Politico reports that the RNC has spent $150,000 on clothing, accessories, hair care, and makeup for Sarah Palin. McCain-Palin spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt responded to the story, writing in a 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. It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign."
According to Marc Ambinder, Republicans are "disgusted" with the expenditures:
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.
Is attacking Palin or the RNC going to have the kind of punch that, say, mocking John Edwards's haircut did? I don't think so. As the breadwinner of a family of seven, Palin is the only one on either ticket who isn't wealthy. Obviously she hadn't built up the kind of wardrobe that a woman in the national spotlight has. What's a reasonable cost for a woman on TV almost everyday? I have no idea, but it would be helpful to know how much Hillary Clinton's entire wardrobe is worth as a point of reference.
At any rate, if RNC donors are upset that the clothes are going to charity, here's an alternative suggestion: Sell the clothes on eBay, and turn a nice little profit. If copies of Obama's the first edition of book are going for $12,000, I'm sure that the jacket Palin wore at the RNC could be sold to a collector for a lot more than the original price.
