Politico:

How much was that polar bear pin anyway?

The Republican National Committee has spent more than $150,000 to clothe and accessorize vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her family since her surprise pick by John McCain in late August.

According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74.

The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September.

The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September after reporting no such costs in August.

The McCain campaign’s response:

“With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it’s remarkable that we’re spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses,” said spokesperson Tracey Schmitt. “It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign.”

Yeah, because that’s what Joanne Six-Pack would do — donate $150,000 of crap to charity. It’s funny that the statement mentions pantsuits. I haven’t seen Palin photographed in one of those, but it seems like there was another female candidate recently who wore a lot of them. Now, let’s see, who was that?

The McCain campaign is doing the same thing it’s done since their ill-fated pick for vice president. When someone criticizes Palin, they scream sexism. Trying to equate the treatment Palin has received with that Hillary Clinton got, by citing pantsuits, is a false argument. It just ain’t happening.