It’s been just over three weeks since Obama’s presidential win sent Sarah Palin back to Alaska, but that doesn’t mean the defeated VP hopeful has sunk back under the radar and into virtual anonymity. Far from it — Palin has been seen and heard more post-election than she ever was during the campaign, and frankly, I’m a little relieved. Like her or not, you can’t deny the woman’s charisma…and knack for providing media fodder like no one else has since, well, since Monica Lewinsky and her infamous blue dress. There’s just something about women, politics, and clothes, isn’t there? After the jump, 8 things we’ve learned about Sarah Palin since the elections, including, yes, exactly how she spent that $150,000 clothing allowance. 1. It was actually $152,335 What she could have bought with that $150K+
Vanity Fair has a full list of every item the dream wardrobe the Republican party purchased could have purchased for Sarah Palin during the campaign, including a Chanel suit for $11,755, the Valentino jacket that Palin wore at the 2008 Republican National Convention for $4,990, a pair of Christian Louboutin croc pumps for $4,300, and a Dior Leather trim jacket, which at $2,385 was just enough to push her spending spree to a cool $152,335. They went slightly over budget though, in their spree, spending $152,335. Since the election, Palin has returned everything she did buy and resumed dressing in her own clothes.
2. She cooks a mean salmon and halibut casserole
One of Sarah Palin’s post-election interviews was with “Today’s” Matt Lauer, whom she invited to her home in Wasilla and served a salmon and halibut casserole to. Lauer reportedly enjoyed it.
3. She thinks high heels are appropriate footwear for a 7-year-old
Also at that same home-base portion of her interview with Matt Lauer, Palin was joined by some members of her family, including 7-year-old daughter, Piper, who was wearing a pair of very high heels. They were probably her mom’s (let’s hope!), but still.
4. She likes wrist corsages
At the 50th anniversary bash for Alaska a few days ago, Governor Palin sported a rosy wrist corsage to complement her hot pink jacket. I didn’t know people were still wearing those. Maybe it’s an Alaskan thing?
5. She may be worth a $7 million book deal
Their looks may not be the only thing Sarah Palin and Tina Fey have in common. Palin is reportedly close to signing a book deal, which some insiders estimate could be for a cool $7 million. One can only hope she’ll name the book “I Can See Russia From my House…And Other Reasons I Love My Life.”
6. She hates the bloggers
In an interview with Fox News’ Greta van Susteren, Palin said with great contempt that regarding the many rumors surrounding her during the campaign, the “media’ shouldn’t have “gone on some blogger — probably sittin’ there in their parent’s basement in their underwear — bloggin’ some gossip or lie.” Well, that’s mainstream media for you — always goin’ on some blogger who’s justa gossipin’ and lyin’. For the record, the feeling seems to be mutual.
7. She’s a PC girl
In a photo taken poolside in Miami during a break from the Republican Governor’s Conference, Palin is pictured with a Dell on her lap, which settles this biggest debate since the whole chicken and egg question, I’m sure.
8. She may not have known what countries are part of NAFTA or that Africa was continent
Immediately following the election, Fox News Chief Political Correspondent Carl Cameron, reported that “there was great concern within the McCain campaign that Palin lacked ‘a degree of knowledgeability necessary to be a running mate, a vice president, a heartbeat away from the presidency,’ in part because she didn’t know which countries were in NAFTA, and she ‘didn’t understand that Africa was a continent, rather than a series, a country just in itself.’” This information, it should be noted, originated from Palin’s own camp and not from a blogger “in their parent’s basement in their underwear.” Still, Palin denied the accuracy of this juicy tidbit and claimed the people who leaked it are just mean-spirited jerks.
