Report: Palin’s campaign clothes stashed in trash bags at RNC
posted at 1:40 pm on January 23, 2009 by Allahpundit
Not her fault — she gave them back, as promised — but rather evidence of mismanagement at the RNC. Too bad we didn’t know this sooner; the disposition of the clothes would have made for a honey of a question at that RNC chairman debate a few weeks ago. One possibility: Cut them up into square-foot swatches, frame them individually, and sell them online to the base as relics. You could probably fund the whole midterm campaign from the revenue.
A source close to the issue told NewMajority that the clothes are “in the process” of being donated, and an RNC spokesman corroborated, saying the clothes have indeed been returned from Palin, “inventoried and will be appropriately dispersed to various charities.”…
“Has the party not learned their lesson?” a source who raises significant funds for the party said in response to the news of the undonated clothing. “First they make a colossal mistake of judgment by even agreeing to squander the party’s resources on these clothes and then compound the error by failing to properly dispose of them. If they think donors are going to sit by and simply accept this they are mistaken.”
Supporters of the Alaska governor should worry that the RNC’s stalling lends credence to negative speculation. Did the RNC and campaign spend more than the quoted $180,000 figure? How much was spent on other members of Palin’s family? Perhaps the RNC hopes that stashing the clothes will make the story go away. That is unrealistic; if the governor returns to the national stage, so will any unanswered questions.
That’s from New Majority, the new centrist site started by Palin critic David Frum, so weigh it accordingly. Exit question: Are they actually going to donate the clothes rather than auction them off and donate the proceeds? That seems … stupid.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »
Well its not like the RNC is organized or anything.
It needs a through housecleaning and that includes Micheal Steele. (Who has been in the RNC since 2006. He is part of the problem not the solution)
William Amos on January 23, 2009 at 1:42 PM
oh RNC, every now and then I do feel sorry for you. Publically donating them to a battered women’s shelter is the easiest way to get some great PR and takes almost neffort. To quote Tim Gunn, it’s Make it Work time for these folks.
DeathToMediaHacks on January 23, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Slow news day?
EnochCain on January 23, 2009 at 1:44 PM
We need to clean house! Get rid of the incompetents (evidently ALL).
Badger40 on January 23, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Are reporters actually assigned to follow these stupid clothes?
Can the RNC be given a friggin’ chance to give them to charity as planned?
WTF is wrong with people?
Dave Rywall on January 23, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Who cares? They’re clothes. Big freaking deal. Our country is the in the hands of a bunch of idiots and this is what we concentrate on?
therightwinger on January 23, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Who cares?
Okay, REALLY… She had no wardrobe for a national stage and appearance in a national campaign is EVERYTHING. Just ask Nixon.
I see the $180,000 as basic “start up” costs.
And if it is important, I’d like to know how much the DNC spent on botox…
Skywise on January 23, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Oh for Pete’s sake.
What happens if a pair of socks comes up missing one in the pair?
We’re fussing about clothing? GIVE ME A BREAK!
Kini on January 23, 2009 at 1:45 PM
I don’t think Palin would be either dumb enough or arrogant enough to keep and wear the clothes she was photographed hundreds of times wearing.
BadgerHawk on January 23, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Ok…..her clothes were found in RNC trash bags.
Thousands of American flags were found in DNC trash bags in Denver.
Limerick on January 23, 2009 at 1:47 PM
It’s just not HA without including a weekly piece that takes a shot at Palin, so matter how glancing.
The RNC should be donating the clothes to Mrs. B. Hussein Ogabe; if you watched the inauguration, you know what I mean.
Bishop on January 23, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Damn you Limerick, you beat me to it!
redshirt on January 23, 2009 at 1:48 PM
THIS IS SERIOUS NEWS! Much like the Obama jacket in the oval office thing! We have a serious news media with FILTERS! FILTERS I SAY!
TheUnrepentantGeek on January 23, 2009 at 1:48 PM
That’s right!
Where’s the outrage, AP? Where?
Kini on January 23, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Im more worried about the trashing of the electoral process by the democrats. The GOP really needs to fight election fire with fire not copying the left’s rhetoric and trying to ride an Obama wave.
William Amos on January 23, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Put em on Ebay!
artist on January 23, 2009 at 1:49 PM
This just in..my old underwear was found in the trash.
EnochCain on January 23, 2009 at 1:49 PM
If true, it’s absolutely ridiculous…
They could have been auctioned off on ebay, with the proceeds going to charity.
JetBoy on January 23, 2009 at 1:49 PM
I will.
Also, Obama spent a $100,000 for “lighting” and “sound” on ONE speech in Berlin.
Topsecretk9 on January 23, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Oh God.. give us a break .. who gives a shit.
If she was a man would anyone be talking about this?
VinceP1974 on January 23, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Surely they can’t be so stupid as to just give the clothes away. They can auction them off, buy the exact same frickin clothes to give to charity, then keep the difference to use in the 2010 campaigns.
BuzzCrutcher on January 23, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Everything about Governor Palin is bad. Everything she ever did, everything she ever touched, every decision she ever made, every word she ever uttered. Don’t you understand? Weren’t you paying attention during the campaign? The media did all it could to warn you about the pure evil that is Sarah Palin.
And yet she will have my support, my money and my campaign legwork if she runs in 2012. Go figure.
SKYFOX on January 23, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Amazing…The Palin-enthralled are actually making excuses…”Well, the Democrats did this or that…”
Let’s stop comparing our party to the Dems…We really need to get our act together.
JetBoy on January 23, 2009 at 1:52 PM
clothes are important to betas
redrock on January 23, 2009 at 1:52 PM
In lieu of a return of my campaign donation, I will gladly take the white jacket she wore to deliver her convention speech. There, one item gone.
sherry on January 23, 2009 at 1:52 PM
They should them up on eBay!
Rae on January 23, 2009 at 1:53 PM
That would require good PR skills on the part of the GOP, though.
Slublog on January 23, 2009 at 1:54 PM
How much did the ‘YoYo & Perlman Classical Lip Synch Hoedown’ cost?
Bishop on January 23, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Must be blue moon time again. I agree with Dave Rywall.
But Dave, you see how vapid the media are? It was a vapid issue during the campaign too.
rbj on January 23, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Is this a slow news day or is this what passes for news now?
Tommy_G on January 23, 2009 at 1:56 PM
I’ll buy the panties.
I had to type that. Herr Kommandant ordered me to.
LimeyGeek on January 23, 2009 at 1:56 PM
The GOP will continue to not get a big chunk of the gay vote until it starts respecting fashion a little more. There’s a working class drag queen out there who’s just waiting to vote for the GOP in favor of some Palin-wear.
DeathToMediaHacks on January 23, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Something the GOP lacks, for sure.
But there must be a couple hundred commenters just around here that would shell out some big $$$ for a piece of ‘Cuda history.
JetBoy on January 23, 2009 at 1:56 PM
This doesn’t reflect negatively on Palin at all, since she’s not responsible for what the RNC does with the clothes once returned.
So why exactly would there be a need to make excuses for Palin?
Seems a lot more like the Palin-bashers are looking for an excuse to blame it on her.
tom on January 23, 2009 at 1:57 PM
If Mike Duncan wins again, we’re doomed. We need new leadership. This story to permeate as long as it has, should demonstrate the deficiencies of this committee’s communication department and their lack of protecting members of the party.
For this to haunt Palin, a non-issue, is appalling and makes the RNC a national joke.
Anybody else rather than Duncan please!
jencab on January 23, 2009 at 1:57 PM
I recall Rush saying years ago, in reference to the “Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy,” that is still prevelant: The Republican Party couldn’t organize a barbeque!
JamesLee on January 23, 2009 at 1:57 PM
We really need to get our act together.
JetBoy on January 23, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Eh, we are always getting kicked in the shorts for every little thing while the libs dance away from actual crimes.
Someone has to showcase the liberal mess, it might as well be us.
Bishop on January 23, 2009 at 1:58 PM
There’s a working class drag queen out there who’s just waiting to vote for the GOP in favor of some Palin-wear.
DeathToMediaHacks on January 23, 2009 at 1:56 PM
I hate to break this to you, but Alphie died from a grenade blast after being used as a human shield by an Israeli soldier.
Sad, I know. We will all just have to move on as best we can.
Bishop on January 23, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Here’s your sign:
Brat on January 23, 2009 at 2:01 PM
They bought the damn clothes, they can burn them if they want to. Get a life.
R D on January 23, 2009 at 2:02 PM
I think I get JetBoy’s point. It is only acceptable to point out our faults and not their faults. All that self flagellation stuff is good for you. Makes us better, stronger, faster. Why slap the enemy when you can slap yourself instead?
Limerick on January 23, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Why is there not more focus on the incompetence of the current RNC chairman Mike Duncan, who happens to be running for re-election in a week. No to blatant idiocy and no, no, no to Mike Duncan. We conservatives will start to take back the party and America if Steele or Blackwell is elected the new chairman. Duncan must go. Duncan must go. Duncan must go!
technopeasant on January 23, 2009 at 2:03 PM
I was expecting a post today by AP about Palin possibly get a $12 Million book deal advance
jp on January 23, 2009 at 2:03 PM
How does this compare with tax evasion and pay to play?
clnurnberg on January 23, 2009 at 2:04 PM
If you want a conservatism that can win again then you need a conservatism that actually does something…
The best thing that could happen for the conservative movement is for Jim Robinson at FR to die off and for all the popular conservative blogs to kill the comments sections… maybe then people will realize that we’re not accomplishing jack shiat..
ninjapirate on January 23, 2009 at 2:05 PM
This is exactly why only millionaires should be allowed to run for national office, so we don’t have to concern ourselves with the actual cost of participating in a democracy in the television era. Republicans should just confine themselves to blog comments and let others run the country for them.
pedestrian on January 23, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Exactly how is the ineffeciency of the RNC supposed to reflect badly on Gov Palin? She did what she was supposed to do – she returned the stuff.
Frum just needs to keep making this an issue to deflect the backlash he got from some conservatives for his anti-Palin screeds.
katiejane on January 23, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Yawn. Forgive me if I’m not scandalized that the campaign of a woman who was placed in front of international news cameras every single day for 3 months invested in her image by purchasing some (extremely elegant and fabulous) new clothes.
patriette on January 23, 2009 at 2:06 PM
I know, let them go the way of the AK Gonernor’s jet: put them on EBAY
clnurnberg on January 23, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Who paid for the toilet paper rosette gown Michelle wore to the balls?
clnurnberg on January 23, 2009 at 2:07 PM
not a bad fund raising idea though, if the GOP ever wants to fully jump the shark after we become the Socialist States of America under Obama. They might could raise more than Obama does, by auctioning off Palin’s panties or something. All the fundraising shadyness by Obama, they might have to do something to compete, all joking aside
jp on January 23, 2009 at 2:07 PM
At least AP was intellectually honest by saying it wasn’t Sarah’s fault. Isn’t it amazing that Sarah did what she said she was going to do? Oh my, Sarah can’t be a politician.
technopeasant on January 23, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Honestly, who cares? Another fake controversy. I’m getting tired of all these Palin posts of little substance. What’s next, Palin’s mother in law sister’s friend got a traffic ticket?
nazo311 on January 23, 2009 at 2:08 PM
The only thing that will satisfy the witch hunters is to dress her in those clothes before leading her to the guillotine.
Limerick on January 23, 2009 at 2:08 PM
The GOP will continue to not get a big chunk of the gay vote until it starts respecting fashion a little more. There’s a working class drag queen out there who’s just waiting to vote for the GOP in favor of some Palin-wear.
DeathToMediaHacks on January 23, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Spoken like a true liberal bigot. Good job.
loudmouth883 on January 23, 2009 at 2:09 PM
I’m not comparing our party to the Dems. I’m defending my party from the Dems in this article making the accusation.
Skywise on January 23, 2009 at 2:09 PM
We can only hope that the “designer” of that chenille bedspread donated it to MO – I’d hate to think ANYONE paid good money for it.
katiejane on January 23, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Meanwhile, back to funding abortions in other countries…
right2bright on January 23, 2009 at 2:10 PM
I don’t understand why the RNC made this public in the first place?
It seemed to me as SOP for campaigns to clothe their candidates. It makes perfect sense!
It is funny that the McCain campaign sent a “shopaholic” to buy for Gov. Palin. When word leaked on the cost of the clothes instead of fessing up they allowed the rumor to circulate that Palin was the “shopaholic”.
This became a very affective PR stunt for the Dems. First McCain’s has 10 houses, then Palin spends money on clothes like a Hollywood liberal.
I wonder what we will find when the DNC has to file their expenditures with the FEC this spring, hummmmmm…..
Better yet! Will any anomaly get one second of attention?
CinC on January 23, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Next time Palin needs clothes , she could call me, i have an idea of black leather boots and a micro-bikini. And it wont cost the GOP anything.
MDWNJ on January 23, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Indeed. Although, frankly, I could not care less about this entire saga of her clothes and if the “New Majority” thinks this idiotic issue is the ticket, we’re in worse trouble than imagined.
Buy Danish on January 23, 2009 at 2:12 PM
This changes everything. Clearly Caribou Barbie should now be viewed as a worldly reader of ALL newspapers.
Vernon Hardapple on January 23, 2009 at 2:15 PM
This is and always has been the stupidest story and only Republican’s would allow themselves to be bullied by it. Until someone, anyone, looks into the Obama campaign fund raising vehicle and the fact that it is still going on under a different title I am going to worry about this.
Cindy Munford on January 23, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Spending money on clothing a near neanderthal is much more eviler than simple, unexplainable failure to pay taxes mistakes. And it isn’t pay to play, it’s merely a show of gratitude to humble public servants who take the time to listen to real Americans’ concerns.
rbj on January 23, 2009 at 2:16 PM
As a serious answer, that could possibly be an issue with campaign finance laws. Taking donated money to buy clothes, using it, selling it for a profit- could be a problem.
Donate it, write it off, move on.
BTW, AP, I think this Palin post was pretty evenhanded. Just my opinion. Thanks.
cs89 on January 23, 2009 at 2:17 PM
I, for one, am happy to think that my campaign donation went to Palin’s campaign wardrobe, rather than that douchebag, McCain….
Master Shake on January 23, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Andrew Sullivan will lead the RNC HEADQUARTERS Break-in, to get DNA off the clothes for further testing over Trig-Gate.
portlandon on January 23, 2009 at 2:19 PM
The most stupid thing of all is that the story was leaked from inside before the election ended.
the_nile on January 23, 2009 at 2:21 PM
You’re darn tootin’ this is serious! There are many unanswered questions about these clothes:
1. How do we know these bags actually contain the clothing articles actually worn by the Gov?
2. Are these the clothes that were a part of the outstanding investigative reports filed after her selection as VP Candidate?
3. How do we know these clothes don’t really belong to her daughter? Huh?
This is absolutely critical data. The Committee to Re-elect the President (CREEP) will be conducting a poll later today to determine if these bags could be used as a campaign platform in 2012.
BobMbx on January 23, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Frum is a legend in his own mind. That name of his site really reflects some hubris.
And “centrist”, well, calling apples oranges doesn’t make it so.
INC on January 23, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Now you know how I feel everytime she opens her mouth.
LevStrauss on January 23, 2009 at 2:24 PM
The RINO’s have all but taken over and are destroying the party…they don’t want anything resembling a conservative in charge and are doing anything they can to make Palin look bad. Even though she had nothing to do with this they know the msm will put it on her.
DCJeff on January 23, 2009 at 2:24 PM
I am far from a “Grassy Knoll” type conspiracy theorist, but I do feel that there were some very highly placed Obama operatives within the McCain Campaign. While McCain was a poor candidate, & Palin was mishandled terribly, there was just to much sabotage going on from within.
Watch for High ranking McCain campign staff working in the “Hope & Change” administration. Obama always pays his debts.
portlandon on January 23, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Sarah, this is just another attempt to marginalize you with the American public, to mock you, ridicule you, to vilify you. This will continue for the next 4 years, unless you tell the world that you are not a candidate for 2012. Please, Sarah, I implore you, if you decide not to run in 2012, do not decide to take this route because of the MSM and the nutroots, make it because of your family or because you feel you are not ready to be President. But if you decide to strike when the iron is hot, millions will be with you. The Messiah that you put your faith and trust in is the true Messiah. We need you to get rid of the false Messiah.
technopeasant on January 23, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Agreeing? Agreeing with whom? And why was it a mistake — at least it went to the Palin side of the equation, where the action was. More Frum-tastic Palin hatred. In the closing weeks of the campaign Obama spent $147 million dollars on temporary tattoos and other junk, but its always the clothes with Palin — enough, already you creeps.
littleguy on January 23, 2009 at 2:26 PM
They can’t attack her on substance, so they keep attacking her on style!
INC on January 23, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Palin posts things on internet message boards when she “opens her mouth?”
joey24007 on January 23, 2009 at 2:29 PM
No, just Frum and friends trying to stir up the muck about Palin by implying that the RNC’s ineptitude will stir up muck about Palin…
ProfessorMiao on January 23, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Moira Bagley did not cite a single source to coo berate her story, other than “word has it.” Show me proof of the accusation.
RMCS_USN on January 23, 2009 at 2:31 PM
That’s planting the questions, right there. I think he’s more than well-connected with the saboteurs in the Mccain campaign and they are not letting it go. I won’t be even surprised if the figure for the wardrobe were double that and somehow comes to the forefront and will be used to trash palin again. The new site ,seems to me, is expressly designed to stall the Palin nomination.
This is called blackmail. I am glad National Review got rid of him. They can do better than a clothes-trutherist.
promachus on January 23, 2009 at 2:34 PM
She’s young, and I think she would be better off to defer a run until 2016, when Obama can’t be a candidate, when his mess will evident to all, and when she will have had time to steep herself in foreign policy concerns. I don’t know exactly how she could go about that in way that would satisfy her critics, except to be able to demonstrate a deep and broad knowledge of the central issues. Maybe she could go spend a year at the Shalem Center in Israel or something.
ProfessorMiao on January 23, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Proof? Just ask LevStrauss, he’ll vouche for her.
littleguy on January 23, 2009 at 2:35 PM
This is not a jab at Palin. The RNC blew it. This story should have been turned on its head for its abhorrently sexist origins. The attention paid to female fashion choices of women in power is getting old! Watch some of the Senate bailout hearings — men worth 8 figures wearing suits that look like dusty drapes.
RNC did not back Palin, they backed McCain and Palin was dragged along to bolster his appeal. Palin would obviously ok putting the clothes up for auction; she put up a plane on Ebay.
Oh yeah, the Ogabe thing is racially rude.
More sexist attacks. You have nothing so you hurl anything. Grow up.
The Race Card on January 23, 2009 at 2:38 PM
I meant David Frum. Let’s figure out who he’s pushing for and we’ll know who’s trashing Palin.
promachus on January 23, 2009 at 2:38 PM
There is nothing she can do short of joining the DNC that will “satisfy her critics”. I doubt that Frum and his ilk had mch use for Reagan either. He was probably not bluebloody enough for them and Eureka College, NOKD
clnurnberg on January 23, 2009 at 2:39 PM
Professor, being the weasels they are, methinks there is no power on earth that could satisfy her critics.
littleguy on January 23, 2009 at 2:39 PM
It does seem wierd that she is still news. Media hackery, will you never cease. Talk to us about the House dems attempt to ruin Obama’s stimulus plan. Talk about the Gops total lack of new ideas in their stimulus plan. Talk about the still plummeting housing market. But Paln’s threads….eh.
DeathToMediaHacks on January 23, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Must be blue moon time again. I agree with Dave Rywall.
But Dave, you see how vapid the media are? It was a vapid issue during the campaign too.
rbj on January 23, 2009 at 1:55 PM
———
Mmmmmm it’s a 10/10 stupid story now but it was only a 6/10 stupid story during the campaign.
Dave Rywall on January 23, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Next time you try to crack a joke at Palin’s expense…please reply with a joke that makes sense with the article at hand.
An Era of Hate on January 23, 2009 at 2:41 PM
Obam bam is using our tax dollars to pay for abortions and your crying about clothes?
WTF?!
dinkyjackson on January 23, 2009 at 2:41 PM
Don’t know; don’t care. A good chunk of the clothes bought were bought in several sizes so she could try them on and find the best fit. I would be surprised if those sized that didn’t fit, weren’t immediately returned and the price refunded. Also, since Palin’s family was required to make appearances and campaign with her, I hope they were also clothed at the RNC’s expense.
Enough with the Palin bashing, fer crissakes!
P.S.: I also store clothes in trash bags when I am going to take them to charity or when moving have run out of garment bags. BFD.
Blake on January 23, 2009 at 2:42 PM
I know it’s off topic a bit but I saw this article Guess John McCain doesn’t support Sarah’s bid for Prez.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/17850.html
Brat4life on January 23, 2009 at 2:43 PM
Enough with the effing wardrobe already.
hockey2k5 on January 23, 2009 at 2:46 PM
A little bit of spin from Politico. He actually professed his undying love for Palin (sort of).
littleguy on January 23, 2009 at 2:46 PM
This makes no sense. Palin was and is far more fashionable than Michelle O.
The media and the Dems and people like Frum are the ones who attacked Palin on her clothes.
INC on January 23, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Poor Vermin Roadapple.
Jim Treacher on January 23, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Palin could silence all opposition very simply: Join the Democratic Party. Problem solved.
littleguy on January 23, 2009 at 2:49 PM
Palin should start the Conservative Party.
darwin on January 23, 2009 at 2:52 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »