Sarah Palin's $150,000 wardrobe malfunction ruled OK

The Federal Election Commission ruled Tuesday that the RNC did not violate campaign finance laws when it spent $150,000 on wardrobe expenses for Sarah Palin during the 2008 campaign.

NEWSCOM/FILE

May 20, 2009

Well, it was never a Janet Jackson-like wardrobe malfunction, but the Sarah Palin version received every bit of the press coverage -- probably more.

And now, seven months later, not only does it promise to be a part of Palin's new book but the issue has finally been resolved.

No prob

The Federal Election Commission ruled yesterday that the Republican National Committee did no wrong in directing $150,000 in funds to gussy up Palin and brood during the 2008 campaign.

The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed the complaint alleging campaign finance laws were broken as result of the expenditure. The RNC said all was above board stating they used party money not money from campaign donations.

The FEC said there was no evidence to the contrary and much like Oran Juice Jones said to his wayward girlfriend: You dismissed! (How often can you quote Oran Juice Jones? It's a small window of opportunity).

So if you contributed to the failed, but wonderfully entertaining, campaign you didn't pay for a new set gold plated overalls for Todd, your money went to the campaign. Not that Todd received said overalls -- it's just an example.

"Typical"

Needless to say CREW is unhappy about it.

“It’s typical of the FEC to never take on anybody for anything,” said the executive director of CREW. “It seems like the kind of thing they should have come down on, but they seem to think their hands are tied.”

To thwart this type of activity during future campaigns CREW has asked Congress to expand campaign finance law to ban party money from being expended for personal use.

In the meantime, Neiman-Marcus -- the largest beneficiary of Palin's shopping spree -- is having a spring savings sell-a-thon. Everything must go. Shop now and save.
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