Marc Ambinder has been receiving e-mails by Republicans disgusted by a Politico report that the RNC has spent 150K to outfit Sarah Palin, including:
Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74
A couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September
The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September.
WTF, Joe the Plumber? Are f'ing you kidding me? Is that how the real America lives in the GOP's world?
The McCain campaign issued a statement indicating voters wouldn't be bothered by this horrific display of conspicuous consumption at a time when millions of struggling Americans are ecstatic to be able to purchase a pair of pants and a shirt AT ROSS OR TJ MAX OR MARHSALLS.
The RNC deserves an award for being so supremely clueless about the plight of ordinary Americans. They trot out this tax-evading Sam-the-not-a-plumber tool in Ohio in an attempt to deceive Americans that McCain's policies wouldn't be four more years of the wretched same, and then they have the nerve to claim Americans aren't concerned?
Here's that brilliant display of out of touch, courtesy of the McCain campaign:
"With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it's remarkable that we're spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses. It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign." --McCain-Palin spokesperson Tracey Schmitt on this Politico story.
An important issue facing millions of Americans right now: wages are sinking, jobs are fleeing, costs are rising and Obama has a plan, unlike McCain's, that's markedly different than the eight years that brought us here. We do, in fact, care that these parasites are wrecking our economy and then have the nerve to flaunt their wealth in the faces of those of us living check to check! So F you, Tracey Schmitt! This goes much further than pantsuits and blouses!
According to Ambinder, some members of the RNC still live in our universe:
There is already an attempt to blame the media -- as in, the liberal media would have looked askance at Palin if she wasn't clad in Neiman Marcus, but this won't wash. Republicans, RNC donors and at least one RNC staff member have e-mailed me tonight to share their utter (and not-for-attribution) disgust at the expenditures.
Morning Joe opened with this story and an across-the-roundtable skewering of the McCain/Palin campaign. Not Biden's gaff, not Obama's "spreading the wealth," and not Ayers. According to the hosts, they are being flooded with scorching e-mails sent by Americans aghast at this story. Finally, the McCain campaign found an issue that really resonates with Joe the Scarboroughs.
Update 1: Nearly three hours later, Morning Joe is still harping on this story. It's everyone against Mika, who is pathetically trying to defend the McCain campaign. According to the hosts, they are being flooded with scorching e-mails sent by Americans aghast at this story.
Updated 2: Maddow's incisive remarks (thanks Deoliver47). Click here if embed doesn't work in your browser
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Update 3: Just reported on MSNBC--the number of unemployed is up THREE MILLION from this time last year. That's 9 million unemployed today versus 6 million one year ago.
Update 4 from nellie525 in the comments: According to an Atlantic report, these purchases seem to have an illegal tint.
Update 5: CNN is reporting that mass layoff are at the highest point since 9/11.