Daylife/AP Photo photo by David Zalubowski

The Republican National Committee has spent more than $150,000 to clothe and accessorize vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her family since her surprise pick by John McCain in late August.

According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74.

The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September.

The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September after reporting no such costs in August.

Politico asked the McCain campaign for comment, explicitly noting the $150,000 in expenses for department store shopping and makeup consultation that were incurred immediately after Palin’s announcement. Pre-September reports do not include similar costs.

“The campaign does not comment on strategic decisions regarding how financial resources available to the campaign are spent,” she said.

Later on they backed down and said the goodies will go to charity after the election.

Poor Sarah. She doesn’t get to keep the Party favors. OTOH, if they put her outfits up on eBay, I’ll bet they turn a profit.