Marie Cocco- Thank you for keeping your standards no matter which side you are discussing.  I laugh at my fellow democrats who exclaim such righteous indignation when their side is unfairly maligned, yet are happy to turn a blind eye when it happens to “others.”  (Recently many “feminists” have been quick to lose their standards as well.)  You are courageous.  I remember you were one of the first to stand up for Hillary, and now I see you calling out the left as well- I wish there were more journalists like you.

What Donavan said. Must be a chick-interest thing. Cocco is usually better than this.

It is all well and good to critize Palin, but it is not politicall correct to examine Mrs. obama’s sen ding habits? The assisnation of characters by the media is appaling, when they should only be reporting the truth about EACH candidate.  Thank You

A more use ful focus for Miss Cocco would be the extent to which Democrat women, her constintuency, would be willing to fight for freedom. If you’re not up to the standards of men, say so. If you are, explain how. Enough talk.

Remembered Australia and England. Populated by cowards, they folded.

I acknowledge that all the brouhaha surrounding Sarah Palin’s wardrobe hypocritically sidesteps the fact that female political figures regardless of party are evaluated on the basis of their appearance far more than men are.  Nevertheless, I can’t agree with the apparent suggestion that this ought to be sufficient reason to overlook this demonstration of blatant hypocrisy from the McCain campaign.

At a time when the country is facing what may be the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression—when as many as one out of every six homeowners may be facing foreclosure—I for one refuse to see it as anything other than tacky in the extreme (if not outright obscene) for the McCain campaign to claim that they’re concerned about the needs of middle America while the running mate is splurging on a new designer wardrobe for herself and her family, and especially when the money technically isn’t hers! Alaska may not be a state which immediately leaps to mind when one thinks of fashion—but you can’t convince me that Palin, as a state governor, had absolutely nothing in her closet which might be considered suitable!  To my way of thinking, this actually isn’t that far removed from AIG’s decision to send their executives on not just one but TWO deluxe vacations after pleading for and receiving a government bailout so that they could avoid going into bankruptcy!

Compare this with Michelle Obama’s appearance on the “Today” show in a dress which apparently cost only $148—and while the press certainly made note of it, I can’t recall that she made a negative impression or was widely criticized or ridiculed for it. In fact, if memory serves (and it often does), the reverse was true in quite a few cases. Ms. Obama’s choice suggested that she has a better grasp of the fact that a lot of Americans are facing tough times financially—and in my opinion, this makes her a better role model for young women in a culture which increasingly seems to bombard people with the message that the only way to look good is to spend more money than you can really afford.  Hell, isn’t that supposedly part of the reason why we’re in such a financial mess right now in the first place???? In my opinion, anyone who thinks (as Palin and the RNC apparently do) that designer labels are the only way to look impressive and competent is probably either a snob or seriously lacking in imagination—or both—and that’s almost the complete antithesis of what the country needs right now.  Palin’s not-so-little shopping spree suggests that her concerns about what many Americans are facing financially is little more than lip service—and especially in light of some of the other stories that have been surfacing about her (such as using Alaskan taxpayer funds to extend an official visit into a vacation, possible corruption on pipeline bids, redecoration of the governor’s mansion, etc.), this is a woman who appears to view her own interests as being more important than anyone else’s.  Even McCain’s own aides have been saying this!  This is not someone whom any sensible American should want a hearbeat away from the Presidency.  We’ve been saddled with such a person in the White House for the past eight years, and it’s only too clear where that’s gotten us—not only can we not afford someone else like that, I for one am not confident that we could even survive it.

I found Hasselbeck’s accusation of the criticism of the $150K wardrobe as being sexist, pretty funny.

1) the idea that Palin needed to dress like an expensive hooker to “appeal” to the voter, is sexist.

2) Hasselbeck’s statements in support of the RNC support of an expensive, almost low cut, high hemmed facade being necessary for women to be acceptable is sexist, as it perpetuates the idea of woman as decorative/sex object.

3) calling your wife, or any woman, a cunt in public or private is sexist.

Cocco is trying to compare apples and oranges, and does a fairly good job. However, while I agree with her regarding the media treatment of Clinton, I cannot agree with Cocco’s assessment of the media (and the liberals’) reaction to Palin’s wardrobe fiasco.  You see, it’s not hypocrisy, it’s shock and indignation. Palin’s has always indicated, in her own maverick messages to the middle class as well as in the GOP talking points, that she is one the working class folk. Her actions, however, do not reflect her message. Palin pretends to be Roseanne but dresses like a teenager from 90210.  Roseanne’s show would have failed if Roseanne had worn wickedly expensive clothing, just as Palin’s message has now failed. Call it staging, but the medium (in this case, Palin’s outward appearance) should be the message. People are not stupid and, to many of us, her clothing screams out “I will support the rich and glamorous but pretend to be a regular gal.”

If we are to agree with Cocco here, we should rise above judging on appearance. I guess Palin could wear silver stretch lycra dance pants onstage during her speeches and, if we criticize it, we’re being sexist and hypocritical. John McCain could wear the same, and Cocco suggests that no one would notice. Right.

And the point of this article is…?