Republicans spent $150,000 on outfits for Palin

by Dave Keating | October 22, 2008 at 01:05 am

672 views | 29 Recommendations | 23 comments

It would appear that campaign donations for John McCain were used to buy $150,000 worth of designer outfits for Sarah Palin, the 'small-town values' Alaskan Governor and champion of 'real America.' The shopping spree included Saks Fifth Avenue in New York. Republican donors are already expressing disgust with the news, particularly as the purchases were made during the past few months as the US has reeled from a financial crisis.

After the story broke the McCain campaign put out a statement that didn't deny the truth behind the expenditure, but blamed the media for focusing on Palin's clothing with "all of the important issues facing the country right now." Of course with the McCain campaign now basing the campaign on the "real small-town America" theme, many will argue Palin's extravagant expenditures at big-city fashion boutiques are a legitimate issue and undercuts their argument.

Financial records show that the Republican National Committee appears to have spent more than 150,000 dollars on clothes for vice presidential pick Sarah Palin, Politico reported.

The Republicans' main campaign and fundraising organ spent tens of thousands at high-end stores, such as Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York (49,425 dollars) and Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis (75,062 dollars), the Politico website said.

The RNC also spent 4,716 dollars on hair and makeup through September, Politico said.

Those kinds of expenditures did not appear in the RNC's financial disclosure records before the Alaska governor was named to John McCain's ticket in August, it added.

Politico said it reviewed the RNC's September monthly financial disclosure report and found a new category, "campaign accessories," included in the report of "itemized coordinated expenditures."

The McCain-Palin campaign issued a statement shortly after the report appeared online.

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duo

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 01:14 on October 22nd, 2008

Dave Keating, I like this story. It's good stuff. Umph!

Mary

dunkelberg

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 11:01 on October 22nd, 2008

There also is speculation that First Dud and Levi got some duds as well.

If so, surely the girls weren't left wanting.

The former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards became a national joke last year after campaign financial reports showed him spending $400 on haircuts. McCain and his wife, Cindy, were plagued this year by reports of $500 shoes and a $300,000 party ensemble respectively.

"The campaign does not comment on strategic decisions regarding how financial resources available to the campaign are spent," Palin's spokeswoman, Maria Comella, told politico.com, declining to confirm that the fashion expenses were exclusively for Palin.

No similar shopping trips were reported by the Republican party before Palin became McCain's running mate.

The Neiman Marcus branch where Republicans shopped in September was located in Minneapolis, the site of the party's national convention where Palin was introduced as McCain's running mate. Republicans spent $9,440 at a Macy's shop in the city during the same period. Another $4,900 was registered at Atelier, a men's fashion emporium, suggesting Palin's husband Todd was treated to a new wardrobe.

Palin's makeover was not limited to attire, according to a lengthy story due to be published this weekend in the New York Times. The vice-presidential hopeful worked with Priscilla Shanks, a voice coach and Hollywood actor, to help refine her speaking style before her speech at the Republican convention.

She has billed her home state of Alaska, where she is governor, for more than $21,000 for taking her five children on official trips – even when they were not invited. (emphasis added)

Palin claimed $17,000 in per diem reimbursements from her state's government for nights spent at her family home in Wasilla, Alaska. Tax experts have questioned the propriety of those claims, which were not added to her annual income tax returns.

"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 the McCain campaign's spokeswoman, Tracey Schmitt.

"It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign."

politisite

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 08:03 on October 22nd, 2008

Dave Keating, I like this story. It's good stuff. That is real nice. Please take a quick look at the money spent on Hillary Clintons clothing. Have we ever made an issue of Bill Clinton's suits?

dunkelberg

at 10:59 on October 22nd, 2008

I do not see where either Pres. Clinton or Sen. Clinton charged off clothes from Saks FIth Avenue and Neiman-Marcus to the Democratic National Committee. I can't find where the designer pants suits were charged off to the party either. While it may have happened, I doubt the Clintons managed to spend $150,000 (that's a decent house in this part of the world) on clothes in three months. How about 75 grand in one day?

The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September.

The very same article that broke the story addressed some of those matters.

In 2000, Democrat Al Gore took heat for changing his clothing hues. And in 2006, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) was ribbed for two hair styling sessions that cost about $3,000.

Then, there was Democrat John Edwards’ $400 hair cuts in 2007 and Republican McCain’s $520 black leather Ferragamo shoes this year.

A review of similar records for the campaign of Democrat Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee turned up no similar spending.

Sen. Edwards later reimbursed the campaign for his haircuts. Would you say that has faded from memory?

Yes, Sen. Clinton has caught hell for her designer pants suits.

GOOGLE " Hillary Clinton's pantsuits" and the thousands of pages that come up are an amalgamation of gentle mockery, a modicum of flattery and all-out derision. Punch line and rallying cry, those suits have been seared into the public consciousness. (Who can forget the bright tangerine number the former presidential candidate wore on the opening day of the Democratic National Convention last month?)

But lost in the clamor was the designer. Turns out that many of Clinton's signature campaign suits were stitched on the first floor of a boutique in the heart of Beverly Hills by Susanna Chung Forest, who has made a name -- and a sizable business -- for herself by dressing female execs of Fortune 500 companies and Holmby Hills socialites.

merlingraycat

at 10:27 on October 22nd, 2008

Palin probably only had some fatigues from her usual "hunting" gear when she is shooting down those poor animals in Alaska. Can't deny the poor "lady" some decent clothes. And that folksy way of speaking she falls into from time to time is probably her usual way of speaking.

Fairbanks

at 12:15 on October 22nd, 2008

'Fatigues'? Todd will be vastly more comfortable back in his Carhartts. Especially since these fancy clothes are useless outdoors, on the fishing boat, or in the subzero and snow.

campanaro

at 10:55 on October 22nd, 2008

Dave,

Sorry didn't see this duplicate,

till I posted the same story.

Yours is great tho :~)

Peace,

campanaro

Loren Daniels

at 11:15 on October 22nd, 2008

Sarah Palin waves to an enthusiastic crowd in Colorado Springs on Monday, October 20.

Loren Daniels has contributed a photo to this story.

Rhonda J Mangus

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 12:18 on October 22nd, 2008

Dave Keating, I like this story. It's good stuff.

katiedid44

at 19:29 on October 22nd, 2008

Thanks for sharing my li'l Sarah! Im a doll artist from Wasilla, Alaska and I just happened to have grown up with Sarah Palin - we graduated together in 1982. So when she was picked by McCain, I just couldn't resist.

Designer clothes and all, my little Sarah prefers to wear her 1984 Miss Wasilla Swimsuit outfit when she goes out and about here in Wasilla. Here is her video tour of Wasilla that I just posted on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL3ce69vZX0

I hope you enjoy the tour of Sarah Palin's Wasilla!

feltalive has contributed a photo to this story.

r2g2

at 22:51 on October 22nd, 2008

It's important to remember that Sarah Palin is not a "victim" in this circumstance. Whether she herself went on a shopping spree or whether republican party aides brought her oodles of gorgeous clothes to try on, she at any point could have said, "wait a minute; this stuff looks expensive (checking the label)...it is expensive...where did this come from? I'm trying to present myself as someone who is in touch with fundamental American values; I'm trying to get in touch with the "hockey moms" and "everyman" (or woman) that feels an elitist attitude has taken over Washington." At any time, Sarah Palin could have eschewed the glamorous rags and insisted she be given a Mervyn's or Wall-Mart gift card to go get more appropriately priced merchandise to appeal more honestly to her constituents. Did she do that? Of course not (and Mervyn's is now bankrupt). Palin is used to being treated like a princess and probably loves wearing the clothes. Not only did the RNC spring for HER wardrobe, but that large sum includes clothes for the entire Palin Klan (remember, she's got 5 kids and a husband that have to look presentable). The lavish expenditures will certainly appeal to the "desperate housewives" of America, but to most sensible people who can see through Sarah Palin's fraudulent claims of being like "you and me" the revelations (pun intended) about her spending sprees are merely one more example of her abuse of power. Additional news has come out (thanks to a variety of sources, including CNN) that Palin would impose her family on official business events, particularly when they were not invited. In her time as governor of Alaska (since 2006) she has already charged over US$20,000 in travel and lodging expenses for her children to accompany her on official state business. While it's great to have kids with you so you can be close, Sarah Palin abuses her liberties as a government official to advance personal agendas and trot her klan around the US on taxpayers dollars. Now she has a glamorous new wardrobe (which she can pay taxes on, or donate and take a slightly lower tax hit). Word on the street also is that her home in Alaska was knocked up (pun intended) while an expensive and unnecessary sports arena was being installed 5 miles away, and that taxpayers (again) paid for Palin's personal expenses. This is the Evita Peron of America, folks -- don't doubt it for a minute. She can't understand normal thinking, is out of touch with the majority of Americans who, on average, earn less than US$30,000 per year and who have to forego their prescription medications in order to pay rent and put food on the table. She appeals to the elite Republican Right Wing only: the rich who have only gotten richer after 8 years of George W. Bush as president. Simply put, Sarah Palin is a fascist with a fascist agenda (her own, both potlical -- secessionist leanings -- and religious). She's guilty of unethical behavior in office, her husband helps do her dirty work, and she is a hypocrite who blames others for her own mistakes (like journalists or people against whom she has personal vendettas). She doesn't even have a clear grasp of what a Vice-President does and has given loaded answers to that question on more than one occasion. In the bizarre event that Sarah Palin becomes Vice-President of the United States of America, you can be sure of two things: 1) John McCain will not be long for this world (make of that what you will, but Sarah is infamous for eliminating any and all obstacles in her grabs for power) and 2) Sarah Palin will advance her own agenda above any and all others presented to her, "digging in and changing policies with the other Senators if she wants to" which is NOT how the Vice-President job reads in the US Constitution. If anything what is most scary is her presumption of, "if she wants to" as though Sarah Palin can do and say (and wear) whatever she wants imperialistically, without any accountability whatsoever. We've had eight long years of a President and Vice-President who have behaved this way and it's bankrupted the country, created divisiveness in the world, and shown the USA to be one ugly, greedy, self-serving superpower. There are days when I read the news and am ashamed to be American, and I want to be proud of my country (as I would expect anyone else in this world would like to feel about their own nation). Just seeing the campaign of John McCain and Sarah Palin unfurl over the past couple of months has been sickening for the hate, bigotry, arrogance, self-righteousness, and farting patriotism it has stirred up. This all must come to an end, and I believe it will. If the election is not "fixed" for McCain, Barack Obama should win by a landslide -- if people in this country will start to look past their ugly, "me first" mentalities and see that we are all One People on this planet.

dunkelberg

at 06:54 on October 23rd, 2008

I feel much the same way, with one exception. I always separate country and the people in power. I am always proud of my country and its promise. I am ashamed of the way Boy George and his disciples of fear, hate and greed have destroyed its government and reputation. I am appalled that so many people who are financially harmed by their policies are still sycophants to the lies and race baiting of those in the White House and the shameful campaign to retain the White House.

Our current administration and the Republican campaign in progress are like a bad case of diarrhea, with luck, it is over quickly with proper care. However, if not cured, it dries up the vitality and leads to death.

alaaron

at 03:35 on October 23rd, 2008

For a change, does she not look gorgeous in these pictures?

"1. Sarah Palin, in a red leather jacket, waves as she steps on stage before a crowd at a baseball field in Grand Junction, Colo., on Monday.

2. Sarah Palin waves to the crowd as she prepares to address the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Sept. 3.

3. Sarah Palin wears black during a rally in Reno, Nev., on Tuesday.

4. Sarah Palin, straying from her usual skirt ensemble, attends a rally in Waukesha, Wis., on Oct. 9.

5. Sarah Palin walks across the tarmac in a tailored black suit to meet John McCain after arriving in Allentown, Pa."

Source: Celebrity in Pictures

mchawk

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 04:02 on October 23rd, 2008

Dave Keating, I like this story. It's good stuff.

The Corsair

at 08:26 on October 23rd, 2008

Enjoy the photos! =]

The Corsair has contributed a photo to this story.

dunkelberg

at 09:47 on October 23rd, 2008

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Presidential candidate John McCain isn't happy about having to explain why the Republican Party has had to buy running mate Sarah Palin $150,000 in clothes, hair styling and accessories.

McCain was asked several questions on Thursday about the shopping spree — and he answered each one more or less the same way: Palin needed clothes and they'll be donated to charity.

"She needed clothes at the time. They'll be donated at end of this campaign. They'll be donated to charity," McCain told reporters on his campaign bus between Florida rallies.

Asked for details on how they'll be donated, McCain said, "It works by her getting some clothes when she was made the nominee of the party and it will be donated back to charity."

Asked if he was surprised at the amount spent, McCain said, "It works that the clothes will be donated to charity. Nothing surprises me."

McCain offered no further comment, except to say that the Republican National Committee doesn't buy his clothes.

News of the purchases, largely from upscale Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, contrasts with the image Palin has crafted as a typical hockey mom.

Asked Wednesday who had paid for the suit he was wearing, Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden told WSLS-TV in Roanoke, Va.: "I pay for my suits. I pay for all of my own clothing."

bill hicks

at 12:55 on October 23rd, 2008

Money well spent. If you did not contribute to McCain then don't complain. If you are for Barack Husein Obama then you should be glad they did not spend the money on ads.

dunkelberg

at 15:02 on October 23rd, 2008

Oh, but this goes to character (or lack of it). What do we reallllly know about Caibou Barbie? It appears she has been palling around with elitests.

Pretty shallow argument you have there when you consider all the Edwards' haircuts jokes. You have to take it if you dish it out.

dunkelberg

at 16:01 on October 23rd, 2008

Sarah Saks Pack's clothes seem an unusual campaign expense.

No clothes for Dems
A spokesman for Barack Obama said the Democratic presidential nominee and running mate Joe Biden had not received clothing or accessories from the campaign or the Democratic National Committee.
Obama's campaign did, however, pay for makeup and hair care expenses the Illinois senator incurred in connection with TV interviews, the aide acknowledged.

Palin's wardrobe expenses were listed as "campaign accessories" on the RNC's disclosure forms.

It is rare for campaigns to underwrite the clothing costs of candidates of either gender. Indeed, of the 41 other candidates and political committees reporting expenses for "accessories" during the 2008 campaign, none of them were for clothes.

Milieunet

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 18:30 on October 23rd, 2008

Dave Keating, I like this story. It's good stuff.

dunkelberg

at 06:16 on October 24th, 2008

Republican strategist Brad Blakeman, responding to a question about how John McCain could square his opposition to wasteful spending with the RNC shelling out over $150,000 on clothes and accessories for Sarah Palin, said that the real outrage is Barack Obama "taking a 767 campaign plane to go visit Grandma." This is the same grandmother who raised Obama and who is very seriously ill. Blakeman continued, "Forget about the energy that is wasted, what about the hundreds of thousands of dollars to take a private trip when this guy should be humping his bags on a commercial plane or taking a smaller plane. Taking a 767 of campaign money from people who could least afford it is more of an outrage in my opinion." Anchor David Schuster, laughing, replied, "That is one of the most valiant tries I have ever seen in this entire debate about Sarah Palin's clothing allowance."

[WATCH]

dunkelberg

at 07:59 on October 24th, 2008

Judging Palin's Makeup
We mean what's on her face--and the price of fame. NYT Caucus blog reports that the highest paid McCain-Palin staffer is the well-dressed hockey mom's makeup artist -- at over $11,000 a week. She may not be ready for high office but she ought to be ready for her closeup by now. Plus: New column by one of her conservative critics, Kathleen Parker, declares that when you come right down to it--McCain picked her mainly for her looks.