GOPers Digusted By RNC Spending On Palin Wardrobe

[babylonsister]

The McSame campaign doesn't even know who authorized these expenses? :wtf:

http://www.jedreport.com/2008/10/a-pattern-of-pocketbook-hypocr.html

GOPers Digusted By RNC Spending On Palin Wardrobe
Guest post by barath


Even Republicans are upset at the recent revelation that the RNC has spent over $150,000 on clothing in just one month for Sarah Palin. Marc Ambinder explains:

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.

This sort of spending is without precedent -- the closest approximation for any campaign I've ever covered is make-up expenses for television interviews and commercial shoots -- , and Schmitt's weakly defensive response tonight indicates that the campaign is deeply embarrassed by it and has nothing to say in their defense. Spokespeople have clammed up, a sure sign that they're trying to figure out who authorized the expenses and who knew about them. Did Palin wear all of the clothing? Where is it kept?

More than simply the wastefulness of the spending is the message it sends, as Ambinder sums up nicely:

{T}he 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.

It's the ultimate pocketbook hypocrisy. As John Aravosis points out, Sarah Palin spent in one month what the average American household spends on clothes in 80 years. And this isn't the first time Palin's extravagant expenditures are beyond the means of upper-middle class Americans, let alone those who are the hardest hit by the economic downturn.

[Sagan]

1. ha!

This is poetic justice for a party that cares more about haircuts than American soldiers dying and healthcare for kids.

[Jennicut]

2. She is a real Maverick, getting a new hoity-toity wardrobe, the first

of its kind for any VP candidate ever.

[zulchzulu]

3. The Repigs wanted their little Pageant Hockey Mom Winking Librarian Fantasy... well it costs $$$

I came to the conclusion that most male Repigs treat her as their own little sexual fantasy, so dressing up for the fantasy costs money, pops.

From looking at her getups on stage, I knew she was wearing stuff from NYC, not Anchorage. That was pretty obvious.

[frickaline]

4. lipstick on the PORK!

[goddess40]

5. They're always "disgusted" when the truth gets out

who leaked this, they're in big trouble. Spare me their "upset", when their official motto should read "the ends justify the means".

[babylonsister]

8. Very good point. But at least they 'appear' to be disgusted and

aren't just trying to blow it off as if it's SOP the way they usually do. I guess since this seems to be a new expenditure no other campaign has ever attempted, they couldn't fall back on that.

[goddess40]

11. What can they do about, take the stuff back to the store

or make Alaska pay for it. Although Alaska built her house and pays to shuttle her kids around so maybe the Alaskan tax payers would be happy to pay for her clothes too.

[babylonsister]

17. I've heard it's all going to charity. It's kind of a silly topic

for us all to be obsessing over, but hea. They made this campaign about mud, so I'm not above slinging a little of it. :evilgrin:

[goddess40]

19. I heard that too, but it's republican crap as ususal

They do what they want and ignore the fall out. Donating this overprice clothing to charity doesn't make up for the money being spent in the first place but it will appease the ignorant republican into saying it was alright to spend the money in the first place. It really isn't about the clothes to me it's about the hypocrisy and the bullshit that follows when the republicans get caught doing something the angers their supporters. It's like the republican rabble are the enablers for the republican elite that are addicted to power.

[yardwork]

29. Oh right. I'll bet it will all go to charity when the campaign is over. Suuuuuuure.

otoh, most of it is so ugly and so trendy, she won't be able to wear it after this winter anyway.

[Canuckistanian]

6. What's she worth personally, like $1million?

And she can't buy her own clothes?

And isn't she still on Alaska's payroll as Governor?

[nc4bo]

7. I think it's funny as hell. Mccain and Palin keep heaping kindling onto an already red hot fire

of discontent from their fellow republicans.

Another item to be added to the You-Just-Can't-Make-This-Shit-Up EPIC FAIL list.

:rofl:

[smoogatz]

12. Sarah's shopping spree!

She may not get to be "in charge of the Senate," but at least she scored a shitload of great outfits.

[nykym]

9. Smells like an

EARMARK!

[LiberalAndProud]

10. I would think GOPers would be more outraged.

The fact that Sarah spent obscene amounts of money would be comment-able, but less than reprehensible if not for the fact that they used campaign funds to pay for them. It isn't an efficient or effective way to spend scarce dollars. If Obama had used *my* money in such a hedonistic and callous way, I would be *livid*.

[patrice]

13. $50K to re-decorate her office when mayor of Wasilla.

[renate]

25. are you serious? how is that even possible?

In that little strip-mall City Hall?

:wow:

[yardwork]

28. It's true, though. She must have hired a decorator and spent top-dollar for custom-made drapes, etc

[1776Forever]

14. This opinion piece is too good to not pass on - Sarah Palin, Fashionista on the RNC Dime?

Sarah Palin, Fashionista on the RNC Dime?
Posted by Patt Morrison on October 22, 2008 in the LA Times

http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2008/10/sarah-palin-fas.html

Bill Clinton and John Edwards, Hillary Clinton and Al Gore -- you can thank Sarah Palin for showing us what pikers you are.

Multi-hundred dollar haircuts? Earthtone clothing consultations? Four-figure hair styling sessions? So '90s. So downmarket.

Now here's real makeover money: ''Politico'' reports that the Republican National Committee has evidently spent more than $150,000 in less than three months to dress and style Sarah Palin and her family. Whoever came up with the nickname ''Caribou Barbie'' got it more right than he knew.

Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York got a combined $49,425.74 from the RNC, and they don't sell Arctic hunting gear there. There were a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis --one of them for $75,062.63 in early September! I feel so stupid -- I was at the St. Paul convention, and I didn't even KNOW there was a Neiman Marcus in the vicinity! Not that there might have been anything left for me after La Palin's Grande Shoppage.

And there are costs for what looks like just one month of hair and makeup. There were no hair and makeup expenses reported in August, so the $4,716.49 reported through September had to be just September, and the only difference between August and September for the RNC was the appearance of the Wasilla Family Palin.

The First Dude has been wearing a really nice suit, and Levi Johnson, Bristol Palin's newly affianced beau, appeared for his command performance at the RNC in spiffy new duds.

By contrast, the people of Alaska got the Palin family for a bargain. The AP is reporting that Palin charged the state for her children's travel expenses, including those to events the kids hadn't been invited to, and that expense reports were later changed to declare that it was official business. The tally for 64 one-way and 12 round-trip commercial flights for her three daughters: a comparatively cheap $21,012.

That kind of change would buy about 40 pairs of John McCain's favorite Ferragamo loafers, $520 a pair at Neiman Marcus. The difference -- you just know that McCain wouldn't be charging the RNC for his footwear.

[JBoy]

15. The wardrobe to nowhere.

[PRETZEL]

16. I love this,

this is just too freaking great,

Claims to be "hockey mom, middle class" all-American mom..........................

Half million dollar house who we still don't know how it was financed,

Trips for her and her family (some justified) paid for by the Alaskan people,

150k shopping spree that she'd never be able to afford anyother way,

And they bitch and complain about the welfare state................................

[VWolf]

18. Fucking elitists!

The hope just keeps getting deeper for Palin.

[iamthebandfanman]

32. its only welfare

if they dont get any of it ;)

[sad sally]

38. The reformer, the shake 'em up governor, the also take on those in her own party

you betcha

[izzybeans]

20. She ran for Vice President in order to restock her personal wordrobe.

Sort of like her running for Mayor in Wasilla in order to remodel her house.

I always wondered where this infamous welfare queen was, now I've found her in the flesh. Caribou Barbie.

[Leftist Agitator]

21. Sarah Palin spent in one month the equivalent of what I live off of in 15 years.

Yes, I live off of about $10,000 a year. Mooselini spent FIFTEEN YEARS of my salary in a month on CLOTHING!

:mad:

FISCAL CONSERVATIVE MY ASS!

[yellowcanine]

22. I would be pissed if I found out that my donation went to cover Sarah's tushy.

What, she doesn't have clothes to wear?

[yellowcanine]

23. Kind of undermines her "just folks" meme. A lot more than Joe the Plumber's Helper makes in a year.

[City Lights]

24. And this could have been avoided if McStoopid had chosen someone with even

half a working brain. Instead he went for the MILF vote. And keeping guys like Rich Lowry locked in their bathrooms, preoccupied with her "starburst" effect, ain't cheap.

:nopity:

Suck on it, GOP phonies and hypocrites.

[Carni]

26. Is BIDEN's wardrobe paid for by the DNC? lol!

I think NOT...

Do you have a picture of Biden receiving 150 grand in clothing from DNC campaign coffers?

I know many people feel this is a distraction issue and maybe it is, but I have to say that to me this typifies the sheer arrogance of the GOP in general.

For any candidate who is preaching fiscal responsibility and the cutting of pork to go out and spend 150,000.00 on clothing they will wear for the period of three months or whatever...is obscene esp in a shitty economy such as this!

But like someone said here or in another thread--the less they spend on advertising and robocalls and the more they spend on that imbecile palin the better!

[yardwork]

27. I'm surprised that the Republicans noticed. Isn't this typical of their Me First attitude?

I have a job that requires me to dress business professional every day, plus occasional evening and weekend-dressy clothes, and I don't spend more than a couple thousand a year on clothes. I buy classic pieces that last for years. Even my accessories are classic, not trendy. I'm far from a fashion plate at work, but I don't need to be. And neither does the VP candidate. Who pays attention to what Joe Biden wears?

Sarah Palin could have invested in some nice classic suits and accessories for a tenth of what her shopping spree cost at Neiman Marcus and Saks.

[ErinBerin84]

30. politico claims

that a McCain aide emailed them and said "hey, isn't this the best money that the RNC has spent in this electio cycle?"

[Median Democrat]

31. Was the Tanning Bed In The Governor's Mansion At Taxpayer Expense?

I read the story about Palin's private tanning bed, but no clear answer on whether taxpayes paid for it.

[Omnibus]

33. McCain-Palin = The Liar, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

(apologies to CS Lewis.)

[kimmylavin]

35. Excellent!

:hi:

[badgerpup]

36. ...

:spray: :applause:

Oh, that was very well done!

[muriel_volestrangler]

34. My first impression of her in early September was 'smug'. Now I know why.

She'd just been handed the biggest opportunity in her life to rip people off, even if she lost embarrassingly. No more pissing about with flights and hotels for her family - this was clothes she could keep! At last, the gravy train had hit full speed!

[progressoid]

37. HA HA!