The Earmark Queen

By Michael J.W. Stickings

Even the Politico is on to her:

Senator John McCain recently told reporters that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has "learned that earmarks are bad."

But not that bad, apparently. According to a "summary of requests for federal appropriations" posted to her budget office's website earlier this year, Palin requested millions of federal dollars for everything from improving recreational halibut fishing to studying the mating habits of crabs and the DNA of harbor seals.

It's a position at odds with her recasting as an anti-earmarking champion, and with the tone of the biting scorn she's employed toward the budgetary practice this week.

In other words, it's a lie at odds with the truth. (And "learning" based solely on political expediency.)

But that's Sarah Palin for you.