Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., June 28, 2009 Tamuz 6, 5769 | | Israel Time: 17:11 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File
Share |
Last update - 00:00 23/10/2008
Palin as Olmert? Free flights, fancy clothes and life of luxury
By Benjamin L. Hartman
Tags: John McCain, Sarah Palin 

It turns out, the difference between a pitbull and a hockey mom isn't just lipstick, its designer lipstick, Manolo Blahnik pumps, and a $2,500 Valentino jacket. That should keep you warm at the Iron Dog snowmachine race.

It emerged this week that with the U.S. in the grip of one of its worst economic crises, the Republican National Committee had the clear and present judgment to run up a reported $150,000 bill to deck out Sarah Palin, the running-mate and rising Republican star who "is just like the rest of us", that is, if the rest of us drop a few thousand dollars at Nieman's on the way to the hockey rink.
Advertisement

As the Huffington Post reported Wednesday, the splurges included a reputed $75,000 shopping spree in a single day at a Nieman Marcus (or "needless markup" as they're widely known) store in "not so sure it's real America still" Minneapolis, as well as $50,000 spent at Saks Fifth Avenue chains in no-longer real America St. Louis and 10th circle of hell New York City.

In retrospect, though her rationale defending her foreign policy credentials was widely lampooned, it could be that Palin can in fact see Russia from Alaska; it would certainly explain how she came to adopt the fashion tastes of a Russian oligarch's wife since she became McCain's running mate.

The revelations have the potential to be infuriating and puzzling to many mainly because they come from the campaign that has played the "elitist" card with reckless abandon, and has made a central issue of their campaign the idealization and ownership of working-class "small-town values", hard-to-pin-down ideals that presumably cannot be found within a hundred miles of a Saks or Nieman's branch. Furthermore, over the last week, said campaign has turned its entire message into the celebration of one Joe the Plumber, an everyman who works with his hands and whose endorsement apparently bears more weight than that of former secretary of state Colin Powell.

From an Israeli-American point of view, Palin's "makeovergate" and the revelations this week that she billed the State of Alaska for thousands of dollars worth of commercial flights for her daughters, and for luxury hotel rooms for a family vacation, bear a certain resemblance to the travails and scandals of our disgraced outgoing prime minister Ehud Olmert, a man who came to power suddenly as vice premier, when the septuagenarian former warrior who swooped him into the halls of power fell terminally ill. Ring any bells?

Although the case was later closed, the Rishon Tours affair involved allegations that Olmert used thousands of dollars in state funds to pay for foreign air travel flights for his family. During the investigation, it was alleged that the flights were paid in large part through the funneling of money intended for charity organizations, and by writing off the tickets as official state business, not dissimilar to claims that Palin air-freighted her daughters at the taxpayers expense while governor.

Palin's shopping sprees were legal, but they do display a lack of judgment or consideration for how the acts may be perceived by the public. The fact that both Olmert and Palin seemed to be willing to put their careers or public approval in jeopardy for such petty rewards at a time when they were ostensibly well-off public servants seems reckless at best.

In Palin's case, even if she was just following the advice of campaign handlers with blank checks who wanted to spruce up her image, the fact that she would take part in such a breakneck spend-a-thon at some of America's ritziest stores while the country is on the verge of depression, shows a bewildering level of obliviousness that Olmert could surely understand.

While in office, both Olmert and Palin adopted the standpoint of cheapskate guests at an expensive wedding, or underpaid employees suddenly given an expense account, with the attitude that "hey, if some somebody else is paying for it, why not supersize it? Why not first-class? Who cares who's watching?" Or better yet, like guests who paid for an all-inclusive weekend in Eilat who assume that means not only can they avail themselves of the all-you-can-eat buffet, but they might as well pocket the silverware while they're at it.

The decision is also indicative (again) of the McCain campaign's seeming ignorance of the power of the Internet and the instant fact-checking that has changed the nature of the news and political campaigns forever. Like with the quicksilver vetting process of the Alaska governor, which some say missed "Troopergate" and Palin's pregnant teenage daughter, or the repeated, groundless attacks on Obama that have been easily debunked by anyone with access to Google, Palin's spending sprees show an ignorance of the instant access to information and the 24-hour news cycle, and possibly, in the worst case, an outright contempt for the very public whose values they pander to.

And what I'm wondering is, where did Joe the Plumber get the suit he was wearing on Fox News the other night
PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
'Shun MIA messages'
Lebanon tells citizens to ignore calls for info on Ron Arad, other missing Israeli troops
Bringing back Gilad
Report: Arab sources also say abducted soldier Shalit to be handed over to Egypt soon
  1.   Leftist assaults 20:44  |  Brod 23/10/08
  2.   Wonder how much the jet fuel 21:12  |  Lynn 23/10/08
  3.   benjamin hartman;would you prefer to have obama 21:17  |  yahn goodey 23/10/08
  4.   Palin didn`t need Saks 21:36  |  American 23/10/08
  5.   Hypocrite Sarah 22:25  |  Sonia M. 23/10/08
  6.   wonder how much they spent on michelle obama? 22:27  |  leah 23/10/08
  7.   Brod the oblivious... 22:39  |  BBSNews 23/10/08
  8.   palins clothing 22:40  |  joshua 23/10/08
  9.   The answer leah is none... 22:56  |  BBSNews 23/10/08
  10.   BBS #7 22:58  |  Brod 23/10/08
  11.   It might be fair to ask, "So what?" 23:13  |  Raymond in DC 23/10/08
  12.   Sonia #5 23:24  |  Bill H. 23/10/08
  13.   Why didn`t she shop at Macy`s or JCPenny...?! 23:47  |  Esther 23/10/08
  14.   TO BBS NEWS...WRONG! 23:51  |  Leach 23/10/08
  15.   Where did Joe the Plumber get the suit he was 23:53  |  YSL 23/10/08
  16.   Maybe it`s all just going-to-her-head... 23:56  |  Esther 23/10/08
  17.   Brod #10 00:00  |  Chet 24/10/08
  18.   This is one very very silly article.Comparing Sarah Palin to Olme 00:00  |  Sarah Palin Rocks 24/10/08
  19.   Brod #10 00:01  |  Esther 24/10/08
  20.   # 4 Obama doesn`t need a jet or $1500 dollar lunches 00:02  |  Lynn 24/10/08
  21.   Brod sits in disbelief? 00:11  |  BBSNews 24/10/08
  22.   Sonia M from Lafayette 00:14  |  Sarah Fan 24/10/08
  23.   Leah #5 00:20  |  Esther 24/10/08
  24.   Haaretz must be getting desperate 00:42  |  Gili 24/10/08
  25.   #1, BROD 00:44  |  indrajaya 24/10/08
  26.   # 5, LEAH 00:46  |  indrajaya 24/10/08
  27.   Stop the Nonsense 00:50  |  guy 24/10/08
  28.   A SAD END OF MCCAIN`S POLITICAL CARIER 00:53  |  indrajaya 24/10/08
  29.   sure, now investigate the Annenberg foundation- 01:13  |  Jonas Menchik 24/10/08
  30.   #9 Brod, you are such a guy 01:16  |  Aphemia 24/10/08
  31.   BBS #18 01:30  |  Brod 24/10/08
  32.   Palin isn`t rich 01:33  |  Nathaniel 24/10/08
  33.   Michelle`s Clothes Budget, You Silly People 01:52  |  Leeza Cohen Coleman 24/10/08
  34.   So unabashedly liberal it`s pitiful 02:10  |  Stacy 24/10/08
  35.   Malia`s and Sasha`s Clothes Budget, You Silly People 02:18  |  Leeza Cohen Coleman 24/10/08
  36.   Haaretz - you`ve reached another low 02:51  |  Eli 24/10/08
  37.   More Like Obama as Olmert 03:30  |  Tod Zuckerman 24/10/08
  38.   Hm, lets see... 04:07  |  Nostradamus 24/10/08
  39.   #15 Esther of TA....absolutely!!! 04:08  |  Lynn 24/10/08
  40.   #2 Hey Lynn, Cupcake, I just knew I 04:08  |  ballistic 24/10/08
  41.   BBS...how much do you think the personal jet costs 04:12  |  Lynn 24/10/08
  42.   Three facts 04:14  |  Cashier 24/10/08
  43.   Excuse us... 04:18  |  ADGroup 24/10/08
  44.   Meanwhile in the Real World 04:47  |  Mark of Lewiston 24/10/08
  45.   Palin and Ho Hum 05:04  |  Jasper 24/10/08
  46.   Not the same 05:13  |  Mark Lincoln 24/10/08
  47.   Jonas Menchik, I challenge you to level your charges in print... 05:54  |  BBSNews 24/10/08
  48.   No matter how you dress it 05:58  |  Mark Lincoln 24/10/08
  49.   Nathanial: Palins is a millionaire 06:09  |  marc 24/10/08
  50.   Nathaniel, can you provide evidence? 06:11  |  BBSNews 24/10/08
  51.   Sarah Palin`s clothes are 20k more than Joe the Plumber`s house 06:35  |  bbl 24/10/08
  52.   Leeza, Michelle on Larry King... 06:40  |  BBSNews 24/10/08
  53.   hmm? anyone asked about obama`s clothing allowance? 07:46  |  eric 24/10/08
  54.   Barack`s clothes.............. 07:58  |  Leeza Cohen Coleman 24/10/08
  55.   John and Sarah 08:00  |  Leeza Cohen Coleman 24/10/08
  56.   Got to thinking about Hilary.... 08:47  |  Esther 24/10/08
  57.   I am encouraged by the Left`s running scared 10:11  |  Yaakov K. 24/10/08
  58.   # 32 leeza, try wiping the stars out of your eyes! 11:04  |  eric 24/10/08
  59.   #2 Lynn. About that caviar, lobster and champaign. False! 12:36  |  Maureen Ann 24/10/08
  60.   Comparing Michelle Obama with Saran Palin 13:42  |  James McNamara 24/10/08
  61.   Mark my words: The next U.S. President is... 14:22  |  GOD 24/10/08
  62.   The Obama`s buy their own clothes 14:28  |  Karen 24/10/08
  63.   This author is fudging with reality. 14:43  |  Bartley Kulp 24/10/08
  64.   #43 Mark of Lewiston....on the US/Iraq Treaty 14:51  |  Lynn 24/10/08
  65.   #55 Esther....if Dean et al had wanted her 14:55  |  Lynn 24/10/08
  66.   #39 Wormwood....so, all the turn around just proves my point 15:00  |  Lynn 24/10/08
  67.   Esther of TLV trying to be witty...sounds like an amateur 15:09  |  spade 24/10/08
  68.   No. 3 American a fool 15:29  |  TJ 24/10/08
  69.   She says she is a "typical middle class family" 15:31  |  Semsem 24/10/08
  70.   liberals always lie because they know they would never win if the 17:18  |  Zippy 24/10/08
  71.   Do the "Due Diligence" 17:54  |  Zamarah 24/10/08
  72.   BBS News- I did, and you have a fundamental lack of comprehension 19:21  |  Jonas Menchik 24/10/08
  73.   BBSNews - here`s your link, the truth shall set you free 19:37  |  Jonas Menchik 24/10/08
  74.   Where did Obama get his $2,ooo.oo suits 00:23  |  Mary 25/10/08
  75.   Palin as Olmert? 01:00  |  Priscilla Arvin 25/10/08
  76.   What a turn of events 01:10  |  Joe the drummer 25/10/08
  77.   Palin as Olmert 01:46  |  Joanie & Ely S 25/10/08
  78.   Even if Sarah doesn`t get in she is already a BIG star 02:17  |  James McNamara 25/10/08
  79.   She could have said no eric... 02:44  |  BBSNews 25/10/08
  80.   You failed Jonas, tsk tsk... 03:12  |  BBSNews 25/10/08
  81.   # 74 Mary. What efforts have you made to find out? 03:20  |  Maureen Ann 25/10/08
  82.   Where (should be "how") did Obama get his $2,000.00 suits? 12:05  |  Leeza Cohen Coleman 25/10/08
  83.   Iron Maiden 13:55  |  Charles Smyth 25/10/08
  84.   Just like the NYTimes 22:12  |  Noam Spanier 25/10/08
  85.   BBS News - You have confirmed you are a total fraud 05:00  |  Jonas Menchik 26/10/08
  86.   # 79 to bbsnews re: views 10:32  |  eric 26/10/08
  87.   Jonas the clucking chicken... 03:31  |  BBSNews 28/10/08
  88.   BBS - please. your post is so desperate. find a hobby 05:52  |  Jonas Menchik 28/10/08
  89.   Jonas Menchik in Post 88 07:13  |  Valkyrja 29/10/08
  90.   Valkyrja -- many thanks 23:47  |  Jonas Menchik 29/10/08
  91.   Jonas 06:29  |  Valkyrja 30/10/08
  92.   Palin as Olmert? 16:59  |  V. Valcourt 30/10/08
Special Offers
Advertisement
hotel Jerusalem
David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels.
ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE
IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles
Dead Sea Skin Care
Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
More Headlines
13:49 Hamas: No truth in media storm over Shalit deal
11:51 Netanyahu: EU receptive to Israel stance on Palestinian statehood
11:41 ANALYSIS / Shalit has become the key to Mideast peace
14:33 Israel: Lebanon still responsible for any Hezbollah attacks
14:48 U.K. denounces Iran embassy detentions as 'intimidation'
16:46 Dead Sea eliminated from '7 wonders' contest after Palestinian complaint
12:11 Israel, Egypt negotiate terms of new Gaza truce
20:58 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
15:54 Haim Ramon to announce resignation from Knesset
08:16 Second IDF soldier refuses to serve over violence towards Palestinians
16:54 Despite Iran pressure, Peres to visit Azerbijan and Kazakhstan
12:02 Kosher CouchSurfing: Israeli students launch Jewish hospitality scheme
15:45 Israeli fans angry at rumors Michael Jackson killed himself
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
| Israel 2009 election results | Makom: Engaging on Israel
| Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved