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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Sarah "Jaws" Palin is a complete fool!!
Get Jaws OFF OF MY NEWS CYCLE!!!
I suppose much like Palin has trouble forming complete and coherent sentences, she also has a problem reading price tags.
Give me a break. If she was a nicer person, I really wouldn't care how much the clothes cost .
I am sure she knew she wasn't coming here for a camping or rodeo convention and should have dressed accordingly. She knew exactly what she was doing.
There is nothing wrong with working hard and getting ahead but you have to be tactful. Sarah Palin is dumb as a fox. Don't let her fool you....
The entire campaign was a colossal disaster. Showed at the polls.
Candidates' wardrobes are part of the expenses of campaigns. The candidates are highly visible and then scrutinized especially the females. Therefore, they must look good. Why are we focusing on $150K spent by the RNC when the Obama campaign spent $600M??
This explaination basically confirms what I've always believed: that the selection of Palin for the VP slot on the ticket was a hasty and ill-planned decision. The GOP has a lot of soul-searching to do over these next few years.
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!
It's about time the campaign staff took responsibility for the failures of both Sen McCain and Gov Palin. I would like the candidates to take some of it as well. All of them share the blame and NONE of them smart enough to lead.
The new face of the GOP should be Tim Pawlenty, Bobby Jindahl and those like them – moderate. If not, the Democrats will be more than happy to lead, which to this Democrat, is the better plan.
Now can we please move on and quit covering Sarah Palin!
They could not manage wardrobe issues but they thought they could run the country? Wow.
I live for the day when Palin's name is not mentioned in the news!
Hold the phone. "...No one knew how much that stuff was worth. It was more our responsibility than hers.” That dog don't hunt dude. She knew full well as a politician that she wasn't paying the bill and you don't go around blowing tens of thousands of dollars on clothes at the taxpayer's expense. At anyone's expense. Especially when the Presidential candidate is John McCain who brought campaign spending reform! Dude, are you from Alaska? I mean you sound just like Stevens' defense and Palin's hollow excuses. If all else fails claim ignorance. Blech.
It was McCain's fault for playing politics. Instead of standing up and choosing a VP, he was waited for Barack to make a decision. Then he chose Sarah late in the game, just to take the wind out of Barack's fantastic acceptance speech. So McCain deserved everything he got. He wasn't thinking about the country, his party or the future. All he thought about was his goal to be president.
Sarah brought in more people and more excitement alright. But when she went off script everyone realized she didn't have a brain. Too bad, so sad, it's over.
The incompetence of this staff clearly illustrates that in no way should we have elected the Republican ticket to the Presidency.
They couldn't execute on simple things like this. Can you imagine this group in charge of the country? Be Afraid ... Very Afraid.
Hardly ... Country First
American's should be as mad about these GOPer's running for the Presidency as Democrats should be about John Edwards running for the nomination while having an affair that could have blown up in the general election.
Perhaps millions of Americans being disgusted, and shamed over the corruption of Bush/Cheney/McCain had something to do with your loss. It's not the clothes stupid. Republicans cannot admit their total failure.
We already knew the McCain campaign staff was disorganized and incompetent
they couldn't run a campaign but they wanted to run the country! So glad they lost.....
What's with all the neg. comments here? Hasn't this dear woman been through enough? Your comments smell like BO!
She needed clothes, okay, well why at those extremely expensive stores?
This story confirms that Sen. McCain's selection of Gov. Palin was a snap choice, poorly thought out, hastily executed and sloppily managed.
Sen. Obama throughout his campaign demonstrated strong managerial skills. The nation is grateful we don't have to experience repeated "failures of management" under a McCain presidency!
can't even manage a campaign, let alone the country
First serious female VP contender and she's outted for wearing expensive clothes. So typical of the GOP.
Hey, more important that "How did McCain goof up" or stories about how Bush and Cheney shoudl be imprisoned, why don't you look at what's happening:
1) Putin clears the way fro him to become President of Russia again.
2) The current President of Russia is going to visit Cuba and Venezuela.
3) The leader of China is going to visit Cuba.
Gee, do ya think somebody's planning something? You think maybe these countries see that the US is gonna have a weak, inexperienced leader, and that now's the time for action? Why do you think 'the world' wanted Obama? So that they wouldn't have to worry about a strong leader who wouldn't be afraid to kick a little butt.
And to you who say I'm fear-mongering, no, you and your "Bush is Big-Brother" baloney, that's fear-mongering. What I've said is a lot closer to the truth.
They got her a gal from New York!!!?? But that's not REAL America!!! Outrageous!
Glad there's better "Management" in the WH now... hopefully for 8 yrs!
And GOP, please stop the constant division efforts, it's the UNITED States of America... I've already heard one of your groups call themselves "The Resistance"
Failure of management just about sums up the Bush Administration.