Financial markets may be in the tank, and luxury cars may be an embarrassment to hucksters, but capitalism is alive and well in niche markets where small-time entrepreneurs find ways to take advantage of fads du jour. Ben Smith today notes the following examples of campaign chic:

Maybe Jewish voters are warming up to Sarah Palin. For a mere $295 more than a John Edwards haircut, an Orthodox wigmaker is offering the “Sarah P.”

Meanwhile, a Park Slope hair salon is doing an “Updos for Obama” fundraiser.

But some sort of prize has to go to this one, for which I am grateful to my friend Dale Cannon. Dale sent me a video that I can’t now get to, but here’s another.

There are three versions of the Palin doll. Read all about them here. Too bad if you need one fast. Apparently they’re sold out.

Meanwhile, as Palin rallies continue to have all the charm of lynchings, McCain advisers are worried about their guy’s demeanor. All the negative campaigning is getting to him, some believe. He’s grumpy, seems angry all the time. Others are pooh-poohing the idea and urging that McCain reinvent himself as Ronald Reagan — ah that magical name — advising that the negative campaigning be left to Palin and the ad blitzes. One could almost feel sorry for McCain. Having run an increasingly filthy and dishonest campaign, he has put his reputation and his legacy as a public servant in jeopardy.