RNC pays $150K for Palin's clothes

[Bob Sakimano]

I wonder how much contempt she felt for her fellow shoppers when she was shopping in such high end stores in what she believes is "not real" America?

[EComCon]

Tim Gunn's Guide to Style: Home - Season 2 - Official Bravo TV Site

So much for "the respectable Republican cloth coat" | Philadelphia Daily News | 10/22/2008

[LA_Spartan]

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove

You're not a 43 year old women. It's not like she can buy a new $50 tie, put on a fresh white shirt and wear her good black suit like Joe Biden.

This is stupid and she doesn't even get to keep the clothes.

The Palin's made $166K last year. She could have easily purchased her own clothes.

Funny how Palin is held out as a reformer who will take a hatchet to the budget, but she has no problems spending other people's money for her own benefit (clothing expense, expensing family travel, collecting a per diem for living in her own house).

Incredibly, the GOP may have found a conservative who spends more than Bush.

[tuff bob]

Originally Posted by LA_Spartan

The Palin's made $166K last year. She could have easily purchased her own clothes.

($166k - taxes) < $150k, so no.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Originally Posted by LA_Spartan

The Palin's made $166K last year. She could have easily purchased her own clothes.

Funny how Palin is held out as a reformer who will take a hatchet to the budget, but she has no problems spending other people's money for her own benefit (clothing expense, expensing family travel, collecting a per diem for living in her own house).

Incredibly, the GOP may have found a conservative who spends more than Bush.

She obviously had clothes - but not "TV" clothes. There's a reason that McCain and Obama wear $2000 suits and there's a reason that Palin spent that much on clothes. They have to look good on TV and that kind of clothing costs.

[Craig Christ]

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove

She obviously had clothes - but not "TV" clothes. There's a reason that McCain and Obama wear $2000 suits and there's a reason that Palin spent that much on clothes. They have to look good on TV and that kind of clothing costs.

Why does wearing expensive cloths somehow equate to not being an everyday American? Why does that somehow diminish her message? I'm not a huge fan of hers but I was raised in a farming community and worked minimum and slightly above minimum wage jobs until I graduated graduate school. Now, I buy nice things and I have even paid $100 bucks for jeans. Does that mean I don't get it anymore? Does this mean that I cannot go home again? Seems to be pretty stupid to make a big deal about this. Don't all the presidents get $700 haircuts or something stupid? Still, does not mean that they don't get it.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Originally Posted by Craig Christ

Why does wearing expensive cloths somehow equate to not being an everyday American? Why does that somehow diminish her message? I'm not a huge fan of hers but I was raised in a farming community and worked minimum and slightly above minimum wage jobs until I graduated graduate school. Now, I buy nice things and I have even paid $100 bucks for jeans. Does that mean I don't get it anymore? Does this mean that I cannot go home again? Seems to be pretty stupid to make a big deal about this. Don't all the presidents get $700 haircuts or something stupid? Still, does not mean that they don't get it.

I agree with you - this store is a diversion, but that's what American politics has come down to: A Two Year marathon game of "gotcha" with multiple diversions from "real issues".

[tuff bob]

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove

A Two Year marathon game of "gotcha" with multiple diversions from "real issues".

no candidate really wants to make specific comments about the real issues.

[Trevor Barnes]

Originally Posted by tuff bob

no candidate really wants to make specific comments about the real issues.

Course there are some that don't even comprehend the real issues enough to be specific about them.

[Bob Sakimano]

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove

She obviously had clothes - but not "TV" clothes. There's a reason that McCain and Obama wear $2000 suits and there's a reason that Palin spent that much on clothes. They have to look good on TV and that kind of clothing costs.

I'll go along with the good doctor on this one...

I doubt that a coat made from a moose pelt and purchased at the Wasilla Dress Barn would capture the fashion aspirations of the American electorate.

[Enrico Palazzo]

Originally Posted by tuff bob

($166k - taxes) < $150k, so no.

doesn't sound like a very fiscally responsible person to me. Someone who goes out and spends the equivilent of 90% of her family gross income on clothing is not a fiscal conservative. She's a perfect continuation of the Bush fiscal policies however. Glad to see bob defend his new girl for such reckless and irresponsible spending.

People rip Obama for $150 haircuts and Edwards for $400 haircuts but they use their own money and can afford them easily.

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove

She obviously had clothes - but not "TV" clothes. There's a reason that McCain and Obama wear $2000 suits and there's a reason that Palin spent that much on clothes. They have to look good on TV and that kind of clothing costs.

Who would know the difference between a $100 suit from Express and a $1000 suit from Saks for Caribou Barbie? I've got 5 suits, all (Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein among them). None cost me over $300 and I must say, they look damn good, just as good on TV as a $2000 Armani.

[LA_Spartan]

Originally Posted by Bob Sakimano

I'll go along with the good doctor on this one...

I doubt that a coat made from a moose pelt and purchased at the Wasilla Dress Barn would capture the fashion aspirations of the American electorate.

It might. If men vote for candidates because they want to have a beer with them, can't we assume that women vote for candidates that they would like to go shopping with? Didn't middle american identify with Hillary's pantsuits? I'm sure the typical Main Street Hockey Mom would prefer hanging out with the Sarah Palin who will dish about her neighbor's affair while flipping through the clearance rack at the Dress Barn, then the Sarah Palin who just spent the average families' annual income at Needless Markup. Didn't middle american identify with Hillary's pantsuits?

[Bruce Banner Ad]

So she hates east coast elitists, but she's okay shopping in their elite stores?

[IGGcitable]

One more example of how overpoweringly stupid the GOP campaign is.

a) The GOP is the party of, by, and for the people -- the people with lots and lots of money.

b) High-fashion stores in NYC are owned by people with lots and lots of money. People with lots and lots of money who would love to help out the GOP.

c) Caribou Barbie wearing clothes from certain high-fashion stores would be highly-favorable publicity, therefore it would be highly beneficial for these stores to loan her the clothes on a "temporary consignment" or "promotional use" basis, to be returned after the election. (yeah sure hehehehe)

d) Therefore the RNC doesn't have to actually spend money on it, it doesn't go on the books as official campaign contributions, and thus there are no big stories in the paper about Palin going on $150,000 shopping sprees.

But, they just see those big piles of steaming dog poop sitting there, they just can't help stomping in them again and again. Not much an indication of how they'd run the nation if elected.

[Bob Sakimano]

Originally Posted by Bruce Banner Ad

So she hates east coast elitists, but she's okay shopping in their elite stores?

yep - you've got it..


oh - and don't forget - Barack Obama is the elitist..

[greenjoker]

Palin's thought process is similar to those of CEO's in that they feel that the company money is theirs to do with as they please for personal non-business related use.

[LA_Spartan]

Originally Posted by IGGcitable

c) Caribou Barbie wearing clothes from certain high-fashion stores would be highly-favorable publicity, therefore it would be highly beneficial for these stores to loan her the clothes on a "temporary consignment" or "promotional use" basis, to be returned after the election. (yeah sure hehehehe)

d) Therefore the RNC doesn't have to actually spend money on it, it doesn't go on the books as official campaign contributions, and thus there are no big stories in the paper about Palin going on $150,000 shopping sprees.

Actually, they have to report "in kind" contributions and limits apply.

[Statepug]

the RNC just didn't want her to end up looking like this:

[IGGcitable]

Originally Posted by LA_Spartan

Actually, they have to report "in kind" contributions and limits apply.

come on, this is the Republican Party, you know they would find ways around it. Rules and regulations are for the "little people."

The fact that they didn't simply indicates there are some real idiots in that campaign -- including the candidates.

[tuff bob]

Originally Posted by LA_Spartan

If men vote for candidates because they want to have a beer with them,

I'd have to vote for Palin, and hope she consumes a lot of beverages that day

[LA_Spartan]

Originally Posted by tuff bob

I'd have to vote for Palin, and hope she consumes a lot of beverages that day

You realize that she doesn't believe in birth control, don't you?

[oscar novak]

That IS a ripoff...especially when compared with George Soros purchasing the winning candidate for President for a mere $200,000,000.

[tuff bob]

Originally Posted by LA_Spartan

You realize that she doesn't believe in birth control, don't you?

yeah, that's a good point.

[Mike Ockisard]

Obama's Campaign Expenditures:

Administrative Salaries & Benefits $44,169,124
Travel $39,345,592
Postage/Shipping $13,074,950
Miscellaneous Administrative $12,803,723
Rent/Utilities $10,372,162
Supplies, Equipment & Furniture $4,481,310
Administrative Consultants $676,161
Food/Meetings $437,144
Campaign Expenses Polling/Surveys/Research $21,500,862
Campaign Events $16,447,949
Materials $5,372,483
Political Consultants $1,745,777
Miscellaneous Campaign $371,620
Campaign Direct Mail $110,000
GOTV $65,760
Contributions Parties (Fed & Non-federal) $3,775,359
Contrib Refunds $1,963,090
Candidates (Fed & Non-federal) $3,985
Committees (Fed & Non-Federal) $2,615
Fundraising Fundr Direct Mail/Telemarketing $23,527,966
Miscellaneous Fundraising $1,483,939
Fundraising Consultants $983,447
Fundraising Events $162,930
Media Broadcast Media $160,446,232
Print Media $13,123,021
Internet Media $10,310,400
Miscellaneous Media $3,775,760
Media Consultants $194,001
Other Charitable Donations $26,455
Transfers Federal Transfer $7,002
Unknown Insufficient Info $550,232

Source: Expenditures Breakdown, Barack Obama | OpenSecrets

Where's all the grassroots volunteers??? Seems like a whole lot of people made some serious cash off the Obama campaign.

[GRR Spartan]

Typical Mike O.

No response but to say, Yeah but.......

Sorry.

She hates government but she sure likes the perks.