The winds of change in Washington?

What women need: a female politician who dabs on lipstick before kicking ass in a debate on foreign policy.

Right now, most female politicians chop their hair short and pull on dark suits, in an attempt to fit in with all the boys on Capitol Hill. Rather, we need a woman who doesn't care that magazine will write about her Versace handbag and yet manages to be forceful and intelligent without coming across as arrogant or bitchy.

We got a lot of forcefulness from Hillary Clinton, though she traded the pink and purple pant suits for more neutral colors later in the campaign, and she had to work against the reputation of having a wealthy, well-connected family and a husband who can't keep his mouth (or his fly) shut.

We got a lot of nice designer clothes out of Sarah Palin, but she lacked the tact to realize the ridiculousness of a shout-out to friends during a presidential debate. The wink only made the gesture, and her campaign, more absurd.

With Caroline Kennedy seeking Hillary's Senate position, I have to wonder: would it make any difference to put a female back in that seat?

After all, black suits are the only thing she's been wearing, and she looks just like the rest of 'em.