RNC shells out $150K for Palin fashion

[Anonymous]

PP, you are right, this one (the clothing "scandal") has me more POed than anything else the campaign has done so far.

I guess because for me, I can often see both sides of an argument. I really could understand why Republicans like Palin, or don't want Obama, or are pro-life, etc. etc. I see their arguments on taxes, international relations, the war, etc. I don't AGREE with their politics but I can comprehend them.

I can't understand this one. It shows some seriously bad judgment, to do this during an economic crisis. It makes their candidate seem like a dress-up Barbie. It contradicts their position as fiscal conservatives, as mavericks, as people who care about Joe the Plumber.

And I guess I finally expect Republican voters to express a little outrage. And instead, many cling to their partisanship and blindly defend this as "trivial".

The devil is in the details. If this is how irresponsible the RNC is with its donations, if this is what Palin feels is an acceptable expenditure, what will they be like when they DO have their hands on taxpayer money?

Republicans should be furious that the campaign foisted the McCain Palin ticket on them this year. You should be angry that the campaign keeps making idiotic mistakes. Stupid decisions like Palin and the clothing scandal are what will cost them the election.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is just so hilarious to me. Did a single poster on this thread donate money to the RNC? No? Then why do you care? To sum it up:

It's not your money.
It's not taxpayer money.
It's money people donated to the Republican National Committee.

The amount of emotional energy some posters are dedicating to this is amazing. I hope all the people who are so very offended by these evil expenditures are actually doing something for the Obama campaign rather than just posting about it on a message board. Spread the word to ALL your Republican friends, of whom I'm sure you have many. McCain-Palin is no longer a good choice because the RNC bought clothes for the Palin family! This is surely the scandal of the decade!

apparently you are missing the whole point. It doesn't matter where the $ came from, if she is trying to say she IS the average American, this whole shopping spree totally makes her look way above the average American and that she doesn't really understand who the average American is.

Some people just don't want to see the point. They gloss over it and look the other way. But if I have to scrape together change to make a donation to any political party, I'd probably stop donating, after an incident like this.

[Anonymous]

As a Democrat, I'm pleased about whatever helps McCain lose. But you can't convince me that Palin and the clothing scandal will cost McCain the election. I think the economy, Iraq, and 8 years of GWB will cost McCain the election. I think the focus should be on the economy, Iraq, and 8 years of GWB. When the GOP focuses on stuff like Ayers or other fluff, we say they're distracting from the real issues. And I think the Palin clothing scandal is distracting from the real issues. That's all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a Democrat, I'm pleased about whatever helps McCain lose. But you can't convince me that Palin and the clothing scandal will cost McCain the election. I think the economy, Iraq, and 8 years of GWB will cost McCain the election. I think the focus should be on the economy, Iraq, and 8 years of GWB. When the GOP focuses on stuff like Ayers or other fluff, we say they're distracting from the real issues. And I think the Palin clothing scandal is distracting from the real issues. That's all.

Yes, Agreed. But the issues you name have been around for a while. I think the economy, Iraq, and 8 years of GWB SHOULD cost McCain the election. Nonetheless the parties are battling for the independent, swing voters, some of whom have yet to make up their minds. This kind of shameful behavior is SUCH bad PR that it really might be the straw that, uh, tips the scales I guess, to mix my metaphors. And to come just ten days before the election! Honestly, it's like a gift from the gods for the dems. Maybe there's a mole in the costume department at the RNC?

While I am also pleased about whatever makes McCain lose, I really am.... just outraged by their actions this time. And baffled that any of their constituents are putting up with this.

[Anonymous]

I am a Dem. I took some initial glee in the hypocrisy of the whole thing, but I have given it more thought.

Now I think the wardrobe is a stupid goof probably done by a junior staffer, but I don't think it should cost McCain the election. After all, that's $150K that wasn't pumped into ridiculous attack ads. Profligate spending on personal effects is about the most benign thing I can think of them doing with campaign money. And in the spirit of focusing on real issues, I am going to chuckle and move on.

But I am still going to vote for Obama.

[Anonymous]

If their junior staffers can casually spend $150k then that's yet another reason to vote against them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I can't understand this one. It shows some seriously bad judgment, to do this during an economic crisis. It makes their candidate seem like a dress-up Barbie.

Or Cinderella, plucked from obscurity. What fascinates me is trying to figure out her role in this.

Did she decide that it made sense to go to N-M and Saks and spend a gazillion dollars -- in which case, she looks like an insensitive hypocrite.

Or did some RNC staffer decide it made sense and arranged it all for the sudden, coming-out-of-nowhere candidate -- in which case, she looks like a mindless Cinderella type who doesn't have the wherewithall to control her own destiny. An image which was also suggested by the unwillingness to let her talk to the press as if she were too delicate for the rough and tumble of politics.

I would just love to know which it is -- or if there is some third scenario.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I can't understand this one. It shows some seriously bad judgment, to do this during an economic crisis. It makes their candidate seem like a dress-up Barbie.

Or Cinderella, plucked from obscurity. What fascinates me is trying to figure out her role in this.

Did she decide that it made sense to go to N-M and Saks and spend a gazillion dollars -- in which case, she looks like an insensitive hypocrite.

Or did some RNC staffer decide it made sense and arranged it all for the sudden, coming-out-of-nowhere candidate -- in which case, she looks like a mindless Cinderella type who doesn't have the wherewithall to control her own destiny. An image which was also suggested by the unwillingness to let her talk to the press as if she were too delicate for the rough and tumble of politics.

I would just love to know which it is -- or if there is some third scenario.

The campaign asked Palin and McCain and they approved of it. A personal shopper then did the deed.

[Anonymous]

It's like the AIG "scandal". With one hand, they take the bailout money from the American people. With the other, they spend on a $500,000 retreat at a spa and a $90,000 hunting excursion in merry old England.

I realize the RNC did not spend taxpayer monies. Nonetheless the fat cat image, enjoying luxuries on someone else's dime, is REALLY unpopular at the moment.

Another bonehead move from the McCain campaign.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I in no way support the crazy cost of her wardrobe, but I can see how shopping at those 2 stores is pretty easy. Just from spending time looking for a fancy dress for hours up at Mazza Gallerie, once I walked into NM or Saks I had to try 3 on and found one I loved in 20 minutes. It fit perfectly, its timeless, and well made. I will cherish my $400 dress for the next 10 years. I will now always go back to those type of stores to find the 'one' in 20 minutes.

That being said, I can see how easy it is for her to have someone shop for her at those stores and ring up a boatload of outfits (probably 2 a day) for the rest of the campaign. Probably shoes, accessories, etc. I can also see that if they win the election (I really hope not) she'll use those clothes in office.

I can't imagine spending $150k, but I can see anyone approaching $30,000 if they purchased 30 outfits with accessories.

$400 sounds really "cheap" for something at NM or Saks. I saw a small decorative pillow for $300 at Saks.

If Palin gets to be VP, she'll get another wardrobe allowance for her designer threads thanks to our tax dollars. *Sigh* If i could have such an allowance for designer duds.

$400 is not cheap anywhere. This summer (the summer of the dress), I bought a total of about 10 dresses between the two stores and none cost more that $300. Not everything in these stores are Haute Couture and they do have sales - like every day, especially this year.

[Anonymous]

There is no way that S. Palin is a conservative. Conservative people do not spend that much on clothes.

FWIW, the haircut could cost that much if the hairdresser had to come to her place/hotel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's like the AIG "scandal". With one hand, they take the bailout money from the American people. With the other, they spend on a $500,000 retreat at a spa and a $90,000 hunting excursion in merry old England.

I realize the RNC did not spend taxpayer monies. Nonetheless the fat cat image, enjoying luxuries on someone else's dime, is REALLY unpopular at the moment.

Another bonehead move from the McCain campaign.

Plus I'm soooo tired of hearing how the liberal elite all live in Washington and real people live in small towns. I make a lot less than she does. I shop at Filene's, not at Saks and Neiman-Marcus. I live in a crappy house (actually it is crappy but I still love it) in a neighborhood beset by crime and I make sure I meet dd at the metro when she gets home after dark. McCain has 7 houses and Palin spends more than I make in a year on clothes. And I'm the elitist!

War is peace, as Orwell told us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is just so hilarious to me. Did a single poster on this thread donate money to the RNC? No? Then why do you care? To sum it up:

It's not your money.
It's not taxpayer money.
It's money people donated to the Republican National Committee.

The amount of emotional energy some posters are dedicating to this is amazing. I hope all the people who are so very offended by these evil expenditures are actually doing something for the Obama campaign rather than just posting about it on a message board. Spread the word to ALL your Republican friends, of whom I'm sure you have many. McCain-Palin is no longer a good choice because the RNC bought clothes for the Palin family! This is surely the scandal of the decade!

apparently you are missing the whole point. It doesn't matter where the $ came from, if she is trying to say she IS the average American, this whole shopping spree totally makes her look way above the average American and that she doesn't really understand who the average American is.

So what does the average american wear? Denim overalls and flannel? Get over it. Who cares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is just so hilarious to me. Did a single poster on this thread donate money to the RNC? No? Then why do you care? To sum it up:

It's not your money.
It's not taxpayer money.
It's money people donated to the Republican National Committee.

The amount of emotional energy some posters are dedicating to this is amazing. I hope all the people who are so very offended by these evil expenditures are actually doing something for the Obama campaign rather than just posting about it on a message board. Spread the word to ALL your Republican friends, of whom I'm sure you have many. McCain-Palin is no longer a good choice because the RNC bought clothes for the Palin family! This is surely the scandal of the decade!

apparently you are missing the whole point. It doesn't matter where the $ came from, if she is trying to say she IS the average American, this whole shopping spree totally makes her look way above the average American and that she doesn't really understand who the average American is.

So what does the average american wear? Denim overalls and flannel? Get over it. Who cares.

why not care? she may be are next President. Are we going to fund her lavish wardrobe just as Alaskans fund her residence and family travel expenses? If you don't get it, you don't get it. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand the principle in the whole matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is just so hilarious to me. Did a single poster on this thread donate money to the RNC? No? Then why do you care? To sum it up:

It's not your money.
It's not taxpayer money.
It's money people donated to the Republican National Committee.

The amount of emotional energy some posters are dedicating to this is amazing. I hope all the people who are so very offended by these evil expenditures are actually doing something for the Obama campaign rather than just posting about it on a message board. Spread the word to ALL your Republican friends, of whom I'm sure you have many. McCain-Palin is no longer a good choice because the RNC bought clothes for the Palin family! This is surely the scandal of the decade!

apparently you are missing the whole point. It doesn't matter where the $ came from, if she is trying to say she IS the average American, this whole shopping spree totally makes her look way above the average American and that she doesn't really understand who the average American is.

So what does the average american wear? Denim overalls and flannel? Get over it. Who cares.

It's safe to say that 95% of Americans don't wear Armani, Escada, Chanel ... or spend $150,000 on their wardrobe and use their public office position to get their in-laws fired, and shlep their families around with them for work on taxpayer funds. Then still claim to be a reformer and wink at the Joe Sixpacks to let them know she knows what it's like.