MAR
Posted on 10/21/2008 11:14:43 PM PDT by flattorney
The Republican National Committee appears to have spent more than $150,000 to clothe and accessorize vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her family since her surprise pick by John McCain in late August. According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74. The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September. The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September after reporting no such costs in August.
Politico asked the McCain campaign for comment, explicitly noting the $150,000 in expenses for department store shopping and makeup consultation that were incurred immediately after Palin’s announcement. Pre-September reports do not include similar costs. Spokeswoman Maria Comella declined to answer specific questions about the expenditures, including whether it was necessary to spend that much and whether it amounted to one early investment in Palin or if shopping for the vice presidential nominee was ongoing.
The campaign does not comment on strategic decisions regarding how financial resources available to the campaign are spent," she said. The business of primping and dressing on the campaign trail has become fraught with political risk in recent years as voters increasingly see an elite Washington out of touch with their values and lifestyles. In 2000, Democrat Al Gore took heat for changing his clothing hues. And in 2006, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) was ribbed for two hair styling sessions that cost about $3,000. Then, there was Democrat John Edwards’ $400 hair cuts in 2007 and Republican McCain’s $520 black leather Ferragamo shoes this year.
A review of similar records for the campaign of Democrat Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee turned up no similar spending. But all the spending by other candidates pales in comparison to the GOP outlay for the Alaska governor whose expensive, designer outfits have been the topic of fashion pages and magazines. What hasn’t been apparent is where the clothes came from – her closet back in Wasilla or from the campaign coffers in Washington. The answer can be found inside the RNC’s September monthly financial disclosure report under “itemized coordinated expenditures.”
It’s a report that typically records expenses for direct mail, telephone calls and advertising. Those expenses do show up, but the report also has a new category of spending: “campaign accessories.” September payments were also made to Barney’s New York ($789.72) and Bloomingdale’s New York ($5,102.71). Macy’s in Minneapolis, another store fortunate enough to be situated in the Twin Cities that hosted last summer’s Republican National Convention, received three separate payments totaling $9,447.71.
The entries also show a few purchases at Pacifier, a top notch baby store, and Steiniauf & Stroller Inc., suggesting $295 was spent to accommodate the littlest Palin to join the campaign trail. An additional $4,902.45 was spent at Atelier, a high-class shopping destination for men.
# # The Dallas Morning News endorses John McCain for President
MAR
If there wasn’t so much at stake for our country, this msm meltdown would be really funny.
silly drivebys....
LOL! Like they'd report it anyhow. Hey Politico, tell us where Barack Hussein Obama is getting his unlimited cash flow and then I may give a rat's ass about dresses.
The media is so in the tank for Barack obama, someone needs to take a goofy picture of it just like Dukakis’ famous picture in 1988.
Liberals are getting very desperate. It not the economy stupid, it's Governor Palin's wardrobe!
That was one of the funniest articles I’ve read in years.
It sounded like it was written by some jealous cow whose own meal ticket just got canceled.
Can you imagine? The RNC invested funds to make it’s vice-presidential candidate look more professional.
Oh the humanities!
Where Palin really screwed up, is that she didn’t get hair styled on an LAX runway, causing problems for many commuters. That’s the kind of thing that endears leftists to a candidate.
And don't get me started on the Rezko stuff, geez.
Any idea if Joe the Plumber used McCain's barber?
With every story, they continue to prove the evident - SARAH PALIN IS NOT WEALTHY! Jefferson (who I typically don’t like to quote) said “...it’s a matter of whether the government will be controlled by the people or the elite.”
They despise that she is not like them and with every story like this, it makes me like her more.
Since the taxpayers didn’t pay for it WHO THE HELL CARES?!
As if contributors to Obama haven’t paid to dress Michelle Obama!!! HYPOCRITES!
If it had been spent on meals and drinks it would not have been noticed. She’s our first middle class candidate
STRAIGHT from the middle class. So, what. Her KIDS (I know that’s now incorrect, also) probably wear outdoor gear most of the year.
“Any idea if Joe the Plumber used McCain’s barber?”
That’s nonsense! Why should the media concentrate on that? I think they should investigate and report whether his crack shows when he’s under the sink.
MAR
Money well spent!!!
It looks like Jeanne Cummings could use some help.
I hope she doesn't expect Obama's campaign to actually disclose what they are spending on Michelle since they haven't been exactly honest about who is donating to it. And remember when he spent $850,000 with ACORN and that wasn't disclosed either!
HA!
She’s worth every penny, and some.
If it wasn’t for Palin, we would be toast right now.
**A review of similar records for the campaign of Democrat Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee turned up no similar spending.**
The Emporor has No Clothes!
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