I don’t know who’s whose idea it was, but yesterday’s press release breathlessly announcing that First Lady Dawn Gibbons “will be wearing a Bordeaux velvet gown, designed by Giorgio Armani to the Inaugural Balls in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada” has got to be one of the least helpful things I’ve seen for Republicans in a long time.
Noting that the reported $10,000 gown “is strapless and has organza detail around the bust line with a matching velvet jacket highlighted in white silk satin and pleated collar” plays right into the stereotype that Republicans are nothing but the party of the rich. I can hear Democrat Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley now: “How many meals for the homeless would that dress have bought?”
The press release noted that the gown was purchased “at the Giorgio Armani-Bellagio boutique in Las Vegas.” Mrs. Gibbons chief-of-staff, Ande Engleman, told the Reno Gazette-Journal that the First Lady “wanted to show that you didn’t need to leave the state of Nevada for great shopping.” But the fact is, most “regular” people, including Republicans, simply don’t shop at Armani’s or buy $10,000 dresses. Most would be thrilled to buy a $10,000 CAR.
Yesterday’s press release projected an aura of nuveau riche, or even royalty, designed to rub the noses of the “little people” in it. I don’t for one minute believe that is what Mrs. Gibbons intended, but that’s certainly the perception the press release conveyed.
Had a reporter asked about the details of the dress and Mrs. Gibbons had responded…fine. But it was not helpful to put this information out in an official press release from the Republican Governor’s office.
Posted on January 23rd, 2007 by Chuck Muth
Filed under: Nevada
I enjoy reading your e-mails, but am a little concerned about all the bad press regarding our First Lady’s dress. I am proud that she will be dressing appropriately, and am very interested in learning details about the dress. We have far too little “society page” information in the Appeal, or anywhere else local for that matter. In addition, you can tell Barbara Buckey that in America, people have the right to spend their $$ anyway they see fit.
Also, “who’s” should have been spelled “whose.”
first, barbara Buckey can go screw herself. Second, Dawn Gibbons is hot! and I want to see her in the dress.
Jimmy P