Home > Opinion > Robert Schlesinger > Sarah Palin's Flameout: $150,000, the Vice Presidency, Sinking Poll Numbers, and More

Sarah Palin's Flameout: $150,000, the Vice Presidency, Sinking Poll Numbers, and More

Reader Comments
Back to blog

About Sarah Palin's wardrobe. A man can wear the same suite over and over and get away with it. But, if a women wore the same outfit over and over everyone would think there is something wrong with her. Maybe people would think she was some sort of hillbilly or maybe an Alaskan snowbilly. Most damaging would be the perception that she could not afford the look to be a women Vice President. Do we want the world to see our women looking like they should wear babushka's because they could not afford a decent hairdo? You go girl!

MP Otis of NY 3:12PM October 27, 2008

The sinking popularity of Sarah Palin shows that the American people do have intelligence instead of being under an Orwellian control. The selection of Palin will go down in history books as the choice that cost John McCain the presidency.
The election can’t get here fast enough for poor Sarah as each day we learn more about just who this “Hockey Mom” really is.
Loretta,as far as McCain being supportive of small business, just looking at his plan to tax health benefits shows that McCain is the one ready to add taxes to small businesses. McCain's plan(s) will crippled small businesses and the middle class. Which I might add, for the most part the middle class and small businesses are one in the same.

Steve of FL 6:13PM October 26, 2008

You know? If I were a republican Congressman or Senator in a tough race with Democrats being looked at far more favorably after 8 long years of republican rule, I'd be pretty angry at $150,000 being spent on Palin's wardrobe. Especially coming from the RNC when they could've spent it on those tight races to help perhaps elect or re-elect a republican.
I have seen a LOT of conservatives endorsing Obama BECAUSE Palin (in their view) is totally unqualified and I personally agree. Do YOU want "Barbie" in charge if we have another terrorist attack? To solve the financial crisis? To be a representative of the U.S. speaking to well educated foreign leaders? Haven't we had enough embarrassment and poor decisions enough to last a lifetime, in the past 8 years?
It's not her wardrobe that concerns me. It's her ignorance and ambition. A fatal combination as we can see from Bush's record.

S. OBrien of SC 4:53PM October 26, 2008

If McCain should win, you haven't seem anything yet as far as the shopping for the Palin family. I realize you must dress according to what society expects in relation to your profession and it's true your wardrobe expresses more about your ability than what you say to the public at first. However, I have worked in 3 professions at the same time for over 30 years in law,accounting and humanities. I've always looked what I thought my clients expected of me but I never broke the bank. I also raised and college educated 4 children while my husband was also a CPA. I found it very good to know the good thrift stores and was never embarrassed to purchase the best of clothing at a fraction of the cost someone else paid for the items. My family was always complemented on their apprpiate attire. Sarah seems to have never understood how to look like she broke the bank without trying. However, with the economy in it's present state, to even hold on to her governorship another term, she better learn a lot of things fast. Also she needs to remember who she is representing and the example she must set as my sister lives in Alaska and went there because it was extremely hard to get people who were born and raised there to want to study to fill the jobs absolutely a must, such as in the medical field.
I do feel compassion for Sarah because this last minute request to learn how to fit in with a city like Washington must have been very difficult. I have worked in D.C. myself at small amounts of time but for crucial reasons over the last 20 years. Soon this contract will end and I shall be happy about it. Just remember, you never know what some jobs require so becareful before you say "yes" and remember it never hurts to wear clothing that "some other nut" paid a designer price for in a good thrift store.
A little help maybe,
Sandy
Also she

Sandy Spears Robinson PhD of TN 3:49PM October 26, 2008

Sarah Palin's wardrobe seems to have upset many people. When she was introduced as the vice-presidential candidate she was so well-received that there was a surge of donations to the Republican campaign of 7 million dollars within the following week.
Her clothes from Alaska may have been of a different weight to wear during a campaign in the lower 48 states, and this would be a quick way to get a suitable wardrobe together.
Palin is not poor. Her husband and she are worth at least a little over a million dollars, and they own several properties in Alaska as well as a fishing (salmon) company, Bristol Fishing Company. I am of the opinion that if she were told of all the unhappy feelings of party members she would and could reimburse the NRC for her clothes.
She looks great. She makes a great candidate and her selection did bring in unsolicited donations of 7 million dollars.

Mary Frary of CA 10:42PM October 25, 2008

Ok,
Let me ask the women of America, especially the working force women. If someone came to you and asked you to run for VP, would your wardrobe stand up the challenge? I am a professional, work for a fiancial institution and believe me, my wardrobe would not stand up to this challenge. If the republican party is okay with helping Sarah out with her wardrobe, I say go for it.
I personally think all of you women out there are jealous of Sarah, hence all of the negative comments. You should be elated that a women is running. I heard her IQ is quite high, what is your IQ's.
And as for you men out there. ask yourseles the same question. Would your wardrobe get you through an election campaign. I think not.
We have the most important decision of our lives here. We are about to give the reigns to our Nation over to someone that we better know what they are about. Senator McCain is pretty much an open book, and Palins closets have been rummaged through to the put that they found her wardrobe needed a little updating. Have you really looked into Obama? For some reason, the American people are so disenchanted with the Republican party that they choose to close their eyes and ears to what Obama is really all about. And you are willing to sell our country out.
You better do a lot of soul searching and soon, with only a handful of days left, are you comfortable with your decision?

Shari of PA 11:22AM October 24, 2008

On May 10, 2008 The Times reported, Robert Malley, advisor to Obama,was 'sacked' after the press found out he was having regular contacts with 'Hamas', which controls Gaza and is connected with Iran. This past week, buried in the back part ofthe papers, Iraqi newspapers reported that during Obama's visit to Iraq, he asked their leaders to do nothing about the war until after he is elected, and he will 'Take care of things'.
Oh, and by the way, remember the college roommates that where born in Pakistan? They are in charge of all those 'small' Internet campaign contributions for Obama. Where is that money coming from? The poor and middle class in this country? Or could it be from the Middle East?
And the final bit of news. On September 7, 2008, The Washington Times posted a verbal slip that was made on 'This Week' with George Stephanapoulos. Obama on talking about his religion said, 'My Muslim faith'. When questioned, 'he made a mistake'. Some mistake!
I think Obama will betray us all. How did this never heard of, no experience man with a muslim name and all his background association with muslims and America Haters position himself to be the most powerful man in the world and nobody see's it? We could ask if he were still alive because Hitler Really did do it. Get the poor on your side by blaming somebody else (in this case the rich or the republicans) for their situation.
Well I am only blaming all of you persons here in the Best Country in the World for not using common thought and instinct
to be able to understand whats going on here behind the news spins and your PC's. On Nov. 4th you will all have made Obama your President and I really hope that you all are right about your choice.
Also let me say I am a mom and a grandma of 5 and I am also a registered Democrat for over 35 years an never missed a vote as of yet. I have only crossed my party one time in all these years but I can not and will not vote Obama, due to the facts that are real about him. Spin is crap truth is and always will prevail and it will be a sad country when this all takes place under the new found President. I may be older now and hopefully
wiser , but when I registered to be a DEM it meant that I was from the blue collar work force, not a liberal mass army. It stood for the hard working that struggled every day to save a penny or 2 for that house you wanted or of a new car you just could not afford. It was the difference between the very rich corps and the union worker. Some how I still can not understand that in such a small amount of time that our Dem Party has turned to a radical bunch of overwhelming spoiled brats that seem to just want , want, and want some more while our constitution is destroyed with each step. I am also not saying McCain is not the greatest slice of bread either but at least I can say that McCain can not be associated with terrorist, or any of that kind of person. All or most of politicians have been deemed crooked in some way.

Candy of PA 10:32AM October 24, 2008

Around 1979 Obama started college at Occidental in California. He is very open about his two years at Occidental, he tried many drugs and was wasting his time but, even though he had a brilliant mind, he did not apply himself to his studies. 'Barry' (that was the name he used all his life) during this time had two roommates, Muhammad Hasan Chandoo and Wahid Hamid, both from Pakistan. During the summer of 1981, after his second year in college, he made a 'round the world' trip. Stopping to see his mother in Indonesia, next Hyderabad in India, three weeks in Karachi, Pakistan where he stayed with his roommate's family, then off to Africa to visit his father's family.
My question still remains the same.
Where did he get the money for this trip? Nether I, nor any one of my children would have had money for a trip like this when they where in college.
When he came back he started school at Columbia University in New York. It is at this time he wants everyone to call him Barack - not Barry.
Do you know what the tuition is at Columbia? It's not cheap to say the least! Where did he get money for tuition? Student Loans? After Columbia, he went to Chicago to work as a Community Organizer for $12,000 a year. Why Chicago? Why not New York? He was already living in New York. By 'chance' he met Antoine 'Tony' Rezko, born in Aleppo Syria, and a real estate developer in Chicago. Rezko has been convicted of fraud and bribery that year. Rezko, named 'Entrepreneur of the Decade' by the Arab-American Business and Professional Association'. About two years later, Obama entered Harvard Law School.
Do you have any idea what tuition is for Harvard Law School? Where did he get the money for Law School? More student loans? After Law school, he went back to Chicago. Rezko offered him a job which he turned down. But, he did take a job with Davis, Miner, Barnhill&Galland. Guess what? They represented 'Rezar' which is Rezko's firm.
Rezko was one of Obama's first major financial contributors when he ran for office in Chicago. In 2003, Rezko threw an early fundraiser for Obama which Chicago Tribune reporter David Mendelland claims was instrumental in providing Obama with seed money for his Senate race. In 2005, Obama purchased a new home in Kenwoood District of Chicago for $1.65 million (less than asking price). With ALL those Student Loans - Where did he get the money for the property? On the same day Rezko's wife, Rita, purchased the adjoining empty lot for full price. The London Times reported that Nadhmi Auchi, an Iraqi-born Billionaire loaned Rezko $3.5 million three weeks before Obama's new home was purchased. Obama met Nadhmi Auchi many times with Rezko.
Now, we have Obama running for President. Valerie Jarrett, was Michele Obama's boss. She is now Obama's chief advisor and he does not make any major decisions without talking to her first. Where was Jarrett born? Ready for this? Shiraz, Iran! <continue post3>

Candy of PA 9:53AM October 24, 2008

The rich are bailing outta here! I think that may be the best explanation of the stock market crash. The CEO's are grabbing what they can before the socialist take over begins.
Most of the smart people here (know as the super wealthy to democrats) will pull out and put there money someplace where the greedy democrats can't take it and give it to "Jose' "Shantay" or even "Joe".
IE "JOE" makes $13.00 and hour and has 4 kids. He can't afford to feed them, can't afford to cloth them, can't afford health care for them, can't afford school or college for them, can't afford a big enough house for them here's my point WHY THE HELL DO YOU HAVE 4 KIDS? Because he likes kids so the government should have to pay for all those things I just listed that Joe' can't afford!
Well, I like driving A FANCY truck but I don't think the government should have to pay for the maintenance on it, so, I don't have any Monster Trucks!! So "Barry" Obama say's he will re distribute the wealth so the Joe's of the country can all have it easy. No one can make it big. Success will be punished so that Joe' can have his 4 kids. It's ok to have as many kids as you want as long as you can afford to take care of them.
So Why do I have to pay for them? Have any of you even thought about that? I hope you all enjoy your jobs enough to work 15 hr's a day to pay for Joe's kids get my drift here? The whole USA is thinking NO Republicans cause of the Bush years McCain is NOT Bush. There is a demanding war going on and our soldiers are suffering as we type our wasted messages here. Does no one in AMERICA get it ? Wasting your days and nights ranting , about the VP's cost of her wardrobe. For gods sake people your surely not that stupid to think that Obama McCain and Biden have also expensive wardrobes. It's TV land People and there is going to be makeup and wardrobe personnel for all involved. Even you if any of us were so lucky to be in there spots or anything on TV.
Now lets go to reality for a moment. Lets start with I'm not rich! But I hope to be one day (dreaming). There's the American dream, a chance to make it big. It's about to die and no one cares. Instead we talk all the crap we can about the right or the left, lipstick , wardrobes and such will not fill you or yours hungry belly at night now will it. Obama is going to remove all of my hope. We will be standing in food bank lines then he'll try and take away our right to bear arms. He's going to tax the businesses out of this country, the parts that the Unions still have left here, then we will all be at the mercy of the government! He's pulling an Adolf by creating class and race warfare. I think the man is going to break us financially then betray us to the other powers. Sound crazy? If it does then read part 2 of my post.<continuing to 2cd post>

Candy of PA 9:45AM October 24, 2008

You women are all so worried about Sarah's clothes. Would you wear the same dress or pant suit to work all week? Of course she needs different clothes to wear, and be very presentable. What about Michelle obama;s clothes, ever wonder how much they spend on her? And were they off the rack or specially made. Who else has Iranian caviar, with Lobster?
What good for the goose is not good for the gander, get a life people!
Plus the clothing will be donated to charities after the election process is over, why is everyone so worried, we didn't pay for it.
I can't believe how petty you all are.

D L of OR 8:38PM October 23, 2008