Commentary: For women in public eye, looks matter

(CNN) There's been a lot of sniping and a lot of stories Wednesday about Gov. Sarah Palin's clothes.

Politico.com reports that the Republican National Committee spent more than $150,000 on clothes, hair and make-up for Palin on the campaign trail. Now, these are not your tax dollars.

This is money given by Republican donors to the RNC. But the report questions whether it is legal to use campaign cash for quote "personal use."

My issue? There is an incredible double-standard here, and we are ignoring a very simple reality.

Women are judged based on their appearance far, far more than men. That is a statement of fact.

There has been plenty of talk and plenty written about Sarah Palin's jackets, her hair and her looks. Sound familiar?

There has been plenty of talk and plenty written about Sarah Palin's jackets, her hair and her looks. Sound familiar? Watch Campbell Brown 'Cutting Through the Bull'

There was plenty of talk and plenty written about Sen. Hillary Clinton's looks, hair and pantsuits.

Compare that with the attention given to Sen. Barack Obama's $1,500 suits or Sen. John McCain's $520 Ferragamo shoes. There is no comparison.

Women get scrutinized based on appearance far more than men. And look, I speak from experience here. When I wear a bad outfit on the air, I get viewer e-mail complaining about it. A lot of e-mail. Seriously.

When Wolf Blitzer wears a not-so-great tie, how much e-mail do you think he gets? My point is for women, unfortunately, appearance is part of the job.

If Wolf or Anderson Cooper shows up on the air without makeup, you think you would even notice? I show up without makeup? Trust me, you'll notice.

his doesn't just apply to TV. All women in the public eye deal with this issue. And it is for this reason that I think the RNC should help Palin pay for clothes, hair and makeup. It is part of the job.

Now, you may think, that's an awful lot of money to spend on clothes, hair and makeup.

Or you may complain, as some have, that it's hypocritical to sell yourself as a "small-town hockey mom" when you are wearing designer clothes. That's fine, just don't ignore the fact that there is a double-standard here. iReport.com: Palin 'doesn't dress like any hockey moms I know'

Comments: 13

Jack E. Oct 23, 2008, 5:58pm EDT

I do not agree with this reporter. campaign funds solicited from private donation should be used for campaign purposes only not supplying such an expensive wardrobe for any Political candidate. Palin campaigns as a fiscal conservative and throws money to the wind like this and its other peoples money. This is no different than soliciting money for a scam charity that you pocket the money from.

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J R B. Oct 23, 2008, 6:02pm EDT

When I was working with the public. I had my hair done twice a week sometimes tree times a week. I changed my clothes at work, which was two outfits a day. I wore designer clothing but did not pay as much as Palin on clothing.

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Jack E. Oct 23, 2008, 6:05pm EDT

Palin is not paying for the clothes the donated public campaign funds are paying the bill.

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Donna M. Oct 23, 2008, 6:37pm EDT

I find it interesting that McCain can have a double standard, for instance:
- more than 10 residences,
-more than 10 cars ( of which 3 are foreign even tho he stood on the stage in Detroit and claimed he only bought American)
-$500 shoes
then there is his running mate Palin:
- $250,000 home (even tho its only one)
- private air plane - just to name a few...
- $150,000 wardrobe
- travel expenses for her whole family

NOW - for the life of me - I cannot believe those rallies have that many folks there that can possibly believe what they are saying!!!!!!!!!! They are talking with forked mouth and double standard signs written all over the place!! The audience being told that these two understand Middle America...when they use the title "My Friends" "I am one of you", " I have been tested"

THEY HAVE NOT A FREAKIN CLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Oh and by the way....it was one of McCains bills recently passed with another Republican, that allowed them to go shopping and spend the others money for Ms. Palin)

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Cindy B. Oct 23, 2008, 6:47pm EDT

Men and Women have alway's been judged by what they wear. You don't go to a job interview in rag's...In cave man day's, I am sure the best outfit was as many pelt's you could starp to your ass. =p

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Julia Star Oct 23, 2008, 7:08pm EDT

People said Michelle Obama looked nice in a $143 dress and she did. I dress professionally and I don't have to spend $150,000 to do it. She could have worn the same suit twice, changed the look up with different blouses, etc. and she would have been walking the walk instead of just talking the jive talk. She wants it both ways.

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Carla G. Oct 23, 2008, 7:13pm EDT

Don't you remember the grief that John Edwards took for his $400 haircut?

And Jack, we women can dress ourselves very well for much less than that. She portrays herself as just like us common folks and yet probably most of us don't even make $150,000 a year.

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