As NewsBusters reported, Ann Romney got mercilessly attacked last week for having the unmitigated audacity to wear a $990 shirt on television.
On CNN's Reliable Sources Sunday, Thomson Reuters' Chrystia Freeland said this was "fair" and "fine" because "Michelle Obama gets bashed if she wears expensive clothes" (video follows with transcript and commentary):
HOWARD KURTZ, HOST: Chrystia, what about the other burning issue, the fact that Ann Romney went on CBS this morning and it was noted that she was wearing a $990 shirt. Is it fair for the press to keep bringing this up? OK. They're wealthy. We get it.
CHRYSTIA FREELAND, THOMSON REUTERS: Yes, sure. Sure, it's fair. I mean, Michelle Obama gets bashed if she wears expensive clothes. So, yes, I think that's fine.
Really? I challenge Freeland to show examples of non-conservative media members bashing Mrs. Obama for wearing expensive clothes.
From what I've seen, the first lady gets fawned and gushed over for whatever she puts on.
As for Kurtz, he seemed just "fine" with Freeland's answer and quickly moved on to another subject:
I guess that settled that.
According to CNN's Reliable Sources, it's "fair" and "fine" to attack Mrs. Romney's attire because "Michelle Obama gets bashed if she wears expensive clothes."
So don't be at all surprised when it continues to happen - to Mrs. Romney, of course! - for the next six months.
Nice media analysis there, Howie. You're a real pro.
