(Jake Turcotte)
Did Palin really need $150k for a new wardrobe?
By Jimmy Orr | 10.22.08
No one is saying that Sarah Palin should be required to walk around in flip flops and a hefty bag as she campaigns over the next two weeks.
But the $150,000 price tag on to get her dudded-up for the campaign trail has left many a political observer agog at the news.
It’s those guys again
The same folks that brought you the “McCain - Just how many houses do I own anyway?” mini-series back in August are at it again. Politico broke the news of the fashion spending spree yesterday.
What tipped them off?
“Politico asked the McCain campaign for comment, explicitly noting the $150,000 in expenses for department store shopping and makeup consultation that were incurred immediately after Palin’s announcement. Pre-September reports do not include similar costs,” writes reporter Jeanne Cummings.
The money trail
According to Politico, the Republican National Committee shelled out $150,000 for clothes and accessories for Palin and some of her family.
Neiman-Marcus hit the jackpot with over $75,000 being spent there while nearly $50,000 was dropped at Saks Fifth Avenue.
The Associated Press reports that “the RNC also spent $4,902 at Atelier, a stylish men’s clothing store in New York. Other purchases included a $92 romper and matching hat with ears for Palin’s baby, Trig, at Pacifier, a baby store in Minneapolis.”
No clothes in Alaska?
This could cause people to wonder why this was necessary. After all, clothes are a necessity in Alaska. It’s cold there.
Booth Moore, LA Times fashion critic, explains that being in Palin’s shoes (no pun intended) isn’t easy.
“In Palin’s defense, being a woman in the public eye has its own kind of pressures,” Moore writes. “And it’s unlikely she has been stepping off the campaign trail to join the ladies who lunch for shopping sprees at Neimans. Instead, she is probably working with a wardrobe stylist, who brings her things to try on and choose from. But the issue of clothing and hair expenses has always been a land mine for politicians (John Edwards’ $400 haircuts), and someone should have been sensitive to that.”
“You also have to wonder how it feels, as a woman, to have everyone know that you really have been dressed up and trotted out like a beauty queen for the American public to wag their tongues at. Caribou Barbie indeed,” he adds.
Outrage
Are people upset? Sure the blogosphere is abuzz over it. Some are fire-spittin’ mad. Others are dismissing the whole thing, saying it’s much ado about nothing.
But you have to wonder if some of those who donated to the RNC might really be bothered. After all, when donating did you expect to be outfitting Todd or did you expect that you’d be helping some Republican in a tight district race?
In a period where the GOP faithful are rallying around Joe the Plumber and talking about the little guy needing tax breaks, $150k on new clothes isn’t exactly the message the campaign wants to get out in the next 12 days.
Nothing to see here…
The campaign just wants to move on.
“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.”
And this could be just a flash in the pan. Like anything else in a campaign, it all depends on how long something remains in the news cycle. McCain’s housing gaffe lasted forever. That was much earlier in the general election when the airwaves and blogosphere were not nearly so noisy.
You gotta look good
While some political observers may be up arms over the whole thing, let’s be realistic. When running for office, it does help to look professional. But is $150,000 needed to look good? Frank James over at the Chicago Tribune’s Swamp found a scholar in fashion law who says this makes sense.
“In our image-based society, the packaging of a candidate requires strategic spending on visuals, from stage makeup to backdrops to podiums at a flattering height — and yes, costumes,” says Susan Scafidi. “As a result, it’s difficult to argue that the RNC’s purchase of clothing for Sarah Palin is an inappropriate expenditure on items for personal use, especially if they really do go to charity after the campaign. Still, given that neither party has given its male candidates a wardrobe makeover, the $150,000 spent at Saks and Neimans reinforces the unfortunate impression that Governor Palin is merely the conservatives’ favorite dress-up doll.”
Does the story have legs?
Our guess is that this controversy won’t last long. We’re in the waning days of the campaign and now it is all about the horserace.
Multiple polls come out daily. Just today, an Associated Press poll called the race even, Fox News is reporting Obama’s got a nine-point lead, while Reuters is touting a 10-point lead for Obama. And those are national polls. The most important barometer are the polls in Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Hamphsire, North Carolina, and other key battlegrounds. There the numbers are all over the map.
And let’s be fair and find out about Joe Biden. Is he wearing the same old sports coat or has the DNC helped him slipped into something a little more vice-presidential?
<< Oops! Bachmann regrets anti-Obama statement | MainComments
2. Ken Maberly | 10.22.08
How can anyone stand this woman? Alaskan work-at-home scheme. Take the kids on vacation and call it a business trip scheme. Now the $150K shopping spree to spruce up hockey mom, first Dude wannabee and the offshoots.
And there are millions (thats millions with a capital M) that thinks she’s Awesome!!
Gaaaaak, I’m choking on the absurdity
3. pentexan | 10.22.08
Every dollar they spend on that wardrobe is a dollar they don’t have for campaign ads. I love it! Keep it up, Repubs, good job!
Obama/Biden ‘08!
4. Carolyn Hitchcock | 10.22.08
RE: Palin’s clothing cost??? This is another attempt for the media to tear apart this candidate. No one writing about this mentions the fact that until several months ago she was wearing maternity clothes and prior to that, clothes that would acclimate to the Alaskan weather. In fact, Sarah Palin is exactly who she says she is, just like most of us out there who budget and pay their bills. I would not have an appropriate wardrobe on hand to run the campaign trail, most of us wouldn’t, and, regarding the contributors to the RNC and the use of this money, I feel is was very appropriate. Too bad we can’t evaluate Obama and Obiden’s clothing bills, (yes, Obiden, not a typo), but then the media isn’t really interested in that…now are they?
5. ohleo5 | 10.22.08
In all fairness to Sarah just look at the supurb tailering male politicians/candidates invest in. Bill C sure looked good.
My question is who suggested NM or Saks? “Sarahs new clothes” would have popped with Brooks Bros for her.
6. brendon | 10.22.08
I think she spent about as much on clothes in three months as I’ve spent on mine over my entire life. And I have 8 (NOT bargain basement) suits in my closet and don’t keep ‘em forever. Wear Allen Edmunds and other expensive shoes (learned early that isn’t an item of apparel to scrimp on) and Robert Talbot ties. And I turn 54 in four months!
7. girlygirl | 10.22.08
I have to admit I like Sara’s wardrobe and I have admired some of her new clothes. I am disapointed to find out that I cannot find these neat rags at my local department store at prices I can afford. So my conclusion is that Sara is not just the ordinary hockey mom and regular gal. I am disapointed and I do think the campaign did her wrong by spending so much on her”look”.
8. Brigitte | 10.22.08
Everybody expects politicians to be dressed for the occasion. That may well mean more than one outfit a day including matching accessories like shoes etc. As to McCain’s supposed $560 Italian shoes - anybody familiar with European shoe prices will know that this is a rather average normal price for a pair of fine men’s shoes. Palin so far was dressed reasonably and relatively modestly. Which makes the whole outrage of the price ticket a lot of fuss about nothing. That the campaign would pay for all the clothes, surely, everybody would assume that to be normal. From Palin’s tax disclosure, she wouldn’t have the money for so many clothes after paying for her family’s living costs. The outrage is not the clothing bill, but that it should cost hundreds of millions of dollars to chose and elect a president. It seems the campaigns themselves need to be simplified a bit.
This is a comment by an Obama voter.
10. joan Pa. | 10.22.08
Yes this is the reform Mccain/palin will bring to Washington. What a prime example. Why didn’t the hockey mom shop at wal-mart? She not like me or for me! Tax payers money shame on you Sarah.
11. MM | 10.22.08
Are you kidding? This is news?
What about DNC Spending $500,000 Per event for snacks?
What about Obama the one not being a US Citizen?
You are a joke
12. le | 10.22.08
um is this really a story trying to make palin look bad? Expensive clothes thats the best you’ve got. Big deal. She deserves them. If you have the money why not spend it how you like. People should stop looking for ridiculous excuses to not like her because stories like this just make me laugh.
13. blinky | 10.22.08
my guess is that other pols, like obama and mccain and bush and gore, already own 150k in clothes. she probably had to spend more because she was starting with less.
14. linda | 10.22.08
I don’t care about the clothes or the money that was spent on the clothes (it wasn’t my money because i don’t donate to Republicans), it is just the hypocrisy of the whole thing. She presents herself as just plain ole hockey mom joe six pack blah blah. I’m 64 years old and i’ve not spent any where near that much on clothes in my life time. You have to admit it is a bit over the top.
15. Rick | 10.22.08
I agree it is no big deal. She is no less incompetent in a $150K wardrobe than in a $150 wardrobe.
16. larry | 10.22.08
Without the War on tError in Iraq, GOP could dress palin more than 5,000,000 times over.
17. wendy moreau | 10.22.08
150k for wardrobe is waayyyyyyy tooo much. Are you kidding me? Its almost as much as one would spend on buying a Porche…next time just maybe RNC will take the donors’ money and buy them one! It is disturbing since she has been trying to be the average person…well guess what, the average person does not even earn 150k a year!
18. L Vegan | 10.22.08
John Mc has about 11 homes, 13 cars, a multi millionaire for a wife and a VP candidate that spends a small fortune on clothes (some went to the First Dude).This is what we are told - I’d like to see his military record, her medical records, her college transcript and a requuirement that Sara submit to a journalistic inquiry without pre-selecting the questions to be asked.
19. WayneSMT | 10.22.08
MM, John McCain says that Obama is a decent man with strong family values, he is a christian and a US citizen, and that is good enough for me.
Ok, where are the before and after pictures of Sarah? Let’s see the extreme makeover shots, was it at least money well spent?
21. RK | 10.22.08
The spend of $150k actually says a lot. Most hockey moms do not have a ready wardrobe to go on a campaign trail. However, if I am correct, she is a governer. I sure have seen plenty footage and pix of her dressed very well and appropriate … that would have been fine to be a VP candidate. The question really is why Needless MarkUps (haha) and Saks. Maybe a sign of wasteful spending ? Macy’s is just as good and nowhere as pricey. But for a real small town America fanatic like Palin - what does it say that she needs to go on such a spending spree? In my estimation a real small town American might consider that ‘elite’…Or maybe the explanation is simler than any of this. She just needed to keep up with the Joneses ( Cindy McCain in this case with her #300k outfit) so she can really represent the “Joe six-pack”.
What a shame?
22. Brian | 10.22.08
Kudos to whoever designs the graphics for this blog.
They’re always good. This one especially.
I’m blinded by her bling.
23. RK | 10.22.08
If Palin believes even an ounce of what she believes ( and says wth such enthusiam ) she should donate all these clothes ( Actually Needless Markups takes returns at any time as well … even without receipts ) when she looses the election. Now that would be great.
24. Harold A. Maio | 10.22.08
Did Palin really need $150k for a new wardrobe?
Wrong question, who decided she did?
25. Palin fan | 10.22.08
Hey Palin deserves to look good during her 15 minutes.
Joe the plumber should request the same from the RNC. Of course being the regular guy his cut would be 10% of Palin’s.
I’m gonna miss her.
26. BERTHA | 10.22.08
In fact, Sarah Palin is exactly who she says she is, just like most of us out there who budget and pay their bills. I would not have an appropriate wardrobe on hand to run the campaign trail, most of us wouldn’t, and, regarding the contributors to the RNC and the use of this money, I feel is was very appropriate.
HMM, How many years have you known SP. It must be a lot since you know how she budgets and pays for her bills. Maybe you didn’t hear or read she has assets of one million dollars. Don’t forget all the cash she got to live in her own home which was not reported on her taxes. Don’t forget her home that was built by “friends” which is work a half a million dollars. No, I don’t think she has to live on a budget like most of us. I think she is used to getting things for free by using her government position. In case you don’t get the point, her clothes were purchased by money donated to promote the campaign, not to give gifts to a candidate. Perhaps McCain should have used some of his millions to buy her the clothes he wanted her to wear.
27. PMR | 10.22.08
The nice folks on “What Not to Wear” would have done her makeover for $5,000.
She probably needed some new clothes, but she could have been outfitted, and outfitted quite nicely, for 1/10 that price.
Donate the clothes to charity? Who are they kidding? What the Good Will? Or are they donating them to charities to auction off like Princess Diana? Give me a break. And are we supposed to believe that should McCain win, she all of sudden won’t need the clothes?
29. p. o. paduch | 10.22.08
Folks,
It amazes me how the so-called professional media does so much that is amature. 150K is nothing in this day and age of million dollar homes, boats, cars, planes…etc. This great professional media continues to nit pic this woman and they completely ignore her competition that has pulled some very interesting stunts over the years and he seems to never get called on the carpet. We need to send many of these professional politicians and media people to an old folks home where they will not cause us anymore problems.
Regards
30. H.R.C. | 10.22.08
Hey, if they got that whole family (what, 7-8 of them?) out of N-M and Saks with a whole new wardrobe to help them look Vice Presidential for only $150K, I say they did pretty good. If I can get out of there for less that $10K a trip, I think I’M doing pretty good.
31. gmereus | 10.22.08
I’m not voting McCain/Palin but in their defense this isn’t important news. Sarah Palin from the begining was a ploy for media coverage and campaign attention, she is their show piece and she sould be well presented if not in speech than in dress.
32. Danny | 10.22.08
I am no McCain fan. I was planning to sit out this election but now I’ve changed my mind. Thanks to all liberal attacks and the non-news, I am going to vote for Palin (so McCain will get my vote too).
What’s wrong with this election? double standards! It is ok for Obama to spend millions and flooded my TV with endless ads but it is not ok for a woman (and her little baby) to get a couple of decent outfits in front of national events. It is ok for a first-term junior senator to be qualified as a president but it is not ok for a first-term governor to be a VP. It is ok to call Biden’s 35-years in Washington “experienced” yet for McCain he is “the Washington”.
McCain is a maverick. (The reason I did not want to vote for him…) At least he has a track record of working with the Dems on issues “he” thinks important. What has Obama done? Nothing but supporting a pure form of far-left ideology. He is a dangerous man indeed.
34. kayct | 10.22.08
To MM
Obama is a U.S. citizen. Don’t be so malignant as to udder complete untrouths that anyone can research on Google.
Who cares how much Sarah’s clothes cost? Bad judgement on the RNC’s part…. but not the first time.
And oh yes, Obama’s suits of which he purchased 6 cost $1500.00 a piece. And they were made in Indiana.
Signed,
I don’t care who wins….either way the public loses, including Joe the Plumber and Joe Six Pack
35. geek | 10.22.08
Buying $150,000 of clothes from high end retailers and then giving them to charity. Isn’t that spreading the wealth?
Don’t tell me what the Democrats may or may not have done, the Republican candidates portray themselves as better and average Joe’s.
Does anyone have a grasp of how much money $150,000 for clothes really is?
Think about it. How about if anyone had just $5,000 to spend for new clothes?
$150,000 is insensitive given the strong criticism leveled on wall street.
Disgusting and bad judgement to say the least.
You expect me to trust them with my tax dollars.
I remember when $150 for a hammer was a problem
36. Rich | 10.22.08
I wish this were a joke, but this is a continuing trend of Palin’s. As governor she charged the state tens of thousands of dollars in per diem for staying at her own home. Her husband Todd acted as co-governor, attending meetings in her stead. For Palin there is no distinction between her private life and the political office she holds. If she becomes VP, I have no doubt that her abuse of office will make Ted Steven’s transgressions pale in comparison.
37. Mary | 10.22.08
I thought only “celebrities” spent this kind of money on clothing and makeup. i feel bad for the ordinary supporter of the GOP who donated money to the campaign, they don’t realize that the Republicans have never cared for the average joe, its all about tax cuts for the rich and trickle down economics for them. Palin also spent $21,012 in state money to pay for her three daughters’ flights. The AP reported that often the children were not invited to the events the governor attended, but she brought them anyway and charged the government.
The AP also reported that Palin ordered the children’s travel expense forms changed in August to add language claiming that they performed official state business on the trips. Alaska law allows governors to charge the state for their family’s travel if they conduct state business. But event organizers told the AP they were surprised when the girls showed up, and some said they had no role.
In all, the state paid for 64 one-way and 12 round-trip commercial flights for her daughters. Even her kids friends traveled on taxpayer money. The flight that included the Palin children’s friends was among more than two dozen taken by the family on the state plane at a total cost of about $55,000.
38. Franky | 10.22.08
Notice how the GOPers often answer with pure lies.
Don’t the Republican Leaders care about honesty or morals anymore!?
39. mimi362 | 10.22.08
Why isn’t anyone asking what Obama’s clothing or his wife Michelle clothing cost. I heard she had a pretty expensive makeover done too, and she is not even running for anything. Who is paying for that? dah!
40. MoMof3 | 10.22.08
I would have to say that the ideas were Cindy McCain’s for John’s shoes and the Palin’s wardrobe. The McCain’s are rich beyond our middleclass’s wildest imagination. So to her shopping at the most exspensive stores are just habit. Anyone remember her outfit for the RNC! Palin would have looked good no matter what she was wearing but she just couldn’t turn down the free shopping spree. If she is this easily swayed for a fancy wordrob then how easily will she then give in to the lobbyist with their free givaways!
41. Drumon | 10.22.08
I am a life-long Republican. But no more! We need a change and we need it now. Barbie-doll screw-the-public Palin will never get my vote!
42. Pingi | 10.22.08
I thought the rules to run for president say that you should be born
In USA . And I know that Panama is not USA.
Just wondering.
45. ML | 10.22.08
Obama and I were born in the same hospital in Hawaii, how is it that we are not citizens? Take off the tin foil, dude.
46. truthtopower40 | 10.22.08
“And let’s be fair and find out about Joe Biden. Is he wearing the same old sports coat or has the DNC helped him slipped into something a little more vice-presidential?”
Neither Joe Biden nor Barack Obama nor either of their wives has charged the campaign or the DNC a solitary penny for any of their clothes. Check the original Politico source of this story if you don’t believe me.
THis all comes on top of the revelations about how she charged the taxpayers of Alaska tens of thousands of dollars to fly her kids all over the US on trips with her. Then when the press got wind of that she went back and altered the records to suggest that her kids were on “official business.” How does a six year old kid go on official business for the state of Alaska???
What was that again about going to Washington to “end business as usual” and stop all that Wall Street “greed and corruption” dead in its tracks??? The thing that really surprises me is that Ms. Palin can function at all with such a vast gap between what she says she believes and what she actually does. Time for a reality check, perhaps? Seems to me there is more of Marie Antoinette at the core of Palin than there is of Mr. Smith…
47. Jacquie | 10.22.08
Now if this isn’t a fine example of pork barrel spending I don’t know what is. To bad she didn’t have the presence of mind to say, thanks but no thanks to the clothes to no where.
48. ernestb | 10.22.08
Hey Sarah, you’all lookin good in those fancy duds… I think you, John, Barry and Joe should just work out a compromise solution that is in the peoples best interest, if that is who you all really represent… we need to take back manufacturing here in the US, and rather than bail out bankers, invest those dollars in our people…
just a thought from a little guy…
49. marie | 10.22.08
Holy toledo, Mr. Obama’s not a citizen? And snacks? Shoot. I have been at three rallies, 50,000, 80,000 and 100,000 people and not one person offered me any snacks. I’m hurt. Guess I better vote GOP. At least I might have a chance to get some great new clothes at my local Salvation Army. Yippeeeee !
Actually, I think I’ll vote for Brigitte….
50. Web Smith | 10.22.08
All of this media bashing will soon turn Palin into a victim. All she needs to do is dress Joe up and do a photo op with Joe dressed in a tux holding a spanner. “This is what I want for everyone”, might be the caption. “Let’s get ‘er done.”
“You can dress me up and take me outa the small town, but you can’t take the small town outa me.”
Can we get back to the issues or is the media going to come with some nude photos of Joe to distract us next?
51. Jane | 10.22.08
To Carolyn Hitchcock: The Point is Palin’s Populist Political Persona. If she wants to be the champion of Joe Six-Pack, it would have been honest for her to dress at JC Penney or Wal-Mart, which is where Mrs. Six-Pack buys her clothes. This is about hypocrisy—building a public image that’s different from the reality of the politician’s life—like the moralist who turns out to be a compulsive gambler, or the anti-gay crusader who turns out to have a secret life, or the segregationist who turns out to have an unmentioned black family. Doing this plays the public for a fool, so it makes the public, guess what, angry.
52. Leland | 10.22.08
We’ve come a long way since Pat Nixon’s plain cloth Republican coat haven’t we?
53. Robin | 10.22.08
I and many of my friends are professional women and we have to dress up every day for work, however, it doesn’t require spending $150K. I am not impressed with the clothes Sara Palin has worn and now I am outraged because they cost so much to make her look so unprofessional and cheap. She is not the average hocky mom with lipstick…she and her family are a bunch of common hustlers.
Also, Senator Obama is an America citizen. When I hear the Republicans and right wingers say otherwise…it just demonstrates a lack of education and ignorance of party members which continues to bring the GOP brand down.
54. Heather | 10.22.08
She is a squanderer. Good example of what will happen if heaven forbid she gets to the white house.
55. CW | 10.22.08
We cant afford Afford 4 more yrs of the same – Palin we bankrupt US with her “Shopping” spires…Ops Sorry BUSH already did! I guess they can just double the debt, after all just taxpayer money.
56. laurie | 10.22.08
What will have legs is when people realize that Sarah Palin is the Welfare Queen from Wasilla.
Not only did she spend $150,000 of OPM (other people’s money, for those who’ve forgotten her term from the debate) on clothes. She also spent over $43,000 of Alaska taxpayer’s money for travel for her family, $21,000 of it to take her kids to events to which they were not invited. She also received $17,000 in per diem expenses to stay in her own home. And amazingly, she seems to have figured out a way to not pay a penny of tax on any of this.
Imagine if any of us were to try this! But it’s different when you’re a Republican in government. You just make up your own laws and rules.
57. Herunar | 10.23.08
In the end, the question is not whether it was necessary. It wasn’t.
The question should be: Which sane campaign would spend $150k on a candidate’s clothing and NOT be expected to get into controversy?
I study psychology, in particular subjects related to suicide. In my opinion, the McCain campaign has been displaying syndromes of some type of serious suicidal disorder. It’s almost like McCain wants to lose the election, just so he doesn’t have to be around the White House or something. He picked Sarah Palin, without any vetting, as VP, he “suspended” his own campaign, he deliberately alienated a media base that has been favorable to him, he lied and lied and lied - even when it was unnecessary to do so.
58. Joe C | 10.23.08
So, it turns out that Palin was actually a snobbish East Coast elite in wolf’s skin clothing!
I can’t understand how the RNC could be so stupid. Why not hang a sign around Palin’s neck saying, “Don’t believe anything I say. You may be struggling, folks, but I’m going to live it up! Call me Zsa Zsa.”
59. ModCon | 10.23.08
Ms. Carolyn Hitchcock - YES!, Ms. Palin’s wardrobe cost at Nieman Marcus and Saks is a very major indication of who she is, who she is becoming, and who her handlers are trying to portray her to be. It also says ‘closet-fuls’ about the people (and their tastes) who are trotting this beauty queen of average intelligence (or slightly below average perhaps) out into the world. Sorry Ms. Hitchcock, Macy’s or J.C. Penneys would have done just fine for a real soccer mom, and a real soccer mom would have insisted on it. This disclosure is a symbol of who she is - and to say that you can’t see that tells us a little something about who you are too, you betcha (wink, wink).
60. BitterBierce | 10.23.08
Once again, the McCain campaign demonstrates how they are the candidates who really understand Middle Class America and it’s issues.
My wife can’t wait to find out which Goodwill store will get the clothes so she can go shopping!
61. Haras Nalip | 10.23.08
Awww, the Republicans will love it. The rich ones, anyway.
Now she dresses like them, so that increases their comfort level. Who cares if she’s vapid and doesn’t have a thought in her head? Wait, that’s like them, too. Big on appearances and skimpy on substance.
No wonder they love her. It’s like looking in the mirror–except she’s better looking.
62. J.D. | 10.23.08
“Are you kidding? This is news?
What about DNC Spending $500,000 Per event for snacks?
What about Obama the one not being a US Citizen?”
Oh, horror! I had no idea that Obama is not a U.S. Citizen!!
63. Wayne | 10.23.08
Who cares, Hollywood celebrities spend more than that for one formal gown for the Emmy’s, at least Sarah is getting more than one outfit……
When Obama is in Office, he will redistribute the wealth…right? Sarah better hide those shoes, or Obama’s wife might coming knocking to give them to someone that she think more deserves them……boo hoooooooo!
64. El Mugroso | 10.23.08
—————————–
ISN’t THIS the gal that “Fired the Cook” and “Put the plane on e-Bay” to cut on UN-NECESSARY EXPENSES???
—————————–
65. Infuriated | 10.23.08
Did anyone stop and think why Palin needed someone to shop for her family prior to the convention? Apparently she did not have the wardrobe for a national appearance. This demonstrates she is like the majority of Americans. Funny how the press does not mention the $1500 suits for Barack from Chicago. Let’s add in the shoes, belts, and ties and total that up. I wear suits many days but have never spent more than $400 on one and many were purchased on sale for $200. Joe Six-Pack does not own $1500 suits!
66. Tiswango | 10.23.08
Look up the Access Hollywood Story on the Obamas. Michelle has been on the campaign trail with $40 dresses from the Gap and $35 dresses from H&M. Obama has been wearing 10 year old pants and shoes with holes. Barak has a classic style and has been wearing his own clothes. McCain’s wife is a billionairess, if she wants to wear a $300,000 dress to the RNC and buy her husband $500 shoes, that is fine.
67. Srethng | 10.23.08
To “Carolyn Hitchcock” are you serious. Thinking its ok for the RNC to spend $150,000.00 on clothes for Sarah and her family. Do you not realize how much money $150,000.00 is? To the joe six packs of the world, the hockey moms, and the middle class it is a fortune. However, if it is someone elses money I guess its really not very much so go ahead and waste it. Typical Washinton DC insider, as long as its the tax payers money its ok to waste it. All this time I thought Sarah wasn’t like some of the worst politicians in Washington DC. However it is starting to appear she is just like them. You know she could of said “Thanks but no thanks” to these clothes to nowhere.
68. meadow | 10.23.08
Palin left her tiny town of Wasilla millions of dollars in debt, she did NOT turn down the bridge to nowhere money, and charged the state of Alaska per diem costs for being at HOME. She has consistently used her position to milk it for all the money she can get. Maybe she can sell the clothes on ebay after this is over- NOT!
69. OmahaAngel | 10.23.08
I know many women who look amazing on so much less…I do not disagree that she should have had a new wardrobe, but such a high end one???? If money could buy the look, we would have all immediately known she was wearing such expensive clothes….her money management skills come into question…even if purchased for her, she knew what she she was wearing…I just wast to know when the charity auction is…I would love to see a homeless person wearing her pricey garb…and I would buy it for them…this is a time to be addressing so many more important issues, and here we all are, talking about her wardrobe…why?
I want a woman who has sound judgement to be the next VP…thoughts?
70. RN | 10.23.08
Personally, I think a mailing/phone number list of people who supported the ticket because of Palin is a telemarketers gold mine. Millions and Millions of idiots ready to buy anything and everything. I really need to get my hands on this list. I would luv to sell “as seen on TV” items and other cheap junk that nobody needs for $19.95 + 9.95 S&H to this crowd.
71. sigh.. | 10.23.08
15. Rick | 10.22.08
I agree it is no big deal. She is no less incompetent in a $150K wardrobe than in a $150 wardrobe.
Best comment yet.
I am an Obama voter as well and I don’t think this matters. It’s a little over the top, but quality clothes come with a price tag. To all the people saying she should have bought her clothes at WalMart - good god please learn something about fashion.
I hate Palin, a lot. But this is not what we should hate her for.
72. Jim | 10.23.08
The “average Joe Sixpack” doesn’t make $150,000 in a whole year.
The Republicans are WAY out of touch with regular everyday Americans.
73. Rod | 10.23.08
I believe that if the RNC is willing to spend that much on her so she can look good, it’s fine. However, calling Obama elites is no longer a valid argument because a $150,000 in clothes is out of touch with the average American A.K.A. Joe Six Pack, Average Joe; Average Jan. Republicans contradict themselves way too much. I wonder if Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden’s clothes all add up to $150,000. Maybe for all four of them?
74. Lisa H. | 10.23.08
Are you kidding? Really? $150,000? I totally understand new clothes,the pace at which these folks campaign, etc. etc. But $150,000? If I had contributed to this campaign I would demand my money back.
That amount is outrageous any which way you slice it. If they do that with campaign money, what will they do with tax payer dollars?
Obama 08
75. Ron | 10.23.08
Not much when you realize that Obama raises that much about every 45 seconds!!!
Then again he doesn’t need to buy new clothes… Just the Presidency.
76. unreal | 10.23.08
I can’t believe what I read here. People in politics do what has to be done to get the job done. If they believed that Palin needed to present a “Washington” image, and not an Alaskan one that people would have critized, OR pictured her in “animal” furs (the media would have loved that)!!!, she needed to be the image that professional politics call for. When you donate to these parties you agree that where they spend the money must be their choice; and, if presenting the candidates at their best so that people will expect the best, is a given - especially in Washington. The media is trying so hard to be the ones who decide who YOU vote for - not the people. Such a waste of important good news vs. clothes?
77. joshua | 10.23.08
i am wondering how nobody has been talking about the fact that Bush the first had a dense, airheadish running mate and he WON THAT RACE!!!! Does anyone remember Dan Quayle? The RNC always dances to their own drummer when it comes to VPs… right now we have a republican VP who, heavy handedly, runs the White House and the country. I am of the mind that we need people in the White House who are serious about their work. Sarah Palin, like DanQuayle, is not a serious candidate for VP. I get crazed when I hear people get a ll frothy sticking up for her! They attack people who attack her as not being nice to someone they identify with…it is a typical movie script style takeover of the political scene that the republicans have became famous for… distort reality so that folks who love reality TV can by the brand.
78. Obama voter in Indiana | 10.23.08
Since campaigns are about image I understand the need to spend alot on the image.
The reason I think this is news is that the Republicans claim that they are “the real America” and they represent all the regular “Joes” plumbers and otherwise. In particular, McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin seems to be almost solely based on style and not substance. I think therefore we need to know how much they are spending on presenting that style to the American people.
79. Backwoods | 10.23.08
This is just another attempt by the punditocracy to make Palin look as bad as possible. It is a “nonstory”. No one’s tax money was spent. The RNC has the right to do whatever it wants with money that people have contributed to it. If anyone has a right to gripe it could only be contributors to the RNC. No one else has any legitimate interest or complaint. And people who contribute to the RNC do so giving the RNC full discretion on how to spend those funds. It may or may not have been money well spent. If it helps bring in votes because she looks more “professionally acceptable” to the urban and urbane voters, it absolutely was good judgment, if it doesn’t, it wasn’t. But contributors to the RNC let the RNC make such judgments. They are pros. They have a better idea of how to allocate funds to maximize the votes they bring in than any of us armchair analysts.
This “nonstory” is completely consistent with the phony caricature image the media has been trying to paint of Sarah. Virtually every Alaskan quoted about her in the national media is opposed to her and has terrible things to say about her. This from a state where she had an absolutely unreal 80 to 90% approval rating. That should be enough to make thinking people understand the national smear campaign is on. I’m a life-long Alaskan on the gray side of 50. If you want a real understanding of Governor Palin rather than the nonsensical pablum spread by the punditocracy … you’ll find it here:
http://www.alaskanwoulds.blogspot.com/ [Much of the best background information on Sarah is in the September blog; for list of titles just hit the >9(19) button at the top under archives].
80. dottydo | 10.23.08
kayet,
News is news. A suit is a suit. Here are 3 new suits for your review.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6401406/United-States-District-Court-Obama-Docket
http://peoplespassions.org/peoplesvoice/Lawsuit_Sam_Reed/Complaint_Final.htm
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081018/NEWS05/810180353
81. Renee | 10.23.08
I am not a big fan of Governor Palin but the wardrobe issue is not her fault. The handlers of this campaign totally did not do their job. Why would you pick a running mate who is supposed to stand for small town, middle America and then go shopping for her at stores that most of us don’t even walk in to. Were there not any Macey’s, Chico’s, Black House White Market or other very nice, affordable clothing stores?
I must say–$90 for the baby’s romper–that was outrageous.
82. Paula N. | 10.23.08
My issue is not so much with the fact that Palin bought new clothes for the campaign – my issue is that if we count all the days she will be campaigning (from September 1 to November 4th) – that comes to 65 days. That is over $2,300 PER day! Unless those are original designer suits she is wearing, how in the world can THAT much money be spent on her? Ok – so some went for her family who also need to look good in this media focused day and age, but still, over $2000 a DAY?
83. Breangel | 10.23.08
Sara Palin tries to come across as a average hockey mom. So many people buy it!!! I don’t know any hockey mom who spends 150K on clothing. Especially in this time of financial crisis. She should be ashamed of herself!! I love that these facts have come out. It just proves how the Republican party doesn’t have a clue what devastation our economy is in.
84. MsSwin | 10.23.08
I don’t know of any hockey mom who spends other peoples’ money intended to win an election in order to buy her seven year old daughter a Louis Vuitton hand bag, then expect the small child not to be upset when told to give it back, that it’s not really her’s.
“The use of campaign funds for itmes which most Americans would consider to be strictly personal reasons.. erodes public confidence…significantly” John McCain, 1993
86. Gaias Child | 10.23.08
As any movie star or high society celeb would know, $150k doesn’t go far these days when it comes to dressing up. This is emblematic of the Republican Party’s “let ‘em eat cake” attitude to the economy.
Basically their message is “I got mine and you got yours and it’s mine and it’s yours,” which is all fine and good if you want a life run by selfishness and elitism.
The funny bone point is that then you want to pretend you want something else so the people will vote for you.
Naturally you have to scare them into your column kind of like the early Church had to scare sinners into Heaven. It only reflects a mindset that forgets all about explaining it to St. Peter. Not to mention the Soul within that tries to teach what Jesus did.
87. Micaelah | 10.23.08
I think that any woman running for Vice President would want to look professional and immaculate. Everyone criticized Hillary for wearing those gawd-ugly fluorescent pantsuits during her campaign. I think this is a non-issue or is it — because she is a woman??
As anyone reported on the millions of campaing monies that Biden has given to his family??
90. AJ Hamm | 10.23.08
What do you expect, this is someone who flies the whole family on Alaska’s tab
91. RN | 10.23.08
To everyone who claims that Palin needed the outfits to look professional:
A) I and my wife look professional for work everyday and we have not spent that much money on clothes and accessories our entire adult lives.
B) We are expected to provide for our professional look ourselves.
‘Nuff Said.
92. Veronique | 10.23.08
I am old enough to remember the late Senator Joe McCarthy’s raging attacks on his opponent’s patriotism and whether they were ‘American enough’. This pile of Republican garbage is due to be dumped on November 4th. The most sickening campaign in forty years that I have voted.
Oh, and I campaigned for McCain eight years ago when he still had some moral integrity.
93. Razzle | 10.23.08
What people object to is that 1) the money was supposed to go to GOP elections (donors *thought*), not outfitting the Palin Family. Other candidates, including Sen. McCain, manage to pay for their own clothing, even if a “fashion consultant” is consulted. 2) People object to the spirit of the McCain-Feingold Act (2002) being violated. As the AP reported: “Fifteen years ago, McCain himself complained that restrictions on political contributions for personal use at that time were too broad and he wrote an amendment to tighten the law.
“The use of campaign funds for items which most Americans would consider to be strictly personal reasons, in my view, erodes public confidence and erodes it significantly,” he said on the Senate floor in May 1993.
It’s hard to see how the $150,000 makeover (I’m sorry, that’s a lot; almost as much as my house is worth) shows any “maverick” or “reformer” credibility.
94. Sonia Kermaz | 10.24.08
No matter how much the RNC invests in Palin, the majority of voters understand that the empress has no clothes.
95. Bd | 10.24.08
Hmmm… How much do you think Obama has spent on his Emperors Cloths, has anyone asked? How about the $200m or more spent on his campaign? Has anyone questioned that? Or who is paying for the limo rides he is getting? The fine hotels he is staying in? Is anyone questioning how Obama is spending money? And the amount? Come on. There is only pettiness here, get real!
96. Mary | 10.24.08
Palin’s wardrobe supposedly disqualifies her from relating to the middle class yet, Obama also has something of a handicap in relating to the average guy. Obama’s taste in fine menswear has hardly been discussed. Obama likes expensive designer suits.
His suits costs approxmately $1,500. The least expensive Hart Schaffner Marx suit retails for $695, hardly within the budget of the average working man.
He had a custom made for his Democratic Convention acceptance speech.
She is under the microscope because she is a woman - everything she does/doesn’t do, says/doesn’t say is made to become a big deal.
Palin needs to look immaculate and she does. The clothes are not hers to keep, they will probably be auctioned off with the proceeds going to charitable organizations.
This is a non-issue - so get over it!
97. Mary | 10.24.08
Palin’s wardrobe supposedly disqualifies her from relating to the middle class yet, Obama also has something of a handicap in relating to the average guy. Obama’s taste in fine menswear has hardly been discussed. Obama likes expensive designer suits and he has the money to pay for them - he received a boatload of money for the two books on his glorious life, and yet most American’s never make that much in earnings in a lifetime.
The Palin’s 2007 income: $170,000. The Obama’s: $4,139,965 Who’s in touch with the middle class working people?
His suits costs approximately $1,500. The least expensive Hart Schaffner Marx suit retails for $695, hardly within the budget of the average working man.
He had a custom made for his Democratic Convention acceptance speech. An elitist? Yes, he is.
She is under the microscope because she is a woman - everything she does/doesn’t do, says/doesn’t say is made to become a big deal.
The clothes are not hers to keep, they will probably be auctioned off with the proceeds going to charitable organizations.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the expenditure, as long as it is 100% focused on the campaign. This is a non-issue - so get over it!
98. Mark | 10.24.08
The Messiah is planning on spending 2 million on his “celebration night”?
Pretty low key, eh? It seems he really doesn’t care what state of the economy is.
What was it he said at the Alfred E. Smith dinner?
“Given all that’s happened these past few weeks on Wall Street, it feels like an odd time to be dressed up in white tie, but I must say I got a great deal. I rented the whole outfit from the Treasury Department at a very good price. Looking around tonight at all the gourmet food and champagne, it’s clear that no expenses were spared. It’s like an executive sales meeting at AIG.”
…..and he’s spending $2 million on his victory bash????
99. Doreen | 10.24.08
Can anyone tell me how much Obama spent on his trip to Hawaii - along with all his staff members?? I doubt he took a commercial airline. Gee, I have not heard a word on that.
100. Markour | 10.24.08
Wow! Does everybody swallow what is said at face value, and not do any digging as to what the truth is? Is everybody so eager to hate Sarah Palin that they will completely accept the antithesis of what she really is? People, do you know who the only non-millionaire in this campaign is? Yes, it is Sarah Palin. Does anybody question Barack Obama when he has a custom made suit for him? No, because it is never made an issue by the Obama worshipping media. The suits that Sarah Palin wears were bought by the RNC, to be worn, not owned by Governor Palin, and to be donated to charity when she is through with them. You forget she and her family are a truer representation of the middle class than anyone else in this campaign. They were raised with, and live by middle class values, standards, and morals. For crying out loud her favorite place to shop is a consignment store in Anchorage! If you really cared about the truth, you’d dig for it.
101. Markour | 10.24.08
Wow! Is everybody so eager to hate Sarah Palin that they will readily accept the very antithesis of what she is? She is purest representation of the middle class that any presidential ticket has ever seen, and the only non millionaire in this race. The clothing was bought by the RNC and is only to be worn by Governor Palin, not owned. Then they will be auctioned off and donated to charity. Appearance seems to be valued over substance and facts, and that’s a shame.
102. dom | 10.24.08
Someone at the Obama campaign won the two free tickets for a weekend getaway in Scranton, PA, for fomenting the “hurry up we gotta come back with something contest” for coming up with this.
In Obamathink this story is directly on par with Joe Biden’s public service announcement that a greenhorn Obama presidency would be a green light for Hamas/Iran/China/Russia et al to make another 8/08/08-type play.
It also took your mind off the fact that Obama rejected public financing so he could outspend McCain three to one campaigning. Scaring old people in Florida over Medicare with TV ads isn’t cheap to do.
Hey Hillary supporters, at least Obama didn’t rank on how much Hillary may have spent to look good during the primaries. That’s gotta finally warm you up to Obama.
103. Mike D | 10.26.08
A true INVESTIGATIVE story would have the clothing allowances/spent for all the candidates. To include a simple breakdown of costs.
This is simply along the lines of half of Americans are below average!!!!!
Or it is like asking “yes or no, have you stopped spending too much money on clothes?”. Of course the only two responses are lead ins to:
Why did you spend so much or why are you continueing to spend so much.
The media is not doing its job by ommission of comparitive facts.
Agenda reporting does not serve the public!
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
Leave a Comment
We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. The comments feature is a forum to discuss the ideas in our stories. Constructive debate - even pointed disagreement - is welcome, but personal attacks on other commenters are not, and will not be published.
Tip: Do not write a novel. Keep it short. We will not publish lengthy comments. Come up with your own statements. This is not a place to cut and paste an email you received. If we recognize it as such, we won't post it.
Please do not post any comments that are commercial in nature or that violate copyrights.
Finally, we will not publish any comments that we regard as obscene, defamatory, or intended to incite violence.
Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. Paul Stewart | 10.22.08
The headline should not be a question, it should be a statement - Not Palin, not anyone in any election needs spend this kind of money on a wardrobe. She is not Paris Hilton - at least I don’t think she is.
And as far as spending for her family, well, that is way beyond what is needed here. She has the money to pay for her own and for her family’s clothes. And why should those funding the Republican Party pay for this?
I am 53 years old and I have not spent more than $25,000 on clothes in my entire life. Repeat, entire life….. And I have a job that requires me to dress well every day.
Clearly, so very clearly, a double, no even a triple standard. More stupid actions…..