Clothes & make up. For her and HER family...

Oct. 22) - 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."
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.
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More StoriesA 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 in early September at Atelier, a high-class shopping destination for men.

I'm thinking that maybe the people that donated this money to their campaign... didn't realize it would be spent at Saks Fifth Avenue...

She was at Saks in St. Louis and didn't take me.

Dang, that's a lot of money just to make oneself look presentable for TV and speeches.

No kidding... but of course, it's all going to go to Charity... Yea right. There is just no reason to spend 150 grand on clothes for a few months. Donate the money, not the clothes. Tho... I'm sure people will be bidding on Sarah Palin's Jacket Whatever. I would be so pissed if I had donated money to this campaign.

That's the truth!

I can buy clothes that look exactly like theirs at Goodwill and makeup for the whole family for $30 bucks at Target. And these are the people who are going to end frivolous spending...

Suddenly, John Edwards' $400 haircuts seem almost cheap...

-Kerry O.

$400 haircut?!

This goes to people who do this to Obama too...

No offense, but this is nothing we should judge anybody on. Hate the system, not the players. We are nitpicing a bit aren't we?

It angers me that so much is spent on campaigning, but if you want to attack someones credentials just use policies...

hahahaha no one here knows anything about POLICIES! they just know what their liberal/conservative media tell them

Trouble's back.

back in black. I got my computer fixed (500 bucks!!)

I think that clothing and makeup are a necessary expense when appearing on television and public performances. If a person wanted to check I suspect that they would find a similar expense for suits for Obama and McCain and Biden.

(maybe not as much money though, women are MUCH more expensive)

$150,000!!!!!!!! For clothes!

So much for the "I'm just your typical hockey mom" B.S.

She is nothing but a typical scammer politician.

I heard she left the town she was mayor of practicly bankrupt. they put alot of lipstick on this pig

I've been reading how she charged taxpayers to fly places and even invited her children's friends. And she preaches about fiscal conservation.

How about that bridge to nowere that she actualy did support and lied to the american people about (thanks but no thanks)

She is a maverik! hey check out this link and move your mouse over the items in Sarah Palins office, make sure you do the door three times you will laugh your butt off http://www.palinaspresident.us/

some items you have to click on trust me you will laugh

Thats all she spent on clothes for herself and her family? Damn i thought it would be more, cause clothes ain't cheap anymore. I bought a pair of jeans last week and it was $20! God help me if i ever need two pairs of jeans anytime in the future, i won't be able to afford it!