PALINS' FASHION BILL: $150,000

The political website www.politico.com reported Tuesday night that the Republican National Committee has spent more than $150,000 for clothes, accessories, cosmetics and hair-styling for Palin and her family since August. According to RNC financial disclosure records, the amount includes a bill of more than $75,000 from Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis in early September, as well as bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York totaling more than $49,000.

The RNC also spent more than $4,700 on hair and makeup through September -- after reporting no such costs in August. McCain campaign spokeswoman Maria Comella declined to comment on the expenditures. Politico reported that a review of similar records for the Barack Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee turned up no spending similar to the amount spent on Palin and her family.

McCAIN'S BUDGET A FRACTION OF OBAMA'S

Democrat Barack Obama spent $87.5 million last month and began October with nearly $134 million in the bank, illustrating his vast financial advantage over John McCain, his Republican rival, who ended September with $47 million in the bank.

Obama has emerged as the most prodigious fundraiser ever in presidential politics. He spent $65 million on commercials in September. McCain spent $22.5 million. Even with extra help from the Republican National Committee, McCain has been at a clear disadvantage on the air.

Obama reported raising a record-shattering $151 million in September, more than doubling the fundraising record he had set in August. McCain is accepting public financing and is limited to $84 million for the two months before Election Day.

OBAMA GETS HIS GROOVE ON?