Ah, it warms the hackles o' me heart to see the candidates for our great state's governor framing their debate on important, substantive issues.

Case in point: where should you buy your car?

Scary thought #1: Brian Schweitzer making a rookie move by actually buying his vehicle out of state. When you're running for gov, Mr. Schweitzer, you buy everything in state; you do whatever it takes to make sure you're not handing ammo to your opponent and saying, "Here you go--shoot me." Something tells me Mr. Schweitzer will invite his opponent to shoot him many times during this campaign.

Scary thought #2: The Bob Brown/Dave Lewis team riding Mr. Schweitzer's bone-head move for all it's worth and more. As the article in the "Billings Gazette" says:

(Bob) Brown's running mate, Dave Lewis, restaged a two-week-old photo opportunity at Chevrolet of Helena as he stood by 2004 green Chevy pickup that he said he bought there recently. "Brian has been talking about building businesses," Lewis said. "I just didn't know he was talking about businesses in Idaho."

Lewis said he's proud to buy locally, adding: "As a candidate for lieutenant governor, I know I can't sell Montana and Montana products if I sell out by spending my money out of state."

Can you say "publicity slut"? It sounds like the Brown/Lewis camp has already squeezed 500 miles out of a 50-mile opportunity with this one.

At the very least, we've picked up a few pointers on car buying. And Ralph Nader isn't even in the race.