21 SEP 06: FROM HAIR TO NOVEMBER

Something simply didn't look right. When I saw the latest campaign commercial for Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, it seemed unusual - but at first I wasn't sure why. Maybe it's because I keep waiting for ads which go way beyond Mark Taylor walking backwards....

Then Wednesday, it finally hit me. The new "Sonny-Do" campaign commercial looks different, because of Sonny Perdue's wife. Mary Perdue has a very different look, compared to when she moved into the governor's mansion in 2003. Before you jump to conclusions - no, I did NOT receive any botox prescriptions anonymously in the mail.

What Mary Perdue has changed for this election year is her hairstyle. She's now flowing at the shoulders, which is quite a change from a few years ago. The first lady's web page shows how she looked in 2003 - which I'm tempted to say was something Melissa Ethridge might find attractive.

Think back four years, and you'll probably have a hard time remembering how Mary Perdue looked during that campaign for governor. After all, Sonny Perdue was such an underdog that even he didn't receive much publicity. Why, Roy Barnes's dog seemed to show up more in TV commercials.

Online evidence indicates Mary Perdue started growing out her hair early this year. A February photo from a Republican women's conference shows a slightly longer look. And in an election year, I suppose the last thing the G.O.P. wants is a candidate's wife accused of loving short cuts....

It's common for political candidates to have consultants, advising them about everything from their speeches to their clothing. Do you think some Republican advised Mary Perdue to change her hairstyle, to look more feminine in this campaign? Is this really where the phrase "Sonny 'do" came from?

Mary Perdue's not the only person making a hair adjustment in this election year. Did you notice at Tuesday's Columbus Council meeting, incumbent candidate Nathan Suber seemed to be growing a beard? He could be imitating what hockey players do during the playoffs - you don't shave until you either win it all, or get eliminated.

On the other hand, Councilor Mimi Woodson seems to be going in the opposite election. She trimmed her hair a couple of inches several weeks ago. But she's unopposed for another term in November - so you might say the hair pressure is down for her.

What's that you're saying? What do you mean I'm making a big campaign fuss over nothing, by analyzing candidates' hair? I'd argue recent election history shows otherwise -- but to be honest, all the style changes haven't seemed to hurt Hillary Rodham Clinton's career.

BLOG UPDATE: Here's a follow-up to Monday's topic, which is the focus of our current Big Blog Question. The Can Man apparently DID show up and take the beer cans away from my apartment complex. But that pile of tires is still along the Riverwalk - so apparently South Commons needs a Rubber Maid.

Not much thrilled us from the Wednesday news (as you already might have guessed from our main topic), so let's cut things short today and send some Instant Messages:

+ To the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: Wednesday's front page with the headline "EXPOSED" was a good start. Now all you have to do is reduce the size of your pages, and you'll be a real tabloid.

+ To the staff at St. Elmo Elementary School: I think it's finally time to do it. Cash in on all the publicity over that new doll, and make "Tickle Me Elmo" your mascot.

+ To the landscaping crew I saw working on the Riverwalk Wednesday evening, between Golden Park and the Civic Center: Didn't I see you there just last Saturday night? You're trimming the grass twice in four days -- in September? Now I'm wondering if President Bush is about to come to town....

+ To the Bob Riley for Governor reelection campaign in Alabama: What do you mean, Lucy Baxley "failed to do her job" by not casting a State Senate tie-breaking vote in April? Is your staff really doing ITS job, by not bringing up the vote for five months?

+ To the Atlanta Falcons: Are you kidding?! Was the best kicker out there really 46-year-old Morten Andersen? Was Mick Luckhurst too busy with British TV sportscasts, to come out of retirement?

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