Burning Bush and Other Hot Items

The Burning Bush (euonymous ) outside the kitchen window is gorgeous again this year. All summer long it has patiently waited, staying all green and such, until now, when its leaves turn a vibrant red.

Also turning red and heating up is John McCain's. He's finally had to comment on his campaign's $150,000 spent on coutour clothes, hair-styling, and accessories for Sarah Palin. We're not talking diapers at Walmart, either. The Alaskan princess' new wardrobe is made up of pricey items from Neiman-Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. I don't think "Joe the Plumber" shops there very much.

$2,500 Valentino jacket

McCain wasn't happy when he was asked several questions about the shopping spree on his campaign bus between Florida rallies, and he answered each one more or less the same way: "She needed clothes at the time. They'll be donated at end of this campaign. They'll be donated to charity."

Asked for details by reporters on how they'll be donated, McCain said, "It works by her getting some clothes when she was made the nominee of the party and it will be donated back to charity."

Asked if he was surprised at the amount spent, McCain said, "It works that the clothes will be donated to charity. Nothing surprises me."

McCain offered no further comment, except to say that the Republican National Committee doesn't buy his clothes.

Also on Thursday, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, a private watchdog group in Washington, filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against Palin, the Republican National Committee and several political operatives alleging that the purchase of clothing for Palin and her family violates the Federal Election Campaign Act. The law prohibits a candidate for federal office from converting campaign funds to personal use. CREW notes that FEC regulations make clear the prohibition applies to clothing but also provides that donations by candidates to charity are not for personal use. CREW argued this exception might apply to Palin's clothes but doesn't appear to apply to clothes for her family. Yes, they all got in on the shopping spree!

The Palin Clan post makeover at the RNC

Asked who had paid for the suit he was wearing, Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden said: "I pay for my suits. I pay for all of my own clothing."