Thain didn't get criticized for hiring Michael Smith to redecorate his office. He was criticized for spending 1.2 million to redecorate his office. The Obamas are spending $100,000 to redecorate their entire living quarters.

Rumors, lies, and distortions are cheap and easy ways of scoring points, but they are still rumors, lies, and distortions, and they say far more about the people who spread them than they do about those about whom they are being spread.