Palin's Clothes Cost RNC More Than Weekly Ads In Six States

The McCain campaign and RNC's pushback to revelations that they purchased $150,000 worth of clothing and accessories for Sarah Palin has been, primarily, that it was money well spent.

After all, the Alaska Governor's image has graced countless newspaper covers and been featured prominently on television newscasts. Politics, the argument goes, is a superficial business. "She needed clothes," said McCain.

But what has some GOP operatives shaking their heads is the missed opportunities that that $150K represents. Had the RNC forgone the clothing purchases, they could have put more mail in mailboxes, more boots on the ground, and more advertisements on air.

Indeed, a look at some ad buy statistics provided by a Democratic source shows that the RNC put more money down on Palin's attire than they and the McCain campaign have spent on a weeks-worth of advertising in half a dozen, potentially, swing states.

From October 13th through October 19th, the McCain campaign and the RNC spent a combined $125,000 on advertisements in New Hampshire, roughly $90,000 in West Virginia, and $86,000 in Maine. In each of those states, the Republican ticket is fighting Obama for a small but potentially significant number of electoral votes.

In North Dakota and Georgia, the RNC and the McCain campaign did not spend a penny on advertising during that same week. These two states seem likely to break for McCain, but it is not inevitable: Obama could potentially pick off their votes.

In Indiana, the RNC spent $450,000 last week on ads while the McCain campaign did not spend anything. An additional $150,000 could have meant 33% more airtime over the course of a week.

Then there is Michigan. The GOP pulled out of the state a few weeks ago and so hasn't spent any cash on advertisements there. The $150,000 they put down on Palin's clothes would not have purchased much airtime in that large market, but it may have saved McCain from the public criticism that he was subjected to for abandoning the state.

In the end, Palin's sharp looks could draw more voters to the Republican ticket than any particular ad. But the budget choices of the RNC have some observers baffled, and they will likely be a sharp point of critique for campaign post mortems.

Comments

[wak84]

This woman is a governor of a state in the US--no one can tell me she didn't have clothes to wear. Governors go to events, conferences, etc. And the excuse that she needed different clothes for different climates..­.it's called layering people. Sweaters, jackets, coats, on or off. It's what us normal folks do. I didn't see her wearing shorts in California to combat the temp. Geez, the excuses are just lame.

Okay maybe she needed a few things. But Macy's, Dillards..­.there's no way she needed the pricey stuff, especially when average people never buy that stuff during good times, and with the meltdown in the economy people are worried about the basics and whether they'll be able to retire eventually or help their kids pay for college.

This group is so out of touch with the real world. Paris Hilton has a better grasp.

[TheSecularist]

Macy's has beautiful, classic clothing that looks great for years. Palin could have had the same great look she has now with just as many outfits for about $15,000.

[Porsche]

WHAT? Governor in Alaska goes to "events" and "conferences"? Wew... slow down there, I am getting dizzy.

[PinkyBear]

Real Joe The Plumber Six Pack kinda people them Republicans.

[mafina]

But this is how they want to see other people, without anything, they are conservatives. They have this mentality of - I can spend everybody else's money, but not you.

[hkochii]

Isn't it nice to know a sitting Senator and candidate for President of the United States believes politics is a superficial business

[hrhpod]

If she had gone to a few regular stores she could have kitted herself out for the campaign, stylishly for a couple of grand at the very tops.

The LV bag for her kid reveals the lie in all of this.

[WinstonSalem]

They should have called in Stacy & Clinton ... they can work miracles for 5 Grand!

[rucognizant]

ANd she would have been in better taste! Some of those pricey jackets don't even fit wel!

[Bruupo]

So this must mean she also "needed" to fly her kids at taxpayer expense and then fraudulently alter the expense reports, right?

Because that is the MUCH bigger story, yet it is getting drowned out by the sensationalism of the ridiculous clothes shopping. Have they even offered a response to Yet Another Documented Abuse of Official Power?

[knowhelpnow]

SP thinks that is being fugal for her family, taxpayers picking up the bill for her family and now the GOP doing it, next she will want that jet she sold at a loss.

[lwilkerson50]

This is what it says in the tax code. Even if she only wears it while campaigning, the outfits that she is wearing can be worn to church, social gatherings. Therefore, I don't think that they can be claimed solely as work related .... Comments?

Work Clothes and Uniforms
You can deduct the cost and upkeep of work clothes if the following two requirements are met.
You must wear them as a condition of your employment.
The clothes are not suitable for everyday wear.

It is not enough that you wear distinctive clothing. The clothing must be specifically required by your employer. Nor is it enough that you do not, in fact, wear your work clothes away from work. The clothing must not be suitable for taking the place of your regular clothing.

Examples of workers who may be able to deduct the cost and upkeep of work clothes are: delivery workers, firefighters, health care workers, law enforcement officers, letter carriers, professional athletes, and transportation workers (air, rail, bus, etc.).

Musicians and entertainers can deduct the cost of theatrical clothing and accessories that are not suitable for everyday wear.

[1differentdrummer]

Isn't there a term "beneficial use?"

[altara]

CAMPAIGN DRESSING

Big issue: McCain campaign spent $150,000 on clothes for VP nominee Sarah Palin, purchased at high end stores. Big deal. How does this differ from buying campaign signs, or installing Greek style columns? On the one hand, I'm glad to have the McCain campaign impeded by a phony issue. However, distractions such as this and the William Ayres terrorist implication and the ACORN foolishness have no place in in serious campaigns.

And, in this case, buying the clothes for Palin is clearly relevant and proper since she is mainly a campaign decoration.

homer www.altara blogspot

[cornflower]

So true! A non-issue. The woman couldn't campaign in her mukluks! Come on, get over it.

[militarymomforobama]

She, herself, made comments on the Greek style columns, which I believe were to symbolize the White House. It is just so very tempting to throw all of this stuff back at her because she has been so hateful and condescending from day one. I agree that there are much more important issues to talk about. Maybe you'd rather discuss the tanking economy? Let's talk about the way our brave men and women have been misused for political gain. Okay--let's talk about how young people are unable to further their education because they don't have piles of cash and can't even get a student loan. I have to disagree with you on this because it is a perfect example of how the Repubs are such hypocrites. They want to act like they're for the average Joe, but what they just cant hide is their shallow, money-grubbing, LV sporting, phony smiling, botox injected real selves.

Let's continue to expose the emperors for who they really are--or in her case, want to be.

[DrewRicketts]

So how are we bucking sexism exactly? By saying a woman "needs" certain clothes to be on the national stage. This is just the kind of sexism McCain has been perpetrating throughout his life. Talk about the soft bigotry of low expectations. Here are ten things the RNC/McCain staffers could've bought with her $150K Outfit Fund: http://newsone.blackplanet.com/elections/10-things-palins-150k-outfits-could-buy/

[haval2]

I'm still loving Piper, the 7 year old with the Louis Vuitton bag...seem­s a "must have" for 2nd grade.

[knowhelpnow]

I didn't even know a 2nd grader carried a bag, it's way to big for her.

[militarymomforobama]

She's got a ton of stuff to carry for the baby--since she's the one taking care of him.

[jfor]

Its pretty sick that republicans will readily admit Palin needs clothing but not an education, or experience or anything that might make her ready to be commander in chief.

[SwingVoter]

McCain Calls 911 to Complain About Traffic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7WtiseFjbI

[normanx]

Yeah...but­...yeah...­but.... the RNC has tens of millions of dollars...­. don't tell me that they are management heavy... and all that money is going to bloated salaries of their top people? How could that be????

[likeicare]

It's the trickle down theory.

[FR]

Clinton was scrutinized at every step over her wardrobe, her hair, her make-up, her expressions, bla bla bla. The men: one haircut, a pair of fancy shoes, period. That's how evolved we are. The Republicans chose to spend money on their rather decorative candidate. Her handlers likely had the final say on the bills. She still draws much larger and more enthusiastic crowds than McCain. Despite the pundits who now gang up to pin the drag on her, do we seriously think two boring older white men with the same-old shop-worn ideas would have had a better electoral season?

Yeah, the sum is a wee bit staggering, -- but this is the Republican party, no strangers to lavish perks and conspicuous consumption. If it makes the faithful re-think how "real" they really are, good. If it cuts into the robocall budget, even better. That wardrobe certainly beats watching another slimy ad.

[grf67]

Deciding wether the RNC or John McCain is more corrupt is very difficult these days. Both are a disgrace.

[sunnyjane]

Personally, I never want to hear the words Bill Ayres, fundamental, or ALSO as long as I live. Palin can't utter a sentence without saying ALSO somewhere in it. And McCain has flogged the word FUNDAMENTAL to death!

As for Bill Ayres, SPARE ME please!