Women are graced with a supernatural gift that allows them to size up another woman simply by looking at her clothes. Men have a similar knack. We judge each other by our cars.

The male car gauge isn't as accurate as the clothes telepathy women have -- Doppler radar isn't that precise -- but it's pretty good.

I read Auto Week and Low Rider magazines to keep my car/character assessment skills sharp. After all, one's vehicle isn't merely transportation; it's a reflection of the soul.

Now my auto intuition faces its biggest challenge. The Associated Press asked presidential contenders, "What car or cars do you drive?" Here's my take on what the cars of the candidates reveal:

DELAWARE SEN. JOE BIDEN: 1967 Corvette -- No surprise here. Like his politics, Biden's taste in automobiles seems firmly grounded in the 1960s.

SEN. SAM BROWNBACK OF KANSAS: Ford Taurus in Washington and Honda Civic hybrid in Kansas -- This guy is smart and not because he drives a high-tech Honda. Grand Theft Auto is more than a video game in D.C. Brownback employs the best defense against getting a car lifted in the nation's capital -- drive one nobody wants to steal.

NEW YORK SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: "For security reasons, we drive in Secret Service vehicles, but the Service lets us use a Ford hybrid when we're home in New York." I can see Hillary zipping down to the Quickie-Mart in a hybrid, but not Bill. The Escape isn't exactly a chick magnet. Hmmm, maybe Hillary is the smartest woman in the world.

SEN. CHRIS DODD OF CONNECTICUT: 2007 Ford Escape hybrid -- The politically popular Escape hybrid is perfect for a man whose career has been spent riding the bandwagon.

FORMER NORTH CAROLINA SEN. JOHN EDWARDS: Ford Escape hybrid -- The Edwards ride is probably the smallest item on his Orange County estate.

FORMER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR RUDY GIULIANI: "I don't drive, I navigate." Not good. There's nothing more American than getting behind the wheel of car. Electing a non-driver to the presidency is about as unthinkable as the NRA being led by a person who's afraid of guns.

FORMER ARKANSAS GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe and 1995 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck -- If Dale Earnhardt license plates adorn these vehicles, I'd follow Huckabee into war.

REP. DUNCAN HUNTER OF CALIFORNIA: "Suburban with 274,000 miles on it." Ah, a true environmentalist. Here's a man who doesn't throw away vehicles.

OHIO REP. DENNIS KUCINICH: Ford Focus compact -- This fits. Bling is not part of the Kucinich lifestyle. He still lives in the house he grew up in.

ARIZONA SEN. JOHN MCCAIN: Cadillac CTS, a midsize luxury sedan -- Life has come full circle. McCain once made fun of the retirement community Leisure World by calling it "Seizure World." Now he drives a car that would be right at home in any retirement center parking lot.

SEN. BARACK OBAMA OF ILLINOIS: Chrysler 300C -- Obama's new-generation appeal is no longer his most distinguishable feature. It's his car. How many of the people you know drive a Chrysler?

NEW MEXICO GOV. BILL RICHARDSON: "Jeep Wrangler, although my security doesn't like me to drive." -- This doesn't ring true. No self-respecting Wrangler owner hangs up the keys because Security said so.

FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOV. MITT ROMNEY: 2005 Ford Mustang convertible -- This man is nothing if not understated. Romney could afford a garage full of exotics, yet drives a car you'd give your kid for college.

COLORADO REP. TOM TANCREDO: Toyota Prius hybrid, Cadillac, Mercedes, Buick -- Interesting. Mr. "Close The Borders" is the only presidential candidate to own two foreign brand cars. Protecting the American worker appears to have its limits.

No matter your politics, always buckle up and vote responsibly.

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