There is an unwritten rule in politics. Typically, it is captured in the phrase, “Never be caught wearing a funny hat.”

Hats at times are acceptable fashion statements for men and women, but a hat too often captures a politician’s most awkward moments.

The 2008 presidential contest already has had funny-hat incidents — and the general election is months away.

Fred Thompson, who at one time went through the motions of running for president, found himself photographed in safety glasses and a green hard hat. The political punditry circuit came alive, however, with comments about his appearance. Several months later, when the former Tennessee senator refused to don a fireman’s hat for a quick photo opportunity, he invoked the funny-hat rule. He did not elaborate, but anyone who has covered a campaign or been involved in a campaign knows the rule.

Those who suggest that a politician don a hat often are upset when the politician hesitates or cites or creates a health reason for not wearing the adornment. The notion that a picture is worth a thousand words is etched in every snapshot of a politician in an oversized hat or with an oversized head.

Two recent presidential campaign images remain as symbols of bad hat days, but the practice of politicians caught in inappropriate haberdashery goes back at least as far as President Calvin Coolidge in an Indian headdress.

Minnie Pearl, the longtime Grand Ole Opry star, made a living off wearing a hat with a hanging price tag. She wore the tagged hat to make people laugh with her, but most politicians end up with people laughing at them from their hat-wearing moments.

John Jay Hooker, a perennial Tennessee candidate, always was seen wearing a white hat that complemented his trademark white suit. The gold watch chain that stretched from one vest pocket to the other probably deflected attention from his fedora. There were reasons other than a hat to recall Mr. Hooker.

Two national candidates were immortalized by their choice of headgear.

Mike Dukakis, a former Massachusetts governor and Democratic presidential nominee in 1988, and Sen. John Kerry, D-Pa., and 2004 presidential nominee, are in the funny hat hall of fame.

Mr. Dukakis, for whatever reason, provided his Kodak moment in a tank with a commander’s leather hat adorning his dome. He appeared to be more of a past-era football player than a serious presidential contender. The picture-worth-a-thousand-word test was passed by Mr. Dukakis.

Next came Sen. Kerry, who also for an unknown reason chose to don an outfit with a hat that resembled a protective product, and climbed through a medical tube. When he came out the other end, there were the photographers to capture his moment.

Years ago, Tennessee Sen. Howard Baker, a Republican, appeared at an event for Sen. Harrison Schmidt. For those who may not recall the New

Mexico Republican geologist/astronaut, the slogan that beat him was “what on earth has he done?”

At a New Mexico campaign stop in 1982, Sen. Baker was handed a large, 10-gallon cowboy hat. Sen. Schmidt asked the Senate majority leader to put it on. The diminutive Sen. Baker, who is 5 feet 6 inches on a good day, gracefully declined, handing it to an aide standing nearby. Had he put on the hat, the ensuing photograph surely would have gone in the political funny hat hall of fame.

The late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, running for president in 1968, was asked to put on a hat. He declined at the moment but said if he was successful in his White House bid, he would do so then.

Sen. Barack Obama, the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, found himself in a verbal crossfire over a picture that showed him in Kenyan garb, hat included. Some wanted to use the picture for political gain. Thus, the Illinois senator learned a valuable lesson: Everything is fair game in politics.

When Sen. Baker recently was honored with flowers by the Japanese, there was a “no funny hat” pause. But in this instance, the flowery name of the award was representative of a civilian honor bestowed by the emperor of Japan. The actual donning was a sash with a medallion.

Politicians who enjoy the opportunity to appear natural sometimes pay the price when the picture does not lie and the funny hat returns.

The standoff between politicians and photographers, particularly those of a political nature, is the best cat-and-mouse encounter.

To reach Tom Griscom, call (423) 757-6472 or e-mail tgriscom@timesfreepress.com.

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