Palin, 'View' host revisit fashion flap
Posted: Sunday, October 26, 2008 2:40 PM by Carrie Dann
Filed Under:
Sarah Palin
From NBC/NJ's Matthew Berger
TAMPA – Palin itemized her clothing and accessories Sunday, in an attempt to combat discussion of an overpriced wardrobe. And she even provided some personal details.
“My wedding ring, it's in Todd's pocket cause it hurts sometimes when I shake hands and it gets squished,” she said. “A $35 wedding ring from Hawaii that I bought myself … cause I always thought with my ring, it's not what it's made of, it's what it represents and 20 years later, happy to wear it.”
Palin was prompted by her introducer, Elisabeth Hasselbeck of The View, who in a self-described “sassy” preamble, said the media had become “fixated” on what she wore.
“Now, with everything going on in the world, seems a bit odd,” Hasselbeck said. “But let me tell you, this is deliberately sexist.”
Palin’s comments defending her wardrobe – which began Saturday – came after it was revealed the Republican National Committee spent $150,000 to outfit the vice presidential candidate and her family for the Republican convention. But it also seemed to confirm some media reports that Palin has been adlibbing more on the campaign trail, rejecting the advice of aides loyal to McCain. In one report a McCain source labeled Palin a “diva.”
Palin said the clothing, like the lighting and the staging of the convention, were not her property, and said she was back to wearing her own threads, from an Alaskan consignment shop.
She also suggested Obama was being presumptuous, citing rumors that the campaign has drafted an inaugural address. She said though it may seem in the media the coronation has already been set, the McCain campaign was not taking the votes for granted.
“John McCain and I, we’re out here asking for your vote so we can get to work for you, and a lot of folks are still undecided,” she said. “And you know, Barack Obama and I, we both have spent quite some time on the basketball court. But where I come from, you have to win the game before you start cutting down the nets.”
Palin asked Hasselbeck to join her in Florida Sunday, and her appearance seemed to bring more women to the Convention Center of Tampa. Palin has been working in recent days to send a pro-woman message on the campaign trail, with the hope of winning over some voters who were supporting Hillary Clinton.
While lambasting sexism, Hasselbeck used gender stereotypes to highlight Palin’s efficiency as governor.
“Did I mention that this woman, she’s got a real knack for cleaning,” Hasselbeck said. “She cleaned up house in Alaska. Yup. All that corruption went out with the trash.”
Hasselbeck – who first met Palin at the Republican convention – has been carrying most of the Republican campaign’s water on “The View,” which has become increasingly political in recent years. The co-host, a former contestant on “Survivor,” said she was happy to just speak for five minutes without being interrupted.
“It’s getting hot up here,” Hasselbeck said. “And I promise you, when it gets hot in the kitchen, she may be from Alaska, but this woman can take the heat.”
