Is it really more important to look marvelous than to be marvelous? -- The Republican National Committee must think that looks really are that important, since they have spent around $150,000 on clothing and accessories for Sarah Palin and her family.

Since the money comes from the RNC, which is funded solely by private donations, and not from the McCain Campaign, which receives federal money, such an expenditure is legal.

Even so, such an expenditure might seem extreme.  But you should recall that in 2000, Al Gore paid Naomi Wolf up to $15,000 a month so she could teach him how to be an "alpha male." Her sage advice included, among other things, convincing Gore to wear "earth tones."

No word as of yet how much Michelle Obama's designer outfits are worth, or who paid for them.