Nevertheless, this is exactly what I was looking for: an articulation of the claim, so I can compare it with reality. So thanks for your hard work.

After researching it I find that:

- the statement that Palin likes to make: "I told congress thanks but no thanks", is false.
- I find that it is true that she killed the project.
- I find it false that she killed the project because it was a boondoggle, but rather that she would have to spend her own (AKs) money to complete it rather than federal money.

And here is why:

In 2005, (oddly left out of McCain's timeline) "the bridge to nowhere" had become a political hot potato. Though the Republican congress was fine with the idea, they had a very tough election coming up. Decision: cut out the earmark for the bridge. Complication: Stevens threatens to resign from congress (losing a valuable Republican vote) if they do cut it. Compromise: Earmark for the bridge is cut, but the money goes to AK anyway - to spend on transportation any way AK sees fit to do. This is what passed in '05. At this point, congress is out of the "bridge to nowhere" business forever.

In '07, the price goes up. The money they have for it will have to be augmented with AK dollars if they want to continue. Suddenly the logic of the folks who called it a boondoggle becomes apparent to Palin and she kills the project. There is no possibility that she said anything to congress on the matter, because congress stopped listening in '05.