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