I want the RNCs personal shopper, too!

[DCJenn]

OK- I honestly don't care that the RNC bought the entire Palin family new clothes. If I were suddenly thrust onto the National Stage, I'd damned sure need a new wardrobe, too.

but what in the heck were the RNC people thinking when the clothes in question only came from three of the highest end store we have in this country? Who pays retail at Neiman Marcus? or Saks? Good god, they might as well have shlepped the entire clan into Barneys in NYC.

Doesn't look good for the McCain/Palin argument that they're looking out for Joe the Plumber. I'm betting Joe doesn't shop at Needless Markups!

Jenn

[DCJenn]

Re: I want the RNCs personal shopper, too!

Here's the story from the Washington Post:

John McCain's makeup is right out of "American Idol." Running mate Sarah Palin's is so "So You Think You Can Dance" -- and so much more expensive.

McCain's September payments of $8,672.55 to "American Idol" make-up artist Tifanie White, who has also worked on the reality dance show "So You Think You Can Dance," are a drop in the bucket on the campaign's beautification front compared to the GOP vice presidential nominee.

The Sleuth has learned that Palin's high-paid traveling make-up artist is Amy Strozzi, who was nominated for an Emmy Award for her work as head of makeup on "So You Think You Can Dance." Strozzi was paid $13,200 by the McCain-Palin campaign last month alone, according to the campaign's latest financial disclosure report filed this week.

That's $4,527.45 more than McCain's make-up artist made last month. And as we mentioned yesterday in our exclusive on McCain's make-up artist, the 72-year-old Arizona senator, who has prominent scars from battling cancer, requires more work than does the more naturally telegenic 44-year-old Palin.

Strozzi, whose first name is misspelled as "Ami" in the campaign's financial report, is listed as doing "communications consulting" work. But two sources close to the campaign tell the Sleuth Strozzi is Palin's make-up artist.

They also describe Strozzi, whose resume you can view here, as "Goth" and "punk." She certainly has that flare, as you can see in this Fox News video posted on YouTube of Strozzi and another colleague working backstage on the reality dance show.

Our report on Palin's make-up artist comes after the embarrassing story in Politico that the Republican Party shelled out $150,000 at luxury stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue -- real regular everyday Joe Sixpack, Joe the Plumber kinda stores, huh? -- to clothe and accessorize the vice presidential nominee.

It's probably a safe bet that Palin's makeup and makeover spending sprees won't help matters in the court of public opinion.

For the first time since Palin joined the GOP ticket, more voters have a negative opinion of her than a positive one, 47 to 38 percent, according to a new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll.

The Politico report on Palin's $150,000 fashion makeover could raise more serious ethical and legal questions. The Federal Election Campaign Act prohibits the conversion of campaign funds to personal use. Specifically: "a contribution or donation shall be considered to be converted to personal use if the contribution or amount is used to fulfill any commitment, obligation, or expense of a person that would exist irrespective of the campaign's election campaign or individual's duties as a holder of Federal office, including . . . a clothing purchase."

Which may explain why campaign spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt said in her statement released last night that it "was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign."

By Mary Ann Akers | October 22, 2008; 8:48 AM ET

[PrincessFiona]

Re: I want the RNCs personal shopper, too!

I guess they were trying to stimulate the economy? It would have been awesome though if they had bought all of the clothes at Wal-Mart though or something!!!

[alison]

Re: I want the RNCs personal shopper, too!

I'd like to see her walk into my local TJ Maxx and comb through the racks.

[MrsK]

Re: I want the RNCs personal shopper, too!

There is a great article about this on Slate.com. http://www.slate.com/id/2202877/

[moonlight]

Re: I want the RNCs personal shopper, too!

As ridicules as it is that they spend that much money on her and the fam, I'm kinda bummed to hear last night she doesn't get to keep the clothes! I personally don't think McCain will win, at least she should get the wardrobe out of this whole mess!

[Sheherezade]

Re: I want the RNCs personal shopper, too!

Sadly, what bothers me most about this has absolutely nothing to do with politics, issues, etc. I really don't care how the RNC chooses to spend their money. If they thought it was a good use of campaign funds, so be it. They were probably right. :huh: After all, looks have played in to the Sarah Palin debate to their advantage. Here's the kind of quote that bothers me in light of this revelation:

(Bill) Bennett then took the ball and ran:

Let me give you three things that I think drives them (feminists) crazy, and you don't have to comment. That's she's very attractive. That she's very competent or that she's very happy.

Heck, I imagine lots of feminists would also be very attractive---and less likely to be threatened by visually appealing women -- if they spent 150K on their "look" every two months. Somehow, the idea that she just roles out of bed this way and that her inner radiance is a result of her happiness with life (as opposed to bitter, hairy legged feminists) irks me when I find out she's been professionally done up in a big way. :huh:

Like I said, it's a personal peeves, not an issue.

[poky]

Re: I want the RNCs personal shopper, too!

Heck, I imagine lots of feminists would also be very attractive---and less likely to be threatened by visually appealing women -- if they spent 150K on their "look" every two months. Somehow, the idea that she just roles out of bed this way and that her inner radiance is a result of her happiness with life (as opposed to bitter, hairy legged feminists) irks me when I find out she's been professionally done up in a big way. :huh:

[PrincessFiona]

Re: I want the RNCs personal shopper, too!

Sadly, what bothers me most about this has absolutely nothing to do with politics, issues, etc. I really don't care how the RNC chooses to spend their money. If they thought it was a good use of campaign funds, so be it. They were probably right. :huh:

I agree, Angie. I didn't hear the outrage when Obama filtered a lot of money into video games and advertising within those games. :huh: Issues anyone...

[McPants]

Re: I want the RNCs personal shopper, too!

I too have no problems whatsoever with how the Republicans choose to spend their money. They'd be insane not to have their candidates dressed well and I'm sure the Obamas and Biden didn't do their shopping at Old Navy either.

Thing is though, she looks *so* republican, the way they dress her up. She's marketed as this "small-town hee-haw breath of fresh air, six-pack and moose-hunt'n heck y'all"-kind of person, so why not make her look slightly more like that? I guess they were worried that by having her look less stateswoman-like, she'd be perceived as even less qualified than is already the case.

You know, when I begun writing this, I think I envisioned making a point, but I don't think there are any in this message. Oh well.

[PrincessFiona]

Re: I want the RNCs personal shopper, too!

I too have no problems whatsoever with how the Republicans choose to spend their money. They'd be insane not to have their candidates dressed well and I'm sure the Obamas and Biden didn't do their shopping at Old Navy either.

Thing is though, she looks *so* republican, the way they dress her up. She's marketed as this "small-town hee-haw breath of fresh air, six-pack and moose-hunt'n heck y'all"-kind of person, so why not make her look slightly more like that? I guess they were worried that by having her look less stateswoman-like, she'd be perceived as even less qualified than is already the case.

You know, when I begun writing this, I think I envisioned making a point, but I don't think there are any in this message. Oh well.

I'm just guessing here, but I sort of assumed that that is how she DID dress and that they wanted to take her up a notch! I guess the Mills Fleet Farm look just isn't THE look for someone wanting to get elected.

I think it stinks that she'll have to give it all back.

[Sheherezade]

Re: I want the RNCs personal shopper, too!

Honestly, I found the You Tube videos of her being interviewed for re-election in Alaska much more appealing. They may have been mayoral elections so it would have been a few years back. She is not coiffed *at all*, looks like a mom and makes sense talking about economic issues in her town.

[Sheherezade]

Re: I want the RNCs personal shopper, too!

It's kind of like Mac and PC. You Republicans are all pulled together in your suits...and us Dems all wear blue jeans and fleece. Or maybe it's the red jackets. Or that Mandarin collar! (Human-rights-violating-China enablers!) Or that retro beehive hair to make us recall a simpler time when men were men and women were....busy fixing their hair. Of course, Kate Pierson has a beehive. She can't be ..... a Republican!

Just kidding of course, McPants. DO you think they made a choice to go with skirts and high heels to avoid the pantsuit Hillary connection? And heaven forbid...no sensible shoes! We all know who wears those!

Re: I want the RNCs personal shopper, too!

Of course, Kate Pearson has a beehive.

Holy 80's reference, Angie! I'd love to know who gets it w/o googling her. My guess: DCJenn, Lily, Annie (she had her wild 'n crazy days ..), maybe Cumberland???

FWIW, I would have given the RNC HUGE points if they HAD sent their personal shoppers to TJ Maxx. At the very least they shouldn't have gone to Needless Markup, just b/c common sense says it will come out and be made into a huge deal.

Re: I want the RNCs personal shopper, too!

Funny thing about this, I love her clothes. I really like that kind of style that uses a lot of asymmetrical, clean lines and textured fabrics. Honestly I thought it was refreshing that she didn't wear a typical suit, hers have style. But $150K worth, na, but I do like them. Honestly I really do think she is wearing clothing you don't usually see even on female news anchors. :huh: I liked it, but do think it could be bought at a lower price tag.