New Details On Palin Shopping

By: Laura Strickler
Topics: Campaign Dollars

(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

CBS News has learned that the Republican National Committee's $150,000 shopping spree for Alaska Governor Sarah Palin included clothes to outfit Palin's entire family including her soon to be son-in-law Levi Johnston.

The rush purchases were made starting Labor Day weekend immediately after Palin was named as a running mate for John McCain. If the purchases had not been made in such a short period of time, stylists could have saved between 20 to 50 percent off the retail costs through industry discounts. These kinds of shopping excursions are not unusual for high profile figures where, for example, stylists will typically buy three sizes and three different styles of a sweater and later return excess clothes.

However, CBS News has learned the $150,000 includes deductions for clothes that were returned, meaning the total cost of the shopping excursions exceeded $150,000. The accessories and clothing did not include jewelry or watches.

It was previously reported by the other news organizations that $4,902.45 was spent at Atelier supposedly for Todd Palin but that bill was in fact expenditures for Sarah Palin.

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by zygoma1 October 26, 2008 3:33 PM EDT: Yes it is illegal for the "campaign" to pay for clothing, but it is not illegal for the Republican National Party (a different entity) to buy, loan or donate clothing to anyone they want to.

Hey guys, ask yourself this question: who is the only one in this election who IS NOT a millionaire? Who paid for Hillary''s hair and makeup? Who paid for John Edwards haircuts?

Now as catmill says, they say one thing and do another..may I refresh your memory? Senator Obama said on 1/22/06(MTP) that he "would serve his full term in the Seantor before thinking of running for any other office. He would "abosolutely not run for President or Vice President in 2008"; 9 months later, he did a complete about face, so basically he lied. He also said he would only accept public campaign funds,he would do town meetings with John McCain, he also said Bill Ayers was "just a guy in his neighborhood". He did not keep his word, he changes his story, etc. So if you actually believe he is going to keep to one of his campaign promises, think long and hard about his history using "words". He is more guilty of saying one thing and doing another than John McCain has done in his 20 years in the Senate.; Reply to this comment


by zygoma1 October 26, 2008 3:21 PM EDT: If the only thing liberals can complain about is the clothes on Governor Palin and her family it is a sad comentary on the minds they own. For months they complained that the McCain*Palin campaign wouldn''t talk about the issues and it seems the shoe is on the other foot. The Obama media can''t defend him anymore and are afraid to look into his eyes and see the bleakness of our country''s future should he steal this election, so they resort to stupidity as usual.

Why not complain about the clothes all the talking heads get to wear when they are in the public eye? They don''t pay a penny for them and neither did Gov. Palin; the difference is she will be giving them back and they will be auctioned off and proceeds to charity or they will be directly donated to charity.(This decision was made long before Ms Katie "suggested"it, so don''t give her credit)

How about the nice bling around Katie''s neck at the Al Green dinner? Who paid for that?

Give it a rest, it is comical and all us conservatives are enjoying the fumbling idiots making such a big deal over nothing.; Reply to this comment


by paullindy-2009 October 26, 2008 1:31 PM EDT: I wouild like to hear how much democratic candidates spend on wardrobes or as I have heard, are given clothes which exceed campaign donation guidelines. Re Obama.. careful what you wish for.. you just might get it. love to hear or read a reply; Reply to this comment


by mrreynolds2 October 26, 2008 5:55 AM EDT: I am absolutely amaised that Katie Couric would Question the intelligence or integretity of Sarah Palin but she has not questioned the history or associations of Obama. I would like to see her interiogate Obama the way she did Sarah Palin. I just hope that if she does not reveal the true identidy of Obama that Katie is ready to live with the outcome. I am truely afraid for the future of our children and I cant''t help but question what and
who Obama stands for. I question his religous beliefs and also his beliefs in America. I have always been a Christain and I have always been proud to be an American.; Reply to this comment


by catmill October 26, 2008 12:33 AM EDT: The republican''s party motto is "ME,ME,ME,WAR,WAR,WAR"!!!TAKE FROM THE POOR, ME,ME,ME,WAR,WAR,WAR!!!"; Reply to this comment


by catmill October 26, 2008 12:30 AM EDT: John McCain said it should be illegal to use campaign funds to buy clothes and here goes the republican party saying one thing and doing another, typical, let''s make them believe we care about them because we really don''t, let the poor stay poor. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!; Reply to this comment


by gjennings55 October 25, 2008 4:45 PM EDT: How is it that Obama can run illegally. He is deffently not a born U.S. citizen.That is the main thing running for President. I believe this race has been illegal from the begining ,vote frauds and all.I have read the federal laws and you deffently have to be born a U.S. citizen to run. Obama was born in Kenya and adopted Indoniesia.Does this country change the contitution and federal laws for this certain canidate. This is illegal as hell.If this is the case a terroist could come over here in run.Thats an example. I think Obama should be suspened and HRC should be legally the nominee.This is all wrong.CNN is covering alot of illegal corruptions that Obama is in.; Reply to this comment


by sheron_jay October 25, 2008 9:20 AM EDT: spread the wealth, us softball football and basketball moms, spend alot of time and what lil money we have on or kids to keep THEM IN SCHOOL AND OFF THE STREETS, please give her my e-mail when she is ready to donate those clothes, i am going to need them 2 run for prez in 2012; Reply to this comment


by zeke2008 October 25, 2008 4:39 AM EDT: Hey Libslapper: Where did you get the story that Palin didn''t wear the clothes, they''re still on the plane, etc.? I saw only one such story and it was just Sara denying everything using the words you used. No one has confirmed that, even McCain said she was given those clothes to spruce up her image....

Sounds like Sara got caught with her hand in the cookie jar and now is saying "No I didn''t!"; Reply to this comment


by targaray-2009 October 25, 2008 1:15 AM EDT: Joe "The Fake Plumber" meet Sarah "The Shopaholic Reformer" meet John "The Make-Believe Maverick"; Reply to this comment