VP Nominee and Lance Represent More of the Same Failed Bush Policies

September 4, 2008

FANWOOD – Linda Stender, candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th District, today criticized Leonard Lance for praising the qualifications of GOP vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. “By laughably supporting Gov. Palin as a ‘principled reformer,’ Leonard Lance exposes why he represents more of the same failed policies of the Bush Administration, despite his independent masquerade,” Stender said.

Lance had hailed the announcement of Palin as Senator John McCain’s running mate and said, “Governor Palin is a principled and proven reformer who has fought against wasteful spending and pork barrel politics. I look forward to working with John McCain and Sarah Palin on bringing fiscal sanity back to Washington, DC.” [PolitickerNJ, 8/29/08]

“Far from being a ‘reformer,’ Governor Palin fought for the Bridge to Nowhere and bragged about the ability of Alaska Republicans to bring home pork,” Stender said. “Governor Palin represents the same irresponsible fiscal policies of George Bush and the Republicans in Washington, and shows why our country needs change and a new direction.”

Stender added, “Leonard Lance has endorsed an extreme, right-wing agenda that is out-of-touch with the values of 7th District voters. Gov. Palin opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest, opposes lifesaving stem cell research, and doesn’t believe in man-made global warming. New Jersey families need real change, not more of the same failed Bush policies we have suffered under for the past eight years and that Leonard Lance continues to proudly support.”

Palin Advocated for Bridge to Nowhere Before She Was Against It. In August 2006, Palin told the Ketchikan Daily News: “We need to come to the defense of Southeast Alaska when proposals are on the table like the bridge, and not allow the spinmeisters to turn this project or any other into something that’s so negative.” The Anchorage Daily News quoted her in October 2006 as saying she would continue state funding for the bridge. “The window is now, while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist,” she said. [USA Today, “Palin Backed ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ in 2006,” 8/31/08]

Palin Does Not Believe in Man-Made Global Warming. In an interview in August 2008, Palin was asked, “What is your take on global warming and how is it affecting our country?” She said, “A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. I’m not one though who would attribute it to being man-made.” [Newsmax, 8/29/08]

Palin Opposes Abortion Even in Cases of Rape or Incest. In 2006, Palin spokesperson Curtis Smith said Palin is opposed to abortion, but believes an exception should be made if the health of the mother is in danger. That’s the only exception Palin would make, though, Smith said. “She doesn’t make exception for rape and incest, only for health of the mother,” he said. [Juneau Empire, 10/16/06]

Palin Opposes Life-Saving Stem Cell Research. [Anchorage Daily News, 11/7/06]