$400 haircuts vs. $520 Italian leather loafers
By Steve Benen Wednesday Jul 30, 2008 5:50pmI don’t care that John McCain is extremely wealthy. I don’t care that he became wealthy by marrying into a wealthy family. I don’t care about his Armani clothes, his multiple luxurious homes, his wife’s private jet, or his Black Centurion American Express card. His enormous wealth is his business (though it does strike me as more than a little offensive when an obscenely rich senator like McCain votes against an increase in the minimum wage, and argues that our economic problems are “psychological,” but that’s just me).
So, when I saw this report in the Huffington Post about McCain’s Italian leather loafers, which cost $520 a pair, my first instinct was to pay it no mind.
This summer John McCain is traveling in style. He has worn a pair of $520 black leather Ferragamo shoes on every recent campaign stop — from a news conference with the Dalai Lama to a supermarket visit in Bethlehem, PA. The Calfskin loafers, with silver-tone “Gancini” buckles, are imported from Italy.
In response to Barack Obama’s foreign tour, McCain spent much of his energy last week emphasizing his focus on domestic issues. What better way to show his American pride than to tour the country in Italian leather?
The piece shows McCain wearing his extremely expensive Ferragamo shoes all the time.
And while I continue to think this is largely just candidate trivia, it is not without a certain political salience.
I was talking to a friend earlier who summarized the underlying theme of the Republican push against Barack Obama in four words: “He’s not like you.” That sounds about right.
And if so, I have a message for every American family who can’t imagine spending $520 for a pair of loafers: John McCain isn’t like you, either.
I think Chris Hayes gets this just right.
If I were a right-wing blogger, and I found out that Barack Obama was wearing Ferragamo loafers that cost $520, I would spend about 50% of my waking hours making sure everyone knew this. I would mock him for being an out-of-touch elitist and make jokes like, “If you think that’s a lot, you should see how much his purse costs ” I would send the link to Drudge and wait for Instapundit to pick it up, and then watch gleefully as Fox News ran segments about how Barack Obama’s $500 loafers vitiate his entire economic platform.
But of course, I’m not a right-wing blogger. And the $520 shoes belong to John McCain. And frankly, I don’t think how much his shoes cost matters one whit for how he’d govern the country.
Put it this way — if Barack Obama paid $520 for a pair of Italian loafers, every voter in America would know about it. Every media outlet would report it and every Republican would talk about it.
I’m reminded, of course, of John Edwards’ $400 haircuts. Last year, that story was everywhere, with the Washington Post writing multiple articles about it. “How could Edwards relate to regular folks if he has that kind of lifestyle?” the media asked, over and over again.
Indeed, the media seems to go to great lengths to look for evidence to bolster the far-right meme that Obama is some kind of outsider. From bowling to orange juice to arugula, reporters love to characterize Obama as something less than a “real” American.
Well, McCain has a half-dozen homes and spends on shoes what some families spend on rent. All the while, he advocates more tax cuts for millionaires, opposes increases to the minimum wage, and tells Americans their economic problems are in their heads.
Which candidate is outside the American mainstream?
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IOKIYAR
Wow, this is such not an issue or even remotely relevant whatsoever.
McCain sez, "What? Didn't you know I was a POW?"
This is one of the reasons I'm so impressed with Obama. He's being forced to fight multiple adversaries with both hands tied behind his back, and he's kicking f'ing ass.
Didn't the Rethugs knock Edwards for his haircuts? I guess being married to a Barbie Doll Gizzilionaire pays off.
Nick T @ 2:
It wouldn't be such an issue if the right wing hadn't made the infamous "Edwards $400 haircut" a campaign issue. Enough of this "above it all" behavior from the left side of the aisle. They made their beds and now they want to sleep in yours.
The hypocrisy is galling. At least he hasn't taken a sip of pearls dissolved in vinegar...
Nick T @ 2:
Why is this such a non-issue Nick?
Let me get this straight: Obama orders a glass of orange juice at a diner and the Corporate Media punditocracy jumps all over him claiming that there's something elitist about him ordering orange juice. I still haven't figured that one out, if someone can explain to me how ordering a glass of orange juice, or eating arugula for that matter, is elitist, please do so. On the other hand, John McCain can go around in an Armani suit and wear $520 shoes on a golf course, and be called a populist, a maverick and a straight-talking everyman. Chris Matthews, are you listening? Please explain.
katie @ 6:
So now we need to stoop down to that level? I'd much rather focus on the issues at hand then worry about what kind of shoes McCain is wearing. I love this blog for the incompetence and hypocrisy it exposes in the republican right but this is overstepping its bounds and trying to make an issue out of something that clearly isn't one. (A common Republican tactic that they criticize all the time)
Kind of reminds me of Krusty the Klown. "My house is dirty, buy me a new one." Now, I'm not one to tell people how to spend their money. But Jeez, he's supposed to be 'The man of people.'
Thank you Steve. This does matter to me too. On a side note.. why does this story have a "John Kerry" tab on it.
Yay! Gotcha Politics...So much easier than talking about issues or policies.
"Does John McCain think that he's too good to wear American-made shoes? Why does McCain want to send more jobs overseas and put hard-working American shoemakers out of work?" That's what I'm asking everyone I see wearing a McCain button.
Yeah... I know. But I also know that if this were Senator Obama wearing the Ferragamos, the right wing would have the news media making it the major story of the week! So, why don't we fight back and tar them with their own stick?
Don't forget the massive amount of money spent on makeup and makeup artists. It makes me laugh sometimes when I watch elitists call other people elitists.
Nick T @ 10:
I see where you're coming from, but the collective "we" are not stooping to their level in simply quashing the bullshit with actual FACTS. Right now, their level consists of making that bullshit up, throwing it against the wall, and praying some of it sticks. If untruths about McCain were launched by left wingers, THEN we'd be stooping to their level. This is just a case of "What's good for the goose is good for the gander."
Starving cobblers throughout Arizona thank you, sir. We've long known that good, old fashioned American leather doesn't quite cut it with our Man in Washington. Why, in some desert towns throughout our great state, $500 can feed a family of 4 for six months.
To put the cost of his shoes in context, the median annual American household income as of 2006 is $48,201 or $39,525 after, say, 18% taxes. Per week, that's $760 or, to McCain, less than three shoes.
I think that should be the new metric for all that McCain does: how many pairs of shoes could he buy?
I guess Bruno Maglis are out of style now.
I'm no expert but those look more like Mussolinis to me.
Nick T @ 10:
Read the whole thing, this post is about Corporate Media hypocrisy and their double standard by which they habitually tar Democrats as elitist (because they order orange juice or green tea) and prop up Republicans (who happen to be very rich) as "someone you can have a beer with."
It's this very narrative about our candidates spun by the Corporate Media that convinces many voters that Democrats are Liberal elitists and Republicans are just like them. Elections turn on this BS and the Corporate Media knows it.
Now now wiat a minute...is he wearing those $520 shoes ALL the time? cause if so, then he is JUST like me. I only own one pair of expensive shoes.
Nick T @ 10:
When you wrestle pigs you're bound to get a little muddy.
I think it's totally relevant what kind of shoes you wear when you're the one that's screaming to the hills that your opponent is an elitist. It is the most clear evidence of hypocrisy that seems to dog the republicans, but the left-leaning biased media won't talk about. And may I please just put out there that for all this talk about arugula - it has nutrients and vitamins that is completely lacking in iceberg. So they make fun of a man for eating healthy. And they made fun of Clinton for his Big Mac habit. There's no winning.
McGrampa = an elitist.
Albeit, a senile, shell-of-a-man, who's vile, angry, and physically and mentality unfit to work even at Wal-Mart...nonetheless, he's an elitist.
You know, at the same time, this blog constantly chastises Democrats for falling into Republican "framing" of topics. Spending time on this nonsense just wastes our time and Republicans are perfectly aware of that.
I mean, really, who is honestly going to spend time with this? The Daily Show will make a joke about it that will get posted here and then the whole thing will be cyclical. The problem being that, yet again, only liberals visiting sites such as this one will be aware of (or even maybe interested in) that happening in the first place. No one new will be learning a thing, we're just repeating the same comforting examples of hyprocrisy to ourselves so we can laugh at it again and again.
I can agree that both of these men are not like 99% of America in general. I just don't know that this methodology is effective.
Give former POW John McCain a break, he sacrificed 5 years for this country going without shoes in a rat-hole in North Vietnam, former POW John McCain has every right in the world to wear $520 foreign shoes.
When former POW John McCain was shot down and had both his legs broken bravely fighting for our country all former POW John McCain could dream about was having a pair of shoes on his feat so you can excuse former POW John McCain if he wants to live it up now when former POW John McCain has a sugar-momma.
Nothing says 'rich Republican skiver and sponger off the taxpayer' than $500 shoes.
Nobody with a brain thinks that Obama is an elitist because he ordered orange juice. And nobody with a brain should care that McCain is wearing 520$ shoes (which honestly isn't really even that expensive for a presidential candidate where image means everything, it's not like they're encrusted with diamonds or anything)
If the media does attempt to make ridiculous claims like that, there should be no reaction other than laughing at how pathetic it is and then moving on to the real issues (something Obama has done a great job of so far in the campaign dealing with McCains pathetic jabs) This is just drawing more attention to a nonsensical issue, look at the freaking picture with the post, of the close up on his shoe. It looks like something from a 9/11 conspiracy website.
Give the man a break. His wife is rich. He can wear Prada if he wants. Plus, he's old. His dogs get tired quick. Finally, he probably hasn't ever shopped for himself. Besides, if he's elected, he'll probably start wearing fatigues and combat boots, a la Fidel Castro.
Let's not get hypocritical now. Every candidate for the presidency MUST be an extremely wealthy individual just to run, so no one (not even the Democrats) are "like" us. Barack Obama probably has all kinds of possessions that none of us can ever afford to have since he is just one of many people who have integrated themselves into the upper class. This is simply an expression of the culture to which they belong.
...and it is so trivial compared to where the politician stands on the issues.
Nick T = Concern Troll.
It's obvious now.
Recently McCain had some questionable skin removed from his face and then counseled us on making visits to the dermatologist to get your skin checked regularly.
Tell that to my mom who cannot even find a regular doctor within 20 miles that takes Medicare! He should be saying "If you're among the wealthy, or work in DC, then by all means get your skin checked. Otherwise... oh well."
Tony @ 26:
People visit and read comic threads, some for giggles or a break from the serious topics, odd threads about McNasty doing his usual stuff percolates across into the MSM.
You can sense a changing tread on various cable news shows, McCain isnt the untouchable GOP godlet he used to be, he is perceived as human and flawed, very flawed.
Nick T @ 29:
I think you're giving some voters too much credit. You and I follow all of this and know what's what, but I know too many voters with brains who don't have time to look into this stuff and vote based on soundbites. Of course this is not the ideal situation for educating the electorate, but it's reality, and when elections are won by headlines the way they currently are, we have to get the winning headlines.
I don't mind that you want to go the high road. That's admirable. The filthiness of politics now means we can't all stay pristine. Look what happened in 2000 and 2004. I'd rather win.
Nick T @ 29:
The operative phrase being "with a brain" as most people seem to have left theirs at the door.
P.D. @ 5:
Yes Coulter that log cabin Republicaness was one of the worst, she of the strange vitriol towards straight women.
Then again she got photographed at the evening premiere at one of DCs new gay restaurants, oh was she red faced to be seen there with her companions.
Shes a typical self loathing Republican, they publicaly damn everybody else for doing exactly what they do themselves in private.
JimboSlice @ 27:
Yeah... that's what his lying biography claims. It says nothing, however, of the propaganda tapes that he made for the Viet Cong... tapes where he calls America's involvement in Viet Nam "criminal". These tapes were played by the Viet Cong to demoralize Americans who were there, fighting. John McCain collaborated with the enemy, in direct violation of the Code of Conduct.
Hero? Traitor with a rich sugar momma and a good ghostwriter (as well as Admirals for both father & grandfather.)
Nick T @ 29:
Rubbish, I'm beginning to think you're just a concern troll. Thanks for playing.
phantom @ 31:
You understand that this is not an either/or situation. We can simultaneously push our platform and push back on media narratives that don't have a bearing on reality.
And to me personally, it's critical we do both. John Kerry thought that he could rise above this kind of petty crap (and make no mistake, this is intelligence-insulting, distraction-laden, unadulterated crap) and talk to people on a policy level why he was a better choice.
How well did that work out for him?
If you don't push back against these narratives, the man who grew up in a broken home and worked to gain admission to an Ivy League school on his own merits will be perceived by the vast majority of Americans (who are not as engaged as you are) as an arugula-munching elitist instead of the man who got to Annapolis on a legacy, dumped his crippled wife for a sugar momma, and flies around on his own personal jet and rings up $250K AmEx bills who positions himself (with the media's help) as a straight-talking man of the people.
Nick T @ 29:
Ohmigod! McKeating is wearing $520 shoes and that is so pathetic! But I have no idea he was also involved in the 9/11 conspiracy??!!
This feels a little like name that tune.
You can do Obama in four words: "He's not like you."
McStain in the same four: "He doesn't like you."
Let us not forget too that last weekend he was at his "ranch" ... not his retreat, or his vacation home, but his "ranch"
Just like Bush is going to peacefully live out his days down on his Crawford "ranch" because he is just a regular American, oh wait he is moving to Dallas?
ferrofluid @ 34:
All part of the strategy. McBain needs to fall behind, WAAYYY behind, before he can effectively play the underdog/comeback kid role.
I cried because I had no shoes, till I met a person who had no class. --J. Lou
Federal minimum wage $6.55 per hour
So your average minimum wage slave would have to work one hundred hours (after tax) for a pair of brothel creepers like those.
And of course only poor people pay real taxes, and it would be impossible to get expensive shoes written off as a business expense or medical gear like McNasty prob does.
It could be the start of a campaign ad, if the Obama or 3rd party camp wanted to make one...
Alternatively,
Where you go from there would be up to someone with better ideas than me but something could be said of it...
It's OK with me I guess, I spent 180 on steel toe work boots. They are awsome fully water proof, (I tried it).
They are redwings, made in USA, ASS!!!!
http://www.redwingshoe.com/about/
I think they are still USA, materials imported I beleive.
Amitola @ 41:
McStain's wearing shoes that cost more than 60 percent of my monthly social security check. One fuuking pair of shoes. I once--10 years or so ago--bought a real nice pair of fancy boots for $290. Still got em...
Nick T @ 2:
I can't even afford my 8 year old kids medical bills and this jerk off is buying shoes that cost $520 a pair. Don't tell me this isn't an election issue.
@45 JudyLou Says:
I cried because I had no shoes, till I met a person who had no class. –J. Lou
Tennis claps! Well played...
Wasn't it during that family TV interview where Michelle pointed out that Barack is still wearing a pair of old shoes and needs a new pair? In contrast, you have McCain trotting around in $500+ shoes. Yet, somehow, Obama is the out-of-touch guy who doesn't understand regular American people. Ugh....
Nick T @ 10:
LetitBE @ 48:
the leather's probably from argentina or mexico...both outstanding soccer countries, btw
LetitBE @ 48:
I discovered why people park near the building in our lake
gravel parking lotthe other week,big steel toe boots do keep the water out I agree.
This must really cut to the bone, shooting down the Corporate Media narrative of McCain as an everyman "you can have a beer with" and the "Liberal elitist" myth all at once. It has the concern trolls out in force.
ferrofluid @ 46:
ROTFLMAO
Obama's a tall, skinny, cafe-au-lait fella with big ears (with a deft 3-pointer).
from chicago, and hawai'i, both places where, when you're a kid, you pretty much gotta earn your chops, so to speak. you'll take a few--many--knocks, hard ones.
I'd bet real money he'd be a tough rascal in a scuffle, all elbows an' knees an' feet...
i'd shore like to see some o'dat come out...
The main error with this fake outrage is that numerous mentions are made about how often he wears the shoes. If he gets that kind of mileage out of them and that much wear and tear, never mind they must be comfortable for him, then I'd say it was worth it to him to spend the extra money.
On the other hand, haircuts last 3-4 weeks. For the Breck girl, probably less. And that goes the same for $12 haircuts as it does $400 haircuts.
This is a non-issue f+
JimboSlice @ 27:
O.K. the guy was locked in a cage for 5 years and is a complete nut-job. Sounds like a good enough reason not to vote for the idiot.
dennis @ 59:
No one is outraged at McCain's shoes, we're talking about the double standard of Corporate Media narratives. Then again, you knew that anyway, you're just being deliberately obtuse.
Actually, $520 shoes doesn't shock me.
I paid $220 in 1980 dollars for my orthopaedic shoes, and they had all the style of Army combat boots.
The story, if any, is whether the exterior of McSame's black leather Ferragamo shoes hide any orthopaedic construction. It wouldn't surprise me that an old codger who suddenly has to spend so much time on is feet, needs orthopaedic shoes.
However, the question does arise, were they paid for by his government health plan, or by the cunt?
dennis @ 59:
Okay, but using your $12=$400 logic, why should McCain spend any more than the $40 I paid for the Asics I wear every day? Double standard, Dennis.
(P.S. Hope you at least got some McCain points for that--have you gotten enough points yet for the Official McCain Sock Garters?)
woody, tokin librul @ 49:
Looks like we may have to reevaluate your Social Security stipend. You are obviously getting too much. (Just kidding)
Ultimately, everything we're wearing is Chinese anyway.
Not to mention his quadruple dipping.
He has no problem dipping his hand into the honey pot but when it comes to the elderly or the disabled they can just suck it up.
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2008/07/14/daily79.html
Snowball @ 62:
C'mon, Snowball. Don't be such a Cutter. Go back and read how many posters are outraged at his $520 shoes.
Maybe he uses his annual $58,000 fully tax free DISABILITY pension from the military for these shoes.
In fairness, $400 for a haircut is a lot more than $520 for shoes. Most of my shoes cost $80-100, and my haircuts are less than $20. If I'm typical, then normally shoes cost 4-5 times as much as haircuts. So, a $400 haircut would be like $2000 shoes.
Also, if I were crazy rich, I might consider $520 shoes, cause they're probably pretty nice. But a $400 haircut is just a ripoff.
The little tough guy is just a kept man after all.
As you think so, you're a non-brain, sir/mme/mlle.
There is only ever one issue in Murkin politics in the age of 'l'teevee," and that is image.
there must be competing 'buzz.' when the pukes launch their feces-filled, feculent fantasies, not only does the left have to rise to intercept them, but it must launch immediate reprisal attacks. you must fill the air with buzz. For every "Obama's a muslim," there has to be a "McStain's a traitor." It doesn't matter truth or falsity. The media set their own truth conditions, and they are set in realms beyond the reach of the normal citizen to approach or to influence. What matters, as I've repeated a thousand fucking times over the last seven years, is that the charge is OUT THERE. Once anything has been repeated often enough, it becomes 'real' of its own persistence.
When you're denying, you're losing, peckarwood. Get it?
McCain's shoes cost more than I get a month from CA Workers Compensation. And I am supposed to believe that jackass when he says:
Horseshit. It is a big deal..to me and everyone else that is barely surviving in this time and place.
Here are two more links that explains McCain's quadruple dipping.
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977364318&nav=Name...
http://www.itsyourtimes.com/?q=node/3781
Eric @ 70:
dennis @ 68:
Both you jokers don't get it or don't want to admit it. IT IS ABOUT THE HYPOCRISY of what they say and what they do.
Sure there are people who are outraged (maybe too strong of a word) that people spend this much on shoes and a haircut (I think the haircut was really really stupid by the way) but in the end it is about the hypocrisy. Don't try to twist it of spin it. You look foolish.
Why is this a story? He's rich. His wife is richer. He's the Manchurian Candidate. And all he could find is a mere $520 pair of shoes? Must have been his "around town" loafers. And for all we know he bought in bulk. Maybe half a dozen for $400 a pair.
Is this a non-story? I'm sure McInsane spoke today. Where is the gaffe story of the day?
Was going to hold off on further donations to Obama for a few months, but because of Gramps response to his own negative ad, what with him being "proud" of it and all, thought it was time to give a little bit more before the end of the month. Thanks for the motivation, Gramps, and your integrity about running the clean campaign. I Should pull in another military family and/or friend in the process.
Captain Bitter Whiner Husein Kangaroo @ 65:
Out of curiosity, do you know anything of the man on whom your nym plays, Witter Bynner? He was a friend of my family's in Santa Fe. I probably met him at my grand-parents' place, when I was young, though I do not recall him exactly. He died in '68 or so...
Snowball @ 9:
YeS!!
THis is the issue !!!
RUN WITH IT!!
It means diddlysquat to running the country, but if Republicans are turned off by it, why "I'd piss on a sprark plug"* if it made a difference!
* from old 70's movie: "War Games."
On "Hardball" they are talking about the "race card". Don't miss it!
For those here pretending to be so concerned about our discussion of this issue, let's take a gander at how the Corporate Media have used just these kind of things against Democrats.
Obama & orange juice:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200804110009
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3577
http://www.brendan-nyhan.com/blog/2008/04/msnbc-on-obama.html
http://technorati.com/posts/gPcLxVGFVzJnbHn3mXYcwPV02aZs6VIh5zavywff%2BI...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-rothenberg/oh-no-he-drank-orange-jui...
Obama & arugula
http://mediamatters.org/items/200709240012
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/04/15/introducing-barack-arugula-obama/
http://gifts.cafepress.com/item/obama-arugula-motherfucker-keepsake-box/...
http://mediamatters.org/items/200708280009
John Kerry & green tea
http://mediamatters.org/items/200411160005
John Edwards & haircuts
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18157456/
http://www.nationalledger.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=12&nu...
Oh, I think that's plenty enough evidence concerning the Corporate Media narratives. Anyone who isn't getting it is being deliberately obtuse. Thanks for trolling C&L!
woody, tokin librul @ 78:
No, I'm just a bitter whiner.
Only the stupidest of the stupid (that would be the Republicans) believe that a politician...any politician is like us - Politicians arn't like us or they wouldn't want the job in the first place! they run for the job, mostly, because they believe being like us is benieth them. And that's OK, but don't start with any crap about any politician being like any average joe.
Snowball @ 81:
Thanks for that. Saved for future reference!!!
Captain Bitter Whiner Husein Kangaroo @ 75:
Who's being the hypocrite, Captain? Did John McCain belittle the Breck girl for his $400 haircut? I don't know for sure, but I don't remember that he did. It was some journalist who reported it, and along with the tape of him in 2004 primping and combing his hair a hundred times and all that, it made for some pretty good fun. And it did counter his message of Two Americas. That's politics. And I won't go into it here because I truly feel sorry for him and his wife, but if you want to deny there's not a lot of hypocrisy going on with that guy right now, along with the Corporate Media narratives, be my guest, but you'd be wrong.
My guess is John McCain owns a lot of other things that are far more out of the norm for prices paid by the average American that we don't know about. But $520 shoes that get that much mileage just don't fit with any kind of good narrative that make for an interesting story. No offense to this one here.
And by the way, it's Barack Obama that seems to me to be the one that wants to brand himself as not being like everyone else. A lot more than Republicans do.
how many 'reagan dems' can squeeze a $550 pair of shoes into their budget?
how many of them fokl squeezin tight to the family bible and pappy's .30-.30...
if i was in obama's brain trust, i'd alreadsy have a devastatingly sarcastic ad on the 'nets tonite--youtube, myspace, everywhere--satirizing the silver buckles on the shoes...to don ho song, 'tiny bubbles', only now, 'With silver buckles on his shoes john mccain cant feel the blues."...you gotta go with this stuff fast, get it out there....
I think that it is interesting that all I see here is trash talk nothing informative. On the issue of shoes vs haircuts I would have to say the shoes are a better investment. On the issue of John McCain not being like "you" at least we know him and the direction that he is going. We know that he is willing to work with anyone. Not exactly what I have seen from Obama at this point. We know very little about Obama and have no reference to the direction he really wants to go. I am not excited about this election at all but I think that our nation is awesome!! We have opportunities that no other country have and though we continually complain about the price of fuel we pay far less than Europe or Canada. We should really take a moment to ask ourselves why is it we hate Bush so much. I think given the cards he has been dealt he has done well. I find it humorous that everyone blames Bush and the republicans for all thier problems, yet it is the states run by democrats that are the worst off right now. I like everyone else want to make more money pay less for products and my health care. Free enterprise works and having the government do everything for us is not going to help at all. Ask a Canadian how he or she likes thier health care program, better yet ask an American Service man or woman how it works for them. I have read both McCains plan and Obamas and I have to say regulating wages and taxing corporations only leads to economic disaster. Corporations have the jobs and need to be able to invest in thier people. Far and equal wage is a joke, say that a truck driver who is away from home and works crazy hours is on the same level as a receptionist or assistant is nuts! We need to expect to recieve the pay that we are worth, if you are worth more to your employer then he should pay you more.
Thank you for your time have an awesome day!!
dennis @ 85:
No Dennis. It is about the Republicans and their ilk calling Obama an elitise because of reasons already mentioned. And then their guy right there being an elitist for wearing his very expensive shoes. I don't give a god damn how much he paid for them. I don't give a god damn if McSame ever said a word about Edwards' haircut. It is the republican side who are labeling Obama as an elitist when I find it hypocritical.
Koby Rickertsen @ 87:
You are a dumbass.
It's just so hypocritical that a rich Republican senator who has voted against raising the minimum wage forty-eleven times wears a pair of shoes that cost a minimum-wage employee 2 1/2 week's salary!!!
The point isn't the shoes, it's the hypocrisy of Republicans and the messengers who lambaste the Democrats for "sipping wine and eating quiche" (Carlin). If you're a rich fuck who lives their entire life in a lap of luxury, you probably aren't in the greatest position to criticize your opponent for being rich. The fact that McCain married into it and Obama earned it the hard way only makes this line of attack more galling, although this one distinction in itself isn't particularly relevant.
Captain Bitter Whiner Husein Kangaroo @ 57:
perfect for those fourteen hour gambling /whoring sessions in Vegas.
Dusty @ 73:
I've never needed a $520 pair of shoes to convince me. Every time I hear him say that it cracks me up. He married a freakin' beer heiress! How in the hell can he even find the nads to say that? $520 is pocket change for this guy. I'm pretty sure he's not even aware of what the rest of us spend on shoes.
My kilts don't even cost that much.
Obama "I heard that McCain has been wearing some pretty fancy shoes...$520 a pair. Nice! I sure can't afford $520 shoes, can you? He's sure not walking in your shoes, is he? Sometimes I think McCain just doesn't understand."
Sigh. He won't say it.
Koby Rickertsen @ 87:
Keating S&L coverups, Native American evictions from their lands to make way for mining company, MIA POW families oops he obstructed and closed down the Congressional inquiries, not keen on letting others work on his military records.
Worked very hard with Chimpy during Katrina eating birthday cake while people drowned.
And we know McNasty worked with the NVA intelligence and propaganda ministries.
Recordings of him doing NVA propaganda exist.
And we joked about Condi's taste in shoes, McNasty is da pimp, the American McEmmeldaMarcos of the DC shoe world.
I saved up and bought a $1500 Armani suit from Armani Emporium and the thing fell apart after I wore it like, 6 times... (no, I didn't throw it in the washing machine..) Armani is Italiano Rippa-Offa Krapola.
Now Hugo Boss is GREAT! $300 - tough, lasts forever... Unfortunately Hugo Boss also designed the military outfits for the entire Nazi party in WWII (yeah, really! That's howcome so stylish!)
So option C. - get your local tailor some love and get a hand-made suit for $400...
NO politician is "just like you", otherwise they'd be just like you. Is why i can't believe there are so many gullibles who are marketed to by the hypocrite politicians who try to claim they get their salisbury steak at Applebees "just like you", when really they're lunching at the Plaza, driven there in their chauffeured limo or flown their on their chartered jet (both at taxpayer expense), while enjoying their 6-fig income, lifetime of free health care, FREE STAMPS for god sake, all while crowing about the "liberal elitist!" and you tell me john mccain doesn't drink starbucks, eat steak dinners (not hamburger helper or other boxed and powdered processed foods), that he hasn't eaten arugula, enjoyed his college education (am pretty sure mccain isn't one of those HS grads who just relies on his Bible as his primary belief system). Just gets me, so many fools out there who seem to think that their lifestyle (the politicians) are just like their own, just because they act like they don't go to the country club when on the campaign trail. PLEASE. I give a dang about the $520 shoes, I'd wear them too if i could afford them, thing is, I wouldn't be so outlandishly hypocritical of anyone else's likes or dislikes, or try to make them a campaign issue. SO trite! Mr. McCain is coming off as alzheimers x 10 already, which should make the country very afraid...
Hey trolls your man is a freaking elitist scum. You still gonna vote for him?
Koby Rickertsen @ 87:
Congrats "Koby" - you just earned five Grandpa points! Only 1,995 more and you've got the free koozie.
$520 for shoes, Wow!
That's more than a lot of Americans make in a 40 hour work week.
I could buy enough shoes to last me for years with $520.
I'm guessing that he didn't buy those shoes at Target or Wal-Mart.
So Johnny, are you to good to shop at Target and Wal-Mart?
Aren't the shoes that us common folks wear good enough for you.
Does this mean that you are ELITIST?
There are two kinds of Republicans, I think. The wealthy and the stupid. Three kinds, wealthy, stupid and mean-spirited. And bloodthirsty. There are
four kindsAmong the people found in the Republican are those who are wealthy, stupid, mean spirited, bloodthirsty or those who are just too ****ing lazy to learn the issues....Nicole Belle @ 40:
I completely understand the importance of pointing out the hypocrisy in the media when the talking heads use completely different standards for Republican candidates than for Democratic ones, and I also understand that image, to many voters, is more important than the candidate's platform. I just hope that no one here actually does have a problem with McCain wearing fancy shoes from Italy since, outside of our issue with the media's double-standard, this really is a non-issue.
I could conceive of a candidate, for example, who has had multiple divorces, and wears fancy, overpriced clothes, and yet has the most progressive platform. I would still vote for this candidate since their stance on issues is what matters most. Ralph Nader, as just one example, doesn't exactly have a successful family life to flaunt to reporters.
(I also take issue with your comment about John Kerry since he did run on a very weak platform. If he had a more progressive stance, he likely would have had far more supporters for the election. So I do still think it is possible to "rise above" the mud-slinging, and even Barack himself seems to be doing this quite well.)
Koby Rickertsen @ 87:
Wow... are you paid by the talking point? I sure do hope you are getting paid for that GOP shilling.
If you are doing it for free, you are an even bigger fool than I had imagined. You are a new kind of fool then, an überfool if you may.
This post was an outstanding achievement in trolldom, I think I am going to print it and use it as toilet paper for the next week so it gets the recognition it truly deserves!
jack stone @ 100:
Of course they are, because he's just like them.
We just got a call from the auto shop saying our car needs $450 worth of work. We won't see that car for a week and a half because we don't have the scratch to cover it. That's what hurts...
But doesn't McCain wear his Ho Chi Minh sandals (made from old tire treads) around the house?
The bloody shoes do not even look that good. I would have guessed he got them at Shoes For Less, or Wal-Mart.
I wonder how much obama pays for a haircut....?
As a horseman, I have a particular eye and appreciation for fine leather (please, no snarky comments). I've found that the time that leather goods last is almost always in proportion to how much you pay for them. So, you can argue that McCain's Ferragamo's might last as long as 5 pairs of $100 shoes.
However, a $400 haircut lasts the same length of time as a $50 one. Just being the devil's advocate here.
The irony though, of Clinton and the Repubs in calling Obama "elitist" is truly hysterical.
what the republican leadership is a bunch of hypocrits, i am shocked, ok not really. at this point if you told me they were conducting satanic services i would not be shocked. in fact that would explain a lot.
Piss off crybabies... You get yours and I'll get mine... It's The American Way and the only reason why McCain should be President.
Self made man... sort of... at the end of his American dream... willing to take us to his grave.
Now that is a real Maverick !
$400 for McCain's hair cut? I thought the GOP and John didn't believe in the redistribution of wealth ?
Get Grover Norquist on the phone. Delay that order, GO dig up Milton Friedman. Double time..!
What does his wife wear?
Koby Rickertsen @ 87:
I suspect you really weren't interested in an answer, but this Canadian likes his health care just fine.
I'm sure all the guys down at the VFW and American Legion hall are wearing $520 Ferragamo loafers. It's what vets do you know. You know the old creed about how important foot wear is to soldiers. So what better way to say I'm a combat vet then to be wearing $520 Ferragamo loafers?
/snark
For $500, I'd insist on shoes with real silver buckles, not "silver-tone."
500 bones for those Ferragamo's? Have some class and get a better looking shoe.
Those things are fugly.
"Which candidate is outside the American mainstream?"
My answer to your final question is, of course, both. Neither of these candidates is like any of us.That is the problem, (or at least one of the many) here with American government. There hasn't been a candidate for president who is a true representation of the "typical" American since George friggin' Washington; and the only reason he was like the majority of Americans is because he was a soldier and at the time most, (if not all) American voters were soldiers. We , as lower and middle class citizens, will always be a majority in this country. However, we will also always be ruled over by leaders in political, economical (workplace), and even social positions who are so ridiculously out-of-touch with what it's like to be one of us, it's as if they never were in the first place. If you are one of those elite and think I'm wrong, then prove me wrong by using your power and influence to do some good for a change. Maybe then we'll stop complaining about our leaders.
P.S. although i must admit, all we little people ever do is complain as well. we need to stand op for what is right too.
P.P.S. in comment 116 CartoonCoyote Says
"Fuck you for your time have an awesome day!!
I suspect you really weren’t interested in an answer, but this Canadian likes his health care just fine."
i say blow me. what does a canadian care about american politics. what's wrong? you scared you might be next?
I can hear pappy Bush now: "Even after my idiot kid fucked the shit out of the idiots, isn't it amazing you still have an outside chance of winning Johnny! Its astounding to even me and Bar just how many dumbfucks still believe our pile of crap and vote for us! Thank god 40% of the voting public are absolute brain-dead morons, or the GOP would cease to exist! Let's get some caviar and champaign inside, before we do that commercial about Obama being an elitist."
It doesn't matter!!! If i had the money i would wear whatever the fuck i wanted to. Get some money,marry a rich freak and you can get you some shoes!
katie @ 16:
The $520 Italian shoes on McCain's feet is a story in waiting for a creative journalist. You go to the Texas SAS shoe factory for a few shots. Interview some Texans with "Do you know John McCain wears $520 Italian shoes? Why doesn't John McCain wear shoes made right here in Texas?" For those who find "Shoes" and "Haircuts" as silly trivial, you might want to begin studying the average American voter. They are not on this site. By the way, their vote counts as much as informed, issues oriented voters.
$500 for shoes and this dipwad wants to ration health care for Veterans? I don't get it, McCain gets nearly $60,000 per year disability - cause he can't raise his arms and he is supremely healthy to be president? Give us all a break, if you have 7 or 8 homes (couldn't remember) and the wife is worth above $100 Mil., just maybe that disability money should be donated to some poor double amputee Marine that gets a max of $40 grand for disability.
If it upsets you that much, you can get a pair for $50 on ebay.
This is the kind of crap that just makes you sick to your stomach. This freak, along with these bigots in our media have simply dogged Senator Obama and his wife, calling them elite, when Obama ware's the same three or four suites, while in spite of their new found wealth, Michelle, continues to shop at Mervin's. This is a dame shame what these people are allowed to get away with, all while this country has been turned upside down, while they continue to distract us with this trivial shit.
And to top it off, these ass holes have the nerve to call Obama a raciest, when they know full well that is what they are. That's the same thing they have been getting their asses away with, with the others. Pray on their own weakness, act as if he is the raciest, instead of ALL of them, who join in and play this disgusting ass game. They ought to know they are dealing with black America this time and it should be clear to all of their silly sorry asses, they will never be able to out slick the slickest of them all. Stupid ass cowardly bastards. We have spent our life time studing the vile act of bigots like these people. We had no choice.
Yes we are all hip to the sick games these bastards play. They did it too Gore, Kerry, Clinton, Edwards, Dean, Wes Clark and all the rest of them who would have the nerve to even look at the White House. Only this dame time, it will be a cold day in hell before we allow these ignorant ass fools to get away with it and live to tell the story. Eight dame years of this crap is quite enough for anyone to take for a bunch of sick, weak weasles.
The forces that be will be out in massive numbers to take care of these idiots, who don't give a dame about anyone but their own sick greedy selves.
Not this dame time, you silly ass lunitics. The game will end accordingly in Nov, you may be sure of that, and yes, any means necessary.
I'm amazed how recklessly the term "concern troll" gets thrown around. Apparently, "concern troll" means anybody who disagrees with you. You can tell Nick T isn't a troll, because he possesses a sense of humor (examples thereof I've bolded for the slow):
Nick T @ 29:
As for the media, I agree they're a bunch of hypocrites. Maybe their stance is that if Republicans never show any sign of standing up for commonfolk and peasants, then it's moot when they display their own wealth?
Also, there's the issue of the me-centric threshold. Lots of MSM members probably spend $300-$400 on shoes, yet I doubt many spend over $150 on a haircut. So, to those elitists, McCain is "normal", while Edwards has horribly crossed some line (horrible mainly because the journalists and pundits can't follow him across it without having to cut back on their other expenditures). It's like when A-Rod inked a ginormous contract, some ludicrously overpaid baseball players and ludicrously overpaid media types scoffed because A-Rod was ludicrously ludricrously overpaid.
How many senior citizens drawing 2K a month in Social Security can afford $520.00 shoes?
That's how to frame it to catch the attention of McCain's older base--senior citizens and the boomer children who may be struggling to care for them.
The man still cashes his Social Security checks that WE pay into every month to the tune of around $1900. But, he's a POW from a conflict that ended decades ago. Lifetime entitlements, folks
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2008/07/14/daily79.html
Eric Almighty @ 4:
Were you also impressed when he voted FOR the FISA bill?
/R.I.P. 4th Amendment
@kidbr9: he paid taxes all his life (presumably), why shouldn't he cash his social security check?
@everyone: I make $75k/year and I wear $400 French shoes because I have very wide and troubled feet and only one type of very expensive shoes really works for me. Am I saying Mccain is in the same boat? No. But maybe they are extremely comfortable, and that alone justifies it. If he was wearing a different pair every time then that is one thing, but he is wearing the same shoes everywhere. $400 on haircuts is a bit vain, but Edwards maybe justifies it because he needs to keep up his appearance for the public. No real issue with that fundamentally, I just think it's stupid. $520 on shoes isn't the same thing though.
I think the difference here is that John McCain is an unabashed advocate for those who can afford $500 shoes. People EXPECT him to have the trappings of the rich. But when John Edwards talks about poverty and gets an expensive haircut and lives in a big house, people regard that as hypocritical. I'm still not sure why; no one demanded that John F. Kennedy divest the family compound at Hyannisport, and no one ever questioned George W. Bush spending his summers in Kennebunkport. But there's this thing in the media that if you advocate helping the poor, you are obligated to divest all your worldly goods.
Gosh, look at those shoes. How can we have a man who wears those shoes lead this country.
katie @ 6:
Ah yes! The, "he started it!" argument. Touche!
kidbr9 @ 130:
He also uses his prisoner experience as a point when it comes to being a military leader. "I know how to win war" -McCain. It's funny to me because he didn't win either of the wars he was involved with personally.
I wear $160 sneaks what does that make me. These people are A-S Hol-s
McCain: "My friends, yes, I do own a pair of Ferragamo loafers. I didn’t want them, but Cindy absolutely insisted on buying them as a gift for me. In retrospect, I now realize I should not have accepted them and I take full and complete responsibility for my actions. As an act of contrition, I have told Cindy to go on the internet and purchase 100 pairs of Farragamo loafers to give to the less fortunate among us. By the way, I was really upset with Cindy for spending $520 on Farragamo loafers when the same brand can be had on the internet for $19.95 !! I also want everyone to know that this is my only pair of shoes."
Great article.
What cracks me up is drudge report had a McCain add asking for $25 donations.
How can you ask struggling working class folks to send in checks to you for $25 when you are living "life styles of the rich and famous".
Anyone who thinks a federal elected official is "just like them" is rather naive. In the little bit I read in "Audacity" Obama remarked that someone running for Senator is pretty much saying that they are better suited to represent the state than most of its millions of residents.
On the other hand, there are a lot of gullible people in this country who want to believe the myths manufactured for them. Fred Thompson apparently did well by renting a pickup truck and having it driven close to his campaign stops and then driving it in for his grand entrance.
WOW...just how freaking lame are American lefties that they have to bitch over a decent pair of shoes?
If he was really a shoe snob he'd have 500 pound shoes from Oxford Street.
Honestly, this is really lame. Get a life, crooksandliars.com
You're absolutely correct that there's a double standard. Remember John Edward's haircut?
Then again, I spent $550 on a watch so I guess I'm part of the problem myself.
I'm forever amazed at how easily some will ignore the inconvenient facts in order to support their position with inaccurate facts.
Can't anyone do math? That those that make more money pay more taxes is a simple formula. Where it isn't, it is because of the ridiculousness of our tax code. Yet the democrats think that those that have managed to earn more ought to be taxed even more to solve Social Security, carry the burden for those that make less and fund all the spending needed to fulfill all the great promises that they call "change".
Those with more income don't generally consume anymore of our roads, laws, schools or parks as those with less yet they're asked to not just pay proportionately more based on their income but exponentially more based on their success? The American Dream becomes the American Nightmare.
Where's the candidate that will simplify the tax system and clean out the excess that is government spending so that we don't need to have Robin Hood for president to take from the rich and give to the poor? And what happened to the America where people tried to achieve more and become more?
Obama started out with little and became pretty successful. How about challenging others to do the same instead of asking those that have to pick up the tab so those that don't have won't have to?
None of these mother fuckers are "like me" and that includes every single do nothing senator/representative in government.
OMFG McCain is wearing NO Lapel !!!!!
Look at that. McCain with NO US Lapel !!!! He is damn right unpatriotic.
It's worth noting that I have a pair of shoes almost exactly like that. They cost £20. Is the economy in America so bad that there's now ten British pounds to the dollar?
I do not support either candidate. With that being said, who cares? It is his money. He can spend it how he wants. I would rather he spend that money on shoes than see that $500 accrue interest while sitting in some account. That way, some of that $500 can trickle down to the individual who put that pair of shoes together...or at least watched the machine put the shoes together. Of course he could donate it but I am sure he does plenty of that as well. It's his money. McCain is just like you and me...a little greedy and since he has a "little" bit of money, he is entitled to and capable of purchasing a pair of $500 shoes. Had this been an article about Barack Obama, I would have said the exact same thing. They are wealthy men in a capitalistic society. Welcome to the Red, White, and Blue.
" If I were a right-wing blogger, and I found out that Barack Obama was wearing Ferragamo loafers that cost $520, I would spend about 50% of my waking hours making sure everyone knew this. I would mock him for being an out-of-touch elitist and make jokes like, “If you think that’s a lot, you should see how much his purse costs ” I would send the link to Drudge and wait for Instapundit to pick it up, and then watch gleefully as Fox News ran segments about how Barack Obama’s $500 loafers vitiate his entire economic platform.
But of course, I’m not a right-wing blogger. And the $520 shoes belong to John McCain. And frankly, I don’t think how much his shoes cost matters one whit for how he’d govern the country."
After all that ranting, saying the exact same shit as the right wing bloggers, how in the world does this constitute him *not* doing it too? He just did do the exact same thing! Am I the only one who can see this? How about ignoring the fact that McCain wears expensive clothes and be the mature person and not sink to the level that the GOP sinks to? You think you are pointing out hypocrisy when in reality you are pointing out your own.
It's like me saying, "if I was a racist, I would call all black people [insert 'n' word], but I'm not, so I won't say it."
So stupid...
Sam @ 142:
Not necessarily. The bulk of income taxes in this country come in the form of payroll taxes. The bulk of taxes the wealthiest Americans pay are NOT income taxes or payroll taxes. They're capital gains taxes on the sales of investments.
So what the Republicans are fond of doing is giving the wealthiest Americans a break on their capital gains taxes and then take the money collected from the poor and middle classes in the form of income and payroll taxes and kick that back to the wealthiest Americans as well under the guise of "Well, they pay more so they get more..." nonsense.
What you have, under a Republican system, is the re-distribution of wealth from the poor and middle classes to the top tier of money earners in the country.
How does anyone know how much McCain spent to get those shoes? Maybe they were a gift or he got a ridiculous deal on them at Marshalls or something. Who gives a fuk.
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