Palin clothing bill up, poll standing down

Did they ever hear of designer discount stores?
I own a small business and get my clothes from SYMS and and other
discount chains that are just as nice and carry the same designs as
high end stores.
Many of my friends shop at the same stores as listed in this article. I
dress just as nice as them for a fraction of the price!
She must be learning from Cindy McCain where and how to shop!

Its funny to see the anti-Obamas try to say this is OK here. I donated $$$ to Obama and I think it is just fine that he spends it on ads to tell the TRUTH about McCain. I donated that money because it was going to his campaign and that is where I want it to go. And even if he uses it to buy a suit, that is fine. The problem is how the GOP yet AGAIN contradicts itself.
The thing is, I will try to explain to all you Palin defenders out there---they are trying to portray themselves as Joe Six Pack, Joe the Plumber, for the working class, Hockey Mom, etc....yet spend an obscene amount of money to dress up Palin.

Well Palin, think its about time to "REIGN IN that spending", LOL

Will she pay income tax on the clothing she keeps? What a hypocrite. What Hockey Mom out there spends $150,000.00 in six weeks on clothing?

"she isn't using tax payers' money. rather the money that is being used for her wardrobe is voluntarily donated to the GOP"

So what? Its not about the money, its about the hypocrisy. Repubs making an issue of John Edwards $400 haircut, and Palin claiming to be a hockey mom, when really, shes just Paris Hilton, but instead of Mr Hilton her daddy is the RNC.

The issue here is not the fact that some private individuals decided to donate their own money in order to give some nice clothes and accessories to Sarah Palin, which she has accepted and worn. All of the candidates have done similar things.

The problem is that Sarah Palin is trying to appeal to "non-elite" people like "Joe Six-Pack" and "hockey moms", and she portrays herself as someone just like them. This expensive, elite wardrobe belies that image. Of course she's entitled to it, and there is nothing illegal about her accepting and wearing those clothes. It's just that up until now, when this tidbit came out in the press, Palin wasn't nearly as forthcoming about those clothes as she was when the Republican Party created a photo-op about her shopping at WalMart.

All she has to do in order to display some integrity is to stop telling these "non-elite" people that she's one of them. Her income is over a million dollars a year and she has not had to struggle to pay her bills like most of the "Joe Six-Packs" and "hockey moms" that she is trying to bond with.

If Palin said, "My family makes more money than most of you, but I still am trying to understand your plight", that would be a lot more honest than what she is currently saying.

No surprises here. Cindy wears $300,000 suits so why not step Palin's game up? Superficial and outward appearances are what make up this group.

These people are so out of touch with the American working class. I really pity the 2nd grade inbred drop outs who somehow think these candidates are for THEM?!?!?! Ha!

Where's the bill for Joe Biden's suit? How come that's not in the news? The regular guy who still rides the train to and from D.C. everday like all the other workin' folk. Give me a break. This is smear jorunalism AT IT'S WORST - yet nobody seems to care when it's the GOP ticket that's getting smeared. I've never seen anything like it. ]

Oh, and I'm sure Pelosi and Clinton and other female politicians who fight for the "little guys" all get their suits at the Salvation Army.

This is Karma after conservatives made a big deal about John Edwards $400 haircut during the last election - Gues the slogan of the GOP should be
Do as I Say - Not as I do
*********************************************
All politicians (aka government) are incredibly adept at creating laws and taxes that apply to everyone except themselves. Why should their campaigns be any different?

"What?, that only applies to my opponent..."
"We'd never do that, if we'd get caught" and...
"I promise we'll get to the bottom of this and make sure it never happens again"

Knowing Sarah, she will auction the clothes off and make twice as much to give to charity. Please don't listen to the media spin, or the Obama drama machine. Sarah is smart. There is no other state in the union that has almost daily sorties by the Russians pushing on their airspace, or the Govenor being required to coordinate with two different branches of the military with so many bases. Yes she can see Russia...it is trying to camp on her doorstep. Obama and his elitist friends slam her for her clothes, for not looking the part of a VP. He has been a clotheses horse for years, and she is a WalMart shopper who had to come up to speed quickly. Pull your heads out of the media and think for yourselves.

How come the same media outlet doesn't mention anything about Mrs. Obama's $487 room service lunch that included a bottle of champagne for herself at 3:30 in the afternoon. This is a joke.....

HAHAHA! You wanna know where Obama is getting his MILLIONS of dollars for campaigning from? From the 11,000,000 plus Americans who are sick and tired of the GOP and their hypocritical attacks, out right lies and rants about non-issues. But hey, I guess it's okay to spend campaign funds on designer clothes, but it's not okay to spend those funds on actual campaigning. That would be considered, "trying to buy the election" as Fox News puts it.

The problem with devisive politics and people are when it comes to solving real problems it reduces the numbers working to correct the problem while increasing the numbers resisting proposed solutions for personal reasons. Come on Americans, we have some real problems.

She's a fraud.

The money is donated to the GOP, but campaign finance law specifically states that donated money should not be spent on personal clothing. The GOP is violating campaign finance law and should be indicted for it.

How can you take it againse Palin when OBAMA spends Millions of $$$$ just to put false ads against McCain?
Posted by Lol October 22, 08 01:19 PM
********************************
How can you take it against OBAMA when MCCAIN spends Millions of $$$$ just to put out false ads against Obama. For example, in some of these ads, Obama is called a "terrorist" (false) and a "muslim" (false).

All these false ads, McCain's as well as Obama's, are despicable. If you stand strong against the lying that both sides are doing, then I could respect your position. But if you only focus on one candidate's lies while conveniently turning the other cheek about the other candidate's lies, then you are no better than the lying candidates themselves.

All this money on clothes but she couldn't afford birth control for her hormonal daughter?

Palin could have bought clothes from Walmart like everyone else she claims to represent in small town America.

small town America. So to all you small town folks out there who still think Palin represents you, do you really think you can afford to pay the same prices on clothing Palin's paying to look glitzy yet sexist? And by the way, it's your tax dollars at "work". If so, you're making SPECTACLES of yourselves.

Here we go again now its Sarahs clothes.
All major Media folks appearing on TV women and men are given their
clothes free. This is a little known fact. So they have no justification
on the clothes issue

You heard CNN yesterday tell Sarah she will not get a pass on anything.
like Biden and Obma. do. I will go on record in my home town that I voted
for McCain. One year from now when the tax bills come to those that voted
for Obama watch the denials they voted for Obama pour in all over this Nation

Shop, Baby, Shop!

#524 mozzer, when you spend your campaign funds on designer clothes...something is wrong. Show me where Joe Biden and Barak Obama are spending their campaign funds on luxury, unrelated to the campaign. When you can do that, you'll have a point.

This shouldn't surprise us from the opportunistic woman who has racked up over $43K in per diem charges to the the state of Alaska for living in her family home ... and then has the unmitigated gall to boast that she fired the Alaska governor's mansion chef. (Duh! Who needs a chef in a city/house you don't live in?)

Johnny Smoke:

WHAT are you smokin? Republicans are sending plumber's jobs overseas? That'll be a good trick when your plumber has to take a plane or boat to fix your toilet.

How much has Michele Obama spent on clothing for her and the girls. They have been name brand also. Let's hear the truth from both sides. News reporters are all democrates anyway so how can you believe anything they say. Take it with a grain of salt.

I don't care if it was bought with private fan club money, it's the lying that gets me. Small town hockey mom, first chance she gets its take the limo to Nieman Marcus? Yeah right. What that and other things - billing per diem while working at home, expensing kid's mini-vacations as 'state business' and on shows me her attitude it totally "what's in it for me". That isn't who I want running the government. Oh, yeah. "Now that you've called me on it I *intend* to donate the stuff I don't like that much to charity, just like other celebrities! I'll have a TV show and a fan base anyway so there's more where that came from"

Michelle on the other hand, that "elitist" doesn't need mortgage money spent on clothes, and seems to have navigated the "too hot / too cold / looks too young / looks too old" rapids of public fashion just fine.

Of course, no comment on Obama's spending of his war chest of $600 million and counting on his campaign. How much did those "Greek Columns" and stadium rentals cost his contributors? How does Obama justify giving $800,000 to ACORN for its fraudulent registration activities? What a double standard from a pathetic, biased media.

Jack 144 says they're virtually tied? Jack, is that Rep. economics? I have it Obama ahead 8-11 points in all the polls. It doesn't matter, the fuzzy math Rep. will be picking lint out of their belly buttons in 2 weeks. They can be first on the breadlines after we hit the depression they've helped create with lax regulations and corporate welfare.

You have to admit she does look fabulous. If only that were enough, $150K would be a bargain. Anyway, it has been entertaining. We can get serious after Obama gets elected. If he doesn't, then we might as well enjoy looking at Sarah. It might help us forget about the rest of it.

"Politcal Intelligence" is an oxymoron.

People keep using the word "socialist" like it's a dirty word or something. I just don't get it. Can someone explain? My dad said rich folks demonized the word in this country because socialism favors the poor. And what's wrong w/that?

And he's not a socialist either. He's just center-left. I'm the one you should tar and feather as a socialist. I will still vote for Obama though.

More disturbing though, than the clothes thing, is that I saw an interview clip of Palin last night telling a kid what the VP's job is and she got it wrong. She said the VP was in charge of the senate; that's incorrect. I don't see how you can support anyone who doesn't even know what job they're supposed to be doing.

McCain's a hypocrite that sold his soul to curry favor w/a base (social conservatives) he's denounced quite pointedly in the past ("agents of intolerance"). Now it's backfiring on him, thank god. I think he'd be doing better if he'd picked Romney, who's fiscal experiences they really could've touted during this financial crisis. What does Palin bring to the ticket? "She's just like me"? I don't get it. I wouldn't have confidence that the average American would be able to deal with all the problems we face today.

Instead the Republicans go into fear-mongering/attack mode. They appeal to the worst side of human nature. The Republican convention was terrifying for that reason. It makes me glad my father isn't here to see it. He'll be spared our awful future (I fear things are too far gone in the US to ever really be made right). He would say I was wasting my time posting this, as most people are idiots. An attitude that didn't win him many friends in life...

Give Sarah's wardrobe to charity? Great. Well-dressed bag ladies.

The problem with letting women run for public office.

Totally inappropriate, PERIOD. It does not matter who is footing the bill, it is inappropriate and a double standard if we are not covering wardrobe expenses for the other candidates. "Donating the clothes to charity", GIVE ME A BREAK!!!! If the RNC is so interested in helping out the poor, let Gov Palin pay for her own clothes and give the money to those who really need it from the start. Can you just imagine the effect $150,000 could have had in the lives of a few AMERICANS just this week? Life changing, I am sure!!! By the way RNC, are the poor not worthy of new clothes, or are they worthy of only our hand-me-downs and our left-overs?
INAPPROPRIATE. Shame on you RNC and double shame on you, SARAH & TODD for accepting it! Thanks for the lesson to our young people: Plundering and Pillaging 101

My friends, we have them right where we want them. Just keep repeating "lipstick on a pig," "socialist," " terrorist," "first dude," "Joe the plumber," "real Americans," "hockey moms," "spread the wealth," and of course let's not forget Sarah's "experience" factor. Finally, we can all take solace in the fact that this American embarassment and nightmare will soon be over and Obama and Biden can set about repairing our reputation over the world and making our economy strong again.

All of you Democrats on this blog are such hypocrites with selective memories! Are you all forgetting what a rag muffin Hillary Clinton was when Bill Clinton was running for president!? And, whose pocket book did her new wardrobe shoes & hair style come out of? Duh.... the tax payers!

The money does not come from taxpayers, Sara W, please read article properly. It's from party donors - they are choosing where to put their money, in the party's hands where they can do with it as they see fit. In this instance, I think is is well spent. Here is why...
Looking at the elections from afar (an american living in europe) , -sorry- but it's evident that it's all ruled by "the show" and "artistic role" each of the candidates are acting out. Obama and the "I'm the cool Messiah" script....and of course the "dress up doll" Palin. Hey... they are all quite comical (at least fom this side of the ocean). X-Factor, reality tv politics. Wake up and grow up America!

Well, have you seen Alaskan fashion? No wonder she needed a wardrobe makeover. Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Ave though? Is this where "Real Americans" shop?

Go Sarah Palin. I'd rather see the McCain campaign spend that money at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue than to give it to ACORN! But, we're not allowed to talk about that I guess!

What this really shows is that Sarah Palin is truly a puppet of the RNC and that the "fiscal conservatives" of the RNC are talking about the rest of us, not their own people. She was brought in to say the things McCain won't say, or won't harp on. This in and of itself isn't an issue, though if I contributed to the RNC to help advance their causes, this might bother me, that so much of it went to hair, makeup and clothing. $4700 on hair and makeup in 2 months?? I don't spend that in 2 years!!

Palin is also a little scary with her Cheney like views on the role of the VP. Perhaps when she's done reading "all" the newspapers and magazines, she could read the Constitution.

How do you get on the charity list? Alternatively, might we get these at the Goodwill store for a few bucks? Better yet, I'd love to see that homeless schizophrenic woman (who hangs out on the exhaust grill down on 2nd St.) dressed to the nines. Oh well, she's bound to be better off anyway when Palin gets elected ----probably just like Bush, a compassionate conservative.

Hey T-Rex, learn to spell

So, all these republicans are horrified about this NON-ISSUE. Yeah, I remember how ridiculous and how much a NON-ISSUE John Edwards $400 haircut was. Weren't you all disgusted by how the conservative media made a big deal out of THAT non-issue. I mean, it was his own money, right? I know you don't want him to "spread it around" so I'm sure you thought, "Good for you, John Edwards, you are a real American!" Yeah, right. You despicable hypocrites. REAL Americans are more consistent, and really care about their country, not just their blind prejudices.

Perhaps sparing no expense for a wardrobe is Palin's idea of expressing her feminist values. Just like when she decided to spend $50,000 to redecorate the mayor's office after getting elected in Wasilla, without even consulting with the city council beforehand. But she did try to save the taxpayers up to $14,000 a year by approving a new policy of making rape victims, rather than the police, pay for the rape kits (at $300-$1,200 apiece) that were used to gather evidence after a rape. So many people statewide were appalled by this action that the Alaska state legislature passed in 2000 a law prohibiting charging for rape kits anywhere in Alaska. Police Chief Fannon (appointed to his position by Palin) objected, saying "I just don't want to see any more burden put on the taxpayer."
Traumatizing rape victims a second time by making them pay for the gathering of evidence following their trauma is reprehensible. To me, it makes Sarah Palin unfit for any position where she has any responsibility for the welfare and safety of others.

Funny, when asked what the VP does, she fails to mention the main duty - probably b/c she does not want people to think about what would happen if anything happened to McCain! Go to PalinAsPresident.com and click everything in the oval office. It will be updated daily until November 4th. Doubtless, they will soon add a shopping bag or two to the picture. Be sure to find & click the bunny!

I guess "Caribou Barbie" has very expensive accessories!

As long as those accessories do not include the White House, they can spend their campaign contributions however they want. But there is no way that I believe the clothes were originally intended to go to charity.

Gotta love the spin:

"It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign" (McCain-Palin spokesperson Tracey Schmitt).

HaHa! What a waste of energy and natural resources. Why not just shop at a reasonably priced store and donate the MONEY to a worthy cause - like say, paying for Palin's kids to go traveling with her?

Palin/McCain are not Eco-Friendly!

thank you all for the great laugh, I needed it today at work. There are more pressing issues to worry about than how much is spent on clothes.

Ah Snap... busted again!
Looks like this small-town gal has very big-town taste. You have to love the hypocrisy ;)

Hey Palin (and the rest of you GOP cronies), stop crapping on us so called “east-coast elites” -- you’re just as ridiculous as those $400 haircuts that you like to complain about.

Are you kidding me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OBama has spent $175 million on his campaign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! let me say that again $175 million!!!!!!!!!!!...and people are heated about $175,000 for clothes...I cannot believe how stupid people are.

"Fashion law?" Is this about enforcing the no white after Labor Day rule? You can't wear stripes with plaid? They study this in a university?

You can put a Saks and Nieman Marcus dress on a pitbull with lipstick....she's still a pitbull with lipstick. Who really cares? She won't need these threads in the Alaskan tundra!

Poetic justice will be thus:

McCain/Palin WIN.

Boston blacks riot and many obama voters get what's comin to them.

$150K. And she still looks like a Walmart ditz head.

The 150k spent for the Palin family’s clothing & Sarah’s make-up and hair would pay for: 150 of those rape kits she used force the victims buy if they wanted to proceed with prosecution; save 1500 wolves and bears that may be shot from the air for the $150 bounty paid for their left front forelegs - in order to save the ungulates for trophy hunters (that was her personal agenda); 136 years of children's’ lives through the WHO Save the
Children Foundation; or save 2000 pit bulls from euthanasia.

I’d hate to think my donation for the campaign went to buy her family clothes.

Auction the clothes on eBay & donate the money to the Sierra Club!

489 Makes a good point. When was the last time Joe Plumber blew $150K on some dresses and a nice broach? These people are circulating in another world. They exist on another plane. We work our bottoms off to provide a rich and bountiful playground where they can frolic and play the day away without ever feeling the stinging reality of having to admit one's guilt or mistakes, the way we do.

Sarah Palin, what a joke ! This girl is useless and picking her will be McCain's fatal decision. He has ruined all his chances of being elected by chosing her as a running mate.
For a second, just think about the brilliant Vice-Presidents our contry has had: (John Adams, Al Gore, Roosevelt....). Now look at Palin.
I WILL NOT VOTE for someone who does not understand what the constitutional role of the Vise President is. I am sorry, I just can't.

PEOPLE ON HERE COMPLAINING ABOUT SPENDING TAX DOLLARDS ON CANDIDATE CLOTHING ARE IDIOTS. If you don't know that every dollar ANY candidate spends on their campaign is from donations, you should not be allowed to post an opinion because you are a moron. Know what you're talking about before you start ranting and raving. Appearance is everything people. You're sure as hell not voting for someone who looks like an unprofessional slob. Who cares what they spend their money on??

I can't wait for Obama to get into office so that we can then become a socialist/communist country. After he fails with his "wealth distribution" and Universal health care plan, we will all be lucky if we can afford to purchase clothes at K-mart. Maybe if we are really lucky, we will be wearing head dress and worshipping Alah. More good news - I won't have to work as hard anymore as there will be no incentive to get ahead. Further, in a socialist state, like Europe, no one will lose their jobs - Job Security! God Help us......

New bumper sticker: "I support Joe the Plumber and Jane the Personal Shopper". A guy who refuses to pay his taxes and the salespersons who are still out celebrating their commissions on 150K in clothes are such perfect representatives for the all greed, all-the-time Republican Party.

Well, Dan #571, YOU'RE the joke - Biden is the one who got WRONG the role of VP and where it is described in the Constitution.
So, vote McCain/Palin.

Oh, and I know you're really smart - just ask you, but it's VICE not vise. Vise is what obama will put our heads in and turn the screw.

Sarah Palin IS A JOKE. She IS NOT FIT TO BE VICE PRESIDENT NOR WILL SHE EVER BE FIT ENOUGH TO BE SO! okay, so she's popular in alaska... THAT HAS LESS THEN A MILLION PEOPLE IN IT. She is NOT what this country needs, McCain made a HUGE mistake picking her...
She is utterly ridiculous. I find it offensive for her to have been picked to try to get the female vote on the Republican side. DIDNT WORK SO WELL DID IT MCCAIN?

Obama - you have my full support. Full support.

#575

Where the heck have you been the past 8 years hmm? do you think we really want to live like this for another 4?
THINK ABOUT IT. McCain said it himself that he voted with bush for more then 90% of the time....
WHY THE HECK WOULD WE WANT THIS AGAIN? and with Palin? HAHAHA what a train wreck she is! More and more people are waking up to this. Hopefully you will too.

Hello, Globe,

This is a family of seven living on an income of $150,000. Obama has money and a big salary and should already own an aaprorpiate wardrobe. Mrs. Obama alone makes about double the Palin's income. There is no way these people had money to come up with an appropriate wardrobe to spend several months on the road in a different climate.
What is wrong with the Boston Globe?

OK you people that keep saying Obama is socialist--do you even know what that means? He is not and neither are his plans. But the people who post these lies here are ignorant and will blindly vote GOP no matter how you explain it to them.
what was the bailout all about? that was the biggest redistribution of wealth in history....isnt that socialism? I hope you stop listening to the lies and maybe do a but of research. No, Obama is not socialist.
no. 572: she DID spend taxpayers money on travel for her kids. Wrong. I hope they buy her a million new expensive outfits so they run out of money and cant keep on spreading their BS.

Hey RNC - you can dress her up - but too bad you can't shut her up!

Republicans: I don't care how much the RNC spends on clothes for Sara Palin or where she buys them. My concern is that she has presented herself to us as an average "everyday Jane," working class"hockey mom." -thrifty and concerned about spending- like me. She has criticized Obama for being"elite." It is inconsistent and hypocritical that she would then spend this much money on her appearance.

The RNC has the authority to spend donor money as it chooses. The difference between this and the DNC spending on Obama's ads is that they TELL YOU THAT THE MONEY IS FOR ADS! Somehow, I don't believe that the RNC informed their donors they would be spending 150K on clothes.

However, it is inappropriate and out of bounds for her to spend the funds that she has on her children. I also remember Republicans screaming loudly when it was reported that John Edwards spent $400 on a haircut. If you were upset then, why not in this case?

I, myself would be upset if I had contributed to a campaign of someone who ran on being an "everyday Jane" like myself, and then spent that amount on fashion. Why? Not just because of the act itself, but because of the dishonest presentation.

Democrats: This is not taxpayer money. It is taken from private contributions, and
not illegal. They RNC can spend it how they wish, as long as it's legal.

Many of you are responding to issues based on misinformation and outright emotion. Pease go to the library, ask the librarian to help you locate books and other information about political topics. (Read them!) That person will also inform you of how to go on the internet and research the legislative history of the candidates. Please also consider taking a civics class at your community college.

Someone please explain to me why it's a reflection on Palin when the RNC spends the money? It's not her money and she's not spending it.

The amount itself is eye-popping, but lets not forget that unlike the three men also on the tickets, she hasn't been campaigning for national office for the last 3-36 years and clearly had a wardrobe that reflects that. I don't think being governor of Alaska lends itselt to wearing professional attire like you see in this campaign.

If she got her clothes at WalMart you'd be calling her trailer park trash. She can't win.

Another piece of junk journalist from a liberal rag supporting Socialist Obama. Why not report on where Obama is getting all his millions upon millions of campaign money? From "norman people and small donations" is crap. Look at foreign organizations & foreign governments and how they are able to "wash" the money; hid it like the drug lords are doing. Are the American people going to let a socialist candidate supported by Castro, Chavez, Putin, etc. buy the White House. If so, may God have mercy on our nation.

Posted by Millie Burgoyne October 22, 08 10:15 AM

You obviously dont know what you are talking about.
Take a look at the Obama campaign contributors and then look at McCains.
To Sum it up, Most of Obama's contributors are Actors and Entertainers while McCains contributors are mostly Oil Execs, and Crooked bankers and Corporate Thieves.
Yes, the same ones that benefit from the "War on Terror"..
Do some research and look at facts before you open your mouth and spit out nothing but BS.
Vote for McCain and this country will continue to rot from the inside.
Obama wont change overnight, but at least he wants to guide the country in the right direction
But at the end of the day, it seems like this whole Obama hate is fueled by racism not his political views or plans.
My 2 cents

How does a Junior Senator trump a Governor in exprience?

Can anyone here read? I've read several comments that complain about taxpayers money being spent on these clothes yet the article clearly states: "While the money comes from campaign donors, not from taxpayers..."

Must be products of liberal public schools who got more self-esteem classes than reading classes, but this is pretty basic reading skills here folks...

The only clothes most American men are interested in seeing on Sarah Palin are blue jeans over a pair of rattleskin boots. And a flannel work shirt with the top three buttons open. That outfit should buy McCain another 3 points.

While $150,000 is a lot to spend on clothing, isn't it safe to say it shows she really is a normal person like everyone else? I mean not for nothing but she is running for the SECOND MOST POWERFUL F-IN POSITION IN THE WORLD. Maybe she should wear Ecko baggy shirts, Timberlands and a Red Sox hat with the price tags still on it? I'm sorry but I didn't realize dressing nicely and appropriate to set an example deserved so much backlash. Both Barack and Michelle Obama have spent hundreds of thousands on suits and dresses so give me a break. Once again the liberal idiots on this website eat this biased sh&t up. Jump off the Tobin you idiots.

"While the money comes from campaign donors, not from taxpayers..."

And campaign donors, legally, must be US citizens and hence taxpayers.

I'm sure that the proverbial Walmart hockey mom, that phony Palin pretends to represent, is very happy that her hard-earned money is spent on buying lipstick for a glorified bimbo!

I'm voting for Obama, but let's face it: real clothes -- the kind that look good on television and photograph well -- cost real money. And if any woman ever has to share a stage with Cindy McCain (a millionaire many, many times over) she had better have a wardrobe that is on par with that standard. That means $2,000+ designer suits and so forth.Because the RNC paid for the items, no election laws were broken. More importantly, the law of fashion was upheld.

"I really wish people would focus on the fact that McCain, not Palin would become President if elected. Give the guy the benefit of the doubt that he will live for the next four years."

Benefit of the doubt?? He's a 72-year-old cancer survivor with high cholesterol and a history of smoking. Actuarial estimates give a 1 in 4 chance that McCain would not survive two terms in office. That's looking at the "average" 72-year-old with his health history - not taking into account the added stress and risk of the job of president. A greater than 1 in 4 chance of a President Palin? Not for me, thank you.

Does anyone find it funny that she spent all of that money shopping in "big city" un-Real America? What's wrong with the shops in the small town, "Real America"?

This wouldn't (shouldn't) be an issue except that most of her speeches are about how "everyday American" she is. Better find another plank for the platform.

Good call John, its not tax dollars. However it is sad to know that my voluntary campaign contributions may go to purchasing clothes for the candidate and their FAMILY.

To all of you who claim to know what a "half-wit" Gov. Sarah Palin is and how she is unqualified to be vice-president, what makes Obama qualified to be President? Being a community organizer? A "lecturer" at a pro-socialism/communism university? An author? A senator who, after 147 working days, never went back to the senate once he decided to run for President? All of these are fine careers, but what about them makes one qualified to be President? What is it that makes a governor, former board member of the energy commission, and former mayor, unqualified to be the VP?
I'm not trying to be nasty. I just really want to know why those who think Gov. Palin is unqualified, also think Sen. Obama is qualified.

repuglicans always justify their hypocracy like we are such idiots.

As much as I loathe Sarah Palin (and I'm from a small Alaskan town who's familiar with her self righteous tactics) I have to say the funds for her wardrobe were not that of the taxpayers but of the RNC. And for all those gullible dim wits , Michelle Obama DID NOT dine on champagne and caviar at the Waldorf as Rupert Murdoch's rag publication had reported. It was another unscrupulous attempt by a right wing facist to mislead the unthinking populous. If people had only done their homework they'd know that a retraction was issued the next day stating the truth that in fact she wasn't even registered at the Waldorf. C'mon people, think for yourselves, do your research. Stick to the issues. OBAMA '08

I didn't contribute a dime towards the RNC, so quite frankly I don't care how they spend their money, but what i find weird is the "hockey mom" routine. Why not pursue the Paris Hilton-types as opposed to the Joe the Plumber types. Clearly both McCain and Palin are chasing the wrong crowd. The crowd I hang with work too hard for too many hours too many days a week to keep a roof over their heads and food in their kids bellies, or taking care of their elderly parents. McCain-Palin simply do not understand my hardships.

The NYPost retracted their fake story about Michelle and caviar. It's been completly repudiated. Didn't happen. Move along folks.

How much did the DNC spend on Joe Biden's botox and hairplugs? We don't hear anything about that from the far-left media do we.

This excessive spending is excused by the republican ticket because all purchases will be donated to charity? I'm sure the bag lady down on the corner will feel so much better going through the trash for tonight's meal dressed as Sarah Palin!

Those who are fortunate enough to be affluent don't seem to get the msg. here. While it may be hard work, wonderful luck, planning or family connections which have allowed you this position please do not lose sight of the fact that the AVERAGE American family doesn't even have the good fortune to live yearly on her 8 week clothing allowence. As an AVERAGE worker I have had the challenge of unemployment, a broken marriage (where I was left w/ the expenses), and family members w/ life threatening illnesses. When I found a job it was @ 60% pay of my last two jobs. I soldier on barely making house payments which leave little for gas and food......and nothing toward other basics........forget dental, medical, heat, home repair or new work boots. And I am still garteful to have survived on my own. It might be tedious to eat sandwiches from home everyday, but it feels good to have them and not be beholding to anyone for my lunch. It is a major insult to watch someone who makes 4-6 times my wages get "free" clothes in such excessive abundence that she could pay for. Great example to set for your 5 offspring. Like ordering the Lobster dinner where a price isn't even listed when someone else is footing the bill. The kids will become entitleists who carry on tthis typically republican tradition. For Christians the lifestyle they are training their kids to lead lacks strongly in character or integrity. I volunteer and work had to raise my sons to give back in life. Seems like the Palins are raising them to "TAKE-BABY-TAKE" which is so much like the affluent who visit the NE to ski and vacation and drive up to my turf acting akes 4-6 like beligerant AH's. Like this is their special playground.....being rude and obnoxious to all the local "lower" class folk. Any wonder why one of the most popular bumperstickers in VT or NH is "Welcome to VT/NH.......now go home". We have enough people like that in this sad world. Perhaps she should have spent some of those funds on condoms for her daughter We'd ALL be better off for it.

While it may be hard work, wonderful luck, planning or family connections which have allowed ........................Luck?? Connections???? How about finishing high school, going to college or trade school and taking out loans when necessary, getting married BEFORE having children, using birth control so as not to get pregnant until emotionally and financially ready, going without designer handbags, dinners out and vacations like all of your friends, not running up credit card debt, PAYING BACK students loans to allow OTHERS to go to college, putting any extra dollars in savings & retirement instead of a new pair of shoes. That's how the majority of affluent people became affluent. This idea of inheriting wealth may apply to a very small portion of the very wealthy, but most just work hard and don't spend much.

Of course Obama doesn't need any more money because he already gets it from Freddie and Fannie and Acorn....

I want to know how much the wardrobes of Obama, Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and John McCain were. Sounds like Palin's expenses are extreme but where is the comparison to the the other candidates? When are reporters going to do their jobs and finish this so-called story?

For anyone to comment negatively without knowing the answer is completely absurb. Do you love Obama more than you hate Palin? She scares the hell out of feminists doesn't she?!

"I think the President has lead with great clarity and I think he's done a great job leading the country don't you all?" -- John McCain on George W. Bush

"The President and I agree on most issues, there was a recent study showing I voted with the President over 90% of the time, more than my Republican colleagues" -- John McCain on George W. Bush

To Lydia Soto who is apauled that Sarah Palin didn't donate the money the RNC spent on her wardrobe (which the DNC does for the democrats, but the media doesn't talk about that),

Before Obama started running for President (2000-2004), he and his wife donated 1% of their quarter of a million dollar combined income to charity. In 2007, they donated 5.7% of their $4.2 million combined income to charity.

In 2007, John McCain donated 26% of his $405,409 income to charity.

The Bidens gave .3% of their $319,853 combined income in 2007.

The Palin's gave 2% of their combined income of $166,495 in 2007.

If one believes in "spreading the wealth," than that person should start by spreading around his OWN wealth.

How can someone spend so much on so little ? I never thought much of Hillarys pantsuits , but Sarah spent $100,000 and ended up looking like a Mexico city street walker. When i was growing up the real conservatives though that such tight clothing made you look cheap. Times have changes and the neo cons have there new barby doll to play dress up . I did like the suit the first dude wore , altho i was reminded of Jethro Clampet . The shot gun son in law was also nicely dressed . I am glad we can focus on something other than the war , the market , the banks , Jobs ,and our future !

OK in todays mass market electronic driven society we can recover from this economically, .

Fisrt, make sure all items are worn and I mean all. Then, sell each
and every item on ebay and donate the proceeds to a charitble cause. I can think of a few from a political perspective but lets just stick to honorable intentions.
Joe Six Pack

By the way "economonic stimulus " sounds like a good excuse to me

OK, in todays mass market electronic driven society we can recover from this economically, .

First, make sure all items have been worn and I mean all. Then, sell each
and every item on ebay and donate the proceeds to a charitble cause. I can think of a few from a political perspective but lets just stick to honorable intentions.
Joe Six Pack

By the way "economonic stimulus " sounds like a good excuse to me

Obama supporters who trashed Palin from day one are ranting about her wardrobe and other petty matters, while an anti-American Socialist / Marxist racist is about to highjack our government, with the help of voter fraud, and a corrupt biased media. You'd better wake up America ... or, this country is about to experience an ugly 4 year long nightmare under Obama/Biden !!!

Palin claims to be a Chritian, that means she reads the bible or a least can see it from her backyard.. I hope that she donates her stage wardrobe after the election. I hope some evil scientist get ahold of them so that the can be exaimed for bilblical corrrectness. because the bible has some clear disscussion on what is ok. the punishment for violation seems to be death in unpleasant fashion. Get a bible scholar for interpertation, , get a scientist to determine do her cloths either separate or together have more than one kind of fiber in them. also is her being thee head of the alaska national guard put her in danger of ever wearing clothes meant for men.

I don't think it matters WHO paid for Palin's clothing splurge: okay, it is not taxpayer money, it is RNC money. BUT. Did the folks who donated to the campaign to help John McCain get elected hand over their $20 - hard come by dollars for some - so that a woman who projected herself as "plain, folksy, just like you, hockey mum, shops at Walmart" could go on a rampage through the high end labels? No. And yes, her wardrobe might have needed some smartening up for the big public arena, but the hair and make up? Come on. She doesn't need a travelling make up artist, that's just taking things too far. Diva. Diva. Diva.

The McCain-Feingold law of 2002 specifically banned the use of campaign funds to purchase clothing," said lawyer Brett Kappel. Larry Noble, another Washington lawyer, agreed: "McCain-Feingold was the first statute that prohibited the use of campaign money for clothing

WHY DOESN'T THE PRESS BRING UP THE REAL ISSUES OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF MCCAIN DOESN'T GET ELECTED? CAN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE STAND 4 YEARS OF A NON-AMERICAN SO CALLED EDUCATED BLACK PRESIDENT THAT DOES NOT UNDERSTAND ECONOMICS?

When I heard about Palin’s clothing expenditures and the attention it was receiving in the media, I cringed. I figured that there were more important stories to cover than the cost of her clothes. Then I thought about it and realized that it was actually an important story. The vice-presidential nominee was using campaign funds to buy part of her wardrobe. The expenditures are for Palin’s personal use which violates campaign finance law according to the Telegraph newspaper of London. Experts such as Craig Holman have been trying to reform campaign finance for years. He said that journalists only focus on the one part of the story about campaign finance reform and ignore the positive changes that have been created by new campaign finance laws.
This is another example of journalists focusing on only one aspect of the story. The GOP using campaign funds to buy Palin new clothes is a very important story, especially because of McCain’s record campaign finance record. In fact, Holman collaborated with McCain and Feingold to get the McCain-Feingold bill passed. However, most people didn’t realize that the expenditures were against the law. I’m still not sure if it is illegal, but it certainly seems unethical. Politico.com, which broke the story, does not have a follow-up discussing the legality of the purchases but it would be an asset to their reporting. Campaign finance is a confusing subject and journalists need to educate their readers and viewers.
The public and most media outlets discussed how the money spent on Palin’s clothes is a contradiction to her message that she is just an “average Joe.” I think it is an important topic to discuss, but the campaign finance implications are more damaging to the campaign if they are true, so I think that should be investigated further. The media did a good job of breaking the story, it was good investigative work. Now they need to make sure they have discovered the whole story and continue to ask tough questions to the campaign.

All the money that Sarah Palin spent on clothing could have been spent on positive T.V. ads for the McCain Campaign, Sarah Palin was out for herself she wanted the spot light for her own values. There's alot of MOM's out there whom are hockey MOM's, SOCKER MOM's, and hard working MOM's in general there not shopping for themselves there taking every bit of there money to take care of there family and they do what's going own with there children. If Sarah Palin was doing what those real MOM's actually does, than her 17 year old would know that she should'nt sleep around.