docket of indicted and convicted regime toadies, the scandals of Repugnican abuse and hypocrisy is going to take a toll. It's just happening in slow motion.

Gotta give Teddy Tubes an award for having "a pair"...brass, but a pair nonetheless. :rofl:

[Javaman]

4. Oh. My. God. I so hope this doesn't create a bridge gap!!!!!

ted stevens = oil tool.

[burythehatchet]

6. What the hell isn't that old coot bitter about

He even angry in the morning because he can't get a good stream going.

[Tempest]

8. He'd better worry more about keeping out of prison

VECO executives are lining up around the block to turn over on him and his son.


On a side note, Stevens' approval rating in Alaska is in the low 30s and Palin's is up over 70%. I don't think she needs to concern herself with anything Steven has to say.