Lois Frankel, running for Florida governor, scans the room. Chanel jackets, Nordstrom pantsuits, wide-necked Lane Bryant silk shells, a dining room full of Talbots disciples. Forty-three ladies and their manicured nails fondle American flags pinned to their lapels — those God Bless America and Protect Our Troops brooches. Moussed up, sprayed up, subtly bouffanted, the women re-lacquer their lips while tuxedoed boys whisk away the carcasses of their buffet lunch.

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