Below the belt?

Sarah Palin's go-to consignment shop, Out of the Closet in Anchorage, Alaska, has been threatened with copyright infringement by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which runs thrift shops on the West Coast by the same name. Oh, and they also want her clothes.

Palin's infamous $150,000 campaign wardrobe, the foundation says, should go to its shops after the Nov. 4 election to help fund care for AIDS patients.   

"In addition to raising funds for the care and treatment of thousands of people with AIDS in the U.S. and around the globe, several 'Out of the Closet' sites also serve as free HIV and STD testing centers,"  says Michael Weinstein, president of the foundation, in Monday's arm-twisting press release. "We value our good name and as such, have sent a 'cease and desist' letter to the independent for-profit resale shop operating under our 'Out of the Closet' name in Alaska."

That'll win hearts and minds, Mike! Suing a small-town schmatte dealer.

He continues:

"In California, AHF's 'Out of the Closet' chain has benefited from high-profile donations including props and clothing from Director Tim Burton's film 'Mars Attacks!,' items from 'Selena,' the film biography on the late Tejana superstar, and clothing and props from the television shows 'Buffy, the Vampire Slayer' and 'The X Files.'"

All of which are indistinguishable from Sarah Palin's campaign wardrobe. Mike, I'm bleeding!

(Photo courtesy Getty Images)