Sarah Palin: 'I'm an everyday, working-class-American'

[AntRobertson]

... Who just happens to be worth a lot more than the everyday, working-class American. Seriously why do politicians bother saying dumb shit like this? Do they really think it endears them to the real everyday, working-class people??

'Working-class' (worth $1.8m) Palin understands
9:03AM Friday Oct 03, 2008
By Leonard Doyle


WASHINGTON - On the campaign trail, Sarah Palin has complained of struggling to pay the bills and this week described herself as "an everyday, working-class American" who knows how it feels when the stock market takes a hit.
But the Palin family income reached comfortably into six figures in her 2007 declaration, capitalising on valuable salmon fishing rights and a series of property deals.

Her governor's salary brought in US$125,000, while her husband Todd earned almost US$100,000 from his part-time job at BP, combined with income from commercial fishing.

The couple appeared to be worth at least US$1.2m, including a US$500,000 lakefront home, a Piper float-plane and two holiday getaways.

That probably does not seem like struggling to the average American family living on less than US$50,000 ($76,000) a year and trying to pay off credit card debts of US$9,840 (Mrs Palin has none).

The Alaska governor describes herself as a small-town pit bull, willing to stand up to special interests, but she has also been willing to benefit from her position of power.




An investigation into the Palin family finances by the Associated Press challenges the image of a workaday mother who is struggling to make ends meet.
The findings were based on her 2007 declaration.

A more up-to-date picture of her wealth comes today when she must file a new declaration to the Federal Election Commission.

The Palins' wealth puts them on a par with her Democratic vice-presidential rival Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, well-off but nowhere near as wealthy as John and Cindy McCain with their billion-dollar fortune, and Barack and Michelle Obama.
Rather than just the family's bank balance, attention may focus on Mrs Palin's willingness to accept gifts from vested interests while she was mayor of Wasilla.
She raved about an "awesome facial" in a thank-you note to a local spa she had helped.

She thanked a welding supply shop for the "gorgeous flowers" they sent her, along with fresh salmon to take home.

As mayor, she cast the tie-breaking vote to get a tax exemption on aircraft when her family owned one, and helped repeal taxes on planes and snowmobiles.
At the time Todd, a champion racer, had a stake in a snowmobile shop.
She also asked city planning officials to waive violations of the building code so that she could sell her house quickly.

And when she built a house in 2002, she was allowed to build it closer to the lake than regulations allow.

- INDEPENDENT

'Working-class' (worth $1.8m) Palin understands - 03 Oct 2008 - NZ Herald: International and World News

So unless I'm missing something here and normal, everyday, working-class Americans are often on high salaries, have half-million dollar homes, planes, holiday homes, are given gifts for doing favours, and have building/planning codes waived in their favour then Mrs. Palin is, as so many are, just another hack of a politician talking complete and utter shite.

[Jet Gorgon]

^ Oh, so because she has no credit card debt she is well off? How about she pays her bills every month.
Palin's family earnings are still under Obama's $250k mark, no? You can buy a home in Ohio now for $40k but it's gonna be more like $500k in Alaska.
Libbie press is stretching it again.
Gimme a financial profile on Obama and Biden, wouldya?

[AntRobertson]

^ Oh, so because she has no credit card debt she is well off? How about she pays her bills every month.
Palin's family earnings are still under Obama's $250k mark, no? You can buy a home in Ohio now for $40k but it's gonna be more like $500k in Alaska.
Libbie press is stretching it again.
Gimme a financial profile on Obama and Biden, wouldya?

Eh? She's well off because she's well off, I thought that much was obvious. And what has any of this got to do with Obama, has he described himself as "an everyday, working-class American" when he patently is not?

As for info on Biden check the article, it's in there. Actually, did you even bother reading the article? I think you've entirely missed the point.

[Jet Gorgon]

^ Cute. She's well off because she's well off. Good legal argument. OK, check the cost of living up there too, ant. And her family background. Parents are teachers? Must make millions.

[AntRobertson]

^ Cute. She's well off because she's well off. Good legal argument.

What the hell are you babbling on about?? Legal argument? What legal argument, you're the one that raised no credit card debt as somehow being a definative measure of her financial well-being. The objective fact is that she is well off, Jet. It's quite a simple point.

OK, check the cost of living up there too, ant. And her family background. Parents are teachers? Must make millions.

I'd imagine the cost of living in Alaska is comparatively low. All beside the point anyway. You're obfuscating Jet, you'd clearly made your mind up before you'd even read the article/post (and I'm assuming you even have) and gone off on some tangential attack.

[Jet Gorgon]

^ You are delusional. The article in your first post states she has no credit card debt -- so that means she is rich?
The cost of living in Alaska is low? Fek, you really know less than I thought you did.

[Loy Toy]

Her financial standing should not be the issue as it should be whether she can do the job or not.

Any reference she has made on the campaign trial to "her being a normal everyday person" is wrong as that all changed when she decided to become a politician IMO.

[AntRobertson]

^ You are delusional. The article in your first post states she has no credit card debt -- so that means she is rich?
The cost of living in Alaska is low? Fek, you really know less than I thought you did.

Delusional? Keep focusing on that credit card then Jet, obfuscate any way you can.

The Point - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > Jet.

Oops, looks like you've missed it by quite some margin!

[barbaro]

Palin (IMO) is trying to win the votes of

high-school educated, blue-collar whites in the suburbs, edge cities, and rural areas.

This is why she says the buzzwords like "joe sixpack," and "my family and I used to work with our hands." I'm a "maverick."

How many times did she use the word "maverick."

I heard "outsider" also. "Wall St.," and "Main street."


These words are a campaign strategy. These code words are in the formula. You keep repeating them over, and over, and see if some of it sticks.

I do not think Palin will be allowed to do a serious one-on-one interview again before the election, after the Katie Couric and Gibson interviews.

[Norton]

You can buy a home in Ohio now for $40k but it's gonna be more like $500k in Alaska.

OK. If you say so Jettie......

Alaska - $144,200
Illinois - $130,800

When Obama moves to Ohio from Illinois he'll need a little less.
Ohio - $103,700

Historical Census of Housing Tables - Home Values

[Jet Gorgon]

You can buy a home in Ohio now for $40k but it's gonna be more like $500k in Alaska.

OK. If you say so Jettie......

Alaska - $144,200
Illinois - $130,800

When Obama moves to Ohio from Illinois he'll need a little less.
Ohio - $103,700

Historical Census of Housing Tables - Home Values

Uh huh. You check the dates on those home prices, Norts? Your quotes are for the year 2000.
So, Obama is moving to Ohio? So that means he won't be winning the election then.

[AntRobertson]

So, Obama is moving to Ohio? So that means he won't be winning the election then

Credit cards, houses in Ohio, Obama...

Can we get back to the topic now?

So Jet, do you think that Palin's "an everyday, working-class-American"?

[Norton]

Norts? Your quotes are for the year 2000.

Yes, they are. So you contention is inflation applies to Alaska but not to Ohio.

Obama is moving to Ohio?

Your the one who said a house in Ohio was $40K not I. Thought you either thought Obama lived there or was moving there. If neither why your mention of housing cost in Ohio?

[Norton]

Can we get back to the topic now?

Yes.

Seriously why do politicians bother saying dumb shit like this?

Because it sounds good to the voters, regardless of the fact very few politicians at the national level are.

Do they really think it endears them to the real everyday, working-class people??

To some it does, to others it comes across as a crock of shite. In either case not likely to change votes as the middle class of America and other countries expect it to be said.

[Sir Burr]

The point here Jet, is that Palin claims to be an ordinary working class American which she clearly isn't as her family are wealthy.

Obama and Biden are also wealthy, but, they have never claimed otherwise.

Dishonest? Yes, I think so.

[Boon Mee]

^ Cute. She's well off because she's well off. Good legal argument. OK, check the cost of living up there too, ant. And her family background. Parents are teachers? Must make millions.

Heh...anty reckons Sarah is well-off.
Imagine the standard of living he's used to, eh?

[Jet Gorgon]

Norts? Your quotes are for the year 2000.

Yes, they are. So you contention is inflation applies to Alaska but not to Ohio.

Obama is moving to Ohio?

Your the one who said a house in Ohio was $40K not I. Thought you either thought Obama lived there or was moving there. If neither why your mention of housing cost in Ohio?

WTF? Inflation? Where you at? What's this fekin credit crisis all about if not mortgage defaults? I noted Ohio prices coz I have friends in Medina, Columbus and Cuyahoga Falls. That's the price average they are quoting me. I never said anything about BO moving there. Bladdy h*ll, I will have a glass of wine now. Mebbe get me into the voodoo mind space y'all are into right now.

[AntRobertson]

Do they really think it endears them to the real everyday, working-class people??

To some it does, to others it comes across as a crock of shite. In either case not likely to change votes as the middle class of America and other countries expect it to be said.

You make a good point. It's still a completely cynical and calculated approach though. Disrespectful too when it comes down to it; just goes to show that many politicians assume as a matter of course that the electorate's a bit dim.

[Norton]

Bladdy h*ll, I will have a glass of wine now.

Yes another glass of wine is the answer. Joy to the world.

Jettie Gorgon was a bullfrog
Was a good friend of mine
I never understood a single word she said
But I helped her a-drink her wine
And she always had some mighty fine wine.

[Norton]

Disrespectful too when it comes down to it; just goes to show that many politicians assume as a matter of course that the electorate's a bit dim.

Unfortunately, in many cases they are quite right.

I couldn't count the number of times I heard the words, "I'm just a battler" come out of the mouths of politicians in Australia when I was staying there a few years ago. Finally had to display my ignorance and ask a mate what a battler was. Found out, twas an everyday, working class Aussie.

[aging one]

Biden are also wealthy

Biden and his wife have among the lowest incomes in DC. They are worth between 350,000 and a half million dollars is what I see.

[raycarey]

The point here Jet, is that Palin claims to be an ordinary working class American which she clearly isn't as her family are wealthy.
Obama and Biden are also wealthy, but, they have never claimed otherwise.
Dishonest? Yes, I think so.

nicely summarized.

[raycarey]

Biden are also wealthy

Biden and his wife have among the lowest incomes in DC. They are worth between 350,000 and a half million dollars is what I see.

and i think most of his 'wealth' is tied up in his house... i remember reading somewhere that he has invested in equities at all.

but that said, 350-500 K is a lot more than most americans have.

[Sir Burr]

Biden are also wealthy

Biden and his wife have among the lowest incomes in DC. They are worth between 350,000 and a half million dollars is what I see.

I think the majority of US citizens might consider that wealthy.

[aging one]

Agreed, but a lot would not. Considering how long he has been a senator and how much more it could have been. The point I was trying to make is that he is on the low end of the wealth scale as for as the Congress and the Senate are concerned.