CREW says the clothing purchases violate the Federal Election Campaign Act,

[Ichingcarpenter]

An open government group is requesting an investigation by the Federal Election Commission into the reported $150,000 in campaign donations spent to outfit Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

Reports emerged this week that the Republican National Committee spent more than three-times the median US family income to buy Palin clothes at posh department stores like Nieman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Critics say the six-figure wardrobe budget undercuts Palin's "average American" image, and some are questioning whether the purchases also violate federal election law.

“It is ridiculous that RNC would spend $150,000 to outfit a vice presidential nominee and her family at any time, but it is more outrageous given the dire financial straights of so many Americans and the state of our economy," said Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. "As if that isn’t bad enough, the expenditures violate campaign finance law. The FEC should investigate immediately.”

CREW says the clothing purchases violate the Federal Election Campaign Act, which prohibits a candidate converting campaign funds to personal use, including clothing. Republicans have said they planned to donate the clothes to charity after the campaign season is over.

"If the RNC had an extra $150,000 to throw around, there were better alternatives than pricey designer clothes," Sloan said. "For example, $150,000 could fund three Alaska teachers’ yearly salaries; library books for the Juneau, Alaska School district for nearly two years; health care premiums for 31 working Americans or 12 families; flu vaccinations for just over 6000 people, or pay the heating bills for 131 low-income households this winter."

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Group_wants_FEC_probe_of_Palins_1023.html

As I posted last night

Palin's RNC Shopping Spree Violates McCain-Feingold Act: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7566745

[Ilsa]

1. Oh rats, I really want the RNC to bilk more out of

Republican donors for stupid crap like $5,000 suits for their barbie dolls. I want the donors to get so angry they stop sending money to them. I want the donors to scream about McCain's "redistribution of wealth".

[shraby]

2. That doesn't count the money they paid for

her makeup and hairdo.

[Merlot]

3. Wait till she gets the tax bill

Even if they donate it to "charity" it will have to be depreciated and she will pay a tax on it.

I'm sure "someone" will step in and help her out with the taxes.

[zulchzulu]

4. K&R and thanks for pointing it out

I did make a quick "ad" on this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zUck5MEsn8