We've all had a chuckle over Paris Hilton's shot across the bow at John McCain's use of her image in his campaign ad, myself included. But as I've thought about it, I think her video is more than just a 'touche' moment that should be relegated to the level of Jib-Jab election entertainment.

No, not the wearing the bathing suit part. The part that says, "I know how to promote myself, my brand and my message."

She seized the moment not only to reinforce her current image that keeps her in the public eye, but also planted the seed that maybe she's something more.

Well, maybe she's not, but there's still a lesson for political women in this Paris Hilton video -- own your message and don't let it be co-opted by others. Granted, a Paris Hilton political video isn't the thing she's going to hang her hat on for keeping herself in the spotlight. But she found an effective and humorous way to turn a negative portrayal of herself into a huge positive.

Now, I'm not suggesting that I want to see Hillary Clinton in a tankini debating the merits of Obama's energy policy or that Nancy Pelosi should shoot a commercial sitting on a chaise by the pool and a tropical drink to talk about health care. But there is a valuable media lesson we can all learn from Paris.

Maybe I'll send her a thank you note for the reminder!