The Republicans and television pundits (including Mika on Morning Joe and Katie Courek on CBS) continue to be apologists on behalf of Sarah's monthly clothes allowance. Meanwhile,McCain and Palin struggle to distance themselves from their privilege and to paint Obama as an elitist. This is a serious "elitist" litmus test. Below the fold, let me take what seems trivial and frame it in context.
So, the Governor from Alaska gets a last minute call to join the Republican ticket and packs her best duds for the trip. In the first week, the campaign embarks on an image make-over. That is well, good and standard procedure.
We all understand that spinmeisters want a review of the candidate's image. The important factor, lost in the discussion by pundits, is that the whole set of advisors is out of touch.
The fact is that not one of the campaign decision-makers had the common sense to recognize that nobody buys a complete wardrobe at Neiman and Saks. No, even elites buy wardrobe staples elsewhere and shop Neiman and Saks for a few key pieces. If the campaign were organized, it would have enough sense to say--"Maybe we go to Macy's or Lord and Taylor for some basics and pick an accessory or two at Neimans.
Had the campaign been functional in August, it would have allowed Cindy to use her American Express for a Sarah shopping spree as a "loan" to the campaign--details of which would not be reported until after election financial disclosures. Lacking discipline, unaware of how such expenditure would play in the heartland the fools funning McCain campaign screwed up.
In their justification of the past two days, they invent the "donation to charity" ruse. Question: if we are so dumb as to buy that storyline, tell us how she will donate the sessions with make-up artists, please.
This is yet another sign of a campaign that has been driving with the (retread) tires coming off for some time.