I don't know if this story is getting much play nationally, but the U.S. Senate race in North Carolina just got really ugly.

Incumbent Senator Elizabeth Dole has been in a shockingly tight race with Democrat Kay Hagan, who really didn't have much of a statewide profile until this campaign. But polls show Hagan with a lead.

So earlier this week, the Dole camp came up with an ad that strongly implies Hagan is an atheist. Except she's not - she's an ordained elder at a Presbyterian church, where she's been an active member for 30 years. Hagan has filed a ceast & desist order and has taped her own ad denouncing Dole's attack.

It's one thing to distort your opponent's platform or voting record. Like it or not, just about every candidate for higher office (from both parties) is guilty of that. At some level, it's just part of the rough 'n' tumble game of politics.

But challenging a candidate's personal religious beliefs traditionally has been considered off-limits - and for good reason. It's dirty pool. And in this case, it's an outright lie. I think this ad is going to backfire on Dole big-time.

I mean, I'm sure Barack Obama isn't buying his suits off the rack at KMart.

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You are correct.  His suits are are from Hart Schaffner Marx and he buys his own.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-thu-obama-suit-au g28,0,3593154.story

I honestly don't see a difference between Palin's wardrobe budget and the parties spending millions to stage a campaign, buy TV ads, put up billboards and yard signs, etc.

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I do. One is campaigning and getting your message out. What message is Palin putting out? Your one of the few Republicans I talk to that I honestly respect your opinion, Bruce. But I think you're off on this one. I just don't see how you can compare the two.

I have no problem with Palin buying expensive clothes. If it was her own money. I heard a lot of bitching on another forum about Cindy McCain's outfit for the Republican National Convention costing over $300,000. And even if I feel that is an insane amount of money, it was her own money and thus a non-issue with me.

Yeah, except they don't base their entire platform on spreading the wealth.   That's all he's been preaching lately yet we see how he spreads his own.  Or doesn't.

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Well, his entire platform isn't based on spreading the wealth but anyway....

The reporter even says they have no evidence that Obama even knows these alleged family members are in the U.S. I think I'll wait for a little more proof till I pass judgement.

I think this ad is going to backfire on Dole big-time.

I certainly hope it does.

I'm so tired of "Religious people should vote for _______" campaigns.  I'm tired of people hearing that someone's Christian, and then just rolling over to buy whatever they're selling.

It's mind-boggling that it can cost $150,000 to dress a woman well.

It doesn't. 

That's part of the point.  It's a metaphor of the greed, avarice and hypocrisy that runs rampant in the "Jim and Tammy Faye" version of the GOP.