PrintOctober 26, 2008
Sarah and Hillary: out of the closet
Susanna Chung Forest, the designer of Hillary Clinton's pantsuits, has inadvertently solved the mystery of why Democrats are mocking Republicans for spending $150,000 on clothing and accessories for Governor Sarah Palin. In a revealing statement to CBS News, Forest,
...who designed Hillary Clinton's pantsuits says it would be unusual for a candidate as famous as Sarah Palin to need to buy clothes.
"Why do you need to pay for it?" Forest told CBS News from her boutique Susanna Beverly Hills saying that most designers would offer to clothe a candidate for free. "It's an honor, you are going to design for someone who could be the president of the United States," noting that the exposure any designer would get from dressing someone as famous as Clinton or Palin would be worth much more.
Pay to play, i.e. a contribution is expected to the Democrats for access and favors, is apparently so ingrained within the party regulars that they -- and their suppliers -- just can't understand the attitude of Republicans, and Governor Palin, who actually pay full value for goods and services. They know nothing in life is free and see no reason to exploit a designer, even one ensconced in non-working-class Beverly Hills.
And Senator Clinton (D-NY), whose husband has made millions upon millions since his presidential years, certainly could afford what
The Los Angeles Times reported earlier this year that Senator Clinton's custom made pantsuits from Forest were worth about $6,350 a piece retail. Clinton's spokespeople did not respond to requests for comment.
Didn't it bother millionaire Clinton even a bit to accept a free wardrobe from her designer? And as for the price of Hillary's duds, hmmmm, how many pantsuits could Governor Palin get for the price of one of Senator Clinton's?
The McCain campaign responded to the Palin wardrobe spending with the following statement, "With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it's remarkable that we are spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses. It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign," said spokesperson Tracey Schmitt.
Thomas Lifson adds: I would assume that after wearing her pantsuits a few times (or maybe just once?), Sen. Clinton donates them to charity. That way, the very valuable presents do not have to be reported as income. I have read that some Hollywood figures use this method to avoid paying taxes on free duds.
I also suspect that the fashionistas of the chic left might not be willing to donate anythign to a reform Republican governor of Alaska.
