Through all of this, does everyone fail to realize that Cindy McCain has her own money? It's not as if she's spending tax payers' money on her clothing; not only does she have a family business to provide her own income, she's not even the first lady yet. And for those who care to split hairs about the candidates' wives' clothing, I'm not sure I'd like to see how you pick who you're voting for, if you're all really going to get up in arms about a suit and a pair of earrings.

Because the Republicans decided that they needed to prosecute the meme that the Obamas are "elitist," then they opened themselves up to inquiries about how many houses they own and the kind of clothes they wear (and by the way, a new report said yesterday that they also own 13 cars, which doesn't count Cindy's car since it's registered to her company). I think that most of the people on the other side wouldn't really have cared, but if the Republicans have the gall to make a fuss about other peoples' supposed elitism, then by God, they can be hoist by their own petard. The issue is not wealth per se, but dishonesty and hypocrisy, which definitely is a fair concern at the ballot box.

fingerpuppet:

Because the Republicans decided that they needed to prosecute the meme that the Obamas are "elitist," then they opened themselves up to inquiries about how many houses they own and the kind of clothes they wear (and by the way, a new report said yesterday that they also own 13 cars, which doesn't count Cindy's car since it's registered to her company). I think that most of the people on the other side wouldn't really have cared, but if the Republicans have the gall to make a fuss about other peoples' supposed elitism, then by God, they can be hoist by their own petard. The issue is not wealth per se, but dishonesty and hypocrisy, which definitely is a fair concern at the ballot box.

Beautifully stated, fingerpuppet. Thank you.

Exactly. The Obamas, who pulled themselves up by their own bootstraps and only paid off their student loans four years ago are somehow "elitist" while the McCains who are part of the power structure and have been so for 40 years are not?

It's not the fact that Cindy McCain wore a $300K outfit. It's her money, and she can spend it any way she likes.

It's that the GOP is trying to convince America that it is the party that's going to make things better for average Americans, that Obama is an elitist, and all the rest of it. Then they turn around and let Cindy McCain strut around at the convention in a $300K outfit. How many average Americans can do that? Or is it just the top 1% of Americans that the GOP historically panders to that they're worried about? Laura Bush's outfit was only a fraction of that amount -- about $3400.

It's just another demonstration of being out of touch and a lack of common sense. I wouldn't expect Cindy McCain to think twice about what outfit she was going to wear. But I would expect at least one of the legions of advisors to the McCain campaign -- many of whom will likely hold influential positions in a McCain administration should he win -- to stop and think for a minute about what kind of message it sends to have Cindy McCain strutting around in clothing and jewelry that costs more than most people pay for their homes, while all the while John McCain is yip-yapping about understanding what average Americans are going through.

I know some very wealthy people who are quite down to earth. Elitism has nothing to do with how much money you have. Elitism entails having a perceived superiority, that you know what is best for other people, in all cases and in all circumstances.

Once again, elitism isn't about how much money you have, it is part of a world view encouraged and promoted by leftist institutions such as Columbia and Harvard. It include the paternalistic mantra of the left including more government, class warfare, less freedom to be an individual and less choices in how you spend your hard earned money, because they think they know what is best for you. It is a condescending viewpoint that assumes most voters are sheep (and many are) that just want to be tended by the government.

Don't be misled, Don't fall for the class warfare meme. Obama is part of the elite because of his beliefs, not because of his wealth. McCain is not an elitist despite his wife's wealth for the same reason.

Fallon:

I know some very wealthy people who are quite down to earth. Elitism has nothing to do with how much money you have. Elitism entails having a perceived superiority

Except the only reason to spend that much money on an outfit is to differentiate yourself from others via wealth. Wearing that outfit is elitist.

So basically, Fallon, "elitists" are the people you don't like. Very sophisticated definition.

Cindy McCain wears her clothing like a knight wears armor. When she dresses up she is dressing for battle. It is a tough world, lots of claws out, she does what she knows, which is to bury criticism in an avalanche of competence, Just like Obama attempts to do.

"Except the only reason to spend that much money on an outfit is to differentiate yourself from others via wealth. Wearing that outfit is elitist."

Nope, the only reason any of us buy the clothes we buy is because that is what we can afford. I shop at Target and I look and feel good about myself. It sound like you are jealous.

Lizzie:

So basically, Fallon, "elitists" are the people you don't like. Very sophisticated definition.

Nope, I like elitist just fine. They are fun to debate. I just don't want elitists in charge of my government. I'd rather not be taken care of by a nanny state. I know some people do want the government to take care of them and take more money from others to do it but I don't want rich people's money. I want to work hard, take risks, earn my own money and someday maybe even be successful and wealthy myself.

What a crock of shit. She wears her expensive clothes because she can.

It's not the money that makes them elitists. It's that they don't realize how much their money separates them from the vast majority of Americans. It's that they don't realize the $300,000 or $20,000 is a year's salary for many people. It's that they don't see anything wrong with spending that kind of money on a dress she'll wear once.

The McCain's are the worst sort; completely oblivious. Let them eat cake, or perhaps it's, let them wear couture.

Cindy McCain is trying to stay in the running. She's GOT to use her looks, money, and charm to keep the senator's intrest. Ever wary of what happened to his first wife...

When John McCain returned from his PoW stint in Hanoi, he returned to the military officer crowd. His wife was in a horrible disfiguring accident. She gained a large amount of weight, and walked with a limp after numerous surgeries. John attended parties and socialized, but fell out of love with the crippled woman with whom he had his first three children. He met this very cute 22 year old heiress in Hawaii, at a party. She had looks, wealth, youth, and was very interested in him. John jumped ship to land a woman 18 years younger. Carol McCain got a favorable divorce settlement because John money was no longer a concern. She still lives in a quiet place in Virginia Beach, ever appreciative of her ex-husband's generosity.

Now he's partnered up with an outspoken and vibrant 44 year old from Alaska. Cindy's nervous. Haute Couture and Harry Winston diamonds are her "safe haven". Don't take away a girl's hope.

Adrasteia:

What a crock of shit. She wears her expensive clothes because she can.

It's not the money that makes them elitists. It's that they don't realize how much their money separates them from the vast majority of Americans. It's that they don't realize the $300,000 or $20,000 is a year's salary for many people. It's that they don't see anything wrong with spending that kind of money on a dress she'll wear once.

The McCain's are the worst sort; completely oblivious. Let them eat cake, or perhaps it's, let them wear couture.

Excellent post!

Your anger undermines your ability to understand your opponent. Know your enemy, know yourself - 100 battles, 100 victories (except of course, if your enemy happens to better at this than you). Cindy McCain lives in a world that most of us don't. If she appears in public wearing clothes that are unsuitable, or even unfashionable, it is front page news, will make worst dress lists, etc. I certainly do not envy this about her life. If she erred on the side of overdoing it, well that shows insecurity more than anything. She really can afford almost any clothing she wants to wear, like a lot of people in the limelight. Yet over and over again celebrities get ridiculed in the press for the clothes they wear, despite having the help of professional stylists. My point is that it is not an easy thing to do, being a fashion icon and a political wife. However, if you look at the most famous fashionista first lady, Jackie Kennedy-Onassis and prorate her wardrobe in modern dollars, I think you will find she spent a bundle on clothes, which helped create the image of Camelot and American royalty, which no one minded at all at the time, or even since. Cindy McCain is frankly not projecting that image at all. She is second generation beer money. If anything she is good ol' American nouveau riche, trying a little too hard and being smacked down by the east coast limo libs. who can read her labels from a mile away.