Two ideological opposites, conservative Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and liberal newcomer Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., have found common ground over their disdain for earmarks in appropriations bills.

Flake is a longstanding critic of his colleagues’ earmarking habits, but his efforts to strike spending projects from legislation have rarely succeeded. Speier, who has been in the House for just two months, says she has been so appalled by her fellow members’ earmarking ways that she has met with Flake to discuss how they can cooperate to curtail the practice.

“The biggest surprise since I’ve been here have been earmarks,” Speier said. “I didn’t realize how insidious it was and how deep it ran and how accepting so many people are of it.”

Flake sounded amazed that a liberal Democrat, especially one whose district includes part of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s hometown of San Francisco, would reach out to him. “She seems very sincere,’’ Flake said. “I was pleasantly surprised.’’

Speier said that she appreciates Pelosi’s efforts to cut the number of earmarks and make them more transparent, but that more needs to be done.

Flake said he thinks Speier’s position on earmarks might stem from the fact that she came to Congress in a special election, meaning she wasn’t part of usual freshman orientation sessions. “I guess she didn’t attend the session where they tell you that one way to get re-elected is to go to appropriators for help,’’ Flake said.