Barack Obama: "I've pledged to slash earmarks by more than half when I am president of the United States," he said in Green Bay, Wis., last September.
but this is what he said today:
"Now, let me be clear: Done right, earmarks give legislators the opportunity to direct federal money to worthy projects that benefit people in their district, and that's why I have opposed their outright elimination."
ABC News By JAKE TAPPER - March 10, 2009
Obama Signs 'Imperfect' Spending Bill Away From Cameras
$410 Billion Omnibus Bill Has Nearly 9,000 Earmarks Worth $8 Billion
President Obama acknowledged today that he signed an "imperfect omnibus bill" but told Congress to clean up its act when it comes to pork-barrel projects that are inserted into spending bills without going through the traditional appropriations process, better known as earmarks. The president signed the $410 billion spending bill, which contains roughly 9,000 earmarks totaling nearly $8 billion, behind closed doors and away from the glare of the cameras. But before he did, he came before myriad cameras to insist he viewed the bill "as a departure point for more far-reaching change." (continues)
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