Sarah Palin's new image costs Republicans $150,000

Sarah Palin's new image costs Republicans $150,000

www.guardian.co.uk

The Republican party has spent $150,000 (£92,000) in clothing and accessories since late August for Sarah Palin and her family, according to financial figures reported today.

The Republican shopping sprees, including a $75,000 jaunt to the upscale store Neiman Marcus, began showing up on financial disclosure reports in early September, just after Palin was chosen as John McCain's running mate.

Although Palin often depicts herself as a homespun product of small town "real America"on the campaign trail, the vice-presidential nominee was revealed last month to be working with a secret team of stylists on sharpening her dress sense.

Today's reports on the Palin family's elaborate spending habits – a $295 pram was among the purchases, a treat for baby Trig, according to politco.com – could hurt the Republican ticket's credibility with voters less than two weeks away from the election.

She has also 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.

Palin also 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.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Seems like a lot of money to be spending when the economy is taking a thrashing. I understand having to spend money on your image, but surely it can be done cheaper than this!?
Spending nearly $300 on a pram

[Quote] Republicans also spent $9,440 at a Macy's shop in that city during the same period. Another $4,900 was registered at Atelier, a men's fashion emporium, suggesting that Palin's husband Todd was treated to a new wardrobe.
[Quote]

Seems like the whole family is doing well out of this!

[Quote] She has also 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.

Palin also 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. [Quote]

Oh well, at least if the republicans don't win they'll have a new wardrobe and some extra spending money as compensation.



www.guardian.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

[edit on 22-10-2008 by Thebudweiserstuntman]

I don't see this as a real issue, so long as it doesn't break campaign funding rules. I imagine Hillary would have spent big on designer clothes if she was running for Prez. I am concerned about the state funds spend on the kids travel and hotels though.

Abuser of power + embezzler of public funds = Sarah Palin

Sad equation.

reply to post by mythatsabigprobe


I think claiming $17,000 for nights spent at your own home is a bit embezzling too.

Originally posted by Thebudweiserstuntman

Sarah Palin's new image costs Republicans $150,000

www.guardian.co.uk

The Republican party has spent $150,000 (£92,000) in clothing and accessories since late August for Sarah Palin and her family, according to financial figures reported today.

The Republican shopping sprees, including a $75,000 jaunt to the upscale store Neiman Marcus, began showing up on financial disclosure reports in early September, just after Palin was chosen as John McCain's running mate.

Although Palin often depicts herself as a homespun product of small town "real America"on the campaign trail, the vice-presidential nominee was revealed last month to be working with a secret team of stylists on sharpening her dress sense.

Today's reports on the Palin family's elaborate spending habits – a $295 pram was among the purchases, a treat for baby Trig, according to politco.com – could hurt the Republican ticket's credibility with voters less than two weeks away from the election.

She has also 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.

Palin also 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.

(visit the link for the full news article)

I wonder who spent more on themselves Palin or Obama, or even Biden. I understand that Michelle is living it up at all the 5 star hotels eating caviar and drinking only the best champaign. This, like that, is much to do about nothing. Repubs and Independents, and even some Hillary voters know that.

reply to post by Thebudweiserstuntman


Well that could be the costs of traveling to and from her home and office. I think that's covered for governors and senators, but they do have to list it on their tax returns. If she didn't list it, I guess it could be tax fraud.

Its called Keeping up with the Clintons.

How else is she supposed to match Clinton's pant suit collection?

Though seriously, she probably needed to take this amount from the Republican warchest because she isnt as personally wealthy as any of the Democrat contenders.

I would be surprised if McCain did something like this, since he is a multi-millionaire (or at least his wife is).

Frankly Palin may as well do a shopping dash on the 4th of Nov. The republicans are doomed to failure anyway, she might as well get some new clothes out of it. Heaven knows shes going to need it when she goes back to Alaska to face the troopergate repercussions.

Gotta have nice costumes if'n you want to be in the 'play'.

I find it kind of refreshing that Palin actually needed to be 'outfitted'. Tells me that she didn't have six closets of clothes to go through.

Besides, as noted by other posters, this is paid for by the party through their usual lines of graft . . . er fundraising done along the lines of this . . .

I also can't help but wonder why there wasn't an in-depth look at the clothing allowances for the other candidates . . . hmmmmmm . . . though I do wonder how many trench coats McCain's bought my friends?

Originally posted by Fromabove
I wonder who spent more on themselves Palin or Obama, or even Biden. I understand that Michelle is living it up at all the 5 star hotels eating caviar and drinking only the best champaign. This, like that, is much to do about nothing. Repubs and Independents, and even some Hillary voters know that.

This is another of the many false claims about the various Obamas... even the people who reported it have retracted it.

False story

Even a simple Goodsearch on the topic brings up multiple stories on the false-ness of it.

Regarding the money spent for Palin's clothes... that is the least of my concerns regarding the GOP in general and Palin in particular.

I'm much more concerned, for example, on what Palin sees as the role of the Vice President...

The Democratic National Committee got a federal grant for $50 MILLION to spend on security in Denver for the DNC convention.

www.denverpost.com...

In the final week of the election the DNC is weighing spending $20 MILLION for advertising.

marcambinder.theatlantic.com... weighs_accelerated_spendin.php

Politicians are corrupt.

Political parties are corrupt.

I don't think a shopping spree is going to change the vote.

reply to post by Open_Minded Skeptic


I think spending $21000 on flights for her children and $17000 tax claim for her house without lodging it on income tax return should be of concern, particularly for someone running for vice president.
These are tax dollars remember, your money.

The GOP says that the clothing will be donated after the campaign for a good cause.
That is fine, but i thinks it's a little excessive expending on appearance when she continuosly reminds voters of her humble lifestyle.
I'm beginning to feel sorry for her family, she doesn't get any sympathy from me though.
She was used as a political tool and no matter how much you polish a turd, it's still a turd in relation to the epic blunder of picking her for VP in the first place.
[edit on 22-10-2008 by newguyhere2]

[edit on 22-10-2008 by newguyhere2]

reply to post by Thebudweiserstuntman


Yes, I absolutely agree. Charging per diem while staying in her own house is dishonorable at the very least, if not unethical/illegal.

Same goes for her charging her kid's flight expenses to the state, especially in light of her modifying the expense reports.

These are absolutely matters of concern, especially in their indications of Palin's willingness to abuse a position of power.

I'm just not so worried about money the RNC chooses to spend on clothes for her. My understanding is that money is from RNC donations.

No matter who does this, whatever political party they represent: it's wrong. I really don't understand why this has to become a tit-for-tat issue: 'let's dig through Obama's till receipts!'

I understand the need for people to not look like tramps ('bums' to the Americans) but beyond that? That just shows what a crappy game politics is, especially if you're pushing a 'hey, I'm just like you' morality like many politicians of various parties tend to do.

More so, now with the economy falling down the spout quicker than 'Incy Wincy Spider'.

Seriously, if you really give a # about how good your politician looks on camera, you're not actually interested in politics, you're interested in show business.

[edit on 22-10-2008 by Merriman Weir]

... but she's helping the economy.
Spending money on goods & services keeps people in their jobs

They all use donation money like it's free water from the garden hose.

They all tell the people of America that if they don't give lots of $$ then the other group will take control and the world will end.

And then the politicians, their wives/husbands/whatevers, and all their hangers-on spend spend spend.

Govenor Palin won't be Vice President.
But she'll have a nice wardrobe as a consolation prize.

The American people would be shocked to see what the politicians really do with the money that is donated.

Well if it's their money and they want to spend it buying Palin clothes, who cares? I am more concerned about the fact that the alaska legislature found her guilty of abuse of power as Governor. I just can't figure why this "liberal" media isn't beating that drum constantly. Maybe because the "liberal" media happens to be owned by rich conservatives. Why hasn't she been formally charged by the Alaskan Atty General?

I have grown so sick at the hate movement driven by neo-cons and their followers. Ignorance, intolerance, and outright hate speech have no place is this wonderful country that once stood for truth and justice and beauty.

McCain doubletalks constantly first one way then another saying whatever is popular at the moment. www.youtube.com... " target="_blank" class="postlink" rel="nofollow"> www.youtube.com...

Is McCain for or against the Bush tax cuts for the rich. He has spent alot of time in the past week calling Obama a socialist for wanting to repeal those tax cuts and redirect them to the middle class. www.youtube.com...

McCain and Palin have attempted to use the less informed public to generate support by allowing them to propogate several outright lies against Obama, such as, that he is a Muslim, a terrorist, etc. This is hardly honorable and really just a signal of how desperate they are.
www.youtube.com...

So again I could really care less about Sarah Palin clothes purchases, I am more concerned about where her heart and morals are.

edit: to repair video link






[edit on 22-10-2008 by damwel]

Hey man, she is a maverick and will get those elitists out of our countries way...

...just after she trys on her new wardrobe in one of McCains nine homes.

You know, because they aren't elitist and are every-man, joe-six-pack, hockey-mom types of people.

Man, politics makes me laugh...alot.

Originally posted by 44soulslayer
Its called Keeping up with the Clintons.

How else is she supposed to match Clinton's pant suit collection?

Though seriously, she probably needed to take this amount from the Republican warchest because she isnt as personally wealthy as any of the Democrat contenders.

I would be surprised if McCain did something like this, since he is a multi-millionaire (or at least his wife is).

Frankly Palin may as well do a shopping dash on the 4th of Nov. The republicans are doomed to failure anyway, she might as well get some new clothes out of it. Heaven knows shes going to need it when she goes back to Alaska to face the troopergate repercussions.

i'm sorry. I must of missed it. How many houses does McCain own? Sen. Biden is ranked what out of how many senators in terms of annual salary????


but the dems are elites. lol.