The issue of $150,000 to dress the Palin family - not just the candidate herself - is an issue if they're trying to sell her to the public along side Joe the Plumber. It adds up to a lot of money at a time most Americans are struggling financially. The net result is a tone-deaf campaign.

The Republicans chose Palin in part because of her looks. They mistakenly thought Obama's appeal was based on cult of personality. They were wrong. Obama possesses a lot of substance while Palin doesn't. The Republicans were clearly more focused on image than anything else, so the excessive clothing and hair and make-up budget are relevant.

Exclusive items out of the reach of the average person will always be an issue. Jackie Kennedy's designer dresses and pill box hat were celebrated because she was young and beautiful and the country was in the mood. Nancy Reagan's designer dresses were celebrated because she had a nice figure and, once again, the country was in the mood.

Playing down such extravagances is also an issue, such as Pat Nixon's cloth coat. Lady Bird Johnson, Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter, Barbara Bush, and Laura Bush chose to be more understated most likely due to personal style preference, but also at times when it was wise to be less conspicuous.

Of course, these are all first ladies and not candidates. Major party candidates Shirley Chisholm, Geraldine Ferraro, Elizabeth Dole and Carol Moseley Braun chose classic styles that were most likely within the budget of the average working professional woman so a lot of women could naturally relate to them.

Hillary Clinton made the pantsuit iconic. You can't buy that from Neiman Marcus or Barney's for any price. She has earned her status and women recognize that.

Palin is wearing expensive clothes she didn't earn at a time when the country isn't in the mood.

It's a legitimate issue.

They're employing terrifying tactics with the intent to dissuade others. They're terrorists.

Good to know you sympathize with terrorists.

What's up with McCain and all the blinking? He looks like Herbert Lom in the Pink Panther movies.

LOL - good one!

I think she's the blow-up parrot on Clouseau's shoulder.

And DAB, you're right on about the irony.

Ms. Word Salad

Right on. Every time I hear her I wonder if I've ever heard anyone use the English language the way Sarah Palin does, and I don't think I have. It's difficult to describe to someone who has never heard her speak.

Yes, McCain is in trouble even in Arizona. Nobody is feeling that warm glow for Republicans this year.

I think that Phoenix will probably go for McCain, but just barely. Tucson, Flagstaff, Nogales, and Yuma will go for Obama.

If it hadn't been for his fan-boy attitude toward the governor of Alaska we might be facing a more difficult general election.

Arizona just changed from safe Republican to leans to Republican.

Yeeeehaaawwwwwwwwwww!

I don't feel sorry for Sarah, nor should you or anyone else.

That said, it is my sincerest wish that Sarah Palin move to the front of the GOP pack for 2012.

Although I think my mom thinks he's better than average looking. If we're talking government hotties, I'm casting a vote for Chuck Hagel. And Rahm Emanuel. And Barack Obama.

Since when are Palin fans worried about brains?

Tucson looks to be very solid for Obama. I don't know about the rest of the state - maybe people can weigh in from other parts of the state with their opinions.

There was a big Democratic rally in Green Valley last weekend which is kind of surprising since it's a large retirement area that tends to go Republican. I imagine there are a lot of people there who, like my mother, lost a lot of money in the market. Mom used to be a big John McCain fan and now she can't stand to look at him.

I was talking to a friend of mine who is the political reporter for the local alternative newsweekly over the weekend and he told me that Arizona still looks like it will go for McCain. However, we also discussed McCain's slip in the polls along with the down ticket races that appear to be favoring Democrats and the fact that early voting in Pima county has shattered previous records. None of that is good news for McCain.

Great link! Maybe I'll be able to sleep through the night tonight...

I've never heard anyone else use language the way Palin does and the fact that she sounds like my dog's squeaky toy makes it even more grating.

I can't imagine who thought this would be a good idea. I've read the New Yorker piece and I'm looking forward to the post-election reputation-saving interviews and articles coming out of the McCain camp.

Obama signs in Russell Pearce country? Wow.

From whom? If I own stock in the company, I want out.

Further, Jesus had nothing to say about the GLBT community. Deal with it.

I'm conflicted as to whether she's a bigger fake Christian or fake journalist.

I watched one of the news magazine shows a few months ago where a private investigator hired by Knox's family retraced what the Italian police have alleged and it didn't wash. It sounds like the drifter is guilty and the poliziotti are doing everything to support their original supposition.

There are a lot of places offering specials to people who come in sporting their "I Voted" stickers.