150 Grand is a Lot...

For those who don't know, the McCain campaign has spent around $150,000 on Sarah Palin & family's wardrobes so far. At the time the figure was released, that amounted to over $2500 per day.

Now, I understand how difficult it is for women in public positions to dress well compared with men - as they say, a guy just needs a tie and a shave, while women are much more prone to criticism for even the slightest cosmetic glitch. I also understand that many people object to what they feel is undue criticism of Mrs. Palin.

But $2500/day is a LOT of money. If I may simply scratch the surface here - I could buy a Traben John Moyer Signature Havoc 5-string bass ($699) , or a Warwick Corvette Double Buck 5-string ($1900), an Ampeg 8x10" cabinet ($999) and head ($599), a Boss multi-effects pedal ($499)...

Total: For about $4000, or two campaign days, I could fully equip myself with all the bass gear I need. If I were feeling even more extravagant I could use a 3rd day's campaign money, but I can't see myself spending more than $7,500 on personal music gear even if I had that cash.

Or, I could purchase a Burton Mayhem snowboard ($399), Saloman Brigade boots ($119), Flow bindings ($110), Spy goggles ($65) and the rest of the gear I'd need to carve the slopes in style.

Total: For around $1000 I could fulfill my heart's desires for boarding gear. With a McCain campaign's daily outfitting budget, I could gear up and have enough money left over for three year's worth of season passes... with one day's worth.

So maybe I'm bitter, but despite my sympathy for a woman's plight as a criticism-magnet in the public eye, I don't believe $150,000 is excusable. Especially for "hockey moms."