Lifestyles Of The Rich And Republican!

[SirNitram]

...Or, how NOT to defeat an accusation you're so rich you're out of touch.

Link

Robin Leach isn’t your usual political pundit. But the former champagne-toasting host of the TV hit of the mid-'80s to mid-'90s, "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," may be more qualified than most to opine on John McCain's now-infamous inability to remember how many homes he owns.

In an early morning phone call Friday from his fabulous crib in Las Vegas, Leach told The Times that he isn’t really surprised at McCain's odd memory lapse given the complex lives that the super-rich lead.

"He probably was confused as to which homes are in his name, his wife's name, or corporate names," Leach explained in his familiar, deep British baritone. "In his attempt to be honest, he put his foot in his mouth."

Indeed, McCain’s four homes and at least four other residential properties are held in the name of his wife, Cindy, and her dependent children through a series of partnerships and trusts. Their combined value is nearly $14 million.

Leach said McCain "tends to answer questions very rapidly without thinking of the correct answers. ... I would call it honest confusion."

The British-born Leach isn't a U.S. citizen and thus can't vote. But for a man famous for focusing on froth, he took a serious view of America's latest political fracas.

"This has nothing to do with the issues candidates should be discussing," he said. "Let’s talk about real things, not silly things. It’s irrelevant whether the future president has one home or ten."

"It’s nothing to get into a kerfuffle about," he added. "It’s silly and ridiculous."

As host of "Lifestyles," Leach served as an always-enthusiastic tour guide to the extravagant homes of wealthy entertainers, athletes and business moguls. He ended each segment with his signature sign-off: "Champagne wishes and caviar dreams!"

Now 66, Leach writes books and a blog, travels widely, and owns an HDTV studio in Las Vegas.

Really? You got the guy who did Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous? And this'll somehow help McCain seem everyday?

[Ghost Rider]

And another bit of why I wonder who the fuck are these people.

So he's honest in being confused of being so fucking rich, he forgets things...like houses?

The saddest part is people will accept that as a part of a common defense, even though 99% of them could or can not use it by any reasonable means.

[General Zod]

He was confused about which ones were in his name. . .yet the best response he could come up with is "Uh. . .you'll have to ask my staff?" Come on. At least he could have tried to come up with a more eloquent answer. Or even an explanation as to why he couldn't keep them straight off the bat. I guess McCain just isn't that clever.

[Patrick Degan]

Fuck Robin Leach. He was little more than an annoyingly glib propagandist helping to foster the Worship-the-Rich cult of the Reagan 80s.

[Broomstick]

I think "Most of my family property, including houses, is in my wife's name" would have been a better answer for McLame than "I don't know" in this case.

Not that I'm at all interested in helping him win the White House.

[Big Orange]

McShame obviously has more money than sense if he curtly said he had no idea how much property his family owned. I never understood why the rich should have so much property, much of which they barely live in (you can only sit in one seat or sleep in one bed at a time). It was a huge PR blow for Catherine Zeta Jones when she pompously said a million dollars was supposedly not a lot for people of her standing.

I guess it is akin to a violent dictator blurting out "Human rights?! I've heard of that..."

[Covenant]

This has potential to really help isolate McCain if you can spin it as Robin Leech of Lifestyles coming out to help poor John explain why he can't remember all his houses. The Rich have such complex lives! Poor Rich people! Sounds like a great way to start a speech about the "complex lives" of a mother with three jobs and four kids who tries to blah blah.

[Pelranius]

I think "Most of my family property, including houses, is in my wife's name" would have been a better answer for McLame than "I don't know" in this case.

Not that I'm at all interested in helping him win the White House.

He could have just directed them to his lawyer. That's what I would have done, but I've probably watched too much Law & Order and the Closer.

[Kuja]

I think "Most of my family property, including houses, is in my wife's name" would have been a better answer for McLame than "I don't know" in this case.

Not that I'm at all interested in helping him win the White House.

He could have just directed them to his lawyer. That's what I would have done, but I've probably watched too much Law & Order and the Closer.

Do you really think that would have come across as any better than what he actually said?

"How many properties do you own?"
"Uh...ask my staff."
////////////
"How many properties do you own?"
"Uh...ask my lawyer."


Either way it just sounds moronic as hell.

[The Grim Squeaker]

McShame obviously has more money than sense if he curtly said he had no idea how much property his family owned. I never understood why the rich should have so much property, much of which they barely live in (you can only sit in one seat or sleep in one bed at a time). It was a huge PR blow for Catherine Zeta Jones when she pompously said a million dollars was supposedly not a lot for people of her standing.

For a worlf renowned celebrity, who's strongly involved socially and travels worldwide? It's not, really. The McMansion monstrosities being built these days in places like StBarts (A fancy Island chain infested by celebrities, never been there myself but I met a resort house owner from there) easily cost a million dollars or more to build, upkeep is a not insignificant fraction of that, even more when you're keeping it to higher standards and expect to regularily entertain which means you need a chef, cleaning staff 24/7, and that's ignoring decor, repair, or waiters for example.
The fact is, that certain people do have higher standards to "meet" (Note the parentheses) especially in their social circle, and actors epitomize this to a very high degree.
To bring a more relevant example, for those here who are free proffessionals such as engineers or lawyers, would you come to work in a cheap suit with home made patches on it? (I'm not talking about repairing a good suit, but signs of poverty and cheapness), not having a cellphone and asking your boss if he'd mind letting you hitch a ride with him?
This is fine at "lower level" jobs, but a partner at a law firm arriving looking like a hobo would quite possibly suffer professionally as a result of not looking succesful or showing any of the consumption signs of success.
It's not necessarily "right", and what the level should be and what it is are different, but there are differing levels of behavior as you go up the socioeconomic ladder.

Another example: Ladies of court in medieval times would have to wear different dresses of great beauty or risk ostracization and mockery. (Same for nobles).

I guess it is akin to a violent dictator blurting out "Human rights?! I've heard of that..."

Or the president of a nation saying "What do you mean, take the bus" or "People of my status cannot travel in economy/coach".
There's a difference between that and going "What do you mean, my private jet's a mini-plane?" or "A BMW and not a Porsche? How can I drive up to the UN like that?".

(PS - 1 house, and one apartment that we'll rent out once it's cleaned up/me)

[Death from the Sea]

so had McCain actually given a number on a guess, and gave the wrong number, like 3 homes when he owns 5 (in his name), wouldn't he have been branded as a liar???

I don't know why or how McCain's homeowner issue became a political issue at all but I will agree with Robin Leach when he said that there are more important things to talk about.

[Keevan_Colton]

Death, I suggest you shut up. You're shoving your foot down your throat nearly as far as McCain. Conspicuous consumption because of social mores is retarded and exactly what this is railing against. Stating it over and over just reinforces a lot of peoples views here of you as a socially inept rich kid with serious issues.

[Vendetta]

so had McCain actually given a number on a guess, and gave the wrong number, like 3 homes when he owns 5 (in his name), wouldn't he have been branded as a liar???

No, still just a senile old duffer.

[salm]

To bring a more relevant example, for those here who are free proffessionals such as engineers or lawyers, would you come to work in a cheap suit with home made patches on it? (I'm not talking about repairing a good suit, but signs of poverty and cheapness), not having a cellphone and asking your boss if he'd mind letting you hitch a ride with him?

I am an engineer and i do that all the time. When i go to work i wear fucked up shorts, a crappy t-shirt and sneakers that are covered in disco dirt. There are several people (engineers and graphics artists) who do the same at that company and it really doesn´t bother anyone.

[Big Orange]

For a worlf renowned celebrity, who's strongly involved socially and travels worldwide? It's not, really.

But it is still a very pompous thing to say to the majority of people and another way of sneering "I'm rich, you're poor!".

And it is pretty shallow and unpleasant when people scoff at what clothes people wear or present themselves. Which why most normal thinking people are fed up with Paris Hilton and her ilk.

[Broomstick]

For a worlf renowned celebrity, who's strongly involved socially and travels worldwide? It's not, really.

But it is still a very pompous thing to say to the majority of people and another way of sneering "I'm rich, you're poor!".

Yes, it starts to take on overtones of "If they have no bread let them eat cake"

[Colonel Olrik]

To bring a more relevant example, for those here who are free professionals such as engineers or lawyers, would you come to work in a cheap suit with home made patches on it? (I'm not talking about repairing a good suit, but signs of poverty and cheapness), not having a cellphone and asking your boss if he'd mind letting you hitch a ride with him?

Engineers coming to work in a suit?

[The Grim Squeaker]

To bring a more relevant example, for those here who are free professionals such as engineers or lawyers, would you come to work in a cheap suit with home made patches on it? (I'm not talking about repairing a good suit, but signs of poverty and cheapness), not having a cellphone and asking your boss if he'd mind letting you hitch a ride with him?

Engineers coming to work in a suit?

Alright, bad example. Lawyers then .

Keev has a point, as i'm terrible at arguing and whatnot, it's just that the point I was trying to say was "When's the last time you went to a job interview, or a work related dinner party for socializing and didn't dress your best?".
/me withdraws before he puts his cheap, sandal clad foot in it.

[Keevan_Colton]

And you dont perhaps see a difference between looking smart for an interview and bemoaning that the equivalent of 52 years of working minimum wage, 8 hours a day, 365 days a year...isnt much to get by on.

Frankly most of those working in sports, entertainment and at the upper end of business could have a decimal place or two dropped from their incomes without any real fucking difference and not even the spectre of hardship...

[Phantasee]

To bring a more relevant example, for those here who are free proffessionals such as engineers or lawyers, would you come to work in a cheap suit with home made patches on it? (I'm not talking about repairing a good suit, but signs of poverty and cheapness), not having a cellphone and asking your boss if he'd mind letting you hitch a ride with him?

I am an engineer and i do that all the time. When i go to work i wear fucked up shorts, a crappy t-shirt and sneakers that are covered in disco dirt. There are several people (engineers and graphics artists) who do the same at that company and it really doesn´t bother anyone.

What the hell is disco dirt? Where do you find discos, in converted barns?

Man, McCain is pretty damn rich. Cindy, I mean. The old man did something right by marrying her. How else would he have been able to hire a large staff to support him in his old age - er, I mean his Presidency?

[Ender]

I find it hilarious that a thread whose OP article is railing against us for focusing on gaffes and other shit rather then the issues is focusing on gaffes rather then issues.

[SirNitram]

I find it hilarious that a thread whose OP article is railing against us for focusing on gaffes and other shit rather then the issues is focusing on gaffes rather then issues.

The article is, very simply, a bad farce. You do not get off of a gaffe by playing the P.O.W. card. You do not do it by returning to the well for a bit of arugala-eating latte sipping liberal talk. You don't do it by returning to Ayers and Wright. And you only make it worse by hiring a monumentally arrogant TV burnout whose whole job was to find the stupidly out of contact with reailty rich.

So yes, there's mockery of the gaffe, and there's a reason. McCain keeps making it worse. Nine car motorcades to Starbucks for a cappacino, anyone?

McCain can stop this anytime he wants to engage the issues, frankly. But he doesn't, and he won't, because there's nothing for him.

[salm]

To bring a more relevant example, for those here who are free proffessionals such as engineers or lawyers, would you come to work in a cheap suit with home made patches on it? (I'm not talking about repairing a good suit, but signs of poverty and cheapness), not having a cellphone and asking your boss if he'd mind letting you hitch a ride with him?

I am an engineer and i do that all the time. When i go to work i wear fucked up shorts, a crappy t-shirt and sneakers that are covered in disco dirt. There are several people (engineers and graphics artists) who do the same at that company and it really doesn´t bother anyone.

What the hell is disco dirt? Where do you find discos, in converted barns?

Disco dirt is a particular type of dirt only found in discos. After a night out at a club your shoes will normally be covered in dirt. I believe that this type of dirt is a mixture of spillt beer and other alcoholic beverages, cigarette buds, general dirt, dragged in from the street and - in some cases perhaps - vomit. It clings to your shoes like Sly to rocks in cliffhanger and is very hard to get off. Disco dirt.

[Phantasee]

Disco dirt is a particular type of dirt only found in discos. After a night out at a club your shoes will normally be covered in dirt. I believe that this type of dirt is a mixture of spillt beer and other alcoholic beverages, cigarette buds, general dirt, dragged in from the street and - in some cases perhaps - vomit. It clings to your shoes like Sly to rocks in cliffhanger and is very hard to get off. Disco dirt.

Ahhh, yeah, I stopped wearing white shoes out after the first few times because of that. I don't really notice it anymore on my black shoes.

[Coyote]

The saddest part is people will accept that as a part of a common defense, even though 99% of them could or can not use it by any reasonable means.

Hey, millions of people rose up, started a war, fought, died, bled, and caused untold amounts of destruction to defend filthy-rich folks' slavery, an institution that hardly any of those people actually participated in.

Only in America do hordes of peasants spontaneously rise up and fight to the death the right of arrogant, rich clueless people to be... arrogant, rich and clueless.