If she were still of any consequence in this campaign, we would all be having a field day with this Neiman-Marcus flap, but she isn't, so no one really cares that the Republicans dropped $175,000 of campaign money on Sarah Palin's wardrobe.

Well I care.

There was always something strange about how well this "hockey mom" was dressed. I dismissed it as the wardrobe of someone who basically ate and slept on the government dole and stocked away her pennies as she amassed her middle-class fortune of $2.1 million. The hockey mom was more attractive in designer clothes and more acceptable in the lower 48 than had she worn the Wasilla High hoody with mustard stains on her left boob.

We now know, with great certainty, she is the most packaged candidate to ever run for higher office. With no record to speak of, with little experience to run on, with very little to say, whose contention of middle class values is farcical, we now know she isn't as hot as Alec Baldwin was led to believe.

That said, what is truly troubling is the misuse of campaign dollars. One can only assume the McCain campaign will finish in desperate debt. Are McCain and his brain-trust to be trusted with a Federal Budget? How many outfits does this woman need -- its not like she is going to the same office every day where the other vice presidential candidates would laugh at her fashion faux pas. Close your eyes and picture the governor (Jeff? we don't have time for that) we all see her in Tina Fey's red top. Right? Let's be generous and say that cost $1,000. Now for the other $174,000... How many mailings and radio spots might that be in western Pennsylvania? How many lowly campaign workers sleeping on someone’s cold floor could that feed?

The reckless use of money is what has brought us to this greedy and sad time. The disregard for painful choices is the hallmark of our age. We need an attitude change, not a wardrobe adjustment. I learned this morning K-Mart has instituted "lay-away" plans. What is this, the Walton's? Yup, it may well be --- we must pay for the big screen TV before we watch the big screen TV. In the process of weaning ourselves away from a consumer culture built entirely upon debt, we may discover we neither need nor want these things

McCain doesn't get it. Most of us are just learning it.

McCain to Blame

Much has been said about the brutal reception received by Sarah Palin after John McCain announced she was his choice for vice president. Warmly accepted by partisan crowds and pundits, she was skewered by internet bloggers and cable news show. MSM, while not as harsh, has been, well, skeptical. I blame John McCain.

His first mistake was clearly not vetting his choice thoroughly. I guess we now know a Google search is not the same as good old fashioned research. He had met her only once before last Wednesday. His vetting team had not been on the ground in Alaska at all. No search of the Wasilla newspaper, a local paper in the town in which she claims to have cut her executive ability teeth. No interviews of family, friends and colleagues. A decision was made before she was able to clue candidate McCain in on a few “minor glitches.” If he were a college student with this sloppy prep work, he would get a failing grade.

So... A rmed with a pretty smile, her NRA Card and her Right to Life creds, she was introduced to the world. It is the media’s job to collect the facts and inform the public. It is the partisan media’s job to collect the facts and spin reality. Did the McCain people not think about this ahead of time? If you jump in the bay and tell me to jump in also, “It feels great!” is not enough. I need to know what the temperature is and whether the jelly fish are gone.

If memory serves me correctly, Poppy Bush did the same thing to Quayle by not staffing him well. The surprise choice of the man, who toppled Birch Bayh, was a good looking giant killer. Sarah Palin did not have the same look of someone knocked off her game last night, but she has also not faced the press yet.

Here are a few questions for Governor Palin:

You played sports in school – what did you study and where?
You were a mayor and governor in charge of budgets – were they always balanced?
You claimed to have not intervened in Troopergate when there is evidence you did – what is the truth?
You claim to have opposed the pork barrel gift of the “bridge to nowhere,” but you are on record for originally supporting it and ultimately accepting the money for other projects -- is pork something that is always in the eye of the beholder?
You oppose sex education and abortion – how does that work? How has that worked in your family?
The basis of your self-processed appeal is in large part being a “hockey mom” – if this is one of your greatest assets, should your family be open to some scrutiny? John McCain does not proclaim war hero status and not allow discussion of the events he claims to have built his character.
You claim to be Commander of the Alaska National Guard – what does that mean? Do you have uniform and tell the troops where to go and what to do?
What does Moose taste like – polar bear?

Sexism

I am a white Episcopal male. I am probably the least discriminated against “type” in society. Sure I have been passed over by women and blacks, Jews and generally more talented people, but there was no overt “ism” of any sort. So the following statement is made with very little authority. Sexism has dangerously taken over our political process in US Presidential Politics. And there is an unspoken trace of racism in the air.

Mrs. Clinton was in New Hampshire and on the ropes when she shed tears of anguish. It was a totally feminine response to the disappointment she felt for herself and her supporters. Her tears gave her depth and a softness she had previously tried to conceal -- it gave her campaign hope. She bounced back. Only a woman could have done that. Ed Muskie never bounced back from his New Hampshire water-works. Wolfson and her troops would cry sexism whenever they felt behind, but it was they who had dealt the hand in the first place.

Over the past week, as dribs and drabs of Sarah Palin’s life came to us from blogs, the Internet and ultimately mainstream media, many, including me, have railed against a clearly flawed vetting process on the part of John McCain. Her supporters yell foul and claim she would not be suffering the same treatment had she been a man. Sexism? You are damned right this is about sexism – not the criticism, but the choice.

Team McCain concluded other crusty old men would never do - especialy not pro-choice crusty old men. McCain did not say to his team,”You know what would really work for our ticket and for America? Someone who preaches family values and abstinence and has a pregnant underage daughter would be nice. We could have a shotgun wedding in the East Room and the groom, if we are lucky, will describe himself publicly as a F*%$#ng redneck. Even better, maybe there are some family DUI’s that could pop-up...”

No. McCain was looking for a woman. The one he chose accomplished two goals First she appealed to the conservative base who distrusts him and also the hope she may appeal to the disaffected supporters of Hillary Clinton. Choosing Palin to fill the shoes of Clinton demeans her efforts the same way Bush demeaned the legacy of Sandra Day O’Conner and Poppy Bush trashed the historic nature of Thurgood Marshall by nominating Clarence Thomas. All superficial choices of folk who clearly were not the most qualified for the job.

Gerry Ferraro famously said Obama would not be the candidate if he were white. He won the primaries whether angry and bitter Gerry was right or not. Palin is being force fed on the electorate and we know for sure she would not have been chosen had she been a man. Were she a man, her name would be Powlenty

If the writers from West Wing and the Michael Douglas film, An American President, are guiding the Obama Campaign (and they are), the McCain folk seemed to be hoping for some sort Reese Witherspoon scenario. I confess to have never seen her films, but I understand the script reads something like: underestimated, unknown hottie freakishly gains power and surprises the world with her chirpy effectiveness. The problem is the Vice Presidency is not a comedy and this process should not be a joke.

How many talented men and women were passed over so McCain could launch this Hail Mary pass? We don’t know the number, but we do know the distance – and entire continent of folks who know how to run things, who know how to govern, who know how to lead and must now smile and show how to follow. I am sure Governor Palin is a fine woman and a good governor, but she is not ready for the job we need her to do.

On the lawn at Wolf Trap

Wolftrapist

Last year we arrived early. My girlfriend was on crutches so I convinced the rangers to let us park near the gate. We had our folding chairs and rolling cooler right where we needed to be; a big bottle of wine (Corkscrew? Check.) Chilled by the frozen bottles of water that would later be cool and sobering for the ride home. We had suntan lotion, hats and binoculars. We had the Sunday Times crossword (Pens? Check.) and a deck of cards for cutthroat games of Rummy before the show. We had subs from the Italian Store on Spout Run, cheese, crackers, cookies and salads. We had it all.

While the rubes and assorted amateurs raced to be near the front and ultimately land locked in a sea of beach blankets and picnic baskets, we strategically secured a spot at the top of the Hill. Not a thing behind us or to one side. A glorious day indeed. We were professional Wolf Trappers. I, a Trappist Hunk and she public radio babe. While others lay half prone trying to balance their plate of fried chicken while not spilling their diet soda or domestic beer, we sat upright 12 long inches above the elements. "Which cup holder should I use; he left or the right?" I asked”Why not both,” she replied.

I queried, "What is a seven letter word for learned?" "Erudite," was her quick response. This is what we were. And we were beautiful.

We sipped our chilled wine kept safely in the cup holders and played cards atop the cooler/dining table while the band warmed-up. For goodness sake, not only were we sitting in chairs, upright and not prone, but it was like we had a table specifically made for cards and snacks later on. It was wonderful. The family den with its overstuffed couches could not have been more comfortable as cool evening breeze met the warm afternoon sun.

The curtain rose, as it were, and there he was the ultimate erudite dude. A smart ass Midwesterner who embodied all that was erudite to this NPR crowd at home and rolling down the beautiful Virginia hill below us. Heaven was not West Virginia. It was Virginia.

As the show began, crisis occurred in our perfect little picnic playground with all of our food and drink, chairs and toys. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE DRANK ALL THE FRIGGING WINE? THE SHOW IS LIKE HOURS LONG AND WE HAVE TO NURSE THREE FRIGGING BEERS BETWEEN US?"

Oh sure we could buy a $15 split of rot gut wine, even "rot guttier" wine than the swill which we had just “sipped” into oblivion in the course of an hour, but that wouldn't be right. The frozen water melted and we carried on, the rubes and amateurs below, unaware of the crisis on high.

I am looking forward to learning from my mistakes this year.