Americans go crazy for a well-dressed man, Tayne said. Bush had been a button-down guy until he got to Michigan. Gore went from blue pinstripe to earth tones to short sleeves. And Bradley, the undertaker, wears those dark suits unless he's dressing down to shoot hoops. But a candidate's image often has more to do with his religion than his wardrobe, said Merle Black, a political scientist and professor at Emory University.
Religion can be important anywhere.
To win their parties' nominations, Republican candidates usually appeal to Christian conservatives and Democratic contenders faithfully court predominantly black churches, he said. Bush has recruited religious right leaders Ralph Reed and Pat Robertson to drum up support from the Christian conservatives. McCain responded recently by accepting the support of Christian activist and former presidential candidate Gary Bauer. N.Y. The notoriously stiff Gore adopted a rhythmic preacher-like cadence. New York could be the ultimate test for the candidates as cultural chameleons, Sabato said.