New York City, St Louis, Minneapolis. Fake America. The Walmarts and Targets in "real" America suddenly not good enough for you, Sarah?

Just over 4 grand for make up and they STILL couldn't make a silk purse out of a sows ear. Too fucking funny.

Larry

Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Nieman Marcus.
The real America.
Yup, you betcha.
~Sarah "I Still Look Like a Prudhoe Bay Hooker" Palin

"Indeed, the story could not come at a more inopportune time for the McCain campaign. During a week in which the Republican ticket is trying to highlight its connection to the working class - and, by extension, promoting its newest campaign tool, Joe the Plumber - it was revealed that:

Palin's fashion budget for several weeks was more than four times the median salary of an American plumber ($37,514).

To put it another way: Palin received more valuable clothes in one month than the average American household spends on clothes in 80 years.

Republicans don't understand average Americans nor their way of life. They are just stuck on themselves and their hoity toity ways. Anyone with a half a brain cell would know that.

Larry

You know it's probably apt that the Republicans are depicted as the Elephant and the Democrats the Donkey. For You see the Republicans like to Lord over average Americans the Democrats support the ones who actually do the labor. Ironic Don'tcha think??

Larry

What my dad said was true, no matter how hard you try you just can't polish a turd.

This really puts Edward's $400 haircuts to shame.

What's funny is, Palin came through my town last week. She supposedly ran out of diapers and made an "unscheduled" stop (with her whole caravan) at Wal Mart and bought the store brand ones. The local media ate that up and ran several pieces about her frugality and the struggle of working mothers.

I was waiting for when this article would show up.

If anyone thinks she is good with our money they are dreaming.

And JeffJ is soooooo impressed by Her too. Unfuckingbelievable. How sad and here I thought JeffJ was a smart cookie too. Boy I sure fucked that idear all up didn't I??

Larry

You know I wonder if those store branded diapers felt foreign in Her hands. I wonder if She had to ask some poor person which ones the generic no frills types were. Why are the RNC such phoney balonies?? It's like GHWB trying to figure out how to work a check out laser scanner for the barcodes. He didn't even know how they worked. Then they claim to understand working Americans. Puhlease spare Me the BULLSHIT.

Larry

"The local media ate that up and ran several pieces about her frugality and the struggle of working mothers."

Such a gold-digger.
Clothes, bling-bling, all on the house.
Billing the State of Alaska for her childrens' travel, unrelated to official business, all on the house.
Give her the threads, let her keep the makeup, write her a check for fifty bucks and send her back north to Alaska.
Sarah Palin: Joe the Plumber's version of Lorelei Lee.

What my dad said was true, no matter how hard you try you just can't polish a turd.

"What my dad said was true, no matter how hard you try you just can't polish a turd."

Polish more.
Polish harder.
Polish, spit, polish.
Oink, snort, oink.
~GOPiggie Mantra

It's okay, they were all "mavericky" clothes.

Meet the new boss.... the same as the old boss.

Politico asked the McCain campaign for comment, explicitly noting the $150,000 in expenses for department store shopping and makeup consultation that were incurred immediately after Palin's announcement. Pre-September reports do not include similar costs.

Spokeswoman Maria Comella declined to answer specific questions about the expenditures, including whether it was necessary to spend that much and whether it amounted to one early investment in Palin or if shopping for the vice presidential nominee was ongoing.

I wonder if this is somehow different to the righties than Edwards hair cuts?

im curious, does this count as income for her? does she have to return the clothes? Should she have to pay taxes on this stuff?
I'm sure biden, obama and mccain get similar deals. it seems these are gifts, etc.

how does this work?

I wonder if this is somehow different to the righties than Edwards hair cuts?

#9 | Posted by 726

You can bet your ass it's different to them, she's a meverick! Just your everyday, average assed citizen who charges the state when her kids go and watch her dad race snow mobiles and with 150k in clothes. Most hockey moms I know do the same thing.

I love the response, they're saying it's OK because the plan is to give the shit to charity when the race is over. . . .

Ok, either:

A. They plan on losing
B. She's going to run the Senate naked
C. They're liars

In all honesty, $150,000 is a drop in the bucket compared to the millions spent throughout the whole campaign.

Most of the money spent during the campaign on both sides is a waste.

They both suck. Where's Brewster when you need him?

Combined, McCain and Obama have spent about $750,000,000, according to opensecrets.com. 3/4 of a billion dollars. And that's only through 9/21.

That is obscene.

I wonder if this is somehow different to the righties than Edwards hair cuts?

#9 | Posted by 726

It's different than Joe Biden paying family members $2m, that's for sure.

Ah, the deflection king at it again.

Wisgod...bein' all Mav'rick-y in the morning.

"I wonder if this is somehow different to the righties than Edwards hair cuts?"

It's very different. When a lib spends $400 of his campaign funds on something personal, it's a major scandal to be denounced from the housetops. When the Grand Old Pilferers squander $150 grand on an attempt to make Caribou Barbie look like Career Woman Barbie, it's nobody's business - just ask them.

"They will give the clothes to charity" - this is so classic of the Republicans' idea of how the world works, and how they "care".

They behave like this is the 19th, not even the 20th century.

(Then there is the almost certain likelihood that they WON'T give them to charity, after all...)

Wisgod...bein' all Mav'rick-y in the morning.

#24 | Posted by SamBarber

Get some new material, troll.

We all know sarah is a charity case.

Normally, when somebody is down and out, you'd stop putting the boot in. Payback's a bitch, isn't it?

Does she get to keep the clothes as a consolation prize, Monte?

Psst....RNC....gotta tell ya, turning Palin into a clothes horse isn't helping...she's still dumb as a rock! You would have been better served had you spent the $$$ on a tutor so she would at least know the basics of the United States Constitution! Like oh....what the duties are of the vice president - the office for which she is running!

This is the kind of news that must have Lorne Michaels going, "YESSSSSSSSSSS!"

Does anyone know, when's Tina Fey scheduled again for SNL?

Some of the attempted deflections from our friends on the right actually make good points. Too bad. If they hadn't spent 25 years or so on regular visits to the flag factory and swiftboats instead of dealing with real issues maybe their arguments would gain a little more traction. Perception is reality was their mantra. Works both ways is what they forgot.

Sarah looks in the mirror and sees Paris Hilton staring back at her. McCain looks in the mirror and sees Bush staring back at him.

YEAH!

I wonder how much it would cost to fix that Duddly Dooright chin of hers?

Jeeze, when my Daughter dresses her Barbie it costs a lot less than that.

-or-

Lipstick on a pig? How about Saks on a moose...

If they had only thought to bring in a tutor to beat into her head the constitutional role of VP.

It woulda been a hell of a lot cheaper.

"Does she get to keep the clothes as a consolation prize, Monte?"

her campaign stated that she eill turn over clothes to charity when election is over!
(when she loses)

-turn over clothes to charity

Yeah, when they pry her cold, dead hands off the red blouse!

And JeffJ is soooooo impressed by Her too

I think she has potential, Larry.

She's accomplished quite a bit in a very short period of time. She has true executive experience which is a claim her opponents can't make, nor can her own running mate, for that matter. Having said that, she still has much to prove. I adopted a 'wait and see' attitude with her from day 1 and on that I have not waivered.

I'd be curious to know, just for comparative purposes, how much the DNC spent to clothe Obama, or in a more apples-to-apples comparison, Hillary Clinton.

Wonder where McCain's campaign would be today if he had picked a qualified nice person ?

Oh noooooo JeffJ You don't get off that fucking easy. You couldn't talk Her up enough even if You tried and now You are trying to make us forget that. Not while I am here buddy. You claimed Sarah Palin was the second coming and now the truth is out You want to put that Cat back in the bag. Oh and like I said before JEFFJ. You guys on the right shower Abe Lincoln with acolades a plenty and yet He has the same amount of Executive Experience as Obama NONE accordings to You. But yet He has the same qualifications as Obama who You say is unqualified. I find that dastardly funny JeffJ. Funny how that works out.

Larry

You couldn't talk Her up enough even if You tried

Bullshit!

I have done nothing of the sort.

Don't be a disingenuous hack.

Your conservative bigotry has impaired not only your memory, but your reading comprehension as well.

Oh and nice deflection with regards to Hillary CLinton. First of all She ain't running. Oh and Secondly I don't remember Her trying to make Herself look like Your average soccer mom/hockey mom. either. Nor a part of the average joe the plumber either.

Larry

It wasn't a deflection, Larry.

I simply wonder how much the DNC spent to clothe Hillary during the primaries.

On it's face, $150k sounds excessive. However, we'd need to compare the expenditure with some of her peers to see it it truly IS excessive in a comparative sense.

Secondly I don't remember Her trying to make Herself look like Your average soccer mom/hockey mom. either.

What does that have to do with anything?

A lot of soccer/hockey moms work in jobs requiring professional attire.

Should they just shirk their company's dress policies because they need to dress how YOU think they should dress as a soccer/hockey mom?

The only reason this story amuses me at all is that Palin is going around saying how small town people are real Americans and that they are the only people who are truely pro-America and they have better morals and all the the rest of the corny bullshit associated with the un-American myth that only some Americans are "real Americans".

But apparently, given the choice she doesn't want to look like a "real American". She wants to look like the very people she is demonizing with her bullshit.

Obama will break (if not already) the record for most advertising spent in a campaign.

Again, where's Brewster when you need him because they both suck?

A lot of soccer/hockey moms work in jobs requiring professional attire.

Should they just shirk their company's dress policies because they need to dress how YOU think they should dress as a soccer/hockey mom?

#45 | Posted by JeffJ at 2008-10-22 10:37 AM | Reply | Flag: Flag: (Choose)
FunnyNewsworthyOffensiveAbusiv
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150,000 worth of professional dresses and such?? not on Your life JeffJ. Oh and they aren't trying to claim they are like the average worker while sporting saks fifth avenue garb either.

Larry

So,

At least a billion dollars has been wasted just on ads for this longest Presidential election ever.

Isn't there any real work that needs doing? Oh, I almost forgot Corporations write all our laws now so that Congress and the White House are just for show.

Fucking ridiculous.

how much the DNC spent to clothe ... Hillary Clinton....#39 | Posted by JeffJ

Wouldn't it be inappropriate for the DNC or the RNC to spend money on a particular candidate during the primaries? I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have done that - directly, anyway.

I thought Hillary had the right idea with the pantsuits. Did she ever wear a skirt?

It's a lot easier for men. Obama and McCain? 7 suits, shirts, shoes and ties? $10,000 max for a whole year or two? They'd wear their own stuff a lot too. Neither of them have a hair problem.

Look, we all know that in the real unreal America of presidential campaigns all kinds of crazy shit goes on. Palin's problem is that her rhetoric doesn't match her actions or those of her handlers. Message discipline is what they call it in there in their cocoon. Outside the cocoon "Real Americans" don't spend three years income on clothes in a couple of months. "Real Americans" go to Target or Costco. Don't pull the curtain back to reveal the truth. Dorothy gets surprised, then annoyed.

Larry:
The diff between Obama and Lincoln pre experience wise are;
Lincoln had a 23 year law career, was a Captain in The Ill. Militia and saw action in the Black Hawk War. He also served 6 years in the US legislature and 2 in the state legislature. It was also a far different time.

A real reporter would compare the amounts to that spent on similar items for Obama and Biden. Is $150,000 overall a lot when the campaign spends millions daily? It sounds like a lot to me - but with nothing to compare it to, the article leaves you with no choice but to go with your gut feeling.

"However, we'd need to compare the expenditure with some of her peers to see it it truly IS excessive in a comparative sense."

Okay...how many people with her income spend $150,000 on clothes?

Get some new material, troll.
#27 | Posted by wisgod at 2008-10-22 09:25 AM

Hahaha, Mr. Pot.

"She has true executive experience" posted by JeffJ

You have GOT to be kidding me! Jeff - she built a public sports arena on land THE VILLAGE OF WASILLA DID NOT AND DOES NOT YET OWN! LOL! LOL! LOL! LOL! Yep, executive experience - in LAWSUITS!!!!! Wasilla is STILL in ligitation over that puppy! LOL! They have spent over a million dollars trying to get title to the land under Eminent Domain and are still in court! Yup, no doubt about it - that's someone we need - AS FAR AWAY FROM WASHINGTON AS SHE CAN GET! Frankly, Alaska's too close - Antarctica would be good.....she can take her new clothes with her, of course.

The article states that HC received $6k for 2 hairdo's. So how many people with her income spend $6,000.00 on 2 hairdo's.
And this isn't a deflection; it's in the article.

A barbie doll is no fun (and pretty useless) without a full wardrobe to wow the jethros.

$150,000 is what "Joe the Plumber" grosses in 4 years.

Sarah can see Saks Fifth Avenue from the front porch of the Ritz-Carlton.

" So how many people with her income spend $6,000.00 on 2 hairdo's."

Why don't we ask Cindy McCain?

Okay...how many people with her income spend $150,000 on clothes?

That's a non-sequitur.

She's running for the second highest office in the land and with that comes some perks.

I can understand decrying said perks IF it's done so without bias. If it's bad for Sarah Palin to have her party spend that kind of cash for her clothes it should be equally bad for the DNC to do likewise for Senator Clinton if the amount spent is comparable.

"it should be equally bad for the DNC to do likewise for Senator Clinton if the amount spent is comparable. "

Then show where the DNC paid for Hillary's clothes.

She's running for the second highest office in the land and with that comes some perks.

I can understand decrying said perks IF it's done so without bias. If it's bad for Sarah Palin to have her party spend that kind of cash for her clothes it should be equally bad for the DNC to do likewise for Senator Clinton if the amount spent is comparable.

Posted by JeffJ at 2008-10-22 10:59 AM | Reply

It doesn't fucking matter what the DNC is doing JeffJ. They aren't the ones pushing this Joe the Plumber like mentality on everyone like Your "Darling" Sarah Palin is doing. How can She say She understands what the poor and average person goes through while wearing clothes that are worth more than their car and truck combined?? It's fucking craziness dude.

Larry

Lincoln "was a Captain in The Ill. Militia and saw action in the Black Hawk War."

Lincoln never claimed to have seen action in the Black Hawk War, because he didn't see any action during the Black Hawk War.

"He also served 6 years in the US legislature and 2 in the state legislature."

He actually served eight years in the Illinois legislature and a single term in the US House of Representatives. (His Washington, D.C. career was cut short because of his opposition to President Polk's war with Mexico.)

"She's running for the second highest office in the land and with that comes some perks. "

Then don't spend 4 years of Joe the Plumber's income and pretend you're Just Like Joe.

"Then don't spend 4 years of Joe the Plumber's income and pretend you're Just Like Joe."

Clearly her tax returns indicate that her lifestyle is a lot more like Joe's than most other prominent politicians. If Joe were in her position I'm sure he'd accept a bunch of fancy expenditures from the RNC as well. So, explain how she isn't just like him?

How can She say She understands what the poor and average person goes through while wearing clothes that are worth more than their car and truck combined?? It's fucking craziness dude.

The same applies to Obama. He got a real sweet deal on a million dollar home and HE pretends to speak for the poor. How can he say he understands what the poor and average person goes through while living in a home that is valued higher than their entire neighborhood?? It IS fucking craziness.

Then don't spend 4 years of Joe the Plumber's income and pretend you're Just Like Joe.

Tell that to Obama as well.

Tell that to Obama as well.

Posted by JeffJ at 2008-10-22 11:06 AM | Reply

I don't think their clothes are all that expensive. Nice deflection from the truth JeffJ like always.

Larry

"She's running for the second highest office in the land and with that comes some perks. "

Show me where John McCain or Barrack Obama had the national committees spend $150k on their wardrobe. They are after all running for THE HIGHEST office in the land.

You must feel right at home on the Teacups at Disney with that amount of spin.

I thought Mayor Mooseville, the Mukluk Messiah, was supposed to be a Mahverick *wink*wink*.

I guess now we know what the winking was all about.... it was a subtle "fuck you" to all the people that are falling for her bullshit. Just. Like. You.

The same applies to Obama. He got a real sweet deal on a million dollar home and HE pretends to speak for the poor. How can he say he understands what the poor and average person goes through while living in a home that is valued higher than their entire neighborhood?? It IS fucking craziness.

#66 | Posted by JeffJ at 2008-10-22 11:05 AM | Reply | Flag: Flag: (Choose)
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Because He has fucking lived the poor life before. He knows what being poor is like cause He has been there done that and received several tattered T Shirts along the way because of it. Has Sarah Palin??

Larry

I don't think their clothes are all that expensive.

Their clothes are the best money can buy.

Also, women's clothes are more expensive than men's, which is why I invoked Hillary Clinton as an apples to apples comparison.

Has Sarah Palin??

Yes. Her early adult life was a humble existence.

You must feel right at home on the Teacups at Disney with that amount of spin.

Wishing for a comparitve measurement of Hillary's clothing expenditures and Palin's is "spin"???

You are an unmitigated partisan hack.

"With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it's remarkable that we're spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses," said spokesperson Tracey Schmitt.

Well I'll be dipped in dog shit! Look who finally wants to drop this sort of stuff and start talking about "important issues." It's sssssoooo nice of you folks to finally join the rest of us, we've been having this presidential campaign. . . .

"Hillary's clothing expenditures"

Gives new meaning to Tent Sale.

"Show me where John McCain or Barrack Obama had the national committees spend $150k on their wardrobe."

Remind me why I should care.

JEFFJ

I have to conclude you're not a homeowner.

Obama's present home had been on the market for months. He made an offer, they countered, and they made a deal. Same as I did for my home.

You look foolish to make the claim he got 'a sweet deal'. A deal's a deal.

If you try to bring up the mortgage, well, believe it or not even banks have competition for mortgages of that size believe it or not.

AU,

It was a jab at Rezko's role in Obama's home purchase.

I have to conclude you're not a homeowner.

Your conclusion is false.

Yes. Her early adult life was a humble existence.

Posted by JeffJ at 2008-10-22 11:11 AM | Reply

There's JeffJ trying to make a sows ear outy of a silk purse. Funny dat Be in spades.

Larry

Fine, JEFF

Real estate is usually negotiated - just like my home. I paid 15% less than the asking price and negotiated a variety of other issues.

Happens every single day unless you're in a red hot real estate market.

Yes. Her early adult life was a humble existence.

Posted by JeffJ at 2008-10-22 11:11 AM | Reply

There's JeffJ trying to make a sows ear outy of a silk purse. Funny dat Be in spades.

Don't be snide - prove me wrong.

"7 suits, shirts, shoes and ties? $10,000 max for a whole year or two?"

Um, you don't wear suits, do you? Or at least, you don't wear suits that don't come from Men's Wearhouse. To get a dark blue suit that looks really good up close, doesn't sparkle with polyester under fluorescent lights, and actually photographs dark blue (instead of cornflower blue) on TV, you'd be spending about $1200 for made-to-measure ready-to-wear, and more like four or five grand for entry-level bespoke, meaning custom-tailored especially for you, from scratch. You can spend five grand on a pair of bespoke Lobb shoes, if you're into that. But even if you stick to ready-to-wear suits and mass-produced "better" shoes like Johnston & Murphy, a candidate's wardrobe would probably cost several times what you think it should. On dark blue suits alone, you'd need at least three - one on your back, one as backup in case of a problem with the one on your back, and one in the cleaners.

"Real estate is usually negotiated"

You're right, it is. What does not usually happen, is that a person convicted of multiple felonies for being in the pocket of Illinois politicians does not usually buy a useless side yard connected to my lot for 1/3 of the entire property value.

First off, why does anyone give a shit how the RNC spends its campaign money? Now, if we are talking tax-payer dollars, I'd feel differently.

Secondly, my overall point is that I don't think these expenditures are out-of-the-ordinary for a female politician running for such a high office. If the outrage is one of the audacity of ALL politicians who spend so frivolously - fine. But it isn't. The outrage on this thread is selective. It's directed at Sarah Palin because many of you relfexively hate her, no matter what. Presidentail campaigns are enormously expensive with so much at stake. These campaigns are going to spend whatever they need in order to make their candidates look as good as possible in a contest where appearances are crucial.

It's the selective outrage that I have been challenging.

JOE

You do understand the owners insisted the lot be sold at the same time as the house, right?

Obama (and Rezko) paid full price for their respective shares of the lot.

I bought the lot next to my house too, but had to come up with cash because it was zoned separately from the house and wasn't rolled up in the mortgage for the house and it's lot.

When Obama got another check for book royalties he purchased the remaining part of the lot for full price.

Non issue except for those grasping at straws.

Now JeffJ gets painted into the proverbial Corner He comes up with this Bullshit about who cares what the RNC spends their money on. You better believe it fucking matters when They claim to understand what the average Americans are goping through when they don't fucking practice what they preach. What fucking double standard bastards they are.

Larry

Then there's the $150,000 wardrobe for this high spending VP candidate who's bilked Alaska for more than Joe the Plumber makes in a year.

Have at it. You tell Me Her ADULT Life was some Humble upbringing. I double dare You JeffJ. You can't because She didn't. PERIOD

She married young and had her first child when young. She helped her husband run his business. She got involved in the PTA and then local politics. Nothing extravagant there - a typical American family.

You better believe it fucking matters when They claim to understand what the average Americans are goping through when they don't fucking practice what they preach. What fucking double standard bastards they are.

Um, excuse me. It's the DEMOCRATIC party that claims to be for the poor and the common man. Where's your outrage at the DNC for not practicing what THEY preach?

What fucking double standard bastards they are.

Are you suggesting they should wear cheap suits? Are you suggesting that the Repubs should but the Dems shouldn't?

A campaign is like a protracted job interview. When I go on a job interview I make my appearance as presentable as possible.

Look in the mirror, Larry. The only one on this thread with a double standard is you.

"You do understand the owners insisted the lot be sold at the same time as the house, right?"

Why didn't Obama buy it? And why did a useless side yard cost so much?

"Obama (and Rezko) paid full price for their respective shares of the lot."

Why, of all the people in the world, was Rezko, a felon convicted of influence peddling, the person who bought the side yard for so much money?

"I bought the lot next to my house too,"

Nobody gives a shit what you supposedly did.

and AGAIN this is an issue here but you wont even consider looking into the relationship of a man who we now know as "KLONSKY whose own father was arrested for threating to 'violently' overthrowing the government and who has been quoted as saying that his aim was to overthrow the capitalist system

and YET...........WE ARENT EVEN SUPPOSED TO KNOW HE EXISTS because of the media shills and obama shills here..........

typical

SO let me let you in on a little thanks to andy mccarthy

prof saheen was at columbia and was an admitted anarchist.........kalieed took his place and was in the company of klonsky and THEY ALL said that they were comunist bent on overthrowing the capitalist system

and what do THEY ALL HAVE IN COMMON

barak obama who has thrown millions of dollars to some or all of them at one point or another

AND GET THIS>........he wasnt EIGHT YEARS OLD AT THE TIME

but will cnn look into this........FUCK NO because they are shills and not journalist.......

"You do understand the owners insisted the lot be sold at the same time as the house, right?"

I still can't believe this is being used as an excuse. Do you know what happens in that situation under normal circumstances? When a homeowner demands that the buyer purchase a $600,000 side yard they can't afford, the buyer goes and looks for another hosue. What does not happen is that someone who has coincidentally been convicted of buying favors from politicians goes and buys the lot out of the kindness of his heart. Stop pretending that the circumstances of this purchase were normal. It makes you look extremely stupid.

and oh yeah

the two profs at columbia were avid supporters of yes sir IM a fat............and supported his violent regime for the palastinians

and IF IT DOESNT REALLY MATTER???? then it wont hurt to AT LEAST LOOK INTO IT............RIGHT??????

BUSHLOVERRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

I love your rantings!

God I love ya!!

lol

prof saheen was at columbia and was an admitted anarchist.........kalieed took his place and was in the company of klonsky and THEY ALL said that they were comunist bent on overthrowing the capitalist system

SHIT I FORGOT

after TEN YEARS of hiding because he was GUILTY along with his wife........this admitted terrorist also became a part of this sect of admitted anarchists........his name

william ayers

so again I ask all my liberal bros here

IF there is nothing to it......why the reluctance to EVEN TALK ABOUT IT much less look into it

"IF there is nothing to it......why the reluctance to EVEN TALK ABOUT IT much less look into it"

Go ahead...talk about it, look into it.

Associations from decades and decades ago is all you've got. Have at it.

and THERE you are wrong..........

because ayers is STILL ACTIVE in his effort to remake education

in other words as klonsky shows as well

instead of bombs for anarchy, they are using education...........and they HAVE NOT CHANGED and what is their common link..

barak obama...........so you see........the argument is no longer about terrorist bombing.its about ideaology and apparently OBAMA AGREES WITH THEM or at least he did at one time...

so why cant we look into THAT?

again.......the left is scared silly of what will be found

I am scared silly of McCain telling me that because he was on an aircraft carrier when Obama was three years old he is prepared and tested.

and as I leave today let me leave you with some names

klonsky
kaleed
shaheen
ayers

and thier connection.......they are all anarchists TO THIS DAY.............and the other

barak obama

now lets see if the media has the balls to even look

Wishing for a comparitve measurement of Hillary's clothing expenditures and Palin's is "spin"???

You are an unmitigated partisan hack.

#73 | Posted by JeffJ

No, the spin comment was directed at this gem...

She's running for the second highest office in the land and with that comes some perks.

#60 | Posted by JeffJ at 2008-10-22 10:59 AM

BTW Jeff,

I you want a comparison of Hillary's expenditures by all means feel free to do so.

I will decry that just as much.

Please post a thread about the DNC paying $150,000 to outfit Hill and Bill and Chelsea.

The Mayor of Mooseville is campaigning as a "MAVERICK" someone who "takes on the good old boys network". How does this fit in with her so called maverickiness?

Please post a thread about the DNC paying $150,000 to outfit Hill and Bill and Chelsea.

A quick google turned up zilch.

What a shocker - an unbiased MSM reports on what Palin spends for clothes but not Hillary.

The Mayor of Mooseville is campaigning as a "MAVERICK" someone who "takes on the good old boys network". How does this fit in with her so called maverickiness?

That she spends money on clothes in a contest where appearance is critical?

No, the spin comment was directed at this gem...

Please explain how my comment was spin in lieu of being truthful.

Just like I couldn't find shit about Obama's per diem expenses.

"Just like I couldn't find shit about Obama's per diem expenses."

And that proves...what?

"That she spends money on clothes in a contest where appearance is critical?"

That was the same defense the Republicans used for Edwards when he got his hair cut...right?

JeffJ

What makes you think Hillary needs money for clothes? What makes you think Hillary needs or would take fashion advice from the DNC. Your mental faculties are fading fast. Get a test for Alzheimers. It doesn't just affect old people.

Just like I couldn't find shit about Obama's per diem expenses.

#105 | Posted by JeffJ at 2008-10-22 12:48 PM | Reply

Who do you think should be paying Obamas per diem? Who does he work for? Obama had money GIVEN to him. I don't think per diem is a factor. That you do is an indication of poor thinking--get that test.

"RNC Spends $150,000 to Clothe Palins"

RNC != Government

LOL!!! Morons

What I find hilarious in all this is that Sarah Palin has managed to become governor of a state, without somehow managing to accumulate a professional wardrobe...

Please post a thread about the DNC paying $150,000 to outfit Hill and Bill and Chelsea.

A quick google turned up zilch.

What a shocker - an unbiased MSM reports on what Palin spends for clothes but not Hillary.

Maybe that could be that Hillary buys her own clothes instead of having the DNC do it?

No of course it is better to blame the "librool" media.

Spoken like an unmitigated partisan hack.

Just like I couldn't find shit about Obama's per diem expenses.

#105 | Posted by JeffJ at

Has Obama billed the state of Illinois for his families travel costs?

Is that your assertion.

You are ripe. She bills the state for living in her own home, for her families non business travel costs and then the RNC plunks down $150,000 on new outfits for her, Todd and the family, and you bitch because there are no articles about Obama or Hillary doing the same thing?

Are you serious? There is a serious disconnect in your grey matter.

There is a serious disconnect in your grey matter.

#113 | Posted by 726 at 2008-10-22 01:40 PM | Reply

I agree---and it's getting worse. JeffJ used to be somewhat logical, but the last few months he has been showing signs of erratic thought processes. I think it's early Alzheimers. He should take the test.

She bills the state for living in her own home,

It's called a home office, you dolt.

Fax machines, internet service, phone lines, etc. ALL cost money and those costs are rightly charged to the state, just as anyone who works out of home would charge those very same expenses to their own employer.

and you bitch because there are no articles about Obama or Hillary doing the same thing?

Are you serious?

Yes, I am serious. I'd be interested to know how much the DNC paid for Michelle Obama's clothes.

Aren't you even a bit curious?

"It's called a home office"

Palin's home is her principle place of business?

Like I said before, an honest journalist would have compared the expenses with those made by the other campaign. Average Americans are shocked when they hear large amounts of money and automatically assume that it must be outlandish by any standard.

If I posted an article here about Obama having a $1.5M house to suggest that he was out of touch with average Americans, people would instinctively want to know how many homes John McCain has and how much they are worth. Why that same instinct doesn't kick in when the story is about a Republican is obvious.

That's interesting, beecause her website (www.gov.state.ak.us) doesn't list her home as an office.
Posted by Doc_Sarvis

Then the DNC shouldn't be paying for Obama's campign Jet for the last 2 fucking years of this campaign.

Palin's home is her principle place of business?

No, smartass. It isn't her principle place of business, just as Bush's ranch in Texas isn't his principle place of business. That doesn't mean that she doesn't conduct business out of her home, incur expenses as a result and rightly charge those expenses to the state.

Your attempt at a "gotcha" was weak and poorly thought-out.

Seriously, how hard would it have been for this reporter to throw in a sentence like:

For comparative purposes, the DNC spent x amount of dollars on clothes and makeup and such for Obama and his family.

It's impossible to know if what she spent is exhorbitant compared with her peers because we have no clue as to how much her peers spent.

This is dishonest journalism.

Round and round and up and down. The fact is that she had $150,000 spent on her. You can make all the logical arguments and comparisons you like but most people will look at their own bad financial situation, look at her situation and her words about "real people" and how she relates to them and conclude that she's full of it.

"most people will look at their own bad financial situation, look at her situation and her words about "real people" and how she relates to them and conclude that she's full of it."

Again - under that logic, nobody who is ever nominated for president by a major party is ever a "regular person," no matter how blue-collar and working class they were prior to the nomination. They all get millions of dollars spent on them, and right or wrong, that doesn't mean they weren't a governor, a millionaire, or a homeless person prior to the nomination.

JEFFJ

Palin has an office in Anchorage. Wasilla is a suburb of Anchorage - you know, near her governor's office in Anchorage. If she chooses not to go to Juneau that's her call, but she has an office in Anchorage - 20 miles away.

I guess it's no story if Obuma takes donations from daffy duck,good will or bart simpson massive campaign fraud going on and the leftards are worried about clothes..

What makes you think Hillary needs money for clothes?

I know enough about the Clintons to know that Hillary would NEVER turn down DNC-funded clothing.

What makes you think Hillary needs or would take fashion advice from the DNC.

In campaign politics, appearance is crucial. Both sides do everything they can to gain a competitive edge. That you think Hillary doesn't have fashion consultants calls into question your mental faculties. You may consider testing for dementia.

Who do you think should be paying Obamas per diem? Who does he work for? Obama had money GIVEN to him. I don't think per diem is a factor.

The story about Palin's per diem was in regards to her time as a governor. The campaign trail is a different animal altogether. I'd like to know about Obama's per diem expenses as a senator and state senator. That Palin's expenses were investigated and reported on is an example of good journalism. That Obama has NOT been reported on is an example of bias.

Maybe that could be that Hillary buys her own clothes instead of having the DNC do it?

Maybe. Maybe not. We don't know because it hasn't been reported on and probably wasn't even looked into by our supposedly unbiased media.

I'd like to know. How can I determine if Palin's clothing expenses are extravagent or not if I can't compare and contrast it with those of her peers?

Spoken like an unmitigated partisan hack.

Pot meet kettle.

All I am asking for is a relatively equal level of media scrutiny regardless of party affiliation and you clowns act as if that is partisanship on my part! Amazing!

Why would you lie about something as stupid as that?

Good question. Furthermore, be it 20 or 44 miles, travel in Alaska is at times treacherous simply due to weather.

JOE

Well, excuuuuuuuuuuuse me. I eyeballed out the distance using the map at Mapquest.com and their distance legend. Wow, so that isn't commuting distance, eh?

In any major city in America millions of people commute that far every day from the suburbs.

Sorry, Palin's a joke. So are your lame retorts.

Has anyone in the Main Scream Media brought up how much money has spent on Michelle O's makeover - hair, make up, or her outfits from the DNC?

Uh, huh. So, why doesn't she just stay in Juneau in the governor's mansion? Most governors do. They don't bilk the taxpayers by charging per diem for themselves and their husbands unless they travel out of state of far enough to qualify under IRS rules.

Grasping at straws ya are

I thought the issue wasn't with the amount she spent, per se, but with the fact that she held her out to be the Wal-Mart mom. How do you connect with Wal-Mart moms on that kind of budget?

AU,

Do you think Palin's work as a governor is limited to time spent in the governor's office?

Governor is a high level position and issues arise outside of the 9-5 hours that need to be dealt with - dealt with from home. Having the tools in place to handle such issues costs money - money that is to be charged to the state.

PS - aren't any of you even remotely curious as to what Hillary Clinton spent on clothes during her campaign run? What about the Obama's?

Heck, maybe both were way more frugal, which would solidify what this author is attempting to imply. Then again, maybe they weren't any more frugal. The point is we don't know because it hasn't been reported on.

Nah, Hillary got her stuff from Lane Bryant. It ain't that expensive.

Has anyone in the Main Scream Media brought up how much money has spent on Michelle O's makeover - hair, make up, or her outfits from the DNC?

#128 | Posted by anamerican at 2008-10-22 02:50 PM | Reply |

Zero. She isn't running for office and she can buy her own cloths and wear her hair any way she likes. She isn't a puppet, like Palin.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va.(WAVY.com) A recent visit by presidential candidate Barack Obama to Newport News has left city taxpayers with a hefty bill, almost $30,000, mostly to pay overtime for police officers to work security at the event.

Obama drew a crowd of about 18,000 people at Victory Landing Park in Newport News two weeks ago.

Councilwoman Madeline McMillan says she is upset that the city is not even considering asking the Obama camp to reimburse city taxpayers.

"All the campaigns are well aware of the stress cities are under," said McMillan. "And it was my hope that since Senator Obama receives federal campaign funds, he'd contribute to the city at least a portion of the cost of his unexpected visit."

On the other side of the isle, and the other side of Hampton Roads, Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin, were just in Virginia Beach for a rally this past Monday.

Turns out their camp paid $20,000 upfront to rent out the Virginia Beach Convention center.

And all the officers who worked the event were working their normal shifts, so there was no overtime.

But we are worried about Palin's clothes?
Cut me a break.

"In any major city in America millions of people commute that far every day from the suburbs."

Do they do it in Anchorage? Because that's all that really matters.

The real point is, if you think it was improper for her to have a home office, then show me a statute that forbids her from doing so. Whether she should have been expensing the charges has been discussed ad nauseum on this site, but you now seem to be taking the position that she should never have had the office in the first place. Show some authority for that or just stop talking.

Uh, huh. So, why doesn't she just stay in Juneau in the governor's mansion?

I am sure she does. Hell, we know she purchased a used tanning bed for the governor's mansion, so I am sure she spends time there.

Why didn't Bush sell his ranch? He spends time in the White house, but he also spends time in his ranch.

On the issue of her per diem, we have NOTHING to compare it with. I can't find any reporting on the per diem of her predecessor, which would be the best apples-to-apples.

We DO know that she chose to forego the private jet and the personal chef - both being extravagent expenditures. But hey, she took an hour-long phone call at home and had the audacity to bilk the taxpayers with that expense.

I thought the issue wasn't with the amount she spent, per se, but with the fact that she held her out to be the Wal-Mart mom. How do you connect with Wal-Mart moms on that kind of budget?

See Joe's post above. Also, she has only very recently been on that kind of budget.

The Capitol of Alaska is in Juneau. The Governor's mansion (which the taxpayers pay to keep up 365) is in Juneau. There is a Governor's office in Anchorage - commuting distance.

Maybe she's only working as hard as she did as Mayor of Wasilla. See the Daily Show thread for video.

Monday - Staff Meeting Thursday - Paychecks are written. Those were the only two answers the current mayor of Wasilla could come up when asked what her typical day looks like.

Zero. She isn't running for office and she can buy her own cloths and wear her hair any way she likes.

Except that the 150k in question ALSO includes clothes for Palin's family.

Consistency would dictate that if Todd's clothing is included in the reporting than Michelle's would be as well.

Just tring to be fair and apply a consistent standard regardless of party affiliation.

AU diminishes the job of mayor of a small town and governor of a low populous state as nothing.

LOL He probably couldn't get a job as the "poopy scooper" at the local Holiday Parade even if he provided the broom and the poopy bucket.

Why does americanversion van have an excuse every single time he is caught lying?

Why didn't you flash your fake badge to mapquest Grecian Boy?

There is a Governor's office in Anchorage - commuting distance.

So, if she gets a call at 7 PM, she should hang-up and then drive 45 miles one-way to deal with the issue there JUST so she doesn't have to charge a per diem expense for a phone call out of her own home?

C'mon AU. You are usually smarter than this.

C'mon AU. You are usually smarter than this.

#141 | Posted by JeffJ

Link, please

Wait, wait, wait you fuckers.

Clothes, like haircuts, are funded by the campaign under Communications. It's all paid for by donations. The RNC spend the cash any way they wish, like the DNC. The candidates have to appear well. Do you homo's care about wardrobe budgets for monies and theatrical productions? It's the same thing.

WTF? This is such a non-issue.

FF W.

We DO know that she chose to forego the private jet and the personal chef - both being extravagent expenditures.

JEFF

She has a King Air at her disposal which she's used frequently.

The Westwind II she listed on eBay seats 7. I've flown on King Airs that seat 9. The cabins are comparable in size.

It's not like she doesn't have a plane.

"It's not like she doesn't have a plane."

And if she was flying around in a private jet her whole career, you'd rip her for "not being in touch with the working class." Just admit that she can't do anything right in your eyes and be done with it. You are by far the most pathetic person on this site.

Grecian Boy?

Heh heh...

It's not like she doesn't have a plane.

I didn't say she didn't have access to a plane. I pointed out that she got rid of the governor's private plane in lieu of cheaper air transportation.

She has a King Air at her disposal which she's used frequently.

I am sure she has - Alaska is frickin' huge. Flying frequently goes hand and hand with its acreage. It's not like being the governor of Rhode Island.

AU figures a governor should fly business class. What a rube.

Governor is a high level position and issues arise outside of the 9-5 hours that need to be dealt with - dealt with from home. Having the tools in place to handle such issues costs money - money that is to be charged to the state.

That's why most states--including Alaska---have a Governors Mansion.

We DO know that she chose to forego the private jet and the personal chef - both being extravagent expenditures.

#136 | Posted by JeffJ

You DO know that she only transferred the chef to a different department and that she is still on the state payroll, right?

AU figures a governor should fly business class. What a rube.

#150 | Posted by LeeAtwater at 2008-10-22 03:17 PM | Reply

That's nothing! He is actually denying chasing Revdarko around that nooner where he was begging to give him a ride.
He claimed it was 100% untrue.

This guy has major problems with reality. When he came here under some other "American" handle he claimed to be a retired O6.

"I pointed out that she got rid of the governor's private plane in lieu of cheaper air transportation."

YEAH!

But you seem to have omitted the "at a loss" part!

AU diminishes the job of mayor of a small town and governor of a low populous state as nothing.

~Annamerkin

No, Scary Failin disingenuously over-states her role as governor and mayor and AU, along with Jon Stewart and half of blogworld, calls shenanigans on her actions.

It's like her soundbite that she has more "executive experience" than Obama and Biden combined but neglects to say she also has more executive experience than McCain.

Face it, Scary is moronic eye candy and a tool of BigOil.

Be Well.

Where did I say a governor should fly business class?

You're tools.

The previous Democrat governor never charged the state to fly his kids anywhere, and didn't know of any who had flown them commercially at the state's expense.

OK, carry on tools

Your attempt at a "gotcha" was weak and poorly thought-out.
#119 | Posted by JeffJ at 2008-10-22 02:28 PM |

Fascinating, but fundamentally flawed.

Since you're attempting to make a run at the do-it-yourself H.R. Block title, please explain how your "place of business" doctrine supercedes the IRS requirement that the pad be your "principal place of business."

If you're taking off a "home office" without it being your "principal place of business" you should not be surprised if and when the IRS invites you in for a little chat.

Of course, morons like 101 have no problem at all charging their bosses to be morons here all day. It figures they'd be right in there for Palin to suck at the state's teat as much as possible.

Vegas is giving 5-1 odds on one more tool.

"Maybe you think it would be fine if Obama ran the country from Hawaii?"

Bob - the distance from Wasilla to Anchorage is 44.5 miles. The distance from Washington, D.C. to Hawaii is 5,500 miles.

Y'know, it occurs to me that $4,716.49 buys an awful lot of lipstick...

Your fake badge and fake stories don't work on the net you tired lonely old loser.

Joe

The point wasn't the distance--the point was that she charges for living in her own house.

BUT

44 away miles is not where the people of Alaska expected their Governor to live. That's why they built that big fucking mansion. That's why they spent the money.

How about if Obama lives in a nice house 44 miles from the White House and charges the taxpayer to live there along with travel expenses. Would that be OK with you?

"Tony Knowles, a Democratic former governor of Alaska who lost to Palin in a 2006 bid to reclaim the job, said he never charged the state for his three children's commercial flights or claimed their travel as official state business.

Knowles, who was governor from 1994 to 2002, is the only other recent Alaska governor who had school-age children while in office.

"the point was that she charges for living in her own house"

Show me where she charged for living in her own house. Thousands of Americans deduct home office expenses when they use a portion of their home "regularly and exclusively" for business purposes.

"How about if Obama lives in a nice house 44 miles from the White House and charges the taxpayer to live there along with travel expenses."

Why would I care where the President works as long as they are doing their job? P.S. - they aren't "charging the taxpayer to live there," they are deducting their expenses associated with using a portion of their house for business purposes.

Vegas is giving 5-1 odds on one more tool.
#160 | Posted by wisgod at 2008-10-22 03:29 PM

Great!
What office are you running for?

Maybe. Maybe not. We don't know because it hasn't been reported on and probably wasn't even looked into by our supposedly unbiased media.

I'd like to know. How can I determine if Palin's clothing expenses are extravagent or not if I can't compare and contrast it with those of her peers?

All I am asking for is a relatively equal level of media scrutiny regardless of party affiliation and you clowns act as if that is partisanship on my part! Amazing!

#125 | Posted by JeffJ

Well I am quite sure that given the lengths of screeching the right wailed about $400 haircuts for John Edwards, that if Hillary had a set of Lee press on nails bought for by the DNC, Slant Head Hannity and Flush Limpjob would be all over it like a screech monkey.

I think it would quite safe to say, the reason there is no story is that there is no story to be told.

But if you feel there is a media void about this non-story by all means start investigating. I for one would like to know.

PS, it is not about whether Mayor Mooseville's clothes are expensive or not, but rather HOW they were paid for. This seems to be a campaign finance law violation. But keep on trying to blur the issue.

Y'know, it occurs to me that $4,716.49 buys an awful lot of lipstick...

#162 | Posted by MaryTylerWhore

You betcha!

It is "mavericky red" color too.

"I pointed out that she got rid of the governor's private plane in lieu of cheaper air transportation."

YEAH!

But you seem to have omitted the "at a loss" part!

#154 | Posted by Redneckville

And to a campaign contributor to boot.

You betcha!

You DO know that she only transferred the chef to a different department and that she is still on the state payroll, right?

Yep. Instead of firing a qualified employee the governor relocated her to where she could be better utilized.

please explain how your "place of business" doctrine supercedes the IRS requirement that the pad be your "principal place of business."

She has a job of tremendous responsibility. Sometimes, issues come up while she is at her personal home and those issues result in her incurring expenses that ultimately get charged to her employer. I don't understand why you are parsing semantics.

Would that be OK with you?

Yes. It is not at all uncommon for politicians to maintain their private residences even though they have temporary access (the duration of their term) to government-provided housing.

"Tony Knowles, a Democratic former governor of Alaska who lost to Palin in a 2006 bid to reclaim the job, said he never charged the state for his three children's commercial flights or claimed their travel as official state business.

Good for Knowles and possibly bad for Palin. I would very much like to compare his total per diem expenses against Palin's. THAT would be the most telling comparison in lieu of picking and choosing the evidence that best suits an argument.

I've tried unsuccessfully to google the per diem of Palin's predecessor. Anybody know how I can get my hands on that information? It's gotta be a matter of public record somewhere.

I'd be VERY interested to discover yes or no whether Obama ever charged per diem for flying his kids and wife with him on official business trips while operating as a senator or state senator. Is it unreasonable to ask for a comparable level of scrutiny between Obama and Palin?

And if she was flying around in a private jet her whole career, you'd rip her for "not being in touch with the working class." Just admit that she can't do anything right in your eyes and be done with it. You are by far the most pathetic person on this site.

#146 | Posted by JOE

Nah, you can rip on her for being out of touch for dropping $75,000 at Neiman Marcus on clothes.

I tell one thing that she will do right.......

She will go home come Nov 5th.

This seems to be a campaign finance law violation. But keep on trying to blur the issue.

I am not trying to blur the issue. I suspect that Obama's suits are provided by the DNC as are McCCain's and Biden's.

I highly doubt that this is the first time a political party spent money on clothing for a candidate during campaign season.

Great!
What office are you running for?

#167 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

Sorry if I stepped on your favorite Lounge Singers toes.

:"you can rip on her for being out of touch for dropping $75,000 at Neiman Marcus on clothes"

For the last time - under that logic, nobody who is ever nominated for president by a major party is ever a "regular person," no matter how blue-collar and working class they were prior to the nomination. They all get millions of dollars spent on them, and right or wrong, that doesn't mean they weren't a governor, a millionaire, or a homeless person prior to the nomination.

"Yep. Instead of firing a qualified employee the governor relocated her to where she could be better utilized."

LOL! Thank you for conceding that your attempt at making it sound like she did it as some great cost-saving move to save the state money was as bogus as the story itself. Especially considering the job the chef was transferred to was created to keep her employed.

Jeff, Jeff, Jeff...

But maybe we could get the NY Post to delve in and get some dirt on the Obama's expenses for you. Like how Michelle ordered room service at the Waldorf and ordered expensive steamed lobsters and Iranian caviar.

What? Turns out she wasn't even AT the Waldorf?

Rupert, Rupert, Rupert...

She has a job of tremendous responsibility

JEFFJ

I don't know if I'd call being governor of a state with 1/12th the population of New York City as having 'tremendous responsibility'. Doesn't seem to be enough responsibility to be in the state Capitol much. In fact, she charged 300 days of per diem for being at home.

Bloomberg lives in Gracie Mansion - the Mayor's mansion. I'm sure he'd prefer to live in Westchester Country or Connecticut as so many people of tremendous responsibility who work in NYC do.

"I don't know if I'd call being governor of a state with 1/12th the population of New York City as having 'tremendous responsibility'."

Right - governing 670,000 people is no more responsibility than bagging groceries. Perhaps you could share the number of people you have to be in charge of before it rises to a respectable level of responsibility. Clearly it is somewhere between 670,000 and 8,000,000. Please indicate what the number is before someone is respected by a liar like you.

I suspect that Obama's suits are provided by the DNC as are McCCain's and Biden's.

I highly doubt that this is the first time a political party spent money on clothing for a candidate during campaign season.

#173 | Posted by JeffJ

From the article...

A review of similar records for the campaign of Democrat Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee turned up no similar spending

But even better...

The entries also show a few purchases at Pacifier, a top notch baby store, and Steiniauf & Stroller Inc., suggesting $295 was spent to accommodate the littlest Palin to join the campaign trail.

Well I am quite sure that given the lengths of screeching the right wailed about $400 haircuts for John Edwards, that if Hillary had a set of Lee press on nails bought for by the DNC, Slant Head Hannity and Flush Limpjob would be all over it like a screech monkey.

It would have to be reported on first. Rush and Hannity are commentators, not reporters.

LOL! Thank you for conceding that your attempt at making it sound like she did it as some great cost-saving move to save the state money was as bogus as the story itself. Especially considering the job the chef was transferred to was created to keep her employed.

She felt that having a personal chef was an extravagence that SHE shouldn't use personally. So, she moved the chef to where she could be better utilized.

I don't know if I'd call being governor of a state with 1/12th the population of New York City as having 'tremendous responsibility'.

She presided over a $6.6 billion budget. That's a pretty huge responsibility.

In fact, she charged 300 days of per diem for being at home.

As you already pointed out, she lived within commuting distance to the governor's office in Anchorage. Since she had that option available to her, she obviously chose to remain living at home, keeping her kids in the same schools and community that they were already a part of. A job with that level of responsiblity is a 24/7 gig. That she had a portion of her house dedicated toward her responsibility is not only reasonable, but is fairly common.

Several of my peers have a similar set-up and only make it into our acutal office a couple of times per month and these guys are small potatoes.

Palin-itis is quite an affliction.

Actually AU he doesn't - he lives in his apartment on Fifth Avenue but he pays for it.

She felt that having a personal chef was an extravagence that SHE shouldn't use personally. So, she moved the chef to where she could be better utilized.

#180 | Posted by JeffJ

Now you're interpreting motive that she herself never expressed? You're so deep into rationalization that you can no longer see clearly.

Even IF what you said above was true, then why did both she and you characterize the event as an example of a cost-saving measure for the state? It most definitely was not.

Y'know, it occurs to me that $4,716.49 buys an awful lot of lipstick...

#162 | Posted by MaryTylerWhore

...and a couple of pigs as well!

Even IF what you said above was true, then why did both she and you characterize the event as an example of a cost-saving measure for the state? It most definitely was not.

Certainly a bit disingenuous on her part in that she didn't say she moved the private chef elsewhere, just that she thought it was extravagent.

The point she seemed to be making was that extravagences were in place for the exclusive use of the Alaskan governor and she felt the taxpayers shouldn't pay to pamper the governor.

I still agree with not firing the chef IF she could indeed be better utilized elsewhere. A good executive (I am not necessarily saying Palin is a good executive) doesn't just abjectly cut costs for the sake of cost-cutting. Making optimal use of existing assets is also important.

he lives in his apartment on Fifth Avenue but he pays for it.

The Palin's pay the mortgage and the upkeep on their home as well.

Palin-itis is quite an affliction. per Jeff

Actually it is called SDS---

Sarah Derangement Syndrome--all libs have it.

As for this story--it is only important if you are a lib.

They all do this to some extent.

I guess you guys would really like the family to be on stage at the RNC in bunny boots and scrubs worn in Alaska?

And for the record--the stuff will be donated to charity--and her clothes will bring some cake--so it will go to a good cause.

Like Wounded Warriors or something..

" they aren't "charging the taxpayer to live there," they are deducting their expenses associated with using a portion of their house for business purposes."

The issue wasn't a home office, which she wouldn't have qualified for, it's per diem and travel expense reimbursements.

But still, it's much ado about nothing. Joe's point is well-taken: taxpayers are often away from their tax home---and collecting/deducting per diem---while sleeping on their pillows.

If the State of Alaska issued a travel card for the governor, and made a statement that family travel is considered for the good of the state, none of this would have shown up on her tax return. She's being treated differently than others doing the same thing on the company card.

Of course, who cares that they spent 150K on clothes and makeup for Palin. It was donated money from "real Americans" anyway. What I'm wondering is, how bad must she have looked and dressed when they decided they HAD to spend that kind of money?

Here's a nifty comparison site.

"Actually AU he doesn't - he lives in his apartment on Fifth Avenue but he pays for it."

Wow - can AU go five minutes without making shit up?

"With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it's remarkable that we're spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses," said spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt. "It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign."

The link I posted appears to be broken. It is on the Drudgereport and gives campaign spending breakdown comparisons for both Obama and McCain.

Come November 5th Alaska can and will deal with Palin however they choose.

Bloomberg may live on 5th Avenue but it's like nil to zero he charges NYC per diem to do so.

Palin is now a bigger drag on McCain's campaign than Bush. That is an impressive feat.

That doesn't appear to be the case with McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin. Fifty-five percent of respondents say she's not qualified to serve as president if the need arises, up five points from the previous poll.

In addition, for the first time, more voters have

a negative opinion of her than a positive one. In the survey, 47 percent view her negatively, versus 38 percent who see her in a positive light.

That's a striking shift since McCain chose Palin as his running mate in early September, when she held a 47 to 27 percent positive rating.

Now, Palin's qualifications to be president rank as voters' top concern about McCain's candidacy - ahead of continuing President Bush's policies, enacting economic policies that only benefit the rich and keeping too high of a troop presence in Iraq.

And for the record--the stuff will be donated to charity--and her clothes will bring some cake--so it will go to a good cause.

#186 | Posted by MURPHY

Was that in the article? If so, I must have missed it.

Sorry - I missed your #191

Nice website, Wis.

JOE

Bloomberg lives in NYC - you know, where the Mayor's office is? Doesn't charge per diem to do so.

Accuse me all you want of 'making shit up'. You're the one looking like a fool for doing so.

I point out she lives commuting distance from the Governor's satellite office in Anchorage yet still charges Alaska to work at home. Fact. So fucking what I eyeballed the map at MapQuest with their mileage legend. Duh.

What is pitiful is the lengths you go to on semantics.

Doesn't matter. Palin is toast on November 5th.

Bloomberg may live on 5th Avenue but it's like nil to zero he charges NYC per diem to do so.

Can you substantiate your claim?

I point out she lives commuting distance from the Governor's satellite office in Anchorage yet still charges Alaska to work at home. Fact.

Which is a common business practice in this day and age, especially for someone who has such a high level of responsibility. Unless you are suggesting that she sleep at the satellite office.

Palin is toast on November 5th.

It ain't over until Michelle sings.

Turns out only family members can live at Gracie Mansion. Bloomberg has a girlfriend.

Guiliani coultn't live there either.

ta da

Current Use

Due to the restrictions on the office, the house may only be used for official city business; only visiting public officials and the Mayor's family may reside with the Mayor at the mansion, even for an overnight stay. As a result, Rudy Giuliani was unable to have his then-girlfriend live with him (because they were not married), because it would have violated using a taxpayer funded home for a private citizen. Giuliani was forced to move out. Likewise, the divorced Bloomberg, who has had girlfriends during his time in office, does not reside there.

Alaska does has a really nice Governor's mansion.

"Bloomberg lives in NYC - you know, where the Mayor's office is?"

Well there's a valid comparison. Bloomberg governs a small and densely populated land mass - of course his house is going to be somewhere near the mayor's office. Palin governs a state that is 570,380 square miles.

JEFF

Per diem is only paid for out of town expenses.

That's the very nature of the term and it's use.

"I point out she lives commuting distance from the Governor's satellite office in Anchorage yet still charges Alaska to work at home."

Again - if you think it was improper for her to have a home office, then show me a statute that forbids her from doing so. Whether she should have been expensing the charges has been discussed ad nauseum on this site, but you now seem to be taking the position that she should never have had the office in the first place. Show some authority for that or just stop talking.

It ain't over until Michelle sings

Don't be such a pessimist. Bridget McCain may be the one doing the singing.

"It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign."

Do you donate your used clothing to charity Murphy?

Or do you buy used clothing for yourself?

Just asking.

The contortions some are going through to excuse charging per diem without leaving the house are pretty damn funny.

In this case Joe is funnier than Jeff. Only because he's trying to argue about something that no body else is saying.

JOE

We'll see how Alaska sorts it all out.

Here's a similar example in Alaska:

In the past, per diem claims by Alaska state officials have carried political risks. In 1988, the head of the state Commerce Department was pilloried for collecting a per diem charge of $50 while staying in his Anchorage home, according to local news accounts. The commissioner, the late Tony Smith, resigned amid a series of controversies.

Former Gov. Tony Knowles, Palin's opponent in the 2006 Governor's race, said:

"It was quite the little scandal," said Tony Knowles, the Democratic governor from 1994 to 2000. "I gave a direction to all my commissioners if they were ever in their house, whether it was Juneau or elsewhere, they were not to get a per diem because, clearly, it is and it looks like a scam -- you pay yourself to live at home," he said.

If Palin were the Democrat VP candidate the righties would be screaming at the top of their lungs every day - and they know it.

Oh, the irony. $150K to put clothes on her and 80% of her supporters are just panting to see her without them.

"Here's a similar example in Alaska"

Wow - an unsourced article about somebody else. The question, in case you missed it, was: if you think it was improper for her to have a home office, then show me a statute that forbids her from doing so. Whether she should have been expensing the charges has been discussed ad nauseum on this site, but you now seem to be taking the position that she should never have had the office in the first place. Show some authority for that or just stop talking.

JOE

Per diem payments are not reimbursements for a 'home office', they're for reimbursement for expenses during travel days out of town.

Living commuting distance from a Governor's office in Anchorage, or choosing not to live in the Governor's mansion (which still incurs the same upkeep and expenses with or without them there) should not qualify her for per diem. Period.

As for Bloomberg--guess he takes the subway to work--right?

Or is that a limo?

Hmmm-who pays for that?

------------

Sit--

Jackie-O's clothes sold for big bucks.

When folks are given a chance to wear and own something of Sarah--their wallets will be open to pay for it.

And the money goes to charity--so yeah folks will buy.

Donate the shit to Tina Fey and be fucking done with it.

And yes--I do donate clothing to charity--Goodwill.

And the kids stuff too.

FF WISGOD

As for Bloomberg--guess he takes the subway to work--right?

Or is that a limo?

Hmmm-who pays for that?

#215 | Posted by MURPHY

Well, I don't begrudge him a limo ride since he only takes $1 year in salary.

"Living commuting distance from a Governor's office in Anchorage, or choosing not to live in the Governor's mansion (which still incurs the same upkeep and expenses with or without them there) should not qualify her for per diem. Period."

Again - provide authority for your moronic assertions. The fact that you've already been caught lying twice in this thread alone means that you can't just say things like that and expect people to believe you. You are not the internal revenue code, and I doubt you're citing the law accurately.

This is weird. JeffJ is trying his hardest to defend the indefensible on the part of the rightwingers, and Danforth is kicking his ass, and all the while Joe is posting about shit that has nothing to do with the topic. On the one hand, it's like I never left, but on the other, I'm reminded why I did.

And why is Corky posting shit to me when I haven't posted to this thread, and I haven't posted here at all since June or July? Did she lose her marbles?

Here's a shout out to Chariborne, Rob, Nulli, Danforth, Lee, and many others of you who I miss reading. I admire your steadfastness.

mOntecOre

" 'Hmmm-who pays for that?'

#215 | Posted by MURPHY

Well, I don't begrudge him a limo ride since he only takes $1 year in salary."

Posted by SeekerofTruth

snicker flag

Munty-

I've posted plenty on the thread topic. You may have forgotten but some conversations veer into other topics as well. I must say it is horrible to see you back here.

This is for JeffJ, Joe, Murphy and the rest of the wingers. If the question is how much are the Dems spending on clothes for their candidates, I think this should answer that one(see what I did there).

MURPHY

RE: Limo

Ever been to NYC? Gracie Mansion is a few blocks from the Upper East Side (5th Avenue)

January 24, 2007 -- MICHAEL Bloomberg doesn't think taxpayers should foot the bill for the occupants of Gracie Mansion, the official mayor's residence which he declined to move into after his election. "I don't think any mayor should live here," Bloomberg told The Post's Braden Keil at a mansion fund-raiser on Monday night. "Rudy Giuliani had the executive chef prepare food for his mother three times a week, then would have it delivered to her 10 blocks away. The taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for things like that." Giuliani's mother, Helen, died in 2002 after a long illness. Bloomberg, who lives in his own townhouse near Central Park, wrote a $5 million check to help renovate the 206-year-old, Federal-style mansion after Giuliani moved out at the end of 2001

Bloomberg gets kudos--

Reagan--this is all a moot point since the clothes will go to charity.

JOE

To those of us who have collected per diem, you look very silly.

A - You have to be gone overnight
B - In most cases you have to be over 50 miles away
C - You have to declare the per diem as 'income' on your Federal Income Tax return. You then deduct actual expenses.

None of these apply to Palin.

In fact, she declared her Wasilla home as her 'Tax Home' on her Federal Income Tax return. A no no when she's taking per diem for being away from the Governor's mansion in Juneau. Can't have it both ways.

Nice try though Hoss

She did not declare the per diem on her income tax return either.

-And why is Corky posting shit to me when I haven't posted to this thread, and I haven't posted here at all since June or July? Did she lose her marbles?

Mounted Orc

Does she get to keep the clothes as a consolation prize, Monte?

#30 | Posted by Corky

Monte Hall, dumbass. As much as you may hate to admit it, it's not all about you.

Never was, never will be.

"A - You have to be gone overnight
B - In most cases you have to be over 50 miles away
C - You have to declare the per diem as 'income' on your Federal Income Tax return. You then deduct actual expenses."

Again - provide authority for your moronic assertions. The fact that you've already been caught lying twice in this thread alone means that you can't just say things like that and expect people to believe you. You are not the internal revenue code, and I doubt you're citing the law accurately.

She did not declare the per diem on her income tax return either.

This could be kind of amusing if McCain won and the IRS investigated Sarah. Anyone remember the last veep to resign over tax troubles?

John could then name Jeb to fill out her term.

Simple like that.

She did not declare the per diem on her income tax return either.

#228 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY

I don't either.

Cool

Joe finally realized nobody was talking about a home office.

Monte Hall, dumbass. As much as you may hate to admit it, it's not all about you.

Posted by Corky

That's funny. Looks like he's spending time out in the rain and getting rusty.

JOE

Don't ask me to do all your work for you.

I toured with recording acts for many years and collected per diem on every tour.

You can either take a standard deduction per day you're out of town, i.e. "away from your tax home", or you can itemize within limitations. Either way, you have to declare the per diem as income and then you deduct either actual expenses or the standard per day rate (per diem means 'per day' or 'per each day')

Argue all you want to. I know what I'm talking about and you obviously don't.

Here, AU, I'll show you how:

"Don't ask me to do all your work for you."

You make the assertion that she should not have taken per diem expenses - the burden is on you to prove that there is a law forbidding her from doing so. Provide proof of your convenient "50 mile" rule or stop whining. Your choice.

JOE

The problem is Palin declared her Wasilla home as her 'tax home'. She is not allowed to deduct Per Diem expenses and must declare it as income.

WISGOD

You're lucky they don't include your per diem on your W-2 or 1099 - whichever the case may be.

Just pray you never get audited. If you do you'll have to pay the difference between the per diem and standard deduction or itemized expenses. Them's the facts.

Different cities have different allowances for per diem as well

The per diem thing is murky.

This is a pretty good article, but it doesn't clear the air at all.

Section 62(a)(2)(A) of the Code and 1.62-2(b) of the Income Tax Regulations provide that, for purposes of determining adjusted gross income, an employee may deduct certain business expenses paid by the employee in connection with the performance of services as an employee under a reimbursement or other expense allowance arrangement with his employer.

Section 1.62-2(c)(1) of the regulations provides that a reimbursement or other expense allowance arrangement satisfies the requirements of 62(c) if it meets the requirements of business connection, substantiation, and returning amounts in excess of substantiated expenses.

An arrangement meets the business connection requirements if it provides advances, allowances, or reimbursements only for business expenses that are allowable as deductions and are paid or incurred by the employee in connection with the performance of services as an employee of the
employer.

An arrangement meets the substantiation
requirements if the arrangement requires each business expense to be substantiated to
the payor within a reasonable period of time.

Joe,

I found a government site covering per diem, but it only applied to the 48 contigous states.

So her charging her citizens seventeen thousand dollars to sleep in her own bed is cool with you?

Nothing even remotely unethical about that?

Which Righttard will try to justify that the RNC bought Palin's 7yo daughter a Loius Vitton handbag? Styling with a French Socialist Anti-American handbag paid with hard earned Real-American, God Fearing Christian, Gun carrying money?

"Explain how Palin's arrangement did not meet these requirements or stop talking."

Joe, No, you explain how it specifically does rather than just copying shit you get from righttard viral emails. It's up to you to defend CaribouBarbie.

As I said before, the main problem is Palin declared her Wasilla home her 'tax home'. Per diem is for 'out of town' travel - away from your 'tax home'.

I liked Palin in the fringed Caibou skin skirt, walrus hide boots and a necklace of Harp seal pup heads.
Now they gone and ruined her image.

Joe, No, you explain how it specifically does rather than just copying shit you get from righttard viral emails. It's up to you to defend CaribouBarbie. - Furio

The burden of proof in this country falls on the accuser, not the accused.

rather than just copying shit you get from righttard viral emails.

The IRS site is "righttard viral emails"?

and incidental expenses for travel away from home in connection with the performance of services

It's crystal clear. I've collected per diem for decades for business travel. There isn't any question about what is legal and what isn't. You really have to spin this to justify what Palin did.

I also have a home office. It's not deductable because my main office is 12 miles from me and I work at home by my choice not as a requirement by my employer.

Well I am quite sure that given the lengths of screeching the right wailed about $400 haircuts for John Edwards, that if Hillary had a set of Lee press on nails bought for by the DNC, Slant Head Hannity and Flush Limpjob would be all over it like a screech monkey.

It would have to be reported on first. Rush and Hannity are commentators, not reporters.

~JeffJ

That's it? That is all you have to say on that? That is fucking weak by even Republican standards.

You know damn well that if that were happening, them and one of their minions would dig it up.

Try to be honest.

She did not declare the per diem on her income tax return either.
#228 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY
I don't either.

#232 | POSTED BY WISGOD

Well then I suggest you read IRS publication 463 so that you can understand the difference.

The burden of proof in this country falls on the accuser, not the accused.

Not in front of the IRS. You are guilty until you prove yourself innocent.

Explain how Palin's arrangement did not meet these requirements or stop talking.

#241 | POSTED BY JOE

IRS publication 463.....

Travel expenses for a spouse or other family member are generally not deductible.

"Bloomberg may live on 5th Avenue but it's like nil to zero he charges NYC per diem to do so."

He can't. It's in the same city.

AU, Joe, regards to per diem...you are talking about several different situations: one where you get cash or checks upfront or are reimbursed via check afterward, another where you're reimbursed, but it becomes part of your paycheck, and a third when you incur the expense without employer reimbursement and get to write off the alloted amount. There are some times where the overage must be claimed as income, such as a contractual per diem payment which exceeds all IRS limitations. There are times where the reimbursements are merely reported on Form 2106, the Employee Business Expense form.

Generally speaking, with Palin, she may have taken advantage of the lax state rules to piggyback her kids along for the experience, but...big deal. Maybe it was just to be a better mom. I'll take that in a politician. It's a fact a smart corporation could deduct these expenses, and the state of Alaska could circumvent all of this by giving the Governor a travel card, and declaring the First Family's appearances are ALWAYS a benefit for the state. It's unfair to slam Palin for something any savvy corporate head would do.

With regards to per diem at her home, that's not rare by any means. Someone elected from Chicago or Memphis would be away from their 'tax home' while sleeping on their own pillows; claiming per diem from Wasilla is fine.

The travel deductions for her family are problematic, but again, ONLY because the state of Alaska chose to reimburse versus a direct travel card. But Palin IN NO WAY should be blasted for what any and every exec can do.

"Monte Hall, dumbass. As much as you may hate to admit it, it's not all about you.

Never was, never will be.

#229 | Posted by Corky at 2008-10-22 05:30 PM"

My mistake. Mea culpa, Corky.

Looks like you and Joe are just as sun-shiney as always. Here's hoping you two curmudgeons can turn those frowns upside down. The sun will come out tomorrow, you know. Dry those tears, ya hear?

What was the lipstick bill?

"The entries also show a few purchases at Pacifier, a top notch baby store, and Steiniauf & Stroller Inc., suggesting $295 was spent to accommodate the littlest Palin to join the campaign trail."

Well, considering he is the Only Palin you can trust, this expense doesn't bother me! I like that little guy!

DANFORTH

Her office is 44 miles away. Why should she get per diem for out of town travel expenses (which is what she was paid for), when legally she was at her 'tax home' she declared on her return?

I never once received per diem unless I was out of town. The IRS certainly didn't allow me to deduct travel expenses - M&IE unless I was out of town. According to her 'tax home' she was not out of town those 300 days.

Every article I read by CPA's had quite a different line on it than you did, DANFORTH.

(The IRS and State of Alaska can get it all sorted out)

Wssilla was Palin's 'tax home' on her return.

I do think her rewriting accounts of bills submitted for her children and husband's travel after the fact may be more of an issue with the State of Alaska.

If they allow her to submit bills for per diem for staying in her house so be it. But, the IRS may have an issue with it now that they're aware of it because she was paid per diem for staying in her 'tax home' in Wasilla and never claimed the per diem as income.

Whatever. She'll have plenty of time to deal with all that after November 4th. She has shot herself in the foot after claiming to have 'cleaned up' the way the Governor's office does business.

Vegas is giving 5-1 odds on one more tool.
#160 | Posted by wisgod at 2008-10-22 03:29 PM

Bet the farm then, dogwise, 'cause you're the biggest tool there is.

"Why should she get per diem for out of town travel expenses (which is what she was paid for), when legally she was at her 'tax home' she declared on her return?" "Wassilla was Palin's 'tax home' on her return."

Her "tax home" or her "mailing address"? There's a big difference.

One's "tax home" is (loosely) defined as where you earn the preponderance of your income...what the Supreme Court once called "the essential service". Juneau would probably qualify (most days spent there), so both Anchorage and Wasilla would be considered "away from her tax home overnight", and therefore eligible for per diem, as well as travel reimbursements. If she did most of her work in Anchorage, Juneau and Wasilla would both be out-of-town destinations. If nothing else, I recall the state of Alaska treats Wasilla as a separate destination than Anchorage for state per diem, and that's usually good enough for the feds.

DANFORTH

I actually don't really care about all that. I do care about her potentially being a heartbeat away from the Presidency. Palin, the State of Alaska, and the IRS can sort it all out. If she'd actually occupied the Governor's mansion I could see your point. I'm commenting based on analysis from CPA's who went over her returns. All added up, she doesn't seem that Mavericky.

PS DANFORTH

She and Todd filed a joint return. He most certainly declared Wasilla his 'tax home'. They can have separate tax homes on a joint return?

$17,000 for staying at home? Sweet deal if you can get it, huh?

She'll have plenty to answer for when she gets back to Alaska. 'Amending' the children's travel as 'official' after her pick as VP candidate will certainly get some scrutiny.

This is all you people got.... lololololol

You people get all bent over this shit and yet Obama gives ACORN 800K.. Nothing said by you lib's.. lolololol

Biden says:
"Mark my words, it will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We're about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Remember I said it standing here . . . we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy."

Mr Obama would need help and support, Mr Biden suggested, "because it's not gonna be apparent, initially, that we're right."

yet this is not a topic on this site. Guess it does not happen if you ignore it....

Now why would anyone vote for Barack Obama when his own VP states that a vote for Obama is a vote for an international crisis?

Dedicated to Sarah, who's husband is a union worker, and who herself went to state colleges (5 of them):

A Day in the Life of Joe Republican

Joe gets up at 6 a.m. and fills his coffeepot with water to prepare his morning coffee. The water is clean and good because some tree-hugging liberal fought for minimum water-quality standards. With his first swallow of water, he takes his daily medication. His medications are safe to take because some stupid commie liberal fought to ensure their safety and that they work as advertised.

All but $10 of his medications are paid for by his employer's medical plan because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance - now Joe gets it too.

He prepares his morning breakfast, bacon and eggs. Joe's bacon is safe to eat because some girly-man liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.

In the morning shower, Joe reaches for his shampoo. His bottle is properly labeled with each ingredient and its amount in the total contents because some crybaby liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body and how much it contained.

Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean because some environmentalist wacko liberal fought for the laws to stop industries from polluting our air.

He walks on the government-provided sidewalk to subway station for his government-subsidized ride to work. It saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees because some fancy-pants liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.

Joe begins his work day. He has a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation because some lazy liberal union members fought and died for these working standards. Joe's employer pays these standards because Joe's employer doesn't want his employees to call the union.

If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed, he'll get a worker compensation or unemployment check because some stupid liberal didn't think he should lose his home because of his temporary misfortune.

It is noontime and Joe needs to make a bank deposit so he can pay some bills. Joe's deposit is federally insured by the FDIC because some godless liberal wanted to protect Joe's money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the Great Depression.

Joe has to pay his Fannie Mae-underwritten mortgage and his below-market federal student loan because some elitist liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his lifetime. Joe also forgets that his in addition to his federally subsidized student loans, he attended a state funded university.

Joe is home from work. He plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive. His car is among the safest in the world because some America-hating liberal fought for car safety standards to go along with the tax-payer funded roads.

He arrives at his boyhood home. His was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers' Home Administration because bankers didn't want to make rural loans.

The house didn't have electricity until some big-government liberal stuck his nose where it didn't belong and demanded rural electrification.

He is happy to see his father, who is now retired. His father lives on Social Security and a union pension because some wine-drinking, cheese-eating liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Joe wouldn't have to.

Joe gets back in his car for the ride home, and turns on a radio talk show. The radio host keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. He doesn't mention that the beloved Republicans have fought against every protection and benefit Joe enjoys throughout his day. Joe agrees: "We don't need those big-government liberals ruining our lives! After all, I'm a self-made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have."

what a load of shit...

The Obama's Discuss Their Clothes Budget

"what a load of shit...

#269 | Posted by libslayer "

Brilliant retort there, junior. Now we see why you're called lib "slayer". lol.

The Obama's Discuss Their Clothing

NULL

Libslayer's just back from a... ahem...vacation

what else can I say to the bs that was posted above. It is a load of shit.

Now can you answer my Question: why would anyone vote for Barack Obama when his own VP states that a vote for Obama is a vote for an international crisis?

Great answer old wise one...

Maybe you can answer this one. Why would anyone want to be a part of a ticket that one believes will lead the country to crisis?

Wow, big surprise personal attacks.

what else can I say to the bs that was posted above. It is a load of shit.

All true. Try reading history some time.

Now can you answer my Question: why would anyone vote for Barack Obama when his own VP states that a vote for Obama is a vote for an international crisis?

Biden didn't say that.

Clinton - WTC bombing 2 months in office
Bush 43 - 9/11 7 1/2 months in office

Shit happens

Show me that bad ass sword you have and answer the question..

Biden: "Mark my words, it will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We're about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Remember I said it standing here . . . we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy."

So he didn't say that?

Every President gets tested by crisis in their first few months.

Every President has international crisis like the Cuba missile Crisis.

" Posted by libslayer

That's brilliant, bird brain.

nullifidian

Perhaps you can enlighten me with your over whelming brilliants and answer my questions.

What question was that, ass-tard?

"whelming brilliants(sic)"

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA

self-retort flag

I'm sure a person with your Vocabulary can read.

Every President gets tested by crisis in their first few months.

Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2008-10-23 03:21 AM

Every President has international crisis like the Cuba(n) missile Crisis.

#287 | Posted by libslayer at 2008-10-23 03:25 AM

Exactly

Not that there's anything wrong with that

Great Seinfeld episode

My Bad (Billiance). good to have the word Natzi.
I'm a bit disappointed. you missed the Overwhelming.

Null nice answer.

"Exactly"

So what International Crisis did Bill face in his first 6 months?

I already told you - happened in the first 2 months.

I would take the first WTC bombing over a nuclear war.

AMERICANUNITY

good talking to you. I need to go to bed.

It seems to me that the first thing any enemy of the United States might want to do is "test" the boundries of a new president ~ preferably while he's still in transition mode and preferably when the United States is transitioning from one party to another.

I think Joe Biden just stated the obvious. Somebody out there in the world will see an opportunity to try to capitalize on what they perceive as our weakest moment.

Biden wasn't trying to be prophetic. He was telling America that we should be prepared and don't be surprised if some loon underestimates Barack Obama.

Our weakest moment has been the last 8 years. We will get stronger every day after the Bush regime is ousted.

vote for Obama is a vote for an international crisis?

#274 | Posted by libslayer

And there will be never be an international crisis if McCain is elected?

Are you that much of a tool to believe that bullshit?

Palin-itis is quite an affliction.

#180 | Posted by JeffJ

So is blindly loyal willingness to spin everything in her favor, no matter what, eh jeffie?

WISGOD

You're lucky they don't include your per diem on your W-2 or 1099 - whichever the case may be.

Just pray you never get audited. If you do you'll have to pay the difference between the per diem and standard deduction or itemized expenses. Them's the facts.

#238 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY

The Company I work for cuts a serperate check; not part of normal payroll and not reflected in gross eranings. How would they know, and why would it be my fault?

why would it be my fault?

Because of this....

Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return and accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and
belief, they are true, correct, and complete.

How would I know that taxes weren't calculated and paid directly by my employeer prior to them paying me? Can't an employeer determine the Per Diem and over pay if they want?

Wisgod,

Can you tell me what 726 is talking about? I can't find your exchange on the thread from when you guys were discussing this?

you receive a per diem from your employer?

what is wrong with that?

you receive a per diem from your employer?

what is wrong with that?

#310 | Posted by eberly

I'm not paying taxes on the per diem. I'm just trying to understand this for personal reasons.

"The Company I work for cuts a serperate check; not part of normal payroll and not reflected in gross eranings. How would they know, and why would it be my fault?"

The IRS would know because, in an audit, they can ask for your bank records. All deposits are considered income, unless you can show otherwise. As long as you have the records showing your per diem requests, and the subsequent reimbursements, there should be no problem.

"I'm not paying taxes on the per diem."

Nor should you. You're doing it right...but keep that paper trail, just in case.

Tax Expert: Palin Has to Declare Clothes
. . .
"It's probably not a 'gift,'" he said. "The issue is whether it counts as 'income.'"

Palin's claim that the pricey duds belong to the RNC and she's just "borrowing" them and will return them later, reminds him, he says, of some of the issues going on in the prosecution of Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska. (Some of the issues, he specified, not the allegations of criminality.)

"This is exactly the issue with the Stevens case," he said. "When you loan something to someone can you call it a 'loan' if, upon its return, it has no practical value?

"The consensus view is she would have to count the wardrobe as income at least in the amount of the fair value of the rental of the wardrobe," he said.

He added that the law is clear that uniforms -- "big brown suits with your name on them" -- don't qualify as income, but it would be hard to make the argument that fancy dress suits from Saks Fifth Avenue and Nieman Marcus are a uniform.

Nor should you. You're doing it right...but keep that paper trail, just in case.

#312 | Posted by Danforth

Thanks, Danforth.

" it would be hard to make the argument that fancy dress suits from Saks Fifth Avenue and Nieman Marcus are a uniform. "

The rule: if it CAN be worn on the street under normal circumstances, it CAN'T be written off.

But there's a way around it: make a special donation fund for "gifts" for Sarah. Buy her clothes out of that. Problem solved.

Here's wondering if the DNC will be picking up the tab for Obama to fly over to Hawaii to visit his grandmother.....enquiring minds really want to know.

No.

I guarantee he will be using campaign money or be reimbursed by his top supporter, Soros.

And how would you or anyone really know where the money will come for the trip, Seeker?

"They can have separate tax homes on a joint return? "

Yes.

"And there will be never be an international crisis if McCain is elected?"

He said we would have a crisis like the Cuban missile crisis. That was not just any International crisis...

he will be using campaign money

Of course. He doesn't have the money for a plane ticket.

Trivial Bullshit: An-American's forte.

An- as in anaerobic, or the absence of a quality or quantity. In his case it's the absence of American values.

It looks like Obama really cares about his gravely ill grandmama.

He's taking off this afternoon after a rally for Hawaii. Coming back Friday.

Wow not even a whole day can be spared.

What a compassionate and loving grandson.

But don't be alarmed about missing him on the campaign trail. He has taped an interview to be played while he is gone.

I guess he had to come up with a way to make this trip an "on the campaign trail" expense.

"He has taped an interview to be played while he is gone. I guess he had to come up with a way to make this trip an "on the campaign trail" expense."

That wouldn't do it. Try again.

Photo op with Grandma might do it. LOL

You're kind of a bitter, petty little turd, aren't you?

Wisgod

they are cutting you a seperate check because the compay is writing it off thier taxes as a business expense.

You're kind of a bitter, petty little turd, aren't you?

#321 | Posted by SeekerofTruth at 2008-10-23 11:39 AM | Reply

No pettier than you leftists on this site. If the payment for Palin's clothes are ok to discuss, why not Obama's personal plane trips??? ....

Photo op with Grandma might do it. LOL

#320 | Posted by anamerican

anamerican,

thank you for your"patriotic" post. You definitely show your character with it. You have now surpassed FWThom and Takitez as the most retarded poster on the DR. Thanks again!

Granny can't really be too sick, guys. Her grandson had to pencil her in.

Geezer1, after reading someone's comment yesterday calling Palin's child a cabbage patch doll, I think I have a good ways to go for most retarded poster on the DR.

"Posted by anamerican"

Perhaps "turd" was a bit too generous.

I think I have a good ways to go for most retarded poster on the DR.

#326 | Posted by anamerican

Maybe. But its heartwarming to see you working so hard at it.

Jon Stewart had some fun with this one last night.

Mocking the so-called "just folks" persona of Scary Failin by asking how anyone could spend 150,000 on clothes in a coupla months.

"Did she buy the Thriller jacket (that Micheal Jackson wore in the 80s) off of ebay?"

Then he cut to a picture of Scary in a new red leather jacket that looked pretty darned close to that infamous iconic MJ one.

Scary tried to backpedal after people who'd bought into her faux folksy schtick went Whaaaa?! after hearing this story.

She sed "The idea always was that we'd give the clothes away to charity after the campaign."

LOL!

And if you believe that one Spud has some land he'd like to show you.

Hafta wait till the tide goes out however.

Buy now and Spud'll throw in the Brooklyn Bridge gratis.

Be Well.

comment yesterday calling Palin's child a cabbage patch doll.

Trig aint a cabbage patch doll but that is how Scary treats the poor thing.

Like a prop.

Be Well.

I'd be curious to know, just for comparative purposes, how much the DNC spent to clothe Obama

When Keith Oberman discussed this topic on his show last night, he presented a candid picture of Obama sitting with his legs raised on the desk. The soles of his shoes had holes in them. If he was using campaign dollars to clothe himself, he wasn't spending it on shoes.

As an aside, there were several women (Cambell Brown was one of them) that complained about a double standard; that high profile women are often criticized if their appearance isn't 100% perfect. While that may be true, it still doesn't justify a 7-8 week clothing budget of $150,000!

"Mocking the so-called "just folks" persona of Scary Failin by asking how anyone could spend 150,000 on clothes in a coupla months."

How many times has this been addressed - just because a major party presidential campaign spends a lot of money on you does not mean that it was your money, that you are rich, or that you are not a regular person. By your logic any regular person who is nominated to a major-party campaign would no longer be a regular person after they get nice clothes or fly in a fancy jet - even if they were poor as dirt prior to the campaign.

Trig aint a cabbage patch doll but that is how Scary treats the poor thing.

Like a prop.

Be Well.

#330 | Posted by dethspud

She drags one or more of her kids with her on stage at every single campaign event.

Yet I seem to recall the Drudge Right howling with outrage when Obama brought his daughters in for 1 TV interview.

You don't seem to have a point there, JOE.

"You don't seem to have a point there"

You don't seem to have a brain. Read it again.

How many times has this been addressed - just because a major party presidential campaign spends a lot of money on you does not mean that it was your money, that you are rich, or that you are not a regular person. By your logic any regular person who is nominated to a major-party campaign would no longer be a regular person after they get nice clothes or fly in a fancy jet - even if they were poor as dirt prior to the campaign.

~Joe.

Here's the deal, Joe.

Sarah sets herself up as a populist candidate in order to try and win over the regular working Joes and Janes of America that have aligned themselves with the Obama campaign and a lot of this is pure posturing.

She does this because the "corporations first, regular people last" mindset of the Reps playing to their "haves and have more" base has been ruinous to the US Economy (the number one issue on most voters minds).

It's sheer disingenuous, like the bullshit setup question by Joe the Plumber (who's connected to both McCain through Keating and Sarah through Todd) that the rethugs keep repeating to the brain-dead sheeple who attend their rallies.

They are attempting to co-opt Obama's consistent position of reversing the "rich get richer poor get poorer" policies of BushCo and rolling back his ruinous tax cuts to the elite but you know with just a glance at their BushCo-esque economic policies that they really represent not a brand new day but the same old shit.

Sarah the Governor/Mayor/Teevee Eye Candy and former Beauty Queen and her snowmobile racing hubby are not "just folks".

But they do play them on teevee.

Basically, in protraying the real Americans concerned about the working men and women of America they are trying to steal Obama's thunder.

In their continual accusations that America needs to know the "real Barack Obama" they are distracting from the fact that the "real Sarah Palin" is a mystery inside a riddle wrapped inside a moosehide and that the more you learn about her the less you like her.

Spud calls shenanigans on their transparent tactics and you stick up fer them.

Good luck with that in November.

Be Well.

/Ha! Just heard Obama speaking in Cincinnati onna boob tube. He sed the "Wall street first/ Main street last policies" of McBush.

You in no way responded to my post. Try again.

Biden: "Watch, we're going to have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy."

What crisis is he talking about? I think it is Israel Bombing Iran.

Mr Obama would need help and support, Mr Biden suggested, "because it's not gonna be apparent, initially, that we're right."

Is he saying Obama will not back Israel or let them fly in our air space? This could cause a nuclear war.

Why all the surprise over the RNC pissing its money away? I say, "Go for it guys. Spend away. You earned it. You owe it to yourselves and the rest of us."

The only surprise in it for me is that they stopped at $150k.

Too all you lying liberals and Democrats, how much more has been spent on Obama. Oh I forgot, your know nothing , accomplish nothing looks good in an empty suit candidate will not even get asked questions like this. You are such hypocrites. It amazes me how stupid Obama supporters are. People like you are the reason I left the Democrat Party because You can't fix stupid and that's all that is left in your party. Let's put Obama under the same microscope. I will give money to anyone of you Obama supporters that can explain his economic plan and policies and how he is going to give you money without raising taxes. How about any major decision Obama has had to make. How about any major accomplishment that he has had in his life. You have to be really stupid to blindly follow someone without checking them out. Come November 5th I look forward to the look of shock on your faces when Obama is not elected president, and look forward to four more years of your hate diatribe because you people are pathetic.

*Yawn*

Quote of the morning from Leon Wieseltier at the New Republic:

McCain feels with his heart, but he thinks with his base. And when he picked Sarah Palin, he told the United States of America to go fuck itself.

WISGOD

I'm not a tax expert which is why I have a great CPA/Tax Attorney.

When I used to do arena tours with acts my income was W-2 and my per diem was reflected in the W-2 I filed with my return but my return was itemized as well with 'travel days' and all extraneous expenses incurred for W-2 and non W-2 income alike.

Everyone's situation is different so it's not an easy thing to generalize. If you keep decent records about when and where you've traveled there should never be a problem. I always purchase at least one item on my debit or credit card wherever I go as proof I was there.

Anyway, enough tax talk LOL

Dunno how you can live with yourself knowing you have spent this much on cloths and with money that was sent in by Americans to help their party. How can you live with spending 20,000 of state money for airfare for your children or pay yourself to stay at home? Politicians have no souls, no care, no conscious. Why do we tolerate these scumbags?

Here's why I don't think much of Sarah Palin.

As she was shaking hands with Joe Biden at the beginning of the veep debate she asked, "Hey, you mind if I call you Joe?" And then later, and I'm pretty sure this was the only time she referred to him simply as "Joe," it was, "Say it ain't so, Joe."

Getting his "permission" to address him by his first name (as if he might actually say no) while having already planned "Say it ain't so...," well that's some smug-assed, disrespectful shit right there.

Get off Sarah's ass you idiots !!! She still wears panties with holes in them and she is still a run of the mill hockey mom.

RON HOWARD VIDEO:

Opie, Andie, Howie and Fonzie.

I hope you watch this video of people we grew up with, enjoy it, and PASS THIS VIDEO LINK TO EVERYONE ON YOUR MAILING LIST!

"ALL NEWS THAT IS FIT TO PRINT" Isn't that what the New York News says. This SLIME SUCKING RAG put $150,000 in clothing on the front page? No other news to report, huh.
Drudge, arn't you proud of this important news item? Did the New York Slime instruct you to report this earth shattering news item? Your obviously going to win the liberal ASSHOLE journalism award of the year.

This SLIME SUCKING RAG put $150,000 in clothing on the front page? No other news to report, huh.

Wassamatter Ozwaldo, embarrassed by your pathetic candidate?

Maybe you should pick better candidates in the future.

WISGOD

I'm not a tax expert which is why I have a great CPA/Tax Attorney.

When I used to do arena tours with acts my income was W-2 and my per diem was reflected in the W-2 I filed with my return but my return was itemized as well with 'travel days' and all extraneous expenses incurred for W-2 and non W-2 income alike.

Posted by AMERICANUNITY

I like me, too.

"It works by her getting some clothes when she was made the nominee of the party and it will be donated back to charity," he added. "It works that the clothes will be donated to charity. Nothing surprises me."

ACTUAL QUOTE from John McCain, the man some people think should be President of the United States.

Read it once more. And think on his words.

Hustler will pay ten times that amount for Palin to lose the clothes.

If I bring up McCain's big thing about cutting "pork" in the budget, will I be accused of calling Sarah Palin a pig?