Is it the metaphoric "Emperor's New Clothes" of the campaign or just blatant sexism in disguise? The seeming wardrobe malfunction of the McCain campaign, the $150,000 spent on outfitting Gov. Palin has been elevated from campaign curiosity to full-blown talking point.
This weekend the View's Elisabeth Hasselbeck campaigned for Palin in Florida where she addressed the furor over the cash spent on costuming the family for the convention. Hasselbeck admonished the attention paid to the price saying, “Now, with everything going on in the world, seems a bit odd. But let me tell you, this is deliberately sexist.” Her point being more or less, 'Hey Joe! How much did your suit cost?'
Either ironically or pointedly, Hasselbeck continued the gendered theme as she made her case for Palin saying, “Did I mention that this woman, she’s got a real knack for cleaning. She cleaned up house in Alaska. Yup. All that corruption went out with the trash.” Hasselbeck concluded, “It’s getting hot up here, and I promise you, when it gets hot in the kitchen, she may be from Alaska, but this woman can take the heat.”
Palin continued to address the sartorial snafu yesterday saying, "This whole thing with the wardrobe, I try to just ignore it because it's so ridiculous. Those clothes, they are not my property, just like the lighting and the staging and everything else the RNC purchased. I'm not taking them with me. I'm back to wearing my old clothes from my favorite consignment shop in Anchorage, Alaska."
Is the very fact that the issue has to be addressed on the campaign trail, clear proof that it's sexist?
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How is it sexist exactly? Because we are mocking her for spending 150k on clothes? Well if she wants to complain the boys aren't getting picked on for their clothing there are two points she needs t address -
1 - Did Obama or Biden spend 150k, or anywhere near 150k - unless she can show they spent a colossal amount like that she can't talk.
2 - Did Joe Biden make the huge pitch to America that he was indeed average six-pack joe? No he did not, so if he spends money on suits like a politician it is not as hypocritical as Palin since she wants everyone to think she's like your next door neighbor who wants to go to the white house so your average person views have a representative.
Bonus: 3 - those who will argue there is a double standard and women need to look good and need to spend more money then men to get votes - well that is sexist and by spending that much money on her clothes and makeup rather than her foreign policy advisor or economic advisor the McCain campaign is pandering to sexism and treating us like dummies who want a pretty face and don't care what intelligence she brings to the ticket, or at least we don't value it as much as her awesome bronzer!
I am happy to see Americans want more than a pretty face and it has backfired that she has great shoes and nice pencil skirts but can't name a newspaper she reads or a supreme court she disagrees with (you know, real gotcha questions in places where no one would expect to be questioned - interviews!)
1I honestly don't care how much money she spends on clothes. She has to look nice and would be ripped apart if she didn't dress nicely. Expenses are just part of business and extravagant spending, while not a great idea, happens. It's a total waste of time. The fact that its brought up is ridiculous and the fact that EH is allowed to speak at a rally is mind-numbing. She is the worst.
But let's just be honest. Sarah does not get clothes from a consignment shop. That's just clear to me.
2This clothing issue is stupid. Yeah there is a double standard of how women need to present themselves in politics but nobody told Palin to harbor on her average American claims. She is getting skewered with public perception because of the image she tried to verbally put out there. What is happening now is only a matter that her actions and words have not matched up.
3ugh, who let EH talk and who actually told her anyone cared?
I'm not voting for Palin, I guess that makes me sexist.
4That's the vibe I've been getting reading everything involving Palin, that if you criticize her, well you're just a sexist person.
When an actor goes down the runway at the Oscars, or Emmy's, or whatever that last one is, does anyone care what their outfit cost? Does everyone realize that the outfits those actors are wearing were given to them, just as Palin's outfits were given to her? Should they be considered a political donation maybe?
5It's about as sexist as John Edwards' haircut.
The real issue...with 8 days left, WHY is this still be discussed? Both campaigns have a lot to do, none of which should be worrying about this topic.
6Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sarah Palin are one and the same ... actually, she should run for VP.
7The issue isn't so much the dollar amount, but:
1) that she spent donated money, in excess of her annual income, on things that according to her words about being just a regular gal, shouldn't matter. Cindy McCain spends a lot more, but it's within her means.
2) If the plan was to donate these after the election, what was she planning to wear if she gets elected? The VP only makes $208,000 a year, so she couldn't afford to dress herself and her family like this.
3) Why was money spent on expensive designer clothes to dress her husband and children, even the infant?
4) Why spend so much on international designers when are were dozens of US designers they could have picked? Laura Bush, Nancy Reagan, and other first ladies have been careful to use American designers for much of their clothing, especially for high profile events where they would be extensively photographed as Palin is.
TO me it just shows lack of regard for the donors and poor judgment in her choices.
8What Elisabeth fails to realize is that Joe Biden, McCain, and the Obamas spent their OWN money on their clothes. Not $150,000 in two months paid for by Republican donors who didn't know that's how their money would be spent. And while the clothes might be donated to charity afterwards (convenient to be able to say that, huh?), what about the tens of thousands of dollars spent on hair and makeup styling? You can't exactly donate those services once they've been used.
It completely negates her attempt to be an average hockey mom. She's a beautiful woman and would have looked just as nice with $50,000 even. To spend exorbitant amounts in this way during a financial crisis when your opponent has SO much more $$$ to spend on his campaign is an irresponsible use of funds in my opinion.
But clearly in her case, the aides felt it was style over substance. Which we all know is what she truly is. Case closed, let's hear more about McCain and Obama. Elisabeth, I WISH you'd go back to the kitchen.
9Elisabeth Hasselback looks so funny in the first picture. I love to watch The View and see how the other ladies attack her because of her strong support for "McPalin." She is such an easy target its kind of funny. I also like how she thinks she is such a little politician with her 2 second speeches and 2 second bashes on Obama and Joe. Silly little girl needs to go back to day time t.v.
10I am also surprised that someone let EH speak even *more* than she does on The View @_@. At least she's in her own element.
The entire clothes issue is stupid...just like these lame attempts at character assassination by association, threats of actual assassination [I'm not talking about the "kill him!" comment; even BEFORE this thing got in full swing, people were saying it] Joe Six-Pack, Joe the Plumber...
I'm not surprised they spent serious money to buy her awesome clothes...but VALENTINO?!? She says she understands the average American citizen...but average Joes (and Janes!) don't typically wear Valentino.
The fact that they're playing up Palin's looks rather than beefing up her feeble knowledge of politics and government seems to me to be more of an issue of sexism that what clothes she is wearing.
11I think we need to be clear. Did she spend the money, or did the RNC spend the money? Since it was the RNC, how is this Palin's problem? Does this mean we have a few pigs in the RNC who think you have to spend a lot of money to look good? Maybe, but the RNC purchased the outfits for Palin, and she is choosing to give them away after the election. To me that is very telling. She doesn't want the outfits, so why get on her about this?
12THANK YOU akaDaria. Why in the hell does anyone care what Elizabeth Hasselbeck thinks? Go back to the View. I cannot stand her, and I do think it's funny that no one was even talking about the clothing issue anymore until SHE brought it back up.
13What gets me the most about the clothing issue is the hypocrisy of it all. Sarah Palin claims to be just a regular "hockey mom" and she represents the "Joe six packs" of the world. I don't know too many women that spend that much on clothing for themselves in an entire year!
McCain said on Meet the Press Sunday morning that she lives a frugal life. Yeah right that does not seem too frugal to me.
14The video of Hasselbeck at the rally was like razor blades on my ears. So smug, so snarky, so sarcastic. I literally had to turn it off because her cackling was driving me nuts.
15Also, I don't think it's sexist. We talked about John Edwards and his $400 haircut foreverrr and I seem to recall quite a kerfuffle over McCain's $520 shoes. I'm not saying it's super relevant, just that I don't think it's sexist.
16TS..exactly! i was gonna say the same thing. everything is sexist when it comes to palin
17What's really frightening to me is that our - as well as Asia's and Europe's - markets are so shaky and we are focused on Palin's WARDROBE? Why isn't there more of a dicussion about the candiate's positions on the economy? Why can't we talk about tax plans, trade, etc.? The election coverage is beyond disapponting.
18Further, I know Obama's suits retail about $1500, but also that he only has a few of them. I know Michelle Obama's dress for the View was $148 but her dress for the convention was a lot more (I'm working off the top of my head now, too lazy to google). Obama's been critiqued for wearing his collar a bit too big, making him look young, and McCain's jackets are sometimes to long, making him look shorter. So we talk about what everyone's wearing
19While I stand Elisabeth Hasslebeck, she embodies lack of independent thinking I find dangerous to this country, I do agree that media coverage of what female candidates are wearing is ridiculous and sexist. Its one thing if they come on Oprah or the View and they say "nice outfit," it's another thing when CNN is covering, Clinton's, Palin's, and even Obama's wife's wardrobe like it's an issue.
A nice man's bespoke suit is really expensive who knows what the boys are spending, no one cares. If anyone thinks McCain isn't wearing makeup they're dead wrong and Obama is wearing some as well. Palin has entirely to many other important points to criticize her about. Can we stop talking about this non issue already
?
20Here is the video of EH:
Watch if you can handle her smarminess.
21oops *can't stand
22Maybe the problem with Plain is unlike McCain and Obama, beyond her shoes and cute jackets - there really isn't anything else to discuss.
The most sexist thing in this election was picking an unqualified woman and expecting all women to flock to her b/c of her gender and dressing her up (I'm talking to RNC here, not her) so we get fooled into thinking she looks like a VP.
23I really think the attention to the cost of her wardrobe is silly since it isn't an illegal campaign purchase but I don't think it is sexist. I just think that, yet again, the Republican party is trying to score points by calling sexism. Playing the victim card.
This stupid story would be out of the news if Hassleback and Palin had kept thier mouths shut.
24I keep seeing the $1500 figure quoted for Obama's suits, but he wears a lot of Hart Schaffner Marx, and according to their website, most suits are in the $700-900 range, list price. Even their tux is under $1000.
25Are we really still talking about this? Is this election over yet?
26Um..shouldn't we be debating about more important issues than her clothes? Like expereince, foriegn policy stances, domestic policy platform? Hello?! Who cares? It is almost like the Republicans are taking issue with this to talk about how the media is "picking" on Palin and being "sexist" to divert our attention away from her craptasitic resume.
27And ew Hasselback..everytime she talks..even if its not about politics I want to puke. I can't even watch The View anymore because she is so annoying. EH go back to the Survivor..because honestly why else is this woman famous?
28I thought it was a little hypocritical b/c of her whole "Todd & I know what the real Americans are feeling now" thing, but honestly I'm more jealous than outraged (oh to have that much money to spend at NM & Saks!). This is the first time I've heard she's giving them back--that does make it less "scandalous." I would advise her not to do this--Sarah, have you really looked at your "before" pictures? Keep the clothes!!!
29I don't really care about this.
However, I do find it laughable that the clothes are going to be donated! I'm sure that Joe Homeless is really going to appreciate that Valentino dress donated by the McCain campaign!
30"It is almost like the Republicans are taking issue with this to talk about how the media is "picking" on Palin and being "sexist" to divert our attention away from her craptasitic resume."
That is exactly what they are doing CYL.
31Although I think it's hilarious I do think on some level it is sexist, I'm sure Obama and McCain also have wardrobe stipends. I'm sure because they are men they are far less because in a lot of the time clothing for women is more expensive ( overpriced). Although this has happened with men before the amount of money they spend on a haircut etc, the level of scrutiny that these purchases have been put through I think is a little more than what men usually get. That being said if I did donate to a political party I'm not sure how I would feel about my money being spent on clothes, makeup artist etc.
321. Donated also mean's given to a charity to sell. Not that Susie Homeless is going to be wearing it.
2. "While I stand Elisabeth Hasslebeck, she embodies lack of independent thinking I find dangerous to this country."
How so? How is she not independently thinking?
3. All of you that think she is just awful, do you feel that way about the rest of the women on that awful show? Or is it solely because you have different political views and she is passionate about hers?
33Amy, I think they're gonna get put on ebay. Hopefully they'll sell!
34Why did Elisabeth skin Kermit and make him into the hideous jacket? OMG.
35Aw, indie, I like the jacket! She is super pretty and normally well-dressed.
I like watching the View sometimes. (Clips on youtube when I'm sick.) I just don't care for her because she just doesn't seem to bring intelligent things to the table. It seems to me like she just tries to get in as many shots at Obama as she can. I don't recall hearing her ever say anything (about politics) that didn't sound like a Republican talking point. I'm more of a fan of Whoopie, Barbara, and Sherry because they like to look at both sides. Joy tends to also be very partisan, and she says some things that grate me, too. But I like her because she's funny.
36GS..she grates on me the most...I couldn't stand Rosie either wehen Rosie weas on...Joy is annoying sometimes too. I like Whoopie and that's pretty much it.
37CYL, I like Whoopie the best, too!
And god love her, Sherry has been this calm voice of reason in some of the last few things I've seen.
38I don't like any of them or the view.
39Are you kidding me? Why are we still on this??
Everyone on the View besides Woopie annoys me to no end. But EH has yet to back up any of her political views with intelligent reasoning. She often resorts to insults and judges those who disagree with her.
40Hey GS,
I am actually NOT a fan of The View. And even if Hasselbeck was on the Democratic side, she would still be an idiot in my book, because she would still remain ill-informed and benighted about politics. Just because you say you're passionate doesn't mean you actually have a clue. Sorry to break it to you, but does it really matter what side of politics an imbecile is on...at the end of the day they are still an imbecile...look at Roseanne (or rather for the sake of lunch...DON'T)!!!
41I don't particularly care about the clothes issue, except in the sense that I find it irritating to hear Palin constantly cast herself as Ms. Jane Six-Pack Moose-Hunting Average Middle-Class American while running around in, what, Ferragamo pumps and Valentino suits paid for by the GOP.
42Ferragamo pumps and Valentino suits...I want some...maybe I should start considering a political career
43Tia I didn't single you out. I was simply asking why people who didn't like her didn't like her.
44money would have been better spent on a tutor.
45Personally, I don't like Hasselbeck because she seems both shrill and ignorant, and that's never a good combination in my book.
46GS, I'm sorry if it sounded like I was singling you out. I wasn't. I just wanted you to know that I was answering your post. Because we don't have the option of threaded postings, I included your name. I do apologize if my response came off a bit brash, I didn't intend it that way.
47I've always loved Whoopi, since the Sister Act days.
TS: Elizabeth dresses well on the show. There's wardrobe and makeup artists, they do a good job on her. If you look at her when she goes to premiere and such, yeah...not so great. I don't care if I'm ripped on this but I think she's rather plain-looking and only when they make her up does she look good. Shockingly, I find Sarah Palin more attractive and she's about 14/15 years older than Elisabeth.
Anyway, my comment about the jacket wasn't serious. I was just being silly and it matched the story content, being superficial and all. I do hate the color of the jacket though. Looks like barf. Like someone barfed up bile and made it into an article of clothing.
48I don't like the word shrill because it's only used to describe women, but if ever there was a shoe that fit...
49Indie, really? I think she's so pretty. It always seems like a waste to me. So pretty, yet so annoying.
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