Politics

Paul Ryan Faces Criticism for Pricey $350 Wine Purchase

Paul Ryan Faces Criticism for Pricey $350 Wine PurchaseHouse Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan and his party were accosted by a Rutgers Professor at a swanky Capital Hill restaurant Wednesday night for their choice to order two $350 bottles of wine with their meal.

“Susan Feinberg, an associate business professor at Rutgers, was at Bistro Bis celebrating her birthday with her husband that night. When she saw the label on the bottle of Jayer-Gilles 2004 Echezeaux Grand Cru Ryan’s table had ordered, she quickly looked it up on the wine list and saw that it sold for an eye-popping $350, the most expensive wine in the house along with one other with the same pricetag.

Feinberg, an economist by training, was even more appalled when the table ordered a second bottle. She quickly did the math and figured out that the $700 in wine the trio consumed over the course of 90 minutes amounted to more than the entire weekly income of a couple making minimum wage.”

The event took place on the same night that reports began to surface that the President was pressing Congressional leaders to consider changes to Social Security and Medicare, something Ryan has pushed for his entire career, in exchange for GOP support for targeted tax increases.

Ryan dined with two economist friends, and denied Feinberg’s belief that they were lobbyists. Aware of ethics rules barring members from accepting anything of value from lobbyists and even anything more than $100 per year from friends, Feinberg documented the Republican Budget Committee Chairman’s meal.

Paul Ryan Faces Criticism for Pricey $350 Wine Purchase

After taking photos of the table and wine, Feinberg, admittedly soaked in half a bottle of wine herself, proceeded to initiate a scene at the restaurant.

“After ending their meal and paying the check, Feinberg decided to give Ryan a piece of her mind. She approached the table and asked Ryan ‘how he could live with himself’ sipping expensive wine while advocating for cuts to programs for seniors and the poor. Some verbal jousting between Feinberg and the other two men ensued. One of the two men said he had ordered the wine, was drinking it and paying for it. In hearing how much the wine cost, Ryan said only: ‘Is that how much it was?’

The clash became especially heated when Feinberg asked the men if they were lobbyists.

‘F—- her,’ one of them replied and stood up in a menacing way, according to Feinberg’s account. Feinberg said her husband then ‘puffed out his chest’ in response before the manager and a waiter came over and Feinberg decided she had said her piece and it was time to leave.”

Aside from the profession of his friends, Ryan does not dispute most of Feinberg’s claim. Ryan added in an interview with TPM that he would characterize Feinberg as “crazy” and possibly drunk. Feinberg claims she believed the economist with Ryan at his table was intoxicated.

Ryan claims that his guests made the wine choice, and that he had just a single glass. When Ryan learned of the wine’s price he admitted it was “stupid” to pay that much for a bottle of wine, and said he would make sure not to do so again.

Despite only drinking a single glass, Ryan picked up the tab for a whole bottle along with his share of the meal. Upon request Ryan provided TPM a copy of his receipt from the meal, showing a charge to Ryan’s credit card for $472 — $392 for his meal and the bottle of wine and a generous $80 tip.

Paul Ryan Faces Criticism for Pricey $350 Wine Purchase

Some commentators have come to Ryan’s defense in the Winegate fiasco, Mediate’s Tommy Christopher:

“Be that as it may, I think we all have the right to eat dinner without being annoyed by some other patron of the same upscale restaurant (the federal minimum wage won’t even get you a plate of fries at Bistro Bis) who thinks we’re spending too much on dinner.”

Well said. Ryan estimates his net worth at $2.4 million and while he definitely is not slumming it, the Wisconsin Congressman is far from the likes of Sen. John Kerry’s $188.37 million Heinz fortune and Rep. Darrell Issa’s $160.05 million. Do you think it’s fair to criticize how public officials spend their own money, no matter how posh their purchases may be?

Comments (685)

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  • Want our country back
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:53pm

    Susan, are you as outraged with obama’s staff pay increases, especially after he lied and said they were frozen…. some of the increases are as high as 86% per year….. did you hear me Susan, take a picture of that 86%, 86%, 86%..

    Report Post » Want our country back  
  • Liberal Basher
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:52pm

    Uuummmm…and this is a story because….? If he paid for it out of HIS pocket, there is no story. If he billed the taxpayers that is another story.

    Report Post » Liberal Basher  
    • PATTY HENRY
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 6:12pm

      Exactly!!! RYAN is a great fellow and future President of the USA along with MARCUS RUBIO. IF he never gave anything to Charity, never spent any of his time trying to HELP AMERICA then you may have a point in criticizing him…but he does and you don’t.

      Report Post » PATTY HENRY  
    • Polwatcher
      Posted on July 10, 2011 at 6:55am

      The only problem I see with Ryan‘s budget is that it spends the same amount as Obama’s budget in 2012. We need cuts in Washington now and his budget, conveniently for lobbyists, does not cut Washington.

      Report Post »  
    • 86BHO12
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 11:46am

      Prof Feinberg welcomes your phone calls @ 973-353-5297, and emails @ feinberg@business.rutgers.edu

      Report Post »  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 6:16pm

      .
      Now that the spin doctors have the story, the truth will never be known.
      IF Ryan was buying this with his own money, he’s out of touch.
      IF he was dining with lobbyists, and they were buying, then he’s corrupt.
      IF he ordered the wine and had planned on stiffing the taxpayers, then he’s a typical hypocrite congressman.

      I’m glad the lady spoke up. I too am sick of the “ruling class”.
      Unfortunatly, we’ll never know the truth.

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • ZZero
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 11:32pm

      Secret Squeal
      The guy made his money by being fiscally responsible before coming to DC, and while he is there. That is how he can afford it. He didn’t put it on an expense account or ask someone else to pay for it.
      If, If, If????? Get some facts not conjecture!

      Report Post » ZZero  
  • MinutemanOnTheBorder
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:52pm

    Hezbollah in Mexico. Proof at http://www.americanborder.blogspot.com. Proof comes from AZ DPS leaked memos!!

    Report Post » MinutemanOnTheBorder  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:52pm

    I noticed that it wasn’t mentioned on how much she spent for her meal and wine. Just wondering. Personally I wouldn’t be caught dead in that place. But that’s just me.

    Report Post »  
  • marjorie faye
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:51pm

    I am way beyond sick of these idiot liberals. Rep. Ryan is free to spend his own money however he wishes. Has this woman not heard of the liquor tabs that Nancy Pelosi has run up?

    Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on July 10, 2011 at 11:13am

      Yup! Nancy Palose charged approx $100,000 for her personal jet (OURS) to have top shelf booze. Who is criticizing her for her bar bill?

      Report Post »  
  • tomf
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:48pm

    lets see, an associate business professor, and her Husband? make enough money to jaunt to capital hill and squander a couple of hundred dollars on an over priced meal.. I really think Rutgers overpays their flunkies, OOPS I mean liberal associate professors who are trying to stage a stunt to make it to full fledged liberal bitch…… Some one needs to file a complaint about the lack of standards Rutgers has for associate Idiots

    Report Post »  
  • Berticus33
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:47pm

    What a bleeping hypocrite, while “celebrating” her birthday at a swanky restaurant, she has the nerve to try berating another American for his choice of a wine? Perhaps she should climb out of her ivory tower and get back in touch with reality. University Libretard;(

    Report Post » Berticus33  
  • Wishkah
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:47pm

    He wasn’t paying for it with tax payer dollars, so who’s business is it ? And when did it become a bad thing to succeed in this country.

    Report Post »  
    • RightPolitically
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:14pm

      The successful don’t vote for liberals. That’s why the Feinbergs of the world HATE SUCCESS!

      Report Post » RightPolitically  
    • sawhorse1950
      Posted on July 10, 2011 at 9:49pm

      Right, he wasn’t trying to cheat like so many Democrats do. It’s pretty bad when the left makes a scene over a meal and wine. My husband and I always buy quality wine and we are not wealthy. But we do live within our means.

      Report Post »  
  • Kess
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:47pm

    It’s his damn money; he can spend it however the hell he wants to. Why don‘t we go dig up Feinberg’s purchases and take her head off for the personal purchases she makes. Were they not eating at the same swanky restaurant or something.

    Report Post » Kess  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 6:14pm

      This Feinberg lady was so totally out of line. What was she doing in an overly expensive restaurant?
      I think it’s stupid to pay that much for food, but when you live in the big city, (what they might consider gourmet food) is more expensive. You know, keeping up with the Jones.

      Report Post »  
    • RightPolitically
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:10pm

      Yes, they were eating at the same swanky restaurant. However, you must remember the liberal mantra: DO AS WE SAY, NOT AS WE DO!

      Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • ann4now
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:47pm

    So what’s Feinbergs “net worth”? WHO CARES. She was out of line, as all Dems are, and its too bad the dude didn’t tell her more than F-off. This is the tit-for-tat CRAP that Conservatives have to ignore, because we have to focus on getting America RIGHT in 2012!

    Report Post » ann4now  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 6:11pm

      I learned at a very young age to never ever stare at other people’s food or drinks, while they are eating or drinking , its bad manners and rude. My parents taught me that . How could this pathetic excuse for a woman even do such a thing, in public ? Hassling people you don’t even know when they are having a meal ? At a restaurant ? Is that some sophisticated leftwing behavior which we common Americans don’t know about ?

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
  • KoolCaptain
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:46pm

    Susan Feinberg is the classic liberal/progressive, she knows exactly how to spend OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY. Sorry for yelling.

    Report Post »  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:45pm

    True Liberal, yell at someone else while not minding that they are doing the same.

    Liberal motto: Do as I say, NOW, and if you don’t, I will have the Govt take everything from you. Don’t mind what I do, I know best.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • Goodgriefgeezlouise
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 6:18pm

      I hope Ryan knows now that all of these knuckleheads will be dogging him and other Republicans to try and bring them down.. I wouldn’t be suprised to see some violent acts from the more off the wall types, before 2012..

      Libs will twist anything to start a whine – a – thon from now until election time.. Do they see their utopia slipping away? You can bet they will be cryin like the spoiled hippies they try to be..

      Report Post »  
  • dscon
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:45pm

    can u say free market stimulus?

    i can.

    and the rutgers gal…….well…. she had a yeager bomb 7.50+tip……
    cheap azz date…
    priceless

    Report Post »  
  • Ethereal
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:45pm

    All they can find to critisize is 700 bones worth of wine? hahahahahahaha. This is corruption to them? Ryan still earns a paycheck and if the the table paid for the wine themselves what do they care?

    Report Post » Ethereal  
  • btycrkr
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:45pm

    Any money Ryan has earned in a legal fashion is his to spend as he sees fit. MYOB, Baby!

    Report Post »  
  • Want our country back
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:45pm

    “Susan Feinberg, an associate business professor at Rutgers

    Shame on you Susan, check on the TRILLIONS this administration has pissed away and then talk to me about 2 bottles of wine at $350….. I don’t think that these 2 bottles got us into this mess. Susan, please check on Nancy for me and see her out of control spending of OUR money….. I’d be happy if she only had 2 bottles of wine.

    Susan did you the taxpayer pay for the wine or did Paul Ryan. I wonder if Paul Ryan attends the many obama fund raisers at $35,000 per plate….

    Report Post » Want our country back  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 6:07pm

      @Wanting our country back…………..as I remember Nancy Pelosi stocked her (our) airplane with thousands & thousands of dollars worth of booze & food for her friends & family. Seems like I remember something like $100,000 with top shelf booze. I’m disappointed to hear Ryan spent that much on his share of the meal, with the expensive wine, but he did buy his own meal and didn’t know the price of the wine, so it wasn’t bought by a lobbyist. That’s good news.

      Report Post »  
  • TomBombadil
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:44pm

    If he were as broke as the U.S. and buying the wine, that’d be a problem — HIS. It’s his income, and he has earned it.

    We should look at HER bill there. I wonder how well she tipped. I wonder what kind of wine she drinks.

    She openly admits, anyway, into snooping into his meal BEFORE finding out it was expensive. Learn the meaning of privacy, woman. Or should we have people follow you, shooting photos of every one of your meals? Should we have people go through your trash? Let’s get into YOUR face about YOUR personal choices in YOUR private life.

    Report Post » TomBombadil  
  • davy440
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:43pm

    this economist is thinking like a socialist, instead of a free market capitalist. Does not bother me as long as it was his or there money used

    Report Post »  
  • temple62
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:43pm

    This is a lesson for all GOP candidates as well. It is time to drop out of the race if you have a ****** on the side or an affair that wifey is still not aware of. Pricey spending, sex, and dalliances will be iphoned and video taped from here on out and like Anthony Weiner it will bring you down.

    Report Post » temple62  
  • me85
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:42pm

    Hey, it’s his money, he does what ever he wants with it.

    Report Post » me85  
    • REDBLOODEDHUSKER
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:49pm

      Ahh, but there’s the key. She feels that – It’s EVERYONES money! And he should be the good citizen and give it all to the gov’t to be spread around. Not spend his own money that he earned all by himself how HE pleases! How dare he!

      Report Post »  
    • scuba13
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:50pm

      I’ll drink to that.

      Report Post » scuba13  
    • Ethereal
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:56pm

      yeah really, if 700 bucks worth of wine they paid for themselves is indicative of corruption then they obviously are grasping at air. This is just another “the haves need to share with the have nots” so everyone is even. Besides they arent making any cuts to those services so their message was in error anyway.

      Report Post » Ethereal  
  • Patrick in AZ
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:41pm

    Another holier-than-though leftist b**** trying to destroy anyone she disagrees with

    Report Post » Patrick in AZ  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:40pm

    Stupid whining libbys should pay more attention to what Obama orders…and on the taxpayers dime to boot.

    Report Post » KickinBack  
  • nptden
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:40pm

    She should check the bills of Obama in the White House parties. Or how about the cost of the ‘vacation’ trips? And Mama Bama’s trips to Africa. Sure they cost a helluva lot more.

    Report Post » nptden  
  • mAs_Man
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:39pm

    Is that the best they got? Really? lol.

    Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:52pm

      She quickly did the math and figured out that the $700 in wine the trio consumed over the course of 90 minutes amounted to more than the entire weekly income of a couple making minimum wage.”
      ————–
      and HOW much does $700 amount to in terms of the jealous parasitic blooter from Rutgers ?

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
  • TexasConservativeCowboy
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:35pm

    who cares

    Report Post »  
    • Zer0
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:45pm

      Wow. These Progressive wackos are really grasping for straws, are they not? Especially, considering the ridiculous wasteful spending on the part of the Pelosi regime.

      Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:46pm

      So did the socialist tenured bi#c* order her grub from the $1 value menu of the restaurant ?

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:50pm

      Maybe he should have flown half his family in the private jets used by PELOUSY , while she lorded over the Senate. Sure she only drank Mad Dog or Boones Farm or Ripple

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • KickinBack
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:53pm

      Like a true Marxist, she was jealous. Someone else better off than her was having a good time and she just had to stick her nose where it didn’t belong.

      Report Post » KickinBack  
    • seeker9
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 5:54pm

      She should check some of Pelosi‘s and Hillary’s spending. Why she was able to/allowed to photo the receipt is beyond me. No way that should ever happen.

      Report Post » seeker9  
    • minnierv
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 6:03pm

      Who the hell gives a f*#k. You can spend nearly that much on a couple of grand lattes at Starbucks.
      If Ryan was a democrat the stupid bitch would have kept her mouth shut. I’ll bet this pathetic dumbass has nothing to say about all of the Obama vacations and how many families making minimum wage that money could have helped out. Maybe she’d like to donate some of that professor’s salary to those families since she is so deeply concerned about them. STFU you liberal piece of trash. I am so sick of double standard idiots like her.

      Report Post » minnierv  
    • Lucy Larue
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 6:18pm

      TEXASCONSERVATIVECOWBOY,
      I care! You should too!
      Do not be so damn CAVALIER! It is our freaking country that is at stake!
      Why even bother to comment with such a thoughtless statement? How much brainpower did you put in your comment?

      The bottom line is that this woman…., Susan Fienberg…,blows the whistle on expensive wine. YIPPEE!
      Is not Susan the greatest of citizen activists? NOT!

      Trillions of debt this country is in. Activist Susan blew the whistle on $1500.00!
      What a hero. UGH!

      Report Post »  
    • betsp
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 6:55pm

      You’re right, Texas. It’s his money. Liberals can’t tell the difference.

      Report Post »  
    • beans bullets and bandaids
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:19pm

      @Seeker9, Ryan provided a copy of the receipt to TPM. She wasn’t allowed to see it.

      Report Post »  
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