http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx By Mike Barnicle Math has never been my strong suit. And I have difficulty balancing my check book. But you don't have to be Stephen Hawking to figure out that A. Nancy Pelosi's outfit cost more than the average American paid for their first homeen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39332Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:32:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39332Karon Tracy, Houston, TXTo be fair, Laura Bush's suit cost more than Nancys!http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39448Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:45:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39448Elaine Helminiak, Swanton, OHHey Mike, I do not care how much Nancy pays for her clothes as long as she does her job the way it should be done and stops the double talk in Congress. If she does that I think most Americans would not bat an eye at her choice of clothes and there cost. The last Speaker looked as if he slept in his clothes and he did a lousy job in Congress and led the most corrupt and lazy Congress ever. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39454Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:45:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39454Bob Schuh, Avondale, AZHey Mike, How come suddenly the pundits now refer to the costs of Pelosi's outfits and have never hinted at the costs of the men's suits and ties? What do you 'spose George and Dick spent to outfit themselves for the gala?http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39460Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:46:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39460Teresa, Grandville, MIWhy does this remind me of Oz - "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain." Does the President really think he can distract us from the mess in Iraq by dragging out some tired old domestic issues? Forget social security - the whole govenment will be bankrupt paying for Iraq if he gets his way.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39462Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:46:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39462Jennifer, Huntington, INApparently math is not their strong suit either. I'm having "No new taxes" flash backs. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39468Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:47:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39468H StewartI agree absolutely about the ridiculous assertion that we can simultaneously enlarge the war and balance the budget without raising taxes. As for the costly outfit of Speaker Pelosi, it is clear to me that V.P. Cheney's handmade suit probably cost three times that of Ms. Pelosi's rather "ordinary" one. Why bring up the cost of the Speaker's clothes now, when we are in "existential" crisis, according to some? Did anyone question the cost of DeLay's or Hastert's or Tip O'Neill's suits?http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39481Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:48:48 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39481Betty, Mt. Laurel, NJHey Mike. I'm a fan of yours. But that's going to change if you keep talking about Nancy Pelosi's outfits. You think those are cheap suits on the VP or the President? I think not. And it has nothing to do with the fact that Bush lives in fairy-tale land.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39491Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:49:54 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39491MFK, NHThat's the point!!!! These speeches (or most political speeches) seem to make assumptions that NOBODY os paying attention. So....am I to understand that while we need Trillions to finance the operation of this country, the best REPS can come up with is to say -- 'thanks, but no thanks' to revenue?http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39493Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:50:21 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39493rand pittsburgh pa.really throughin the cowdung around now dang iraq bs.. such a waste for our youth !!http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39559Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:02:11 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39559MF BrownWhy not ask how much Bush's suit,tie, shirt and shoes cost? Odds on they are han tailored as cost atleast as much as Nancy Pelosi's--same for Cheney.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39627Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:14:49 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39627Jim C, Tallahassee, FL If he can do it without raising taxes, he will submit a revenue-neutral "emergency" spending bill to pay for the war he left out of the budget. I'll bet he won't. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39737Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:38:03 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39737Simone McDonald, Topeka, KSSincerely hope you have more commentary to offer than speculation about Nancy Pelosi's outfit. That was unfortunate, but irresistible, apparently. Try harder, please. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39789Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:48:22 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39789Dan D, Toronto, CanadaWhat's with all the sexist focus on Pelosi's clothing? Knock it off and treat her like you would have treated Hastert or any other man. Unless she wears something truly bizarre or otherwise noteworthy, or calls attention to her clothing herself, it's off topic K? http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39800Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:49:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39800SKshame on you for trying to break a credible woman leader by commenting on her wardrobe. What man would have to put up with that. Tell me sexism is dead! Clearly not.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39810Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:50:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39810Rob CoughlinShame on you for focusing on Ms. Pelosi's clothes. What about Bush and Cheney's suits? Your sexism is disgusting. We have plenty of important issues to discuss in this country. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39833Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:52:38 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39833Melissa Jones, Denver, Colorado That has to be the most sexist remark I've ever seen...please, talking about Nancy Pelosi's clothes!!! How much do you think Dennis Hastert's suits or any other Washington politicians clothes cost for that matter. Welcome to the 21st century! We women have jobs and college degrees now, or doesn't your cave get cable? http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39857Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:57:32 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39857Terry Mahoney 333 Oxford Rd Waukesha, WII have to add to the chorus of outrage that the cost of Nancy Pelosi's outfit recieved note - in the hisotry of state of the union addresses when has the cost of anybody's attire been commented On? As my 9 year old used ot say " Oh PUH-lease!" To add insult to injury - that portion of the comment is featuredon the crawl at the bottom of the screen. Do better.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#39949Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:11:59 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:39949Steve MarvinBarnicle should be ashamed of this intellectually offensive attempt to put the onus of economic injustice on Nancy Pelosi's wardrobe rather than in the lap of the corporate whores of the GOP. It's pathetic. Sounds like something Karl Rove asked him to blog in exchange for a fee. Then MSNBC has the gall to run it on the crawl. Shame on them.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#40002Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:19:43 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:40002Dave in Sharon, MAHey Mike, what's on your 1040 this year? http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#40014Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:22:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:40014N. CaroShame on you and Mr. Hawking to even bring up the issue of Nancy Pelosi's suit. This would not even have been mentioned if she wasn't a woman. It's 2007 people. Shame, shame. Shows there should be more women bloggers on MSNBC?http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#40108Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:37:36 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:40108Nina Koch, Sanford MEJust want to add my support to the folks who are decrying your comment about Speaker Pelosi's clothes. It was uncalled for and sexist. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#40137Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:44:51 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:40137KayMike, I really thought that you were better than this. What did you want? Would Nancy look better if she was barefoot and pregnant? We, Americans judge others by how they look. It is sad, but true. If she wore a cheap suit, everyone would focus on how tacky she dressed - by everyone I mean Tucker. Don't go here again if you value your reputation. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#40138Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:44:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:40138Laura Davis, Concord, North CarolinaSexiest and pitiful for you to mention clothing of Speaker of the House. I will make sure not to watch or connect to msnbc web page again. Get over the fact the majority of work force/ tax force are women. Smart people boycott this station and demand to see the prices of their clothes. Oh, and an apoligy for being stupid and sexiest!!!!http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#40143Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:46:19 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:40143Laura Davis, Concord, North CarolinaSexiest and pitiful for you to mention clothing of Speaker of the House. I will make sure not to watch or connect to msnbc web page again. Get over the fact the majority of work force/ tax force are women. Smart people boycott this station and demand to see the prices of their clothes. Oh, and an apoligy for being stupid and sexiest!!!!http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#40279Wed, 24 Jan 2007 05:12:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:40279Maryanne McCarthy, New Windsor, NYI like you and agree with much of what you said, but lets talk perspective,of if you are anecdoting that the clothes Nancy Pelosi wore were valued at the price of a home would the anecdote of the watch on Dick Cheneys wrist be what a Republican pays for a vacation home in Lake Tahoe ? His suit is probably only a Lexus, poor guy. Sexist does not work for you -give it up.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#40309Wed, 24 Jan 2007 05:22:33 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:40309D. Tepe, Maineville, OHAmen to the others posting before me. Mike, you might want to watch Olbermann tomorrow and see if your are one of the worst people in the world. Cracking wise about the price of the clothes of the Speaker of the House of Representatives? Unbelievably tacky. You completely devalued any other comments you made. If Speaker Pelosi were to wear a suit like the male members of the Congress, she'd be called mannish or butch. If she bought her clothes at the thrift shop, she'd be accused of looking bad, being cheap, or disrespecting the President and the country. If she had chosen bright colors, she'd have been accused of trying to distract from the President. Instead she wore appropriate clothes for the situation - and you have the nerve portray her as wantonly extravagant. She's an important woman in a position of power appearing in a national setting and your comment was imbecilic. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#40325Wed, 24 Jan 2007 05:33:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:40325Pat McCarthy, Easton, CTI've enjoyed your columns in the past, but what were you thinking by commenting on her clothing? Jeez, if people are looking at the Speaker, they're looking at facial expressions, not the cut of her suit. Why not comment on Condi or Hillary's or Cheney's outfit while you're at it? http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#40514Wed, 24 Jan 2007 13:37:59 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:40514Lila PerillouxIt's quite typical for a man to criticize a woman's appearance (in this case, clothing) when he has nothing of merit to say. I can guarantee the men in Washington have wasted far more of my tax dollars than the women ever will.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39303.aspx#41022Wed, 24 Jan 2007 21:10:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:41022Andrew DoyleProbably similar to what a top female banking executive might pay for an outfit Mike?