McCain´s campaign defends Palin´s fashion expenses

Source: Xinhua | 10-25-2008 08:08

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain's campaign defended vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's fashion expenses that has grabbed public and media attention with only days before the election day.

U.S. Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain (R-AZ) speaks at a campaign rally in Sarasota, Florida October 23, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The wardrobe controversy was expanded with a report saying Palin's stylist, Amy Strozzi, was paid 22,800 U.S. dollars for the first two weeks in October, while McCain's foreign policy adviser, Randy Scheunemann, was paid only 12,500 dollars during the same period.

An earlier report disclosed that the Republican National Committee has spent 150,000 dollars of political donation to cover Palin's expense on clothing, makeup and other fashion needs.

Despite the repeated clarification that the purchased clothes would go to charity after campaign, the news stories still incited public furor as the country was caught in a worst economic crisis since 1930s.

The McCain campaign broke its silence on the matter and provided some details to media on Friday, saying Palin "did not ask for or want any new clothes."