Foxy

Amidst all this pesky economic turmoil, partisan bickering, and "the-world's-on-the-verge-of-disaster" hysteria, I've been keeping afloat by daydreaming about a certain CNN newswoman. That woman, of course, is non other than Campbell Brown.

This savvy minx has become my favorite news-queen, dethroning the once-fiery Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC fame, who has become far too sugar-coated and obnoxious for my liking. So yeah, I'll admit, Brown's "Election Centre" is a fairly typical, uninspired show with the usual cast of CNN hacks and quacks. But what it lacks in originality it makes up for in eye-candy and spunk, thanks to the always-shimmering Brown.

OK, I'll confess yet again: Brown's allure ultimately comes from her fierce duels with John McCain's never ending band of misinformed misfits. My love affair began mere weeks ago when Brown, possessed with an undeniable hotness and a fact sheet, completely owned McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds (Aside: Why are so many bratty Republicans named Tucker?). It was a fantastic display of charm and wit - well, on Campbell's part anyway. She mocked Sarah Palin's credentials and exposed the entire charade in a sweetly destructive fashion.

Swoon.

Then, the other day, Brown began a humorously silly - but totally awesome because it's Campbell Brown - "Free Sarah Palin" campaign. Charged with feminine fury, she chastised the McCain campaign's sheltering of their much vaunted Moose-Maiden from the ever-scary Press corps:

"Tonight I call on the McCain campaign to stop treating Sarah Palin like she is a delicate flower that will wilt at any moment," said Brown. "This woman is from Alaska for crying out loud. She is strong. She is tough. She is confident. And you claim she is ready to be one heart beat away form the presidency. If that is the case, then end this chauvinistic treatment of her now. Allow her to show her stuff. Allow her to face down those pesky reporters... Let her have a real news conference with real questions. By treating Sarah Palin different from the other candidates in this race, you are not showing her the respect she deserves. Free Sarah Palin. Free her from the chauvinistic chain you are binding her with. Sexism in this campaign must come to an end. Sarah Palin has just as much a right to be a real candidate in this race as the men do. So let her act like one."

Ouch. Now, I'm not one for "girl-power, you go girl, holla sister" cheer-leading, but I was inspired. It was like Eowyn slaying the Witch King or, um, some other great moment in the history of women, all other examples of which I am unfamiliar with. Sadly.