By Matt Schofield, Kansas City Star Editorial columnist

It's been called the "prostitute poster" by critics, and clever campaigning by fans.

But a couple things are pretty clear: Vera Lengsfeld's campaign for a parliamentary seat for Berlin got a definite boost from a bit of chest thumping.

And a rather boring election just got a little hotter.

The campaign photo is pretty unambiguous.
Lengsfeld is photographed next to the now (in)famous photo of her party head, Angela Merkel.

Merkel, in the photo, is wearing the formal gown that made at least parts of her famous internationally. While appropriate for the Wagner festival she was attending in southern Germany at the time, it shows a lot more cleavage than usually seen from a head of state.

In her campaign poster, Lengsfeld also wears a formal gown, and also is showing a lot of cleavage.

Both women are members of the Christian Democrats, the ruling center right party, and expected victors in the upcoming September 27 elections.

The slogan on the poster: "We've got more to offer."

Lengsfeld's reply when questioned about the ads' propriety?

"What is sexist about two women in evening gowns?"