Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin has angered some sections of US society after it was revealed that, in the two months since August, she has spent an astronomical amount of Party money on her image upgrade - including $92,000 on a handbag and matching earrings.
Mrs Palin, who prior to August wore only bearskins, has been busy making herself more palatable to voters, and has been criticised by some members of the Republican National Committee for allegedly "taking the piss".
The handbag and earrings, made by Hermes, were purchased at an unnamed exclusive New York boutique last week. Palin also bought clothes for her children out of Party funds - a romper suit for baby Trig cost $92 - 0.1% of the handbag price.
A spokesman for the Alaska Governor said:
"It might seem like a lot of money, what with the US economy in the toilet at the moment, but we have to show we are serious about getting Mr McCain to the White House next month. Like they say, speculate to accumulate."
Democratic Party leader Barack Obama commented:
"She certainly has accumulated a lot of stuff."
