Report: RNC spent over $150,000 on Sarah Palin's clothes ($75,062.63 shopping spree at Neiman-Marcus)
gb...@yahoo.com
By KENNETH R. BAZINET
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU
Updated Wednesday, October 22nd 2008, 12:09 AM
WASHINGTON - Lipstick isn't the only difference between America's top
hockey mom and a pit bull.
Sarah Palin also has a spectacular new wardrobe, and Republican
campaign donors picked up the breathtaking tab.
The Republican National Committee spent $150,000 on clothing and
accessories for the vice presidential candidate and her family since
early September, according to a report by the Politico Web site.
At Saks Fifth Avenue stores in Manhattan and St. Louis, the RNC paid
for $49,425.74 in Palin apparel, the report said, citing financial
disclosure records.
There also was a $75,062.63 shopping spree at Neiman Marcus in
Minneapolis, where the Palins stayed during the Republican National
Convention last month; $9.447.71 at Macy's in Minneapolis; and
$5,102.71 at Bloomingdale's in New York.
That much cash can buy a closet full of the pumps, hot red leather
jackets and form-fitting business suits for the Alaska governor to
wear on the stump
Another $4,716.49 on hair and makeup came from the GOP while wooing
"Joe Six-Pack" to vote for John McCain, the records showed. And more
than $5,000 went to a men's store and a baby clothing store.
At first, the McCain-Palin campaign and RNC refused to explain the
spending.
"The RNC does not discuss expenses as it relates to strategy," said
spokesman Danny Diaz.
Late Tuesday night, McCain-Palin spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt said the
clothes will be tossed in a charity bin of some sort after Nov. 4.
"It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose
after the campaign," Schmitt said.
The Obama-Biden camp had no comment. But were Democrats salivating
over the prospects for ridicule? You betcha.
"I wonder how 'Joe the Plumber' feels about his donation going to
Sarah the Shopper," one Democratic operative joked. "I guess she can
also see Saks from her doorstep," the party source said - a taskeoff
on Palin's comment that you can see Russia from Alaska.
Joe Biden's uninspired wardrobe does not receive a campaign subsidy, a
source close to Biden said, and the follicle-challenged Democratic
veep nominee gets $20 haircuts from a barber in Wimington, Del.,
according to past reports.
Federal law would bar the McCain-Palin campaign from converting
campaign funds to "personal use" - a definition that specifically
includes clothing purchases.
Palin also faces questions over a separate report Tuesday that she
charged the state of Alaska more than $20,000 since taking office to
take her children with her to events at which the kids were neither
invited nor expected.
Among the trips cited by the Associated Press was a July meeting of
the National Governors Association. Palin charged the state $2,741.26
to take daughters Bristol and Piper to Philadelphia, where the girls
had their own room for five nights at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, for
$215.46 a night.