Barack Obama today disclosed all the earmarks he's requested in the Senate (adding to previously disclosed 2007 earmarks) and challenged Sen. Clinton -- who has been one of the Senate's most prolific earmarkers -- to do the same.
It took about four hours for us to get a response -- deep political calculations, no doubt -- but the answer seems to be that she won't disclose her requests for 2001 through 2007. No explanation of why.
She is, however, promising to disclose her requests for this year, and has set up a web page listing the earmarks she has funded (which were already discoverable). The link (http://clinton.testing.senate.gov/newyork/appropriations.cfm) doesn't seem to be working yet.
(Update: A reader helpfully points out that when you take the word testing out, the link works. Here -- it's actually a compilation of previous press releases! What transparency!)
John McCain opposes all earmarks. Obama's action came after McCain challenged the two Democrats to disclose their earmark requests. All three presidential contenders did vote today for a one-year moratorium on earmarks. Here's the statement from Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines:
"Senator Clinton has co-sponsored and supports a one-year moratorium on earmarks that would give the Congress time to take a hard look at this process and work on improving its transparency and accountability. Senator Clinton will limit requests for earmarks this year to the most critical needs for New York and America such as providing healthcare for those suffering from the effects of 9/11, bolstering our national and homeland security, and providing our brave men and women in uniform with the resources they need to achieve their missions.
"Senator Clinton is proud of the investments in New York that she has secured as Senator. All of her requests have been considered as part of the legislative process and were subject to debate and accountability. She has made public the funding she has helped to secure and will make public the requests she submits this year."
Obama's earmark requests are listed here and here. Unlike Clinton's these links actually work.
Comments (1)
Clinton's site is working. Just lose the "testing".