By now, you've probably heard that Politico.com discovered the McCain campaign had spent more than $100 thousand outfitting Sarah Palin for her appearances since she was picked as a VP candidate. In response to the spending, NEWSWEEK put together a photo gallery of her wardrobe accompanied by comments from the employees of Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the stores where the campaign spent money. Full Disclosure: I helped report it.

Much of the commentary on the gallery accuses NEWSWEEK of liberal media bias, pointing out that Michelle Obama has worn some lavish pieces by designers like Thakoon Panichgul and Maria Pinto throughout the year. I won't meddle here ... but the Obamas spent their own money on these pieces. As such, they will be able to keep these clothes even after Palin donates her new suits to charity, as the campaign promised she would once the election ends. (For the record: if Palin does decide to keep the wardrobe, she'll have to pay taxes on these suits as if they were income).

But for most of our readers, neither the Michelle Obama comparisons nor the ones to John Edwards' $400 haircut, held up. And it wasn't about the money: "In the grand scheme of things, is 150k a lot?," asks one reader. "No, but it demonstrates beautifully how out of touch the reps are. They actually think this is normal behavior that she spends more on her clothes in one afternoon than I spent on my home over 30 years. That is exactly why the economy is in shambles, reps have no concept of money, 150k or 150 billion...its meaningless to them." That was echoed by others, who felt that her hockey image was not one that could be upgraded at Saks Fifth Avenue: "I'm an old independent who's voted for both Republicans and Democrats over the past 40 years," writes John Conrad. "I don't care what kind of clothes Sarah Palin wears and who paid for them. I don't even care if she takes them back to Alaska with her. What I do find mildly amusing is that the McCain/Palin campaign advisers want to portray her as a salt-of-the-earth hockey mom that middle class women can identify with, and then trot her off to buy new clothes at a couple of the most expensive clothing stores in the country. I must admit, however, that she looks fine in them."

She does look fine. Which, in itself, was a problem for others: "This $150k wardrobe budget confirms that Sarah Palin is nothing more than a visual prop," writes another. "If she spent as much time learning about national issues as she did getting fitted for $2500 Valentino blazers, maybe Americans would have more confidence in her." Ouch.

Undoubtedly, there are those who will think that focusing on Palin's wardrobe is foolish. Nonetheless, it seems that many of you took issue not with the new clothes -- what candidate wouldn't need them? -- but with the hypocrisy of a self-proclaimed populist in suits that cost a thousand dollars. Of all the media outlets that touched on this issue, I think that Robin Givhan, the fashion columnist at The Washington Post, framed it best:

In a statement, Palin spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt played the indignation card: "With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it's remarkable that we're spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses. It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign," she said.

What people are talking about, however, is not pantsuits and blouses. The reality is that there is nothing especially outstanding about her clothes -- aside from the red patent pumps and that bright red leather jacket, which she really should rethink. No matter how much they cost, they are not ostentatious or eccentric. They are, quite simply, fine. What is baffling is the mind-boggling evidence of a tin ear for the symbolism of popular culture. Fashion is a form of self-definition. Any retail expert can tell you that part of being a good merchant is finding a way of speaking to who it is the customer believes herself to be. A smart retailer stands for something. And in our culture Neiman Marcus stands for "elite," not for "Everyman." The same is true of Saks. Barneys? Make that soy chai latte-sipping, champagne-swigging elites.

When the campaign ends, we are to believe that Palin's wardrobe will be donated to charity. Thus, if the McCain ticket loses, then, like Cinderella, Palin will be stripped of her party clothes. And if the Republicans should win, Vice President Palin will be forced to ditch her campaign costumes, start from scratch and create herself anew.

You have to admit, this is sort of funny:

I resent her being called "Caribou Barbie" -- her name is "Mooseolini."