John McCain, Stranger To The Truth

John McCain continued his campaign of lies and deception today on ABC's "The View."

Courtesy of Political Punch, the blog of ABC News' Senior National Correspondent, Jake Tapper, comes transcript of this portion of the discussion:

BARBARA WALTERS: What is she going to reform, specifically?
JOHN MCCAIN: Well, first of all, earmark spending, which she vetoed half a billion dollars worth in the state of Alaska.
WALTERS: She also took some earmarks.
JOY BEHAR: A lot.
MCCAIN: No, not as governor, she didn't. She vetoed –- Look, well, the fact is she's a reform governor.

John McCain denies that as governor, Sarah Palin "took some earmarks." But last year (fiscal year 2008), the Governor requested $254 million in earmarks and this year (fiscal year 2009) slightly less than $200 million, both the highest per capita figure in the nation. And USA Today reported earlier this year that Alaska "is set to receive $506.34 per capita, the highest in the nation, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, a watchdog group which tracks earmarks."

Michael Kinsley points out:

As if it couldn't support itself, Alaska also ranks No. 1, year after year, in money it sucks in from Washington. In 2005 (the most recent figures), according to the Tax Foundation, Alaska ranked 18th in federal taxes paid per resident ($5,434) but first in federal spending received per resident ($13,950). Its ratio of federal spending received to federal taxes paid ranks third among the 50 states, and in the absolute amount it receives from Washington over and above the amount it sends to Washington, Alaska ranks No. 1.

Will Alaska start paying its own way? Will John McCain start speaking the truth? Very likely, no, and no.