Republican John McCain's campaign defended vice presidential running mate Sarah Palin today over the controversy involving $150,000 in clothes purchased by the Republican Party for her and her family's use.
News of the purchases of designer clothes, largely from upscale Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, contrasts with the folksy image Ms Palin has crafted as a down-to-earth working mother with small town values.
The clothes were purchased for Ms Palin and her family for use if needed during the Republican nominating convention in September.
Mr Palin herself began the defence yesterday, blaming gender bias.
"I think Hillary Clinton was held to a different standard in her primary race," Ms Palin told the Chicago Tribune.
“Do you remember the conversations that took place about her, say superficial things that they don’t talk about with men, her wardrobe and her hairstyles, all of that? That’s a bit of that double standard.”
Referring to the criticism she has had to endure, Mrs Palin said: “It’s kind of painful to be criticised for something when all the facts are not out there and are not reported.
“That whole thing is just, bad!” she said. “Oh, if people only knew how frugal we are.”
The McCain campaign, after first deciding not to engage in a public discourse about the clothes, decided to provide more details about them - along with some scathing criticism of the news media.
"Governor Palin did not ask for or want any new clothes," said McCain senior adviser Nicolle Wallace.
"About a third of them have been returned, a third of them sit in the belly of the plane and are available to her and her family for special campaign events, TV appearances and ad filming," Ms Wallace said. "Another third was made available to her family for the public events during convention week."
Ms Wallace said the media storm about Ms Palin's wardrobe was a terrible disservice to her and said there seemed to be a "double-standard" for women in politics.
"That any aspect of her shoes, clothes or appearance has become a distraction is a terrible commentary on the state of the media and politics. Let's get on with our great debate about the best direction for the country in these challenging times for our economy and our nation's security," she said.