McCain aide cites 'failure of management'
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/14/art.davis.gi.jpg caption="Davis managed McCain's campaign."](CNN) - Rick Davis, the campaign manager for former John McCain's White House bid, came to Sarah Palin's defense in an upcoming interview with the National Review, saying the now-infamous $150,000 clothing tab for the Alaska governor was caused by a "failure of management."
In the interview, set for publication next week, Davis notes Palin's appearance at the Republican convention came only days after she was named to the GOP ticket, and the Alaska governor had few clothes on hand that were appropriate for the event.
“We flew her out from Alaska to Arizona to Ohio to introduce her to the world and take control of her life. She didn’t think ‘dress for the convention’, because it might have just been a nice day trip to Arizona if she didn’t click with John. Very little prep had been done and if it had, we might have gotten picked off by the press. We were under incredible scrutiny."
"We were under incredible scrutiny," he added. "We got her a gal from New York and we thought, ‘Let’s get some clothes for her and the family.’ It was a failure of management not to get better control and track of that. "The right hand didn’t know what the left hand was doing, what it was worth or where it was going. No one knew how much that stuff was worth. It was more our responsibility than hers.”
News of the pricey tab caused a media firestorm days before the presidential election, and McCain aides appeared to blame Palin for the mishap, while the Alaska governor said she was forced to buy the clothes.
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Every day this woman remains in the spotlight it becomes more clear that the best ticket won that campaign.
McCain couldn't manage his own McCain.
Palin didn't have the knowledge or intelligence to be a global leader.
Enough said. Campaign over. I know CNN gets a lot of money from tension and perpetual campaigns, but give us a little time to actually govern.
Wow... McCain's campaign couldn't manage the VP candidate's clothing. How could they have managed the country? I think the country dodged a bullet by sending McCain back to the Senate and Palin back to who knows where.
What she had no money of her own? Where did Todd leave his wallet?? Please…..enough of the excuses! She is and was a horrible pick to play to their "base" which in GOP speak, is the religous fanatic. Poor planning, poor judgement. That is what the GOP would give us!
Why should Todd pay when he receive $40,000.00 worth of new clothes also!
The first sentence should read "John McCain's former White House bid," not "former John McCain's White House bid."
It's not John McCain that's former, it's the bid!
Sorry, guys, but who is editing your articles???
Rick Davis & Tucker Bonds are idiots..
It's a bloody shame John McCain left his independent roots pandering to far right dopes. I hope Obama doesn't make the same mistake by listening to the Far left goofballs in his own party.
When are these two parties going to realize the vast majority of americans somewhere between those two extremes.
Some call it common sense.
I truly wish all these stories would just DIE! Who cares?
They RNC clothed Palin like they ran the country for the last 8 years. Sent George Bush out to get the job done but never gave him any idea as to how much to spend.
Who is Sarah Palin??? Why are people STILL talking about this loon? SHES A NOBODY, and next week she will be as significant as joe the what????
Where was the rest of her clothes and family clothes?I guess the clothes were on a bridge to nowhere. That big mouth gal from Alaska who was her spokeswoman could have arranged a flight for her clothes. If memory tells me ,i think after she spent a few days on the campaign trail Sarah Palin did return to Alaska before the convention. What was this idiot thinking? All she had to say to McCain was that she was not ready.Even now,the idiot still thinks she is the logical choice for the Republicans in 2012.
TF November 14th, 2008 2:21 pm ET
His comments show that McCain only took a day to meet and then determine Sarah as a suitable running mate. God Bless America for not hiring these fools to run our country. ---------------------------------------– The MOST sensible observant so far in the comments section. (McCain only took a day to meet and then determine Sarah as a suitable running mate)
this shows that repubs will lie about anything and everything. they said that she had been vetted not. they said the she and mccain admired one another, not. is there anything else we need to know before 2012.
she looked good in those clothes too! real good.
Jack Carlson:
Who, exactly, is this enemy in our midst that must be stopped and whom we cannot see?
I guess if you can't say something mean, then the moderator will not publish it.
First, who cares anymore!!!
Second, I don't buy it! This campaign has told so many lies that nothing they say is believable! I don't believe for one second Palin did not know the cost of those clothes! Her 7 year old daughter was walking around with a $ 1000 bag! Give me a break! Palin has zero credibility besides being not qualified and not intellectual or smart enough to be on the national scene. Smart is IN. Dumb is OUT.
Poor management was the hallmark of McCains' three campaign management teams. The Palin clothing cost issue may have brought the extent of mismanagement to the forefront even though poor management practices were present throughout both the primary and general election campaign periods.
The "failure of management" wasn't that they didn't keep track of what was spent on clothing. The "failure of management" was having chosen a VP at the last minute, after one meeting.
The "failure of management" was not even knowing what their failure was.
Sounds like this crew wasn't qualified to manage a candy store let alone the United States of America.
Where was this side of the story a month ago? Would have ended this crap quickly. Furthermore: I said in the beginning they (Rick Davis) could have rolled her out like this:
Gibson: Do you agree with the Bush Doctrine?
Palin: Charlie, I'll tell you what.. I was brought to this ticket for my experience in Managing in Government, my conservative principles, and my willingness to go against the party if I had to to get things done. Foreign policy is something I am learning and will continue to learn from a guy with 26 years of experience.
END OF STORY!
Would have probably won them the race, had they handled it from this point. Would have taken the argument of "lack of knowledge" and put it aside. This was my thought back in early Sept. But what do I know I am just a normal guy who voted for Obama.
NO MORE SARAH PALIN!!!!! CNN, DO YOU HEAR US? Your readers are SICK of her, and stories about her. CNN, NO MORE!!
Thank God the United States is no longer at risk of having these vicious and incompetent people, led by Rick Davis and Steve Schmidt, calling the shots in the West Wing. They are the poster children for all that is wrong with politics and government in America.
Kevin –
Blackberry's are a communication and business tool – a far cry from wardrobe expenses ... what are you thinking – clearly you're not!
Joe, as long as you're asking about the cost of Palins home and who paid for it, why don't you ask about Obama's home and how he got the adjacent lot for $300,000 less then market value? Do you know who sold it to him?
oh so it was true after all eh? this is so funny on so many levels. Rick Davis is such a sniveling schmuck, i feel absolutely no sympathy for him. actually, i feel a little sympathetic for McCain for having to drag this guy around with him....
I agree with Rich from Philly. "If she didn't click with John" – what's that all about? I thought they said that they vetted her. GOP B.S.!
Yea, RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!
TELL ANYTHING TO THOSE DESPERATE GOP VOTERS.
STILL DON'T CHANGE....PALIN IS FOR PALIN..NO ONE ELSE!!!!!
YOU REPUBS HAVEN’T LEARNED YET, TELL THE TRUTH. WHY DON’T CHA?