Palin's $150,000 wardrobe

[Bill McIntyre]

Sam Stein

October 22, 2008 01:30 AM


Since her selection as John McCain's running mate, the Republican National Committee spent more than $150,000 on clothing and make-up for Gov. Sarah Palin, her husband, and even her infant son, it was reported on Tuesday evening.

That entertaining scoop -- which came by way of Politico -- sent almost immediate reverberations through the presidential race. A statement from McCain headquarters released hours after the article bemoaned the triviality of the whole affair.

"With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it's remarkable that we're spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses," said spokesperson Tracey Schmitt. "It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign."

But even the most timid of Democrats are unlikely to heed this call for civility. For starters, the story has the potential to dampen enthusiasm among GOP activists and donors at a critical point in the presidential race. It also creates a huge PR headache for the McCain ticket as it seeks to make inroads among voters worried about the current economic crisis.

Mainly, however, Democrats (in this scenario) are not prone to forgiveness. After all, it was during this same campaign cycle that Republicans belittled the $400 haircut that former Sen. John Edwards had paid for with his own campaign money (the funds were later reimbursed). And yet, the comparison to that once-dominant news story is hardly close: if Edwards had gotten one of his legendary haircuts every singe week, it would still take him 7.2 years to spend what Palin has spent. Palin has received the equivalent of $2,500 in clothes per day from places such as Saks Fifth Avenue (where RNC expenditures totaled nearly $50,000) and Neiman Marcus (where the governor had a $75,000 spree).

Beyond the political tit-for-tat, however, the revelation of the clothing expenditures offers what some Democrats see as a chance not just to win several news cycles during the campaign's waning days but to severely damage Palin's image as a small-town, 'Joe Six-Pack' American.

"It shows that Palin ain't like the rest of us," Tom Matzzie, a Democratic strategist told the Huffington Post, when asked how the party would or could use the issue. "It can help deflate her cultural populism with the Republican base. The plumber's wife doesn't go to Nieman's or Saks."

Indeed, the story could not come at a more inopportune time for the McCain campaign. During a week in which the Republican ticket is trying to highlight its connection to the working class -- and, by extension, promoting its newest campaign tool, Joe the Plumber -- it was revealed that Palin's fashion budget for several weeks was more than four times the median salary of an American plumber ($37,514). To put it another way: Palin received more valuable clothes in one month than the average American household spends on clothes in 80 years. A Democrat put it in even blunter terms: her clothes were the cost of health care for 15 or so people.

There are, in these cases, legal questions surrounding campaign expenditures. Though, on this front, Palin and the RNC seem to be in the clear.

"I don't think it's taxed," said David Donnelly of Campaign Money Watch. "I don't think she can keep it. It's owned by the RNC. They had to use coordinated funds to pay for the clothes."

And certainly the possibility exists that this issue can be effectively swept under the rug. Palin is not known for taking impromptu questions from the press. Moreover, the media, at this juncture, has other major story lines (see: upcoming election) to grapple with, thus denying the piece the relative vacuum that accompanied the Edwards story. Finally, there is little desire among conservative writers or pundits to litigate the matter, even if they were more than happy to jump on board when a Democrat was in the spotlight.

Several hours after Politico posted its findings, the topic remained nearly untouched by the major right-wing outlets. Though as Marc Ambinder at the Atlantic opined:

"Republicans, RNC donors and at least one RNC staff member have e-mailed me tonight to share their utter (and not-for-attribution) disgust at the expenditures. ... The heat for this story will come from Republicans who cannot understand how their party would do something this stupid ... particularly (and, it must be said, viewed retroactively) during the collapse of the financial system and the probable beginning of a recession."

[aaron proffitt]

$150,000 is it ?Well, not everybody can measure up to Hillary's pantsuit warehouse.

[kvzeyde]

Originally Posted by Bill McIntyre

Sam Stein

October 22, 2008 01:30 AM


Since her selection as John McCain's running mate, the Republican National Committee spent more than $150,000 on clothing and make-up for Gov. Sarah Palin, her husband, and even her infant son, it was reported on Tuesday evening.

That entertaining scoop -- which came by way of Politico -- sent almost immediate reverberations through the presidential race. A statement from McCain headquarters released hours after the article bemoaned the triviality of the whole affair.

"With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it's remarkable that we're spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses," said spokesperson Tracey Schmitt. "It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign."

But even the most timid of Democrats are unlikely to heed this call for civility. For starters, the story has the potential to dampen enthusiasm among GOP activists and donors at a critical point in the presidential race. It also creates a huge PR headache for the McCain ticket as it seeks to make inroads among voters worried about the current economic crisis.

Mainly, however, Democrats (in this scenario) are not prone to forgiveness. After all, it was during this same campaign cycle that Republicans belittled the $400 haircut that former Sen. John Edwards had paid for with his own campaign money (the funds were later reimbursed). And yet, the comparison to that once-dominant news story is hardly close: if Edwards had gotten one of his legendary haircuts every singe week, it would still take him 7.2 years to spend what Palin has spent. Palin has received the equivalent of $2,500 in clothes per day from places such as Saks Fifth Avenue (where RNC expenditures totaled nearly $50,000) and Neiman Marcus (where the governor had a $75,000 spree).

Beyond the political tit-for-tat, however, the revelation of the clothing expenditures offers what some Democrats see as a chance not just to win several news cycles during the campaign's waning days but to severely damage Palin's image as a small-town, 'Joe Six-Pack' American.

"It shows that Palin ain't like the rest of us," Tom Matzzie, a Democratic strategist told the Huffington Post, when asked how the party would or could use the issue. "It can help deflate her cultural populism with the Republican base. The plumber's wife doesn't go to Nieman's or Saks."

Indeed, the story could not come at a more inopportune time for the McCain campaign. During a week in which the Republican ticket is trying to highlight its connection to the working class -- and, by extension, promoting its newest campaign tool, Joe the Plumber -- it was revealed that Palin's fashion budget for several weeks was more than four times the median salary of an American plumber ($37,514). To put it another way: Palin received more valuable clothes in one month than the average American household spends on clothes in 80 years. A Democrat put it in even blunter terms: her clothes were the cost of health care for 15 or so people.

There are, in these cases, legal questions surrounding campaign expenditures. Though, on this front, Palin and the RNC seem to be in the clear.

"I don't think it's taxed," said David Donnelly of Campaign Money Watch. "I don't think she can keep it. It's owned by the RNC. They had to use coordinated funds to pay for the clothes."

And certainly the possibility exists that this issue can be effectively swept under the rug. Palin is not known for taking impromptu questions from the press. Moreover, the media, at this juncture, has other major story lines (see: upcoming election) to grapple with, thus denying the piece the relative vacuum that accompanied the Edwards story. Finally, there is little desire among conservative writers or pundits to litigate the matter, even if they were more than happy to jump on board when a Democrat was in the spotlight.

Several hours after Politico posted its findings, the topic remained nearly untouched by the major right-wing outlets. Though as Marc Ambinder at the Atlantic opined:

"Republicans, RNC donors and at least one RNC staff member have e-mailed me tonight to share their utter (and not-for-attribution) disgust at the expenditures. ... The heat for this story will come from Republicans who cannot understand how their party would do something this stupid ... particularly (and, it must be said, viewed retroactively) during the collapse of the financial system and the probable beginning of a recession."

What's your point?

Check this:

[OH Producer]

Originally Posted by kvzeyde

What's your point?

Check this:

That’s funny. Seems you might be a little behind on the times. Page six has already retracted that story about Michelle Obama and the room service bill. That is a bad fake receipt too. Stayed their two weeks ago, my receipt didn’t look anything like that. But hey, it’s the “internets”, right?

Anyways, the news agencies have debunked it and showed Mrs. Obama was at the time in Ft. Wayne, Indiana giving a speech.



PS: Since McCain is using public funding, does that mean the $150K for Palin's wardrobe came from taxpayer money?

[Bill McIntyre]

It shows what depths they will sink to though.

[aaron proffitt]

Originally Posted by OH Producer

. Stayed their two weeks ago, my receipt didn’t look anything like that.

Well, la-ti-da . Would the King like to call for his pipe and bowl and fiddlers three ?

[OH Producer]

Originally Posted by aaron proffitt

Well, la-ti-da . Would the King like to call for his pipe and bowl and fiddlers three ?

Hey, business trip. And for the record, I only had bacon, eggs and a bagel. Still pretty expensive at $35 bucks though. Purchasing wasn’t happy with that hotel stay. But at least I opted out of the 2K a night escort.

[kvzeyde]

Originally Posted by Bill McIntyre

It shows what depths they will sink to though.

What B.S. on both sides! Obama's are multimillionaires aand could afford to blow a grand on a meal if they were so inclined. Same for the McCain's.

So you want to make an issue of $150,000 spent on wardrobe during a campaign where probably a 1/2 billion dollars is spent when you count the sums spent by both sides and special interests?

[kvzeyde]

Originally Posted by OH Producer

That’s funny. Seems you might be a little behind on the times. Page six has already retracted that story about Michelle Obama and the room service bill. That is a bad fake receipt too. Stayed their two weeks ago, my receipt didn’t look anything like that. But hey, it’s the “internets”, right?

Anyways, the news agencies have debunked it and showed Mrs. Obama was at the time in Ft. Wayne, Indiana giving a speech.



PS: Since McCain is using public funding, does that mean the $150K for Palin's wardrobe came from taxpayer money?

You are correct. I just got the receipt in an email this morning.

[jackpine savage]

Originally Posted by kvzeyde

What B.S. on both sides! Obama's are multimillionaires aand could afford to blow a grand on a meal if they were so inclined. Same for the McCain's.

So you want to make an issue of $150,000 spent on wardrobe during a campaign where probably a 1/2 billion dollars is spent when you count the sums spent by both sides and special interests?

I agree with you on this. It was GOP money and they could spend it as they please. I wonder if they lose whether she gets to keep the clothes.

[Bill McIntyre]

Originally Posted by jackpine savage

I agree with you on this. It was GOP money and they could spend it as they please. I wonder if they lose whether she gets to keep the clothes.

If they lose, Obama gets to peel them off of her.

[zenspearo]

I don't think this will play well in these economic times. That works out to be $75K/month.

I'm sure if someone scrimped and saved to send in their contributions for $25 or $50, they'd be pissed.

[IrieSpearo]

Originally Posted by Bill McIntyre

If they lose, Obama gets to peel them off of her.

But if they win...then Putin gets the honor...

[el_guapo]

Originally Posted by kvzeyde

What B.S. on both sides! Obama's are multimillionaires aand could afford to blow a grand on a meal if they were so inclined.

Where do you get your bad info? Seriously what fuxorzed websites do you get your trash from? A simple google search shows that at best Obama is worth 1.1 million and that was prior to the market crash. And a decent chunk of that money is in his single house.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/05/...lth/index.html

http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress....tes-net-worth/

http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/s.../daily103.html

the only website that shows him being a multimillionaire is a random blog.
http://www.mangoboss.com/ObamaNetWorth

Do you sort through the stuff and find the stinkyish pile of sh!t possible? Or do you just think that if you toss it out there we'll accept your spoonfed crap?

Also eating $1000 meals is insane. you're talking about $365,000 dollars a year. If you make $1,000,000 you're taking home about $600,000 after taxes. So you're saying that you're blowing over 50% of your income on food?

At least think a bit before you toss out your sh1t.

[aaron proffitt]

Wow.... no wonder he wants to re-distribute wealth as he's living on beans and weenies. And yet, he still preaches hope.