Palin's Wardrobe
Much is being made of her costly clothes at the expense of the Republican National Committee. Hey, look: she's a beauty queen. And even if she were not, candidates routinely get "makeovers" (which are generally more of a "sharpen up" kind of thing) and so why the fuss? Yes, the cost of each garment is scandalously high and has echoes of Marie Antoinette in these difficult times, but I am more than happy to have the RNC buying mascara and suits for Palin, instead of air time for McCain. Spend! Spend!
The love of my life had heard the bit about "well, when this is over, we'll give the clothes to charity" and was ruminating on the possibilities of a really fierce Jon Stewart piece, following a homeless person wearing a $20K silk suit down the street back to the cardboard box where they are bunking. Spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt: "It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign." Let's assume it's something like Upscale Resale and not Goodwill.
While we're at it, it's time to mention that the outfit Laura Bush wore to the Republican convention is estimated at $3,425 to $4,325 - and the Los Angeles Times estimated Cindy McCain's outfit (yes, just one outfit!) at between $299,100 and $313,100. Cake! Cake! Let those socialist proles all eat cake! To be fair, $280K of that was her earrings (yes, just her earrings), so knock that number down to $19,100 - $33,100. There were hefty figures for the ceramic watch and four-strand pearl necklace, too.
Most shocking in Politico's report is the news that the RNC spent $295 to dress up Palin's infant and over $4900 in men's accessories, presumably for husband Todd. Hey. Buying the whole family "McCain-Palin" t-shirts would be a legit use of RNC money. Buying baby clothes and cleaning up hubby, not... but again, hey, it's money they piddled away and can't spend on ads, so great!
This "Vote Democrat" fashion faux pas was brought to my attention by belle_marmotte, via zen-kitty, and I thank them both, and Newsweek too, which is where the photo originated.
Don't miss her glorious Betty Boop scarlet open-toed pumps from the tour of Juneau that Palin gave to two cruise ships' worth of Republican pundits back in 2007. No matter how they may have hurt, the investment of those few hours of pain is probably what put Palin on the long list McCain turned to when his desire for Joe Lieberman was nixed by his staff. McCain never met a beauty queen he didn't like; and apparently, some of these Republican eminences grisé had never met a beauty queen at all, much less one who was willing to make nice with them for a whole day.
I know there was a West Wing episode something like that...
Keith Olbermann reminded everyone tonight that the McCain campaign compared Obama to Paris Hilton. It was silly when they did it, and seems exponentially sillier now.