GOP Mad at Palin Spending Spree»

[Joanne98]

If Sarah Palin wants to bilk the RNC’s donors out of tens of thousands of dollars in designer clothes, that’s her business as far as I’m concerned. It does, however, certainly further complicate efforts to portray a woman with a six figure household income and a personal airplane as a simple country gal with working class tastes. Marc Ambinder reports that Republicans are none-too-happy with this turn:

There is already an attempt to blame the media — as in, the liberal media would have looked askance at Palin if she wasn’t clad in Neiman Marcus, but this won’t wash. Republicans, RNC donors and at least one RNC staff member have e-mailed me tonight to share their utter (and not-for-attribution) disgust at the expenditures.

This sort of spending is without precedent — the closest approximation for any campaign I’ve ever covered is make-up expenses for television interviews and commercial shoots — , and Schmitt’s weakly defensive response tonight indicates that the campaign is deeply embarrassed by it and has nothing to say in their defense. Spokespeople have clammed up, a sure sign that they’re trying to figure out who authorized the expenses and who knew about them. Did Palin wear all of the clothing? Where is it kept?

It seems like it shouldn’t be too hard to assess who authorized the expenses. Don’t people keep records of that kind of thing?

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2008/10/gop_mad_at_palin_spending_spree.php

[GinaMaria]

1. I'd be mad too, but at this point

if people don't know what big spenders (with other people's money) the R's are after these last 8 years, then they've either been in a coma the entire time or have had their heads up their butts. NeoCONS do not earn money through hardwork. They really don't know the value of a dollar. Money is given to them. Hope all those hard working people who donated to the R's feel they got their money's worth with Palin. What a pathetic joke of a candidate. Barbie didn't even come with clothes.

[CrispyQ]

2. "Barbie didn't even come with clothes."

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

I'm howling here! That's a DUzy for sure!!

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. I forget since I was a kid back then, but wasn't there some sort of snit over

Nancy Reagan's spending on clothes when she was first lady??

[rvablue]

4. Yeah, there was, but it was a little different

but it was about big designers giving her clothes.

The spending "scandal" was over how much she paid for new White House china.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Oh yeah. The designer thing does sort of ring a bell.

[CTyankee]

6. And when they left office a bunch of rich supporters gave them a house in Bel Air

out of "appreciation." I had to laugh when Republicans got bent out of shape over the Clinton's getting some furniture when they left...

[kskiska]

8. I don't think the Reagans have ever paid for a house

Their previous Hollywood home was an "all-electric" house with all sorts of electric gadgetry provided by General Electric, for whom Reagan was a spokesman.

[CTyankee]

9. Welfare king and queen! n/t

[Matariki]

7. A Legal Issue With Palin Couture?

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/10/a_legal_issue_with_palin_coutu.php


(a) Permitted uses
A contribution accepted by a candidate, and any other donation received by an individual as support for activities of the individual as a holder of Federal office, may be used by the candidate or individual--
(1) for otherwise authorized expenditures in connection with the campaign for Federal office of the candidate or individual;
(2) for ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in connection with duties of the individual as a holder of Federal office;
(3) for contributions to an organization described in section 170 (c) of title26;
(4) for transfers, without limitation, to a national, State, or local committee of a political party;
(5) for donations to State and local candidates subject to the provisions of State law; or
(6) for any other lawful purpose unless prohibited by subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Prohibited use
(1) In general
A contribution or donation described in subsection (a) of this section shall not be converted by any person to personal use.
(2) Conversion
For the purposes of paragraph (1), a contribution or donation shall be considered to be converted to personal use if the contribution or amount is used to fulfill any commitment, obligation, or expense of a person that would exist irrespective of the candidate's election campaign or individual's duties as a holder of Federal office, including--
(A) a home mortgage, rent, or utility payment;
(B) a clothing purchase;
(C) a noncampaign-related automobile expense;
(D) a country club membership;
(E) a vacation or other noncampaign-related trip;
(F) a household food item;
(G) a tuition payment;
(H) admission to a sporting event, concert, theater, or other form of entertainment not associated with an election campaign; and
(I) dues, fees, and other payments to a health club or recreational facility.

[genna]

10. What is the punishment for a violation? Reimbursement?

[radfringe]

11. Hey! shopping at Neiman the Marcus is Patriotic... n/t sarcasm off

[BuyingThyme]

12. Any word on what she pays to have her hair done?

[Arugula Latte]

13. Makes the $400 haircut pale in comparison, eh, Repukes?