The GIFT that keeps on giving: Palin's Shopping Spree...

[vaberella]

This is actually on the front of huffpost as we speak!!! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/22/palin-clothes-spending-ha_n_136740.html

<snip>
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.
<snip>

"It shows that Palin ain't like the rest of us," Tom Matzzie, a Democratic strategist told the Huffington Post, when asked to game plan 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.
<snip>
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: "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 etroactively) during the collapse of the financial system and the probable beginning of a recession."

How would we name this? Shopping-Gate? Saks-Gate? 150,00-Gate? Palin Junket-Gate?

We're worried about an economic "crater" and she's out living it up in kitten heels by Jimmy Choo and suits by Vera Wang. People are eating cat food, like that couple Obama sent Chinese food too, there are people who don't even have that. People are losing their homes, her campaign and her candidate are saying "they know how to get us out of this recession" while they're using the money of misguided devotees so she could look like Nancy Reagan? Give me a bloody break!! Then there's that money from the Alaskan state she used for her kids so they could fly places. Excuse me?! Is this shit even ethical? Is it ethical for Government officials to put money on state cred for their own devices, when we bloody well pay them for doing their job and yet the money that goes to our social programs is used to pay for plane tickets to Disney World?! Give me a break!!! How much of this do people need to hear to see this woman and this campaign for what they are? Divisive theives!!! Give me a break!!!

One of the idiots in the article says and I quote, "With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it's remarkable that we're spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses," Why do people care?! I'll tell you why people care. I may take issue with Repubs, but your base idolizes you to some extent and they donated to you and the RNC and it's spent keeping the candidates looking their best but spewing shit. You're raping your base. For all my disagreements with them, it's unfair to them. It's unfair to us, the so-called "Un-American" "False America" "Anti-Americans" and "Socialists/liberals" and whatever else you call us, that you claim to want to do what's best for the country, for the mass of people and yet add to the disparity and insult us by taking a self-righteous position that is built on a pile of shit and hate. I have never seen such a campaign run like this. I am appalled. I was not on DU for Gore or Kerry, but I don't remember it getting this bad with Bush. I don't like the guy but at this point I figure Rovian politics might have been better than Davis in the way they directly insult the American people to mere cattle who don't see the hypocrisy, racism, and divisive intent in their campaign. This clothig spree shows to me what they care about more, the visual appeal. The inconsequential, substanceless, unintellectual quality of this ticket beats all. Give me a break!!

I've had ENOUGH!

[FrenchieCat]

1. In other words, they want to concentrate the wealth so that they can go shopping,

and buy more than they need, while the rest of us starve. Superficial assholes!

[No Elephants]

2. "[U]ntouched by the major right-wing outlets..." Yet. that is all the RW hears or trusts.

[JCMach1]

3. 'Real America' doesn't spend $150,000 on shopping sprees and makeovers!

[Enrique]

4. she's more than a clothes horse

she's a clothes moose! :wow:

[polichick]

22. LOL :)

[Submariner]

5. Saks 5th Avenue must be on that "Main Street" Sarah keeps talking about

[Miss Chybil]

6. Number 5 nt

[Democat]

7. Hope this news gets to the small towns in Pensylvania!

It's a little hard to pretend to be "one of the real patriot small town people" while spending $2500 per day on clothing.

This is worth promoting and talking about on TV for Obama's talking heads.

This undermines the entire message of the McCain campaign, from their economic message to their "small town" image.

Please, let Obama's campaign find a way to make this the major story for a few news cycles!

[pamela]

8. I loved to get the dates on those shopping sprees.

It would be interesting to see what was going on while she was spending these huge sums. It's like Condi and her Ferragamo/Katrina excursion.

[vaberella]

29. Oh God...don't remind me. And these fools who sent money to the RNC

just aren't computing what the problem really is with the whole situation.

[smb]

45. Pubbie Donors: Suckers!

And these fools who sent money to the RNC

I wonder if they'll still drink the Kool-Aid when the next begging letter arrives?

[Youphemism]

9. Wait... McCain is getting public funding. Didn' taxpayer dollars just buy a $125,000 wardrobe?

See, the way Obama gets his money, that's okay. Everyone volunteered their money. Not a penny of Joe the Plumber's money went to dressing Joe Biden.

But McCain is using traditional public finance. Doesn't that mean that you, me, and Joe the Plumber just forked out cash so Sarah Palin can get a Prada outfit that matches her oversized flag pin?

*That's* the perspective someone should offer.

McCain's latest earmark is dangling from Palin's ears.

[KharmaTrain]

10. Nope...It's From RNC Funds...And Freeper Checks

...if such a thing exsits.

The first big spree was in Minneapolis for the Convention...before Gramps was formally nominated and could touch the federal matching funds.

The story specifies it was the RNC that did the spending...perfectely legal, but $150ks worth? I get this vision of the Palin clan...kinda like the Clampetts...walking into the mall with Todd looking over to his little Barracuda and saying "whooee...look at all those fancy duds...c'mon gang, let's go places and buy things".

Also, that bill probably included a new suit for her soon-to-be reluctant son-in-law...make sure he looked good for that photo-op on the airport tarmac. That was downright creepy.

Be assured Joe the Plumber, or Josephine (who used Comet), would be hard-pressed to drop $1500 on the charge card. This story will resonate.

[Tansy_Gold]

26. Fungibility.

It means the money is indistinguishable.

If they used RNC funds for her frocks, that's $150,000 of funds they could have but didn't use on the campaign, so it's the same thing essentially.

[KharmaTrain]

27. In The End, You Are Right...

When all the money is spent, it's hard to figure out what came from where and who paid for what. However, there still are rules that supposedly seperate the party and candidate...predominately cause the party can raise far more money and do a lot more with it.

The RNC went into the election with a large edge on the DNC...offsetting Senator Obama's large advantage over Gramps. Thus, even with the 87 million of matching funds, both campaigns went into the "home stretch" with about the same amount. Right now both the campaign and the RNC are spending like crazy to try to slime Obama...drive his numbers down. The fun in the remaining days will be to see if the RNC continues to funnel a lion's share of its money to Gramps or try to save a few House & Senate seats.

Cheers...

[VolcanoJen]

11. Nothing says "Real America" like a $75,000 Neiman-Marcus shopping spree.

Staggering. Lipstick on a pig is EXPENSIVE!

Hey, RNC Donators! This is where your money is going:



Fabulous, isn't she?

And, for what it's worth, and apropos of nothing, Michelle Obama's most famous frock, that gorgeous summer dress she wore on The View, cost $148.00.

[BR_Parkway]

17. That's really an ugly blouse, hope she didn't pay much for it and spent

the rest on of the $150K on decent looking stuff at least.

Actually, best outfit that I can think I've seen her in was during the SNL skit when Tina Fey had on same outfit - me thinks Michael Loren probably paid for that one.

[VolcanoJen]

25. More importantly...

... I could've bought that jacket/blouse at Target for $49.00.

Where are Sarah Palin's photo-ops at Neiman-Marcus? She sure doesn't seem to mind being photographed at Wal-Mart buying diapers for Trig.

[chimpymustgo]

41. And Chanel lipstick on that pig!!

[sakura]

49. That suit jacket doesn't even fit her.

It's gaping behind her neck and wrinkly at the shoulders--sure signs that it's too big. And the shiny suit she wore for the vice presidential "debate" was TOO TIGHT. You'd think for 150K they'd throw in a tailor. But she probably just wanted to make sure all the men noticed her boobs that night. And who wears a sparkly, shiny cocktail suit to a dignified event like a debate? Should Biden have shown up in white tie, top hat and spats?

[H2O Man]

12. The "bad news" for McCain

just keeps getting worse. His picking Palin has certainly damaged his campaign and his reputation.

[vaberella]

30. I couldn't have said it more simply and sharply.

That's the crux of the issue. I saw some of his statements back in 2000, he had no chance, but I see where people said he had a bit of respect. All that has been shot. I sometimes wonder how either will be able to show their faces in the following years political sphere when this is done. They are both shot. McCain's more than anyone else, but Palin basically destroyed her career and her favorability rating.

[VolcanoJen]

13. Kinda puts Bill Clinton's and John Edwards' famous "haircuts" in perspective, eh?

:wow:

[TexasObserver]

14. She has no rules at all, except take what you want, and lie about it.

[WeDidIt]

15. It's pretty obvious that Cindy was put in charge of the makeover

Hell, Cindy probably thought she was buying the clothes on the cheap!

[okieinpain]

42. what makeover, the women looks the same.

[depakid]

16. ""the heat for this story will come from Republicans who cannot understand how their party would do

do something this stupid ...particularly during the collapse of the financial system and the probable beginning of a recession."

I don't think any campaign in for the last 150 years has melted down this badly. It's the gang that couldn't shoot straight.

[vaberella]

31. This is what I thought. The party's mismanagement of funds is outrageous!! n/t

[qanda]

18. They very seriously thought it would be a good idea to spend that kind of money

ON CLOTHES?????? Just what kind of clothes were they?

[terrya]

19. I can't see Obama/Biden using this, but some other group should.

Seriously, in THIS economy?

Use this in an ad. This needs to be aired, big time.

[blogslut]

20. This is gonna kill their campaign

This is way bad for them. I don't see how they can spin their way out of this one. $150.000 for a few outfits is obscene. If she wanted the couture stuff she should have paid for it herself. And to add insult to injury by stating they're going to donate the clothes to charity after she's done wearing them...how fucking generous, ya' damned hypocrites.

[LiberadorHugo]

21. I know we all love HuffPo...

But does anybody voting for McCain actually read it? (For the sake of argument, we are assuming that Republicans are literate and willing to read newspapers.)

[Vinca]

24. This is going to be all over MSM, guaranteed.

The story is too good. I can't wait for the receipts to come out so we can see what "hockey mom" designer she's wearing.

[vaberella]

32. I think so. I don't think this is staying at MSM. CNN mentioned it I believe & KO did last night.

n/t

[Glenda]

23. more in one month than the average household spends in 80 years

:rofl:

[Patiod]

28. I was going to defend her, but $150K?

I hadn't seen the amount, and hell, she lived in Alaska her whole life, and North Face really isn't the right look for a Fall campaign down in the lower 48. So I could see racking up a pretty big clothing bill at somewhere nice like Nordstroms. Get a whole wardrobe of $400-$500 Dana Buchman pieces that look good on an executive woman, some really good $250 shoes, maybe go nuts and spend $10,000 on a whole new wardrobe." But $150,000 is just obscene. Buying into the whole designer thing - can't even wrap my frugal little head around it. Yikes.

[vaberella]

35. Imagine spending on yourself on clothes alone 2500 a day for about 60 days.

n/t

[onlyadream]

33. Just substitute Sarah for Eva

EVITA
Lyrics by TIM RICE
Music by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER


EVA
I came from the people
They need to adore me
So Christian Dior me
>From my head to my toes
I need to be dazzling
I want to be Rainbow High!
They must have excitement
And so must I

EVA's DRESSERS
Eyes! Hair! Mouth! Figure! Dress! Voice! Style! Movement!

EVA
I'm their product
It's vital you sell me
So Machiavell-me
Make an Argentine Rose!
I need to be thrilling
I want to be Rainbow High!
They need their escape
And so do I

EVA's DRESSERS
Eyes! Hair! Mouth! Figure! Dress! Voice! Style!
Movement! Hands! Magic! Rings! Glamour! Face!
Diamonds! Excitement! Image!


EVA
All my descamisados expect me to outshine the enemy--
I won't disappoint them!

I'm their savior!
That's what they call me
So Lauren Bacall me
Anything goes
To make me fantastic
I have to be Rainbow High
In magical colors--

[mnhtnbb]

34. She clearly needed a makeover--but they could have hired

What Not to Wear consultants Stacy and Clinton to do her over for 1/10 of that for the two months
that she'd be campaigning.

Once more, the Repubs demonstrate they don't know the value of a dollar. That's what should be hammered
home with this info.

[Wednesdays]

36. This is now one of the lead stories on CBS morning news

:popcorn:

[Mabus]

37. I wonder if Condi has been giving her shoe advice?

:rofl:

[PA Democrat]

38. Looks like they are clothing the entire Palin family....

From Politico:

The entries also show a few purchases at Pacifier, a top notch baby store, and Steiniauf & Stroller Inc., suggesting $295 was spent to accommodate the littlest Palin to join the campaign trail.

An additional $4,902.45 was spent in early September at Atelier, a high-class shopping destination for men.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14805.html

[Wolfies Revenge]

39. BUT BUT BUT SHE BUYS DIAPERS AT WALMART!!!!!!!!11111

[gmoney]

40. Bra to Nowhere? (n/t)

[Bluenorthwest]

43. Joe Sixpack or Joe Sixfigures?

Really amazing. And for all that money, she still looks bottom heavy and frumpy.

[jasmeel]

44. why does her son need makeup?

[debbierlus]

46. More then my house is worth...

Nuff said.

[memory]

47. It was on OKC news last night, now spinning it's for charity

It's a front page story on a local news site after they covered it last night on the 10:00PM news with no spin.
Now the story on their website says "It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign."
http://www.koco.com/money/17779827/detail.html

:eyes:

One of the main reasons OKC is so Red, is that ALL of the media coverage here slants right. WAY right. Everyone sees it on TV, reads it in the major paper, and hears it from a lot of their church leaders. There has not even been a debate in OKC between Inhofe and Rice. The only debate was in Tulsa and was only broadcast here on the web. Inhofe refuses to debate him saying he's too busy!:mad:

Sorry, off topic, but needed to rant a little.

[struggle4progress]

50. Which charity? The International Society for Needy Debutantes?

The Fund for Cross-Dressing Plumbers?

Independent Alaska's Frontier Days Burlesque & Historical Revue?

Valley Relief & Aid for Former Mayors?

[earth mom]

48. People can't afford to put food on the table or keep a roof over their heads.

So this should put another nail in the McCain/Palin coffin. :grr:

[IamyourTVandIownyou]

51. What's the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull?

$150,000.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

52. This needs an ad

Something like "McCain/Palin: Our country just can't afford them.........."