This is tough. I see some strong pluses for both Rudy and Hillary. First, I have to give thumbs-up to Rudy for making a boldly feminine statement in a take-no-prisoners pink number. The flounces and ruffles have a definite "I am woman, hear me roar' sensibility. Hillary sticks with a pretty but rather corporate blue dress, perfectly acceptable, but nothing that got my pulse going.

I call the smackdown a draw on the accessorizing. While Rudy has some kind of spangly necklace on (hard to tell in the photo), Hillary stays with a simple gold necklace that sets off that famous demure cleavage. But Rudy's elegant white gloves add some Jackie-style glamour to his ensemble.

Hair? That has to go to Rudy with those knock-out blonde goddess tresses. My goodness, he could give Gwen Stefani a run for the Oscar for best blonde hair. He's got "the look," while Hillary doesn't say much to me with her 'do.

Finally, pulling it all together. Rudy shows real joy in his gal look, and I think he'd bring that enthusiasm to the White House, especially official events where he might want to "let his hair down" and break out the flouncy wear. That would make a powerful impression on, oh, the Saudi royal family.

HIllary, on the posiitive side, has that "natural woman" look, something Rudy has difficulty pulling off, as the photographs show. Hillary brings some indefinable je ne se quois, if you will, to her look, a certain softness and grace that, try as I might, I can't quite locate in Rudy. Given time, he might tone down the flamboyance for a more understated, classical look. Plus, Hillary has the cleavage thing down pat (which reminds me of a bad joke from the Nixon era, but that's for another time).

So, my informed judgment in the Ultimate Hot Chick Smackdown: Rudy wins for fabulousness, Hillary gets the nod for believability. But hey, after the Iowa caucuses they could trade styles.