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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.
She don’t need no stinkin’ wardrobe !
Well, for the kids sake I understand.
But, I gotta tell you, I think she’s holding up well.
Sorry but this one’s proven to be a fake. The NY Post retracted it because the Obamas weren’t even at the Waldorf that day.
Money well spent. Gov. Palin looks fantastic.
I agree she’s looking pretty good. Still, I’ve rarely if ever seen a woman that age who wasn’t airbrushed or photoshopped who should be wearing a bikini. Just as I shouldn’t be wearing a Speedo.
John Edwards primping costs..
Just how much did it cost the ‘taxpayers’ to haul Hillary’s arse around for her New York senate campaign huh?
RNC spends $150,000 dressing Palin.
MSM spends untold millions propping up empty suit.
Excellent find.
I am happy to have my donations to go dressing Sarah Palin. For heaven’s sake, this is spit in the wind. Elections cost money; you don’t think Obama is primped daily? All these guys have handlers, botox-folks, dressers, hair-dressers. I mean, the ones who want them. This cannot be out of the ordinary. They also have restaurant bills we pay for. And jet gas. And probably babysitters.
And?
Michelle has to feed her enormous big behind! Did you ever notice how MSM NEVER shows a picture of her walking direcly away?
It just shows how Republicans get more for their money. Democrats pay roughly the same amount to keep women quiet about affairs - at least Republicans get some good threads for their investment.
This is part of the cost of campaigning, WHO CARES! Obama is spending an ungodly amount on non-stop TV Adds that costs thousands of times more than this wardrobe. Its just a part of the cost of campaigning, sheesh. This whole issues is so childish. Guess I should not be surprised that that MSM is bringing this up, how utterly pathetic..
And Joy Behar just now made the joke....
“and that is just on lipstick for the pig”
watch for that clip to make the rounds....
nice photoshop
I couldn’t think of a better woman to put the $150,000.00 worth of clothes on.
Go Sarah.
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