Blonde, the official color of the GOP

I noticed an ad for a free calendar from the Clare Boothe Luce Institute which states on its website:

"Strong women leaders like Clare Boothe Luce, Margaret Thatcher, and Sarah Palin have inspired millions and impacted the world for the better."

Ignoring the fact that Palin really hasn't impacted the world, why the need to use a British woman, and how idealistically blinded do you have to be to put Palin in the same category as the Iron Lady?

On a related note I've noticed often lately that Republicans tout the beauty of the few women with clout in conservative politics (this calendar is just one more example), contrasting this with older female liberal leaders. It's not even an ideology anymore, it's a high school popularity contest.

Why does the GOP think it is right, and still somewhat gets away with, selling image over content? What will it take for those few good conservative politicians to abandon that floating shipwreck commandeered by insane ghost pirates whooping,, 'hallelujah!' and form a new party with their libertarian kin?