'08 earmarks

Taxpayers for Common Sense is out with an analysis of earmark requests in the 2009 Defense Authorization bill.

Both presidential nominees stuck to their pledge not to ask for any, but VP nominee Sen. Joe Biden has an $11.6 million earmark to "Replace C-130 Aircraft Maintenance Shops" at the New Castle County Airport. The co-sponsor is his fellow Delaware Democrat Tom Carper.

Also worth noting - Top McCain supporters Joe Lieberman (I) and Lindsey Graham (R) have a bunch.

Lieberman requested $35 million for "Technology development for F135 engine" for beneficiary Pratt and Whitney.

(The company's current CEO gave Lieberman $2,000 in 2004 and also contributed to his 2006 senate reelection campaign when he was booted from the Democratic party but won his seat as an independent.)

Graham has $20 million in solo requests, including a $9.9 million earmark for a "Physical Fitness Center" at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.

Would McCain veto those if he were president?

I posed the question to the campaign and will update if I get an answer.

Update, 5:45 p.m.: Silence from Team McCain.

Update, 10:30 a.m. Thursday: Still no word.

Over at this link you can download the full Excel database of earmark requests.

—Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter,
The Washington Times

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