Hot Body Politic

It's probably not a great campaign slogan, but Tennessee Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn can claim the title of the "Hottest Woman in U.S. Politics." She won the superlative in an online poll of politics1.com readers.

It's probably not a great campaign slogan, but Tennessee Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn can claim the title of the "Hottest Woman in U.S. Politics." She won the superlative in an online poll of politics1.com readers.

The tasteless survey pitted a field of five Democrats and five GOPers. Ms. Blackburn, 52, edged out second-place winner South Dakota Rep. Stephanie Herseth, 18 years her junior. Michigan State Sen. Gretchen Whitmer rounded out the top three. This was one poll where name recognition apparently didn't play a big role -- witness the showings of Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu, who finished ninth and tenth respectively.

Our apologies for not being able to report the results of the men's competition, which ends later today (though D.C. City Council candidate Sam Brooks is winning). Politics1.com, which bills itself as a "nonpartisan" Web site for political-news junkies, is the handiwork of Ron Gunzburger, who describes himself as a lawyer in the Broward County Property Appraiser's Office. Next month he plans to feature a "Worst Hair in Congress" poll. Visitors are invited to "nominate your favorite comb-overs, cheap hairpieces and overall tonsorial nightmares in the House and Senate." Chester A. Arthur is reportedly hoping for a rule change to allow posthumous entries.

-- Christian Knoebel