Palin's Pipeline

truble2301 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-25-2008, 06:49 PM

Everyday, you just have to shake your head and wonder -- what the heck was McCain thinking? It's like he's gone on the worst blind date of all time.

Quote:

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Gov. Sarah Palin's signature accomplishment — a contract to build a 1,715-mile pipeline to bring natural gas from Alaska to the Lower 48 — emerged from a flawed bidding process that narrowed the field to a company with ties to her administration, an Associated Press investigation shows.

Beginning at the Republican National Convention, the McCain-Palin ticket has touted the pipeline as an example of how it would help America achieve energy independence.

"We're building a nearly $40 billion natural gas pipeline, which is North America's largest and most expensive infrastructure project ever, to flow those sources of energy into hungry markets," Palin said during the Oct. 2 vice presidential debate.

Despite Palin's boast of a smart and fair bidding process, the AP found that her team crafted terms that favored only a few independent pipeline companies and ultimately benefited the winner, TransCanada Corp.

And contrary to the ballyhoo, there's no guarantee the pipeline will ever be built; at a minimum, any project is years away, as TransCanada must first overcome major financial and regulatory hurdles.

In interviews and a review of records, the AP found:
# Instead of creating a process that would attract many potential builders, Palin slanted the terms away from an important group — the global energy giants that own the rights to the gas.
# Despite promises and legal guidance not to talk directly with potential bidders, Palin had meetings or phone calls with nearly every major candidate, including TransCanada.
# The leader of Palin's pipeline team had been a partner at a lobbying firm where she worked on behalf of a TransCanada subsidiary. Also, that woman's former business partner at the lobbying firm was TransCanada's lead private lobbyist on the pipeline deal, interacting with legislators in the weeks before the vote to grant TransCanada the contract. Plus, a former TransCanada executive served as an outside consultant to Palin's pipeline team.
# Under a different set of rules four years earlier, TransCanada had offered to build the pipeline without a state subsidy; under Palin, the company could receive a maximum $500 million.
# "Gov. Palin held firmly to her fundamental belief that Alaska could best serve Alaskans and the nation's interests by pursuing a competitive approach to building a natural gas pipeline," said McCain-Palin spokesman Taylor Griffin. "There was an open and transparent process that subjected the decision to extensive public scrutiny and due diligence."

Much, much more at link

sharkiz1 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-25-2008, 07:11 PM

I just read this same article on aol about 20 minutes ago. She seemed to think she could get by with anything up there in the frozen land where the world couldn't see her. Sorry Palin, you cant hide.

truble2301 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-25-2008, 07:16 PM

I understand that she was too stupid to think she'd ever get caught -- but when did McCain lost his brain?

kvmj · #4 (**permalink**) 10-25-2008, 07:51 PM

After reading about the constant harrasment (it just about became a full time job for him, very petty and nasty) of her ex brother in law, and finding out how much "help" they got from their contractor buddies in building their house, this doesn't surprise me one little bit.

kathytheshopper · #5 (**permalink**) 10-25-2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kvmj

After reading about the constant harrasment (it just about became a full time job for him, very petty and nasty) of her ex brother in law, and finding out how much "help" they got from their contractor buddies in building their house, this doesn't surprise me one little bit.

And what's the scandal behind Obamas house dealings????? lol

truble2301 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-26-2008, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathytheshopper

And what's the scandal behind Obamas house dealings????? lol

This is your best response to the latest Palin scandal, one in which the governor appears to have cheated an entire state out of cash funds using a dishonest bidding process?

wildwood · #7 (**permalink**) 10-26-2008, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathytheshopper

And what's the scandal behind Obamas house dealings????? lol

And what scandal is that? A scandal that has been manufactured by someone with an ax to grind? There is no scandal. I know that disappoints you but you will just have to buck up and learn to live with it. And I know that even if you bother to read the link you won't believe it because it does not agree with your preconceived ideas, but give it a whirl. Who knows? Miracles do happen.

snopes.com: Where Did Obama's Money Come From?

usnamom · #8 (**permalink**) 10-26-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildwood

And what scandal is that? A scandal that has been manufactured by someone with an ax to grind? There is no scandal. I know that disappoints you but you will just have to buck up and learn to live with it. And I know that even if you bother to read the link you won't believe it because it does not agree with your preconceived ideas, but give it a whirl. Who knows? Miracles do happen.

snopes.com: Where Did Obama's Money Come From?

You won't get an answer. The nervous LOL that followed her comment is about to tell you she doesn't know the answer and the LOL is just a test.

truble2301 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-26-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usnamom

You won't get an answer. The nervous LOL that followed her comment is about to tell you she doesn't know the answer and the LOL is just a test.

Another favorite stunt is for KTS to let someone else post a long and detailed retort so she can agree with it.

usnamom · #10 (**permalink**) 10-26-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truble2301

Another favorite stunt is for KTS to let someone else post a long and detailed retort so she can agree with it.

I hear you and I agree! LOL

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode