A clever campaign slogan is as crucial to a presidential bid as fanatic religious advisors and extramarital sex scandals. Not since “I like Ike” has there been a more catchy—or obvious—motto than “Barack the vote.” While I’ve never really been a fan of jumping on bandwagons, since my grand diva goddess queen Hillary dropped out of the race, I’ve boarded the Barackmobile.

Growing up, I was always told that inquiring about a person’s candidate of choice was like asking a woman her age—it’s something crass that you just don’t do. As times have changed and decency standards have devolved into oblivion, asking someone who they’re voting for these days is like asking where they’re from. Think outside the bumper sticker this election year and show your support for the prospective candidates by rocking either a “Barack the vote” or, if you’re one who believes McCain McCan win, a “Nobama ’08” shirt. The latter might not be as clever, but if the shirt fits, wear it.

 —Marcos Luevanos

Ain't no party like a roving bus party—unless you're on a Greyhound in Winnipeg.

Nearly everyone has a "party bus" story: guzzling root beer Schnapps during the senior prom trip or taking a blurry coach ride to Vegas with a herd of bachelors. When one boards a party bus, a tacit oath is taken: "I hereby relinquish all powers of navigation, and the decision to get away from whatever people are contained within this party bus. I also vow not to pilot this enormous vehicle. Pass me a beer, and let's get stupid."

While my last party bus experience involved an RV stocked with Absolut, a dozen strangers performing karaoke and one plush dog suit, I have yet to brave the Hippodrome, downtown L.A.'s trouble-on-wheels that launched in June and lurches through the streets during the monthly art walk. It's not hard to miss, as the reincarnated school bus is currently covered in garish graffiti and usually features people's limbs dangling out of the windows as it shuttles revelers around the galleries. The free "roving art salon," is orchestrated by local bus tour heroes Esotouric and hosts onboard musical acts, poets and tarot card reading. Plus, it has a stripper pole. Fancy!

(The Hippodrome, pre-makeover) 

They're taking submissions from artistic visionaries to give the Hippodrome a new paint job with scenes of downtown's freakshow glory days. Give them a holler if you think you'd make the cut, but don't expect any cash out of it. Among the prizes? A free party bus tour with your friends.

Catch the bus at this Thursday's art walk, and if you're still wondering where to catch that weird stop-motion "Dioscuri" film I told you about in June, they'll be performing at an event called "Possum Saloon" at the Regent that night as well. 

Anyone have any good party bus stories? Screw your Monday morning emails and post your tales below.

— Miss Alie Ward