WOMAN UP!

Men shouldn't have all the fun in politics

Time to step it up, ladies.

Jenny Sanford, the soon-to-be ex-first lady of South Carolina, left, used one of her last official events to urge more Republican women to run for office.

“;We have the power to change the course our state and nation are on by being involved, and making sure other common-sense, conservative women are involved as well,”; the Web site Politico quoted her as saying.

The former investment banker, who ran her soon-to-be ex-husband Mark Sanford's successful gubernatorial campaign, seems to be mulling a political career of her own. While she's interested in boosting the GOP, her words are equally true of women who lean another way.

Bottom line: There's no reason the political arena should be dominated by men.

LUCKY CHARM

Take a chance on me, take a chance on $10

How's this tidbit for the annals of superstitious gamblers from Hawaii to Vegas? Asked about a legislative proposal about paying $10 up front in lieu of state taxes on a possible big win later, some Hawaii gamblers heading to the “;Ninth Island”; saw it as a potential good luck charm.

“;How often do we win?”; mused Nadine Shibata, who was leaving on a jet plane to Vegas last week. “;But maybe if we pay the fee, that will make us money.”;

State Sen. Clarence Nishihara says the idea has support among constituents upset that the Legislature yanked the state tax deduction for gambling losses to offset winnings. Ten bucks, then, might well be a good hedge bet. Sure beats packing all those lucky-frog undergarments.