David Vitter: “I don’t think it’s wrong to advocate for specific priorities in your state if it doesn’t change your opinion about an overall bill, which I think in this case is way too bloated."

===================

WALLACE: And we’re putting up on the screen, Senator, your earmarks, a long list of them, according to the Taxpayers for Common Sense, totaling $118 million. Question — I think it’s a fair one — who are you to lecture the Democrats on spending?

Jon Kyl: "Well, first of all, I don’t see on the screen what you’re talking about. I can defend everything that I have recommended in the budget, and I would suggest that they’re not earmarks under the definition, because we have a specific definition."

===================

Lindsey Graham: "I voted to take all earmarks out, but I will come back in the new process and put that [convention center in Myrtle Beach] back in. I think I should have the ability as a United States senator to direct money back to my state as long as it’s transparent and it makes sense.”

===================

It's a given that after 8 years of doubling the debt with nothing to show for it that these guys are not serious about waste, spending, or earmarks. So why the blatant hypocrisy when everyone knows that they don't mean it?

“We will lose on legislation. But we will win the message war every day, and every week, until November 2010,” said Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., an outspoken conservative who has participated on the GOP message teams. “Our goal is to bring down approval numbers for [Speaker Nancy] Pelosi and for House Democrats. That will take repetition. This is a marathon, not a sprint.”

It's not about principle or the economy. It's pure politics. They are willing to roadblock the administration and Congress, and sabotage the stimulus and spending bills so they can win elections in 2010. Party first. Period.

Obama calls out the GOP hypocrites.

Earmarks are a political talking point. There is such a negative association with them, when most people have no clue what they are, which in reality is simply federal aid for specific projects. Like any project, some fail and some succeed.

Personally, I would like to see regulation over earmarks and better overall use of the money because up until now it's been wasted far too much. But that said, I think Obama has the right of it here.