The more trouble John McCain’s campaign encounters, the more it highlights the cultural divide between the “real America” the Republican candidate says he represents and the Washington “cocktail party circuit” that largely disdains it.

That circuit is swelling with disaffected Republicans. Some complain about Mr McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin, whose appeal to “Joe Six-Pack” may have been dented by revelations this week that she has spent more than $150,000 (€117,000, £93,000) of other people’s money on her wardrobe. Others are upset at the negative tone of the campaign.