RNC shells out $150K for Palin fashion

Politico ^ | Tue Oct 21, 8:47 pm ET | Jeanne Cummings

[The_Victor]

The Republican National Committee has 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.

The cash expenditures immediately raised questions among campaign finance experts about their legality under the Federal Election Commission's long-standing advisory opinions on using campaign cash to purchase items for personal use.

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_Victor]

Gotta love the unbiased job the press does. I'm sure the democRATs are being equally scrutinized. Like all of those untraceable campaign donations that couldn't possibly be from foreign sources.....

[Westbrook]

How much campaign money does the preening Obama and his angry wife Michelle spend on clothes and eating out?

I’ll venture it’s a lot more than $150K per month.

[bmwcyle]

This is to cover MS Obama’s lobster afternoon smack.

[tommyboy]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10212008/gossip/pagesix/room_disservice_134490.htm

[Perdogg]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2111934/posts

[hershey]

CBS early morning news in Boston says McCain’s campaign offered the young boy (booted from Obama’s big appearance...he was to sing the national anthem), a chance to sing at McCain’s appearance today in NH. (Obama’s staff says it was just a mixup. The Great One certainly didn’t mean to dump the kid and the anthem.) The people who believe Obama don’t give two cents about this country.

[mkjessup]

Well at least none of that $150,000 was spent aborting babies, hacking into email accounts or other skulduggery.

[Daniel Ramsey]

Thing is in Sarahs case she actually looks better if possible, but what can I say, I’m a guy who wears double knee black Carharts everywhere.

But then I live in Alaska, fashion to us is plaid or solid colors.

[Eagle Forgotten]

I'm sure the democRATs are being equally scrutinized.

It's like the John Edwards $400 haircut. The media find it easier to focus on stuff like this than on trivia like the candidates' tax proposals.

Still, this does seem like a high level of spending. People who donated to the RNC are entitled to a straightforward accounting of how much was spent, on what, and why. Then we can hope that the "issue" will go away.

[gusopol3]

DNC pick up the tab for caviar at the Waldorf?

[The_Victor]

I cut and pasted the exact title into the search block. Search came back with zero matches. I continued the search with "match any word" instead of all, and scanned the first page of matches, and again turned up nothing.

Oh well. If FR doesn't want duplicate posts, the search function should be improved.

[John Valentine]

Who cares how the RNC wants to spend their money? It’s certainly no business of Jeanne Cummings. Or anyone else.

There simply isn’t any limit to the self-inflicted stupidity and irrelevance of the mainstream media.

[GoCards]

I was thinking about this just yesterday. She is wearing things twice and 3 times. I have seen her in that black and gray striped suit several times. Piper has been in the black polka dot dress on many occasions. I think they were reasonalble with the money. Do we honestly believe she had everything from shoes to suits for a nationwide tour with her family, come on. Of course, we want her to look the best she can. I dont want her to come out in her duster! Geez

[The_Victor]

Still, this does seem like a high level of spending. People who donated to the RNC are entitled to a straightforward accounting of how much was spent, on what, and why. Then we can hope that the "issue" will go away.

The report found this in the RNCs own reports. They expenditures were itemized by what was bought and where. The accounting is completely above board.

[Berlin_Freeper]

"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."

Two trips to a Saks Fifth Avenue as well as other places and the bill only came to a combined $49,425.74."?

I'm going to use this against my wife.

[soupcon]

The Post had to retract that one...they weren’t even staying at the Waldorf.

[PajamaTruthMafia]

You mean Palin is just an average middle-class American who can’t afford expensive cloths on her own? You mean she’s not a multi-millionaire like the rest of them? You mean she didn’t betray the public trust in Alaska with all that oil money sloashing around to enrigh herself?

I’m shocked. Shocked I tell you! Forget VP, we need to put her up for Sainthood!

[Stars&StripesNE]

Palin before the makeover:

Palin after the makeover:

No difference

Michelle Obama before:

Michelle Obama after:

You be the judge

[gusopol3]

really? Hannity was still on it yesterday.

[Raycpa]

It's like the John Edwards $400 haircut.

This resonated because John was so self absorbed and already rich, it reflected his narcissism.

This angle on Palin won't work because the Palin's are like the Beverly Hillbilly's coming to Washington to meet the president and having Jane take them shopping to dress up for it. Most American's will identify with the Palin's.