RC, I think the clothing thing is newsworthy to me for several reasons.
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First of all, the elite thing. I've seen both Clintons and John Edwards get savaged over much smaller expenditures (though I think Edwards used extremely poor judgement). But their expenditures get trotted out to say that they are 'elites' and are out of touch with the rest of America. Well, first of all, they are elites but then again, so is the power structure of the Republican party as well. I'm sick of the elite crap, and I hope a taste of their own medicine will make them dial down the elitism crap.
Secondly, the RNC paid for the clothing. If she keeps the stuff, its 150K of income that went untaxed (assuming she doesn't make some sort of payment arrangements). Combined with her billing a per diem to Alaska for living in her own house, it seems like she is a politician who can game the system for their own gain. Once again, Democrats fall into this category too, but I'm tired of hearing how she is a regular person.
Third, I think it is newsworthy for some of the Republican rank and file to hear how a portion of their budget was spent. Of course in this respect, I think the RNC should have spent a hell of a lot more on her clothing. However, should they lose this election, I think some soul searching for them is in order and this gives the fiscal conservatives of the Republican party a talking point.
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