CREW files complaint over Palin clothes

[babylonsister]

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/10/group_files_com.html

Group files complaint over Palin clothes

October 23, 2008 02:35 PM


A watchdog group filed a complaint today with the Federal Election Commission against Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, the Republican National Committee, and several political operatives associated with the RNC, alleging that they improperly spent $150,000 on clothing for Palin and her family.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics cited news reports that clothing and accessories purchases for Palin and her family included $49,425 spent at Saks Fifth Avenue and $75,062 at Neiman Marcus.

The group said the shopping excursions violate campaign finance law because it specifically prohibits a candidate for federal office from converting campaign funds to personal use, including clothing.

But the law has a loophole for money raised, not by individual candidates, but by political parties. Palin's spokeswoman has said the clothes will be donated to charity after the campaign.

The group, however, is pressing ahead.

“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," Melanie Sloan, executive director of CREW, said in a statement. "As if that isn’t bad enough, the expenditures violate campaign finance law. The FEC should investigate immediately.”

[vaberella]

1. I KNEW this was going to explode. Talk about pork barrel?! Dumb McCain.

This was a major issue of ethics violations. It just screamed that she was messing around with some shady shite. There is no way you could use Campaign money that should be used for the campaign on clothing. And even so, not so much money on clothing. The RNC spending is crazy.

They just lost in my eyes.

[Window]

2. Great! I want even more traction. Hockey Mom my ass.