GOP Strategist On Palin's Clothing Allowance: Real Outrage Is "Obama Taking A 767 Campaign Plane To Visit Grandma" (VIDEO)

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]

Comments

[Flyboss]

This guy you call a Republican "strategist" (Brad Blakeman) should be known by his real title: Republican APOLOGIST ! Please use that in your future articles. I see him on TV all the time, spewing the right wings' talking points, with seemingly no sense of shame.

[Yodada]

Better to use the campaign plane to see Grandma than Palin who is using it to go to the interview with the TROOPERGATE Investigator for abuse of power. Soon to be followed by FashionGate, etc.

[politico neophyte]

Blakeman... what a putz! The issue of how much campaign money (as vulgar as it may seem) we can argue about for days.

What it really comes down to is priorities. Barack visiting his ailing grandmother vs. Palin's wardrobe... seriously folks, there's really not much to talk about. So stop scraping the barrel for excuses (BLAKEMAN!) and diverting our attention from Palin's shopping spree. Is it just me or is the Republican party lacking on REAL issues these days?

From the Rep. camp.:
1) Palin's shopping spree
2) Palin's cameo at the Flyers v. Rangers game
3) Palin on SNL
4) the "B" girl (Ashley Todd)

[BushHatr]

Shopping Spree - Clothes go to charity
Flyers game - at the request of the PR reps of one of the teams
SNL - at the request of NBC
Get it?

[MadeinAmericaProud]

What about the $22,000.00 labor cost for a person to put make-up on Sarah. As a pitbull with lipstick, I could have put make-up on sarah much cheaper. As a former beauty queen runner you would think she should have been able to put it on herself.

If elected, I want mccain to take an ax to that expense in advance. Start cutting it now.

[Yodada]

Better to use the campaign plane to see Grandma than the TROOPERGATE Investigator!

[lanny6]

Good Lord! I can't stand McCain but I certainly wouldn't be upset if he took his campaign plane to visit his mother if she were ill. I'll bet Brad Blakeman wouldn't be either. Smacks of complete desperation.
Horrible!

[MadeinAmericaProud]

Mccain does not leave his mother at home. She goes wherever the campaign goes. She is there for him to use as an age prop. He always said my mother is in 90s, so he too will live to his 90s. The facts are women live longer than men, Mccain is saying I have more female gems to live longer.

Apparently this also counts for his mood swings too.

[iPlato]

Brad Blakeman/McCain campaign - not a very intelligent or brave attack on Obama...

As as a result of the McCain campaign's totally irresponsible and short-sighted rabble rousing and hate mongering, the safety of the Democratic candidate is now of serious concern, as is any other candidate or politician with whom these right-wing fanatics disagree. Hatred is not exactly a Christian sentiment, so one wonders who these people really are...

What would be extraordinarily risky from a security sense, and now therefore extremely unlikely, is that Barack Obama could take a commercial flight to Hawaii without being at some considerable personal risk.

Brad, you and your fellow Republican strategists are so short-sighted. Promoting violence and divisiveness in any way, deed or thought is not what this country needs now, on the brink of financial meltdown, the largest deficit and national debt in American history, two ongoing and extremely expensive wars, rising unemployment, a crumbling education system, healthcare that the average "Joe" cannot afford, and the increasing concern of a very much affected world.

[AProudRepublican]

Seems to me that both sides will read something negative, anything negative, into whatever they can about the other side. I fault my party for doing this as well. Of course, we all know the right side is picked on more due to the media bias.

I totally, completely support the GOP in providing beautiful clothes for Sarah. It was "their" campaign money. That money is to be used in a way that helps the GOP "win." Making your candidates look good is a part of that, and we can all agree that Sarah looks awesome. It was a smart move on their part. They are trying to win. It's so silly and laughable that the left is trying to pick on this....

I donated money to the GOP, and I fully support their decision to use campaign money to better the image of the candidates. Attractive people have the advantage. That's just the way things work....

[auntieang69]

YOU must be the ONLY PROUD REPUBLICAN they have left, because, just in case you haven't been listening to the news, THEIR Own Party is leaving THEM m High & Dry, because they are so ASHAMED of What Him and Palin are doing.

[babdc]

Amen. Well said. Be very careful what you say in here. Talking like that in front of these rabid left wing loons can get you in a heap of trouble. They love their own rabel and babble but cross em and they will turn on ya in a flash.

[crunchyfrog]

Now this is an example of a respectful style of posting. I don't know why people on the left are so incapable of emulating this kind respectfulness.

[babdc]

Amen! Well said. But, be very careful what you say in here, these left wig loons will turn on ya in a heart beat. They all preach love and tolerance yet they turn on anyone with a differing opinion. Obama can do no wrong and the Right is to blame for everything. They are like sheep. so baaaaaaad.

[AProudRepublican]

LOL!!! Thanks for the support! haha Yes, I've been bashed many, many times on these boards, haha. This doesn't help the left, as like you stated, another side to them comes out.... one that doesn't make them look too good. I'm sure Obama would be sad if he read the way his supporters react to those of differing opinions. However, not everyone bashes though. I have come across some nicer, more respectful posters, like Desviada above. I disagree with her post entirely, but at least she was respectful. :) As a Republican, it's very refreshing to me when I encounter respectful Democrats, and it makes me think better of the party as a whole. After all, if Obama is elected, I'd like to at least have some positive views about the left. :) Actually.... I know there are a lot of nice Democrats out there.... they just aren't here posting I guess! haha

[Desviada]

As a democrat, I can agree that there are many things individual democrats and republicans can agree on. I agree with my republican and conservative friends on many issues. However, I would be careful when using the word "all". No, we do not all "know the right side is picked on more due to the media bias". And, no we do not all "agree that Sarah looks awesome".

I for one think that the stylists have made her look even more ridiculous in the context of a vice presidential candidate than she did before her makeover. As far as the media bias, I have no concrete opinion because I don't watch tv, it's a waste of time and delivers more entertainment than actual news. However, after living in both sides (being raised conservative and being a liberal as an adult), I've seen both sides claim persecution and I've seen bad behavior on both sides in the media.

I also disagree that it's "silly and laughable" to pick on this. After all, part of McCain/Palin's campaign strategy has been to accuse Obama of elitism and to try to market their own appeal to the common man. No one needs the amount of money spent on Palin and her family to look good. There's a lot more going on than merely being attractive when $150,000 is spent that quickly on clothing, make up, and accessories.

[garyloewenthal]

I would have been more impressed had Palin displayed some integrity and honesty and shopped where the rest of us shop. You don't need ultra-high-priced designer outfits to look good. And no amount of window dressing is going to make up for lack of character inside. Her chronic lies, misuse of power, barbaric attitude toward wildlife, ober-the-top divisve rhetoric, and penchant for being proud of her ignorance tarnish any outfit she wears.

[peaches49]

This man should be ashamed of himself. I have seen him before on the talk shows and have never liked him but he is really sucking the bottom of the pond by criticizing Obama for visiting his sick grandmother. Is this what being a Republican has become???

[lgwenmurphy]

I personally thought there would be no comment other than well wishes if anything had to be said regarding Obama's trip. His grandmother raised him, her health is deteriorating, she is 86 years old, and nothing should keep him from seeing her before she passes. He spoke with her physicians and no one seems to suggest she will be around at election time. This would be a significant loss to him. We should all just be respectful.

[babdc]

Of course you didn't think there would be any honest talk about the Chosen One making a very bad decision. How dare we. I am sorry. I thought this was a Democracy. It's not his decision to visit his ailing Grandmother, it's the method of transportation and excess to do it. If he is so out of touch and careless with "his" money dear, how will he spend ours? Get it?

[YinBa]

Oh yes. Wouldn't the GOP love to see Obama take a commercial plane after the danger they have put him in by inciting hatred. How many secret servicemen would then have to go with him?

And Obama can take the entire part of my campaign money and consider it a gift for him to visit his grandmother. GOP is up in arms about it? It's not their money. I, for one, am glad it went to this, rather than over priced clothing that is going to charity? Please. Like the homeless woman is going to care that jacket is a Dolce & Gabbana.

[auntieang69]

I made a Donation to Barack's campaine, and I applaud him for Hopping on the FIRST plane to go see his Grandmother. And if that First Plane was the Campaine Plane, then so be it, he gets there Faster, and to me that is very important when time is crucial. I am glad he did, it lets me know what Kind of a Real Man he is, and who he puts first, someone that he truly cares about, and I think that he knew his supporters would feel the same and understand that family does come first. Isn't that what anyone would do, I would expect them to, and if they didn't, it would mean that he wasn't a very caring person. I hope your grandmother gets better Barack, I know what it is like to lose parents and grandparents.
You will get my Vote, of this you can be sure.

[dcwblackhorse]

I'd like to know why this story wasn't made bigger. This guy shows just how insensitive the entire campaign is. I sent in my latest Obama donation immediately after hearing this jerk.

[babdc]

Maybe because he is right and the left wing media knows it. You can pick on Palin but when someone goes after Obama for excess the left goes crazy. Only the crazy left wingers are outraged. y'all are preaching to your own sick choir.

[peaches49]

Shame on you. There are no other words. Shame on you.

[auntieang69]

obvisously you don't have a grandmother, and if you do, then I am glad you are not my grandson. You think it is ok for Palin to go Clothes Crazy, but when someone could be dying, you would deny that person possibly not getting there in time. Let's see, how long would it have taken him to get his all his security personel lined up for a commercial flight, by then it might have been too late. You have no heart, and go sleep next to Blakeman. You 2 deserve each other. And if we donors don't mind, what is the big deal to you.

[stryker]

Obama's grandmother is seriously ill, possibly on her last legs. You are going to compare the mccain campaign wasting $150K on palin's clothes with a mission of mercy, so to speak? Boy, you morons are even more shallow than I believed. Neiman Marcus? Saks? What, Bloomingdale not good enough for this hockey mom? Is she above K-Mart and walmst now? How many Joes can aford to shop at those high-end stores? More phoniness from the repubs.

[garyloewenthal]

A closetful of super-expensive designer oufits is frivolous, self-centered, and over the top. Visiting your dying grandmother is not. I trust the vast majority of people can tell the difference. I presume GOP strategists know the difference also, and are therefore forced once again to resort to dishonest diversion tactics.

Furthermore, Palin has endlessly portrayed herself as Everywoman - average, everyday. The snooty clothes spending spree once again outs her as a fake.

[darleneslee]

badac, find the rock and run to crawl under it. It's not your money. It's not the DNC's money. It's ours and we don't give a damn. Go dress Palin lord knows she needs something, since she is minus a brain. We paid for our campaign. We don't your input on how to spend the money. Oh by the way, at least we don't have a candidate who has to live off his wife.

[Ageyv]

Desperate is the word for this inane article and some of the responses here. Obama should have paid for his own personal trip to Hawaii just like everyone else in these lean times, and for the Republican Party to have paid for Palin's clothes is likewise an error in judgment even though they announced that they had planned from the beginning to donate them to charity. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Get real people. It was a serious error in judgment to use a 767 that costs thousands in the people’s money to attend to a personal family matter. I dearly loved both of my grandmothers and I can tell you that they would have been outraged if I had spent the kind of money Obama just did to visit them even when they were seriously ill. Anyone who believes this reckless and elitist decision making can be justified is either a hypocrite regarding fiscal responsibility on behalf fellow Americans or they have no more sense of direction the a bunch of firecrackers.

[vala]

Obviously you are not one of the "people" whose money is being spent by Barack Obama. As a
grandmother and a supporter of and contributor to the Obama campaign I believe the use of the
plane is eminently reasonable. He travels with a fairly large secret service detail and even on this
trip, a press contingent (who pay their own way) as well as some members of his staff. Further, he
will be campaigning in the west on Saturday. To call his use of the plane an error of judgment at
all is an error - to call it elitist is irrational - to compare it to the Palin shopping spree is partisan babble.

Furthermore, I was so offended by Blakeman's remarks that I wanted to punch him! However, being
a non-violent granny, I donated $8.60 in the name of Barack's grandmother and felt infinitely better.
I do not think my response to either your comment or the original one is desperate - it is intelligent.

[babdc]

Amen! Finally someone who is fair and balanced and understands that Obama is not being faulted by Blakeman for visiting his Grandmother he faults his judgement at the excess in his choice of transportation. It sends a terrible message in bad economic times to do what he has done. If he chooses to spend "his" money so irresponsibly what will he do with ours? Don's shoot the messenger.

[Jaxy]

Babdc:

You are setting forth as an intelligent person, who can posit that Senator Obama is spending his money "irresponsbly" by taking a non-commercial plane to visit with his gravely ill grandmother.

So, do tell, how on Earth was he to travel to Hawaii, on an emergency basis, at this point in the campaign? You should know that Obama never travels alone - he has loads of bodyguards, aides and press following him anywhere. Are you suggesting that he just hop on JetBlue headed for Honolulu?

Seriously, this kind of nonsensical chatter I would expect from the likes of Blakeman and Limbaugh, who are paid to spread such inflammatory rubbish.

But you are different. And we should expect more from the obviously brilliant, humane and well-intentioned person that you are ... right?

[usreporter]

Haha can you imagine Barack checking into coach class. What a secret service nightmare. This guy is obviously high and I am amazed he would criticize a guy for taking his last opportunity to see the person who raised him. What else was he supposed to do? The campaign can afford it. I don't mind a bit.

[ableegumooch]

Well, I personally don't mind helping to fund a trip to visit Grandma in a private jet. Aside from the fact that I would be more outraged if Obama didn't care about the 2nd woman who raised him and his last close family in this country, I think it would be a complete waste of time to fly commercial. Hello, silly man, do you know how much it would cost to fly Obama, his security detail, his core campaign staff, etc? And clearly you don't fly commercial enough to know that it takes a million years to get anywhere these days. Too silly for words.

[DrBillo]

this man knows little about strategy--he is an outright racist without any common sense--his next client will be Dumbo the elephant--­sorry,bush has already spoken for him!!

[Levittown]

All Obama has to do is address the folks as he would any group and call it campaigning, how many thousands of miles has Bush and Cheney flown during the past eight years on strictly money gathering and stumping for their party and not paid for the trips. Republicans cry foul whenever the Dems outhustle them.