Will they taunt her a second time?

The action by McCain campaign staffers to purchase clothing for Gov. Palin that she never asked for and didn't think she needed, and then give the bill to the Republican National Committee may have been boneheaded, but it was legal. The Hill reports:

The FEC dismissed a complaint by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) against Palin and the RNC, ruling that the approximately $150,000 spent on clothing for the governor and her family was permitted as coordinated party expenditures.

National political parties are allowed to spend a limited amount of general election funds on behalf of and in coordination with presidential candidates.

In a letter dated May 15 and addressed to Melanie Sloan, CREW’s executive director, FEC Assistant General Counsel Susan Lebeaux said it had reviewed the allegations, found no violations and had closed the file April 30.

"There is no reason to believe the Republican National Committee and Tim Morgan, in his official capacity as treasurer, or Governor Sarah Palin violated" the law, Lebeaux wrote.

Despite the name, CREW is a liberal front group, and the overwhelming majority of its complaints have targeted Republicans. In fact, Roll Call has reported that CREW frequently attacks "groups and individuals who are the foes of CREW’s donors." Executive Director Melanie Sloan has ultra-partisan Democrats John Conyers, Chuck Schumer and Joe Biden on her resume as former employers.

Understandably, CREW was not happy with the FEC ruling. Word is that Ms. Sloan is weighing two options as possible responses to the decision. It is rumored that CREW will either pick up its remaining marbles and go home, or else it shall taunt the RNC and Gov. Palin a second time.

Now we know where the "Alaskan Anklebiters" got their bright idea to file baseless "ethics" complaints against Gov. Palin.

- JP