Aww: Democrat Decries Release of Racy Photos

Let's look at the bright side. At least she hasn't dabbled in witchcraft, so this probably won't receive much media coverage. Although once Bill Clinton sees these photos he'll be rushing in to campaign for her.

Memo to would-be candidates for public office: beware of costume parties, especially when cameras are snapping away. Krystal Ball (yes, her real name), a Democratic candidate for Congress in Virginia, is dealing with some unwanted publicity this week -- Internet postings of her in a Santa hat and leotard that she says were taken six years ago, just after she graduated from college.

Ball, 29, is blaming her opponent, Republican Rep. Rob Wittman, saying it is all part of a smear campaign against her. But Wittman says he's opposed to the release of the photos and wants the bloggers who put them up to take them down, The Hill newspaper said Thursday.

In the pictures, Ball appears to be holding a leash attached to the neck of a guy that she says is her ex-husband. Ball says she is more angry than embarrassed. The release of the pictures is "sexist and it's wrong," The Hill quotes her as saying.

The rest of the photos are here.

She claims to be unhappy at how women are portrayed.

Krystal Ball's response is to pull a Palin: "It's incredibly sexist" and "outrageous" that these pictures have emerged. She continues: "I'm angry at the way women in this country are unfairly treated in this regard when they step up and run for office."

Tell that to Nikki Haley, Meg Whitman and Christine O'Donnell.

These photos are probably the least of her problems.