GOP spends $150k on Palin family wardrobe

[LightBulb]

I'm not surprised that the campaign outfitted her, but I think it could have been thriftier. Honestly, I'd be a little pissed if I'd contributed to the McCain campaign. However, since that's not going to happen... here's what I think.

It doesn't bother me that she's wearing expensive clothes. I don't think that's the factor that makes her seem "out of touch," and I do think it was/will be overall beneficial to her campaign that she had awesome jackets: I think that people will consider the visual image (beauty queen) of the past two months to be more important than the extravagant spending message of the next two weeks.

However, don't dish it if you can't take it. Expect to be ridiculed for spending 10x on her hair/makeup what Edwards was spent on his.

One last point: it's two weeks until the election. This may be a story for three days, but the Obama campaign has got more important things to worry about than criticizing RNC spending.

[tri deezy]

If i had donated to the campaign, I'd ask for my money back.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by awkward1

I think that there is a bit of sexism here also. While there are not many first dudes to use as comparison, I think that the media focus much more on a womans wardrobe than on the mans. We heard a lot about how much Sarah's convention suit cost and what designer she wore but nothing about any other candidates wardrobe. Maybe the national parties haven't spent this much money on a candidate before but that is probably because they can a) afford it on their own b) they are a man and the media wouldn't scrutinize their wardrobe as they do a womans.

Munchkin is right, though. Men's clothes simply aren't as expensive (or noticeable) taken as a whole. Yes, a good suit is expensive in and of itself, as are shoes, but a man doesn't need as many suits (or shoes) as a woman in a similar position. Grey and blue suits go with anything; change the tie and you've changed the outfit. Jewelry isn't an issue.

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

Laura Bush
Oscar de la Renta suit: $2,500
Stuart Weitzman heels: $325
Pearl stud earrings: $600–$1,500
Total: Between $3,425 and $4,325

Cindy McCain
Oscar de la Renta dress: $3,000
Chanel J12 White Ceramic Watch: $4,500
Three-carat diamond earrings: $280,000
Four-strand pearl necklace: $11,000–$25,000
Shoes, designer unknown: $600
Total: Between $299,100 and $313,100

If you want to compare to Michelle Obama, the dress she wore for her speech at the convention was estimated to be valued at $900. The dress she wore for Obama's acceptance was valued at around $1,500. Source.

The dress Michelle Obama wore on The View -- $140 off the rack from White House Black Market.

[KSigkid]

Maybe this is my bias showing, but I don't see an issue with this, for many of the reasons stated in the thread. I'm a donor (albeit on a low level), and don't have a problem with my money being used in that manner.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Munchkin is right, though. Men's clothes simply aren't as expensive (or noticeable) taken as a whole. Yes, a good suit is expensive in and of itself, as are shoes, but a man doesn't need as many suits (or shoes) as a woman in a similar position. Grey and blue suits go with anything; change the tie and you've changed the outfit. Jewelry isn't an issue.

If you want to compare to Michelle Obama, the dress she wore for her speech at the convention was estimated to be valued at $900. The dress she wore for Obama's acceptance was valued at around $1,500. Source.

The dress Michelle Obama wore on The View -- $140 off the rack from White House Black Market.

Speaking of shoes...Palin and the GOP should've hooked up Obama


It's hard running around putting out these fires that the GOP is spreading without wearing yourself (or your shoes) thin!

[OtterXO]

Originally Posted by madmax

So if Obama or Biden spent more than Palin then will you vote for McCain?

No, how much is spent on a wardrobe would not influence my voting decision. I just find it hypocritical to be saying "aw shucks I'm just middle class" and then sporting high end designer clothing (bought by the RNC) when our country is going through an economic crisis. I don't have a problem with her being "groomed" to be more presentable, particularly if that pink dress (native or not, it's not the most flattering outfit) is the type of clothing she wears in public back home. I just find the amount of money to be a little disturbing. But, one could say that about the millions being spent on TV ads as well.

[agzg]

I guess it's just hard to keep up with Cindy McCain.

Although Cindy McCain, as much as I may or may not agree with her, does have fabulous taste.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

I guess it's just hard to keep up with Cindy McCain.

Although Cindy McCain, as much as I may or may not agree with her, does have fabulous taste.

My bet is Cindy gets her own show on the Style channel...

[agzg]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

My bet is Cindy gets her own show on the Style channel...

If McCain is elected would the title be "first lady of style"?

It'd be great to see her opposite Tim Gunn on Bravo.

[OtterXO]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

I guess it's just hard to keep up with Cindy McCain.

Although Cindy McCain, as much as I may or may not agree with her, does have fabulous taste.

Totally. If I could afford $300,000 earrings I'd definitely be sporting them.

[SWTXBelle]

I dunno - you could make the case that the fact that Palin had to get a new wardrobe points to the fact that her previous one WAS middle-class.

[madmax]

Originally Posted by OtterXO

No, how much is spent on a wardrobe would not influence my voting decision. I just find it hypocritical to be saying "aw shucks I'm just middle class" and then sporting high end designer clothing (bought by the RNC) when our country is going through an economic crisis. I don't have a problem with her being "groomed" to be more presentable, particularly if that pink dress (native or not, it's not the most flattering outfit) is the type of clothing she wears in public back home. I just find the amount of money to be a little disturbing. But, one could say that about the millions being spent on TV ads as well.

It won't influence your decision unless it is Palin, then it will influence your decision right?


How do you feel about the 391 million Obama has spent on the campaign, while the country is in an economic crisis? How does that compare to Palin's wardrobe?

[OtterXO]

Originally Posted by madmax

It won't influence your decision unless it is Palin, then it will influence your decision right?


How do you feel about the 391 million Obama has spent on the campaign, while the country is in an economic crisis? How does that compare to Palin's wardrobe?

First off, you need to chill. As to the second part, I think I already agreed with you with my comment regarding the amount of money spent tv ads and the like. Both campaigns are spending a lot of money, I don't think anyone could disagree with that.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by awkward1

I think that there is a bit of sexism here also. While there are not many first dudes to use as comparison, I think that the media focus much more on a womans wardrobe than on the mans. We heard a lot about how much Sarah's convention suit cost and what designer she wore but nothing about any other candidates wardrobe. Maybe the national parties haven't spent this much money on a candidate before but that is probably because they can a) afford it on their own b) they are a man and the media wouldn't scrutinize their wardrobe as they do a womans.

Vandalsquirrel - I have to agree and disagree with you. While the outfit that Sarah is wearing is a traditional Native style of clothing, I don't think the majority of Alaskans would be caught dead wearing one to the supermarket. In the 20+ yrs I lived there I can't recall actually having ever seen anyone wear one outside of a Native Alaskan cultural event. So yes, I agree that it was probably a gift and there is a good chance she was wearing on her way to/from a special Native Alaskan event of some sort.

Common in my experience because my work requires me to go to the bush, and I saw plenty of people wearing them in Fairbanks (home base) but not in Anchorage. I spend time with the Native Alaskan population, and I've been in a situation where every woman was wearing one, including myself.

I mean sure, some people think it is fug, but it is part of a culture's ethnic identity which I decided to use as a teaching moment.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

Common in my experience because my work requires me to go to the bush, and I saw plenty of people wearing them in Fairbanks (home base) but not in Anchorage. I spend time with the Native Alaskan population, and I've been in a situation where every woman was wearing one, including myself.

I mean sure, some people think it is fug, but it is part of a culture's ethnic identity which I decided to use as a teaching moment.

Are they really warm? Because I'm contemplating getting one myself so I don't have to turn the heat on this winter.