Kristol Rips McCain Camp, RNC For Handling Of Palin

Bill Kristol, who has been, perhaps, the biggest Sarah Palin partisan of the pundit class, leveled some harsh criticisms at the McCain campaign Sunday for what he deemed to be a mismanagement of the vice presidential rollout, petty infighting, and leaving the Alaska Governor out on a limb after it was revealed the RNC had paid $150,000 in clothing for her.

Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Kristol said Palin had been "ill served by some of the staff," particularly in light of anonymous aides ripping her as a diva and/or rogue agent in recent news articles.

He chided the RNC for not taking the hit for the clothing that was purchased on Palin's behalf.

"Why wasn't a staffer out there saying, 'you know what, I made the mistake'?" he asked. "Since when do the staffers go into hiding and let Governor Palin be the one who has to explain it? It's a total disgrace the staff has ducked responsibility for this mistake, which was not her mistake. Whatever people's criticisms of Governor Palin, no one thinks she lives high on the hog in Alaska, shopping at Neiman Marcus... I think the staff has ill-served her."

And he bemoaned the McCain campaign's media strategy, which, he claimed, had prevented Palin from taking on more of a profile in the press. Informed by host Chris Wallace that the Alaska Governor would not appear on a Sunday news show before the election, Kristol said the problem was not hers, but rather one of clearance.

"It's McCain's staff which bottle her up for the first part of the campaign," he said. "The staff has not served her well by hiding her and not having confidence."

The latter charge, of course, seems as much an indictment of Palin as of the McCain campaign itself. After all, who, beyond John McCain, has to sign off on Palin going on national television?

Nevertheless, chalk up Kristol's appearance as another conservative pundit entering the circular firing squad that has become the GOP presidential campaign.

Comments

[Tulka2]

Bill Kristol... he never disappoints. I knew him in a past life and now miss his powdered wig and dandy little snuff box. His contempt for the intelligence of his fellow citizens continues from that life into this. Sara Palin didn't work out, but i expect intrigue and mischief from Kristol and his Rovian pals all through an Obama administration. The loyal opposition? I think not.

[jimsey]

Kristol's got a point re: why didn't the staffer step up and say they were over exuberant in bringing all these expensive clothes to Palin. (She didn't actually go shop at these place after all). But that points once again to the bumbling nature of the McCain campaign generally. They could have gotten past this in no time with a solid organization. Meanwhile, Obama continues to run one of the best, most organized, and tightest campaigns ever. Proof of his 'executive' skills. In effect, he's been running a major company for two years and very efficiently.

[Territc]

Kristol may have a point, but Palin has to take a large share of the responsibility. Those clothes have labels. The labels alone would have told you the cost of the clothes and on that basis she should have asked and returned the clothes on finding out the true costs of the clothes. Blame the staffers yes, but remember the staffers shop where they are told to shop and I am sure this is where they would normally shop. Spending $150K on a wardrobe for Palin doesn't wash because the McCain camp have marketed her as a "Hockey mom" who is "Just Like Us". People who are just like us don't spend $150K on clothes over a two month period. This is just another sign of a highly disorganized campaign. What they spend, where they spend, what they spend on and how much they spend are things that should have been discussed and finalised before the campaign began. If they had laid down ground rules and policies right from the beginning they would not have spend $150K on clothes.

[conservativelady]

I am beginning to wonder if this wasn't a calculated decision to make Palin as attractive as possible to help get the crowds excited and to help her use her sex-appeal to get votes. I wonder if they decided it would be worth. Because one this is becoming clear, Palin does not have the intellect, education, or depth for VP. It almost seems like a calculated attempt to create their own star.

[myklwain]

palin knew the price of that clothing, and she devoured every thread like a true diva.

[calif62]

Bill's just having a hard time dealing with the fact that his dream girl's chances of becoming Ronalda Reagana are being dashed. I mean, when their eyes locked on that cruise, he just KNEW she was the future of the GOP. He was right in a way--a dumb, ambitious, vindicative, petty, bigoted, dishonest, provincial small- minded person is the perfect fit for that vicious party. Let's hope we get to wave "bye bye" to them as they circle the drain.

[Francis Parker Yockey]

http://www.thepeoplescube.com/red/viewtopic.php?t=2417

[brodiesgirl]

Kristol doesn't know whether to wind his butt or wipe his watch.

[NatteringNabobs]

Bill has more writing gaffs than he does verbal gaffs so I suppose Bill's brain is the most ill serving part of Bill.

[dawuud77]

HaHa...It's been reported that Kristol lobbied to have Palin on McCain's ticket. Now that her selection has backfired, he is trying to blame everyone except for Palin. The truth is that the McCain campaign would not have had to shelter her if she was truly up to the task.

[TKI]

One candidate cannot control on his own campaign? How’s this candidate aim to keep a handle on the government if elected?

[GingerB]

Bill PNAC Kristol's newest nasty puppet, Palin, has gone over like a lead balloon. He sees his power slipping away and lashes out. I couldn't be happier about that.

OBAMA-BIDEN! VOTE!

[kimk3]

it's just that every time Palin appears on TV... McCain-Palin goes down in the polls.

And why should she be donating her sweaty campaign trail clothes to charity??? For a tax write off that we the taxpayers are essentially paying for? No other candidates donate their clothes to charity after they've worn them for months. Yuk.

[West Pole]

It was irresponsible to spend donors' precious money on lavish make-up, hairdressing and clothes. At least the clothes can be returned or "given to charity"... what happens to all the money spent on the other things?

IMAGE CONSULTING 101
Clients state what their vision is. Image consultants recommend enhancements or alterations based on what their clients desire is. Clients have the option to either accept the recommendations or reject them. Its that simple.

McCain and Palin are responsible for the Wardrobegate scandal because the buck stops with them.

[edayres]

Oh yeah. Read the article in the New Yorker about how Pailin wooed and entertained Kristol and and bunch of other right-wing pundits at the governor's mansion and you will see that he has a major woody for her. Dick Morris too.

[MedinaM]

"Whatever people's criticisms of Governor Palin, no one thinks she lives high on the hog in Alaska, shopping at Neiman Marcus"

Ooh...I beg to differ. She may not be shopping at Neiman Marcus, but she sure does spend a lot of money...too bad it isn't her money! She made tax payers pay for her daughters to take trips, etc. She tries to put on this act as if she just shops at Wal Mart and that's it. Hell, I shop at Wal Mart too! That doesn't mean I don't go out and buy nice, expensive clothes. I'm not buying her act...and slowly but surely all of these little facts about her are coming out.

[Xiara]

I have figured out something. Sarah Palin is totally not a woman. Which woman winks like that. Winking is a man thing. No seriously, when was the last time you saw a woman wink?

[ofcoursejesusisblack]

Interesting theory. I must think about this.

[TongoRad]

Copy that:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/master_matt/2960517482/

[dsmyre]

I don't think the McCain campaign mishandled Sarah Palin.
But I hope Sarah believes they did. Then she'll be even more eager to go rogue and churn the entire campaign into rancid butter.

[NTO08]

Many conservatives are as angry with Mack as some on the left, of course for different reasons...they feel he has been TOO NICE to Obama...the truism "nice guys don't finish first" has never been truer than this election, for Obama would never be construed as "nice"...a product of the cutthroat, corrupt world of Chicago poltics, yes, with a cast of unsavory benefactors to boot.

[DCinFrance]

This is got to be one of your most ridiculous posts yet.