My mother always told me it was a bad idea to talk politics with people you don’t know very, very well. Heck, my parents wouldn’t even tell ME which party they supported, although it didn’t take much to figure it out. And in journalism – the career in which I spent the last decade – there’s an unwritten rule about political views: You don’t have them. At least not publicly.

But let’s forget all that. While I’m not exactly a pundit, I’m going to go out on a limb here – in front of thousands of readers, no less – and make an endorsement anyway.

I support the right to bare arms, and I am unabashedly pro-choice (the more choices, the better, which is why I often shop online). My foreign policy experience relies heavily on free trade with Europe, especially France (Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent) and Italy (Prada, Gucci). On the other end of the spectrum, my love for Target would imply an equally important trade link with China. I can’t see any of these countries from any part of Maine, even if I were to stand on the top of Mount Katahdin on a clear day. But I can see them in my closet, and that’s fine by me.

Yes, these are tough economic times. And we need to make sacrifices – all of us – to get America back on track. But we also need to shop – though I did not invent the stimulus package, I wish I had. This, dear readers, is why I endorse election-inspired spending. Not by Obama and McCain, mind you. But by you, the consumer. And me, ShopGirl.

And it’s so easy this year. I mean, you can get “Vote” undies at Victoria’s Secret, for crying out loud ($7.50). That’s what I call the body politic.

Elephants and donkeys may not have much in common, but they’ll both agree that A. Tierney’s political pendants are adorable. These enamel baubles come on your choice of Obama, McCain or Vote, and you can jazz them up with a red, white or blue cord. Pendants cost $28; cords are $10, all at www.atierney.com. In the same vein, but a bit more understated, is Amanda K. Lockrow’s copper and silver Vote pendant. It’s $40 online at www.amandaklockrowjewelry.com.

For the boys, Bonobos has introduced two new pairs of pants: the McCains and the Obamas. On Monday, the Obamas were outselling the McCains by 2 to 1, but frankly, they’re both navy blue, and they both send a message of change to the pants-wearing public. The Bonobos platform is simple: no droopy “khaki diaper butt,” in the words of one ABC reporter. And while their $120 price tag may not look so hot when the Dow is under 10,000, the pants do look hot. Period. Available at www.bonobos.com.

Men and women of all (stars and) stripes will think the Wear Your Music America bracelet rocks the vote. Made of red, white and blue guitar strings, the bracelets retail for $9.99. Proceeds benefit MusiCares, and the bracelets are available for a limited time at www.wearyourmusic.org. American Eagle’s limited-edition Vote T is equally cool.

Feeling partisan? Obama supporters can find Obama Bags – totes adorned with Warholesque images of Barack Obama – for $12 to $34 at www.obamabags.com. McCain supporters – or Republicans in general – can get engraved stationery from Dempsey and Carroll that features an elegant elephant ($45-$55 per box at www.dempseyandcarroll.com). Campaign.com has gear for everyone – from Palin Power girly T-shirts to a black-and-white Obama poster reminiscent of a young JFK. You can even pick up a Yoda ’08 T-shirt if all of the negative advertising has you down.

Speaking of dirty politics, KALA Style has the perfect antidote: “Feel Good: Vote” soap ($7.50 at Yo Mamma’s Home in Belfast). This is just the thing if you support clean elections. Feeling bipartisan, nonpartisan, or simply private, like my family? Grab party-school gear from Maine’s own www.ElectoralCollegeUSA.com.

As for me, I’m throwing my support behind the mighty shopping dollar, like a true fashion patriot. Like Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama, I’m all about change. I change at least twice a day, sometimes three or four times. And if I had to spend four years dealing with failed wardrobe policies, I’d move to Canada.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329, or by fax to 941-9476. For exclusive online shopping tips, visit http://shopblogbdn.blogspot.com.