2008.10.22
Needless markup?
From hockey mom to clotheshorse?
According to Politico.com, veep nominee Sarah Palin and her family are rockin' $150,000 worth of couture, with half of the bill coming from Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis.
The Republican National Committee is Palin's sugar daddy, picking up the tab for sprees that dropped $49,425 at Sak's Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York; $790 at Barney's New York; and nearly $9,500 at Macy's in Minneapolis. And we can't forget the $4,700 on hair and makeup.
What's up with these people? Do they lose their mind once they reach the rarefied heights of national politics? I teed off on John "Hair Boy" Edwards last year when he pulled that little $400 haircut stunt-twice. Hill Clinton took some heat for two visits to the styling salon at a cost of $3Gs.
As for Palin: Needless Markup, as my friend calls Neiman Marcus, was always out of my league. But Sak's was my store years ago. They used to have great sales! But I'm guessing Her Honor wasn't rifling through the 75-percent-off racks.
s
I am shocked -- shocked, I tell you -- that people who appear daily on TV, in the press and before crowds of 20,000 or more would wear high-end clothing.
She should shop at Wal-Mart, like Oprah and Mrs. Obama do.
Comment by james — October 23, 2008 @ 7:44 am
Just wondering...have you even looked into what Barack and Michelle, plus children, have spent? What about Joe Biden? Just thinking if you're going to talk about one candidate, you should be fair and look into all of them. And "sugar daddy?" Your choice of words is so telling in what you think of Governor Palin.
According to Politico.com, "A review of similar records for the campaign of Democrat Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee turned up no similar spending."---s
Comment by working mom — October 23, 2008 @ 8:28 am
To me, it isn't so much how much she spent-- that's her business. But the fact is that she didn't spend it-- the RNC spend it. So if you made a donation of your hard earned money to the RNC, you may have paid for her stockings. As usual, the RNC is prostituting her for their own good.
Comment by Jennifer — October 23, 2008 @ 1:13 pm
When kids spend $200.00 on the latest pair of Air Jordan's or they wearing $1000.00 Parada to be with the "In Crowd" I stopped being shocked.
Even more so when parents fork over the money to purchase this expensive garbage. Yet when you reach a certain social status in life why not?
Didn't our parents tell us if you work hard you can have whatever your heart desire.
They just didn't include Obama's idealism and tailor......
Some times change can be overwhelming.
Comment by Backlash — October 23, 2008 @ 1:18 pm
I commend the RNC for pumping $150K into those communities.
Comment by Rich — October 23, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
I'm amazed at the amount of money both candidates are raising and spending. As much as both argue that they want to help the "working man" and improve the country, they sure spend a lot of money to say nothing. I have yet to see an ad that does little more than give vague talking points or mislead their record.
Comment by Ed S. — October 23, 2008 @ 2:18 pm
Catty--Catty--U Know that Michelle got a boost too-- I will be glad when this election is over and my old Flowers is still alive--No matter who wins, they are losers by the other side--At this point, we have lost our our ability to be objective---Dealing in full rage and politics
Comment by Randy Schafer — October 23, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
I'm sure Mrs. Cindy Billionaire McCain advised her on where to shop. Go figure.
Comment by Di — October 23, 2008 @ 7:34 pm
Who CARES??? It is amazing what you liberal loons will complain about.
Comment by Randal — October 24, 2008 @ 8:48 am
Yea..but shes for Joe 6 pack and Hockey Moms..Isnt it rediculous the affluence our leaders live in compared to us...McCain doesnt know how many cars or houses he has..I mean how can they identify with me and my beat up van and my one $70,000 house?....the fact is..they cant!! Yes Obama is wealthy as well...and Ole Joe Biden is "the poorest man is the senate"...I just have to believe that for the working guy..the democrats are the best choice..
Comment by larry — October 24, 2008 @ 10:50 am
your bias is so pathetic, it continues to degrade what value this paper ever had. obama wears $1500 suits etc. palin's cloths were bought for her, not by her. if your view of the issues was at all credible, you would not want to spend time on this stuff.
Comment by mike miksa — October 24, 2008 @ 10:52 am
Larry
USA Money reports Democrats and Republicans Net worth difference is only $5 Million dollars.
If we could only be so lucky.
Let's check the numbers:
Bill and Hillary Clinton from $36 Million Dollars since leaving the White House to $362 Million
Barack Michelle Obama $10 Million Dollars
John McCain $25 Million Dollars
Joe Biden $500,000 Dollars
Sara Palin $340,000 Dollars
By all accounts only 2 of the candidates can basically relate to the American People.
One was in it for the money.
Comment by Terry B — October 24, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
Walmart? Michell's sleeveless purple dress cost a reported $900.00.
Mud-slining aside, we don't expect our "stars" to wear burlap sacks, do we?
A few days ago I received a request for money from the Obama camp. I wrote back, as a non existant, disposable former "middle incomer" who has been in major financial trouble for 4 very long years, that Obama has made more money than any other nominee EVER, and that it is past time to see a leader, do as he says, as he expects us to do. 3 network channels, who will run 30 minute spots for Obama soon, as Cambell Brown said, take that money that EACH canidate would spend and feed the jobless families who have already exausted the food banks. Obama Be the Vhange you wish to see in others.
Peace, what a concept!
Comment by Dona Wheeler — October 24, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
As my late Dad would say, "you can dress 'em up, but you still can't take 'em anywhere". Or as I might say, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.
Somehow, in the long run, it still makes no difference. Palin is playing the celebrity role, what with appearances on Saturday Night Live, yet she fundamentaly does not know the duties of the Vice President.
She should have went to Barnes and Noble and picked up a copy of the U.S. Constitution. That would have been the most impressive thing she could have done.
Comment by Shaun — October 24, 2008 @ 6:32 pm
Everything is relative. Wonder what it costs to fire up those 4 engine jets to take the candidates to a rally or 4 or 5 or 10 in a day, and all the secret service protection and other costs of the campaign. And we're worried about them trying to look their best after all that expense? $150K probably won't pay for a statewide thirty second TV ad. And she isn't even keeping the clothes. But then again, haircuts are temporary things as well.
Comment by Mike — October 25, 2008 @ 2:43 am
As for those who think Shanna is biased, ain't no way. She's the "fairest" of them all when it comes to finding fault with either party, whether we agree with her opinion or not.
Comment by Mike — October 25, 2008 @ 2:48 am
Ed is right on. Nothing of substance from either side in this expensive campaign. From McCain's silly plan to tax medical benefits to Obama's plan to "rape the rich" and create a socialistic society, I think I'd be relieved to let Sarah take a shot at the top spot. She and Condi would have made a great ticket, with, of course, Condi running for the top spot. We're in for at least four tough years no matter who wins.
Comment by Mike — October 25, 2008 @ 2:54 am
Mike
Obama Channel on Dish Network???? A neigbor asked me did I have the Obama Channel looking puzzled my reply what...?
Talking about getting a wasteful useless message out.....
Sensory overload.....
Dish Network Now Has An Obama Channel.....
The Fleecing of Americans, just make this clown President D@#&*!
Comment by Terry B — October 25, 2008 @ 8:43 am
"Lack of style is a tool of empowerment," Doonan says.
CAMPAIGN FASHION
The audacity of hope -- and a good suit
Obama's black single-breasted suit, standard white shirt and pale blue tie was not exactly a sartorial groundbreaker, so what was all the fuss about?
the RNC has spent upwards of $150,000 on makeup and designer, But the criticism and the charge of elitism cuts both ways.
Sen. Barack Obama, for example, lives in a home that he purchased with the help of a now convicted felon and political fixer, Tony Rezko, for more than $1.5 million.
Not many Americans can make that claim...
Obama also has something of a handicap in relating to the average guy. Obama likes expensive designer suits. He even had one custom made for his Democratic Convention acceptance speech.
Obama, who wears a 40 long with a 33-inch waist, has worn Hart Schaffner Marx suits but always off the rack, said an inside source.
He favors the Gold Trumpeter collection. His new custom suit is 97 percent merino wool and 3 percent cashmere, has pleated plants with a 1 1/2-inch cuff and would cost about $2,500 off the rack.
Yet Palin's wardrobe supposedly disqualifies her from relating to the middle class. More likely, the fact that this story was even written means that Palin has been a little to successful in making inroads with the group of voters liberals, Democrats, and the press....
believe should rightfully be theirs alone.
Comment by Backlash — October 25, 2008 @ 6:11 pm
Redistribution philosophy:
Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read 'Vote Obama, I need the money.' I laughed.
Once in the restaurant my server had on an 'Obama 08' tie, and again I laughed.
When the bill came I decided not to tip the server, and I explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept.
He stood there in disbelief when I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to the homeless guy outside. Boy, was he pissed.
I went outside, gave the homeless guy the $10, and told him to thank the server inside.
The homeless guy was grateful.
At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment, I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn.
I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.
A $10 tip would be 20 percent on a $50 lunch bill. Dang, B'lash, you eat high on the hog for Saturday lunch, don't 'cha? As I ran my errands, I stopped in the Sheetz and got a bag of cashews and a bottle of OJ.--s
Comment by Backlash — October 25, 2008 @ 6:38 pm
John D. Rockefeller threatened rivals with bankruptcy if they didn’t sell out to his company, Standard Oil.
Bill Gates was ruthless in building Microsoft into the world’s largest software firm (remember Netscape?).
Indeed, many millionaires privately admit they’re “ba$tard$ in business,” says Prince. “They aren’t nice guys.”
Of course, the wealthy don’t exactly look in the mirror and see Gordon Gekko either.
Most striving millionaires share family values and ideals by not being lazy with their moderate-income counter parts....
You don’t get rich by being nice.” "Once becoming wealthy spending time with family really is what matters."
Comment by Terry B — October 25, 2008 @ 11:19 pm
Backlash:
Once again, you have shown us all a real life situation where what's good for the goose (in this election the wealthy and redistribution of that to which they are entitled) ain't always so palatable to the gander. I never would have thought of an experiment like that, and probably wouldn't have had the B's to conduct it. But it conveyed your message very succinctly.
Comment by Mike — October 26, 2008 @ 12:39 pm
Mike:
Courage rests within your heart, not what determines you are man or not....
It's what you believe is fair and just.
Let experience be your guide, and not your conscience.
To quote Spock: "You are my superior officer, you are also my friend, I have and always shall be yours".
And since we have never met, let it be known........
We have no ego's to bruise.
Comment by Backlash — October 26, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
Shanna's NOT biased. She's entitled to her opinion just like everybody else. And she lets everybody else have their say on here too. So if you don't agree, I'll meet you down behind the Roanoke Times building any dark night you choose and we'll settle it, OK? OK.
Comment by Percy Kution — October 26, 2008 @ 5:46 pm
Percy:
If I thought you needed a backup on that, I'd be right there to help. But I have a feeling you can hold your own against most anyone. And you're right about her.
Comment by Mike — October 27, 2008 @ 3:59 am
Mike & Percy
As a military motto "A Real Wardog got your back"!!!
Comment by Backlash — October 27, 2008 @ 8:19 am
Mike & Backlash: Thanks, I'm not as young as I once was, but I was older then than now.
Comment by Percy Kution — October 27, 2008 @ 10:19 pm
Watching David Letterman Wed night, an actor a Black man stated with a smile and a laught that after Obama was elected, "whites would sit on the back of the bus" There were many other things said, again in a joking mannner, the upshot was that Black Americans would not be showing up for work,Nov 5 after Obama was elected. I listened to a Black Mom said she would keep her 5 year old up all night if necessary to watch the results in that Obama would be elected, thus making history.
Now as a White chick am I to infer that retribution will be the order of the day, with Obama is elected? And has his whiteness been disavowed.
Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Coalition, much better that this supeior, talk and that, is why many remain undecided, or against Obama, No One wants to be left out. Why is this about color, class,and making up for slights. We don't have a JFK day, like we have MLK day... it just seperates
I'm amazed at the sentiment (fear) that if Obama is elected, blacks will have seek "retribution"...or as one white woman on NPR said, "pay back." This guy on Letterman was a comedian, trying to get a laugh. At a crucial stage in Obama's campaign, he took time off to go see his dying grandmother. That should validate he's very much in touch with who he is, all of him.--s
Comment by Dona Wheeler — October 31, 2008 @ 1:08 am
Dona:
Your first mistake was watching Letterman in the first place. I can truthfully say that NOTHING the man has ever said has even elicited a smile from me. I have a friend who was once his neighbor in Connecticut and he agrees that even as a neighbor the man is an A-hole who recklessly sped through the neighborhood with little regard for anyone but himself. His and Leno's obvious bias in this campaign is worse than any of the things that this newspaper has been accused of.
Comment by Mike — November 1, 2008 @ 1:17 am