Legal Commentary

Report: RNC Pays $150k For Clothes for Sarah Palin

By Jeralyn

Update: Via Ambinder, Republicans are "disgusted" by the expenditures.

Since September, right after John McCain nominated Sarah Palin for Vice-President, RNC expenditure reports show more than $150,000 in payments to Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Ave, and other retail establishments, apparently to clothe Gov. Palin and her family:

The Republican National Committee appears to have 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.

[More...]

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.

I was wondering how she got so many outfits so fast and whether she dressed that well back in Alaska -- and about her daughters' clothes. I wonder if the bills for the stylist who picks the outfits are included in that amount, or extra. Here's a slideshow. Whoever the stylist is, s/he has excellent taste.

By contrast, the $5,000 shelled out for her hair and makeup seems downright reasonable. John Edwards' $400 haircut pales by comparison.

I wonder, though, how this will resonate with Joe the Plumber types and those who are struggling economically, facing foreclosures and unable to pay their bills, or even those concerned about wasteful government spending.

If Palin doesn't win, I won't feel sorry for her knowing she has that great wardrobe to take home with her.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on October 22, 2008 (boomark / email).