No one would argue that it's easy being John Faso. Certainly, not the GOP nominee for governor himself. He's a conservative Republican in a berry-blue state, he's running against a man who wants to be the next FDR, and he had to stage a scrappy underdog campaign to get this terrible gig in the first place. Kierkegaard described such an endeavor as a teleological suspension of the ethical that places faith in the absurd. Great if you chomp baguettes and wear berets. Not so hot if you're a supply-sider with anchorman hair.

And, yet, Faso struggles on. It's what teleology suspenders do.

This week, at an American Legion post in Colonie, New York, Faso opened the "Tax Relief Now" tour, highlighting his signature issue of stimulating the lagging upstate economy by cutting taxes and scaling back intrusive government regulation. Views may differ on the policy, but considering that Faso has less name recognition than the third band on a three-band bill at Arlene's Grocery on a Tuesday, the plan could use a catchier name. Like one of these:

• The Faso-Nation tour
• The Fas, Ass, and Grass tour
• The Hey, I'm Over Here. To the Right. No, WAY to the Right tour
• The Yeah, I'm Kinda Crazy With the Tax Cuts But Who Needs Schools and Roads Anyway tour
• The Render Unto Spitzer tour
• The Back in Black tour (Already taken by AC/DC)
• The Lisa Santangelo! Appearing Here! One Night Only! tour