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Posted on 10/22/2008 7:21:50 AM PDT by Issaquahking
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 campaign does not comment on strategic decisions regarding how financial resources available to the campaign are spent," she said.
But hours after the story was posted on Politico's website and legal issues were raised, the campaign issued a new statement.
"With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it’s remarkable that we’re spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses," said spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt. "It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign."
Slideshow
Palin Fashion
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).
See Also As clock ticks, hope dims for McCain savior Democrats' gloom deepens California gives most to Obama camp 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 in early September at Atelier, a high-class shopping destination for men.
Please delete this article this article. Duplicate
Per Fox this AM, all the clothing will be auctioned off for charity after this is over.
Much ado about nothing.
I’m shocked, shocked to learn that a woman has been buying clothes.
One haircut for the Breck Girl.
BFD
That’s it? Some of the gowns first ladies wear to events cost this much alone, and she got a whole wardrobe. Sounds like she is a smart shopper.
DNC should have fumigated Obama and plane.
And how much money did Palin RAISE for the GOP since she was announced? I’d say $150k is a good investment for the millions she raised!
..good, now shell out some money to help save Michele Bachmann in Minnesota’s 6th district—the left is trying to destroy her...
She isn’t personally rich. So what? Wonder who pays for the tablecloths, with funeral arragements at the neck, ‘chelle wears? Who pays for all the lobster, caviar, and champagne ‘chelle glugs down?
Save the money and let her campaign in her pageant bikini!
HUBBA HUBBA HUBBA! ARRROOOOO!!! RUFF!
Just one goat’s opinion.
“Otherwise, there’s still no excuse for a man getting a $400 haircut.”
Or $520 shoes. That sum would supply me with shoes for years.
John Kerry, is that you?
The Dems would prefer Palin and family were in sack cloth while Michelle eats caviar, lives in a home bought with Rezko money, made money off books ghost written by Ayers etc.
Why sad to say. Money well spent. Never, ever, underestimate the value of image on the campaign trail. Marketing is 50% of the sale.
For democrats, they have to shop at the tent and awning stores to outfit their cows.
They are jealous because Sarah looks great.
It’s a perfectly acceptable way to spend the money.
And what’s wrong with buying diapers at Walmart?
Thanks, Politico.
Now, go win a Pulitzer for collecting the evidence that Barack Obama is a hard core Marxist.
“Save the money and let her campaign in her pageant bikini!”
Not at her age and after 5 kids. No thanks.
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