If Palin’s a Diva, What Does that Make Pelosi?

Talking Points Memo attacked Sarah Palin today over the details of her speaking contract at the Cal State-Stanislaus. These stories have emerged before, and I never got to address them. Having worked a little bit on concerts in Chattanooga, few people understand the demands and details that go into contracts.

For starters, read through the Smoking Gun’s concert and speaking riders. Palin’s demands are absolutely nothing compared to Christina Aguilara, Mariah Carey and even Dick Cheney.

However, let’s address the issues that TPM finds so offensive. Just what are these “diva” demands?

1. A $75,000 speaking fee.
This speaking fee is actually in the same range as other well-known political leaders. Bill Clinton makes millions per year in speaking fees. I’ve worked charity concerts where Martina McBride waved her $50,000 singing fee. Rush Limbaugh paid Elton John $1 million to sing at his wedding. Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert, demands $30,000 to $50,000 per appearance.

To most people, these fees are astronomical, but there’s a lot of money in speaking engagements and concerts. If a nonprofit or organization can raise sizable amounts of money by attracting prominent individuals, the pay-off is worth it. If Palin can make $75,000 per event, why not?

Palin has also been known to wave her fees and charge smaller amounts.

2. The infamous jet!
If you find this to be a diva demand, take a look at how far away Alaska is. It’s not conveniently located near Hawaii in real life. Traveling to and from Alaska from the lower 48 is similar to traveling to Europe. Hollywood stars use private jets for far closer travel.

Bo, the White House Dog, got his own flight from Washington, DC to Maine. For simple security reasons, I’m shocked Palin will consider any type of commercial travel. Just watch this creepy video here. Kate Gosselin travels with more security.

Palin’s travel is a drop in the bucket compared to what Speaker Nancy Pelosi has charged the American people. She’s abused the privileged of using a military jet and used it to retrieve her children and grandchildren and charged $100,000 for food and alcohol. If Nancy Pelosi, an independent millionaire, can’t afford to charter planes for her own grandchildren, why should Sarah Palin not demand a private jet on the basis of security alone?

3. Luxury Hotel Room
Seriously, TPM? This is a generic demand by anyone on the speaking/entertainment circuit. First of all, speakers/entertainers need a place to rest before and after the event. They also need places to change and get ready. As mentioned earlier, Palin also has a young child who still requires naps. If a “luxury” hotel room is the worst, they need to sort through Smoking Guns archives some more or speak with a concert promoter.

4. Media coverage and appearances.
When I worked the charity concerts that I mentioned earlier, there was an extensive rider stipulating what portions of songs and which songs could be taped by the media. When Martina McBride performed at the concert, I was the volunteer running operations back stage and still wasn’t allowed to meet her. (Amy Grant and Vince Gill by contrast were extraordinarily low key and very cool.) That was McBride’s personal preference. If she doesn’t want to be overwhelmed by people and media, why is it wrong that Palin doesn’t want to?

This paragraph from TPM is just frankly inaccurate:

The tight restrictions on access reflect Palin’s media strategy, which insulates her as much as possible from tough questions by confining her to Facebook statements and Fox News. Palin, who cultivates a salt-of-the-earth image, got into trouble during the 2008 presidential campaign after Politico revealed that the RNC had shelled out $150,000 Palin shopping sprees at Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s, among other high-end stores.

Limited media appearances are in every single rider. Again, go through the archives in the Smoking Gun. Celebrities and politicians want to protect their image and also don’t want to waste time will smaller venues or toxic appearances.

Furthermore, the $150,000 shopping spree is A LIE THAT HAS BEEN PROVEN WRONG NUMEROUS TIMES.

Hey TPM, until every high-profile liberal is flying Southwest and staying at a Hampton Inn, you may want to stop through rocks at glass houses.