Hard to believe Election Day is next week and we’re not going to see any more debates. I found them quite interesting, informative and entertaining. And one, downright eye-popping.

New York City – Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) vs. Wendy Long (R). Moderator Liz Benjamin asked the women if they had read the erotic novel “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

Now that’s a question.

Long quickly said “no” with a laugh. Gillibrand, also a quick “no.” And for some reason, even the moderator felt compelled to say that she hadn’t read it either, in case anyone was wondering. Everyone, so very quick to deny.

Then the fallout was Long saying she found the question to be offensive, while Gillibrand said the only thing she found offensive was Long’s position on abortion. So now it’s a not just a question about whether you read racy books, but if you have a sense of humor. Geesh.

Irrelevant, sexist and completely inappropriate? Absolutely. I watched three presidential debates and nobody got asked about “Playboy.” Which is hugely disappointing, because I love hearing that argument about how the articles are just so darn good.

I honestly have not read this book. I decided it wasn’t my thing after a night some girlfriends came over and one of them had it on her Kindle.

Because apparently, that’s the only way you can actually get away with reading this book. She had me read four pages of it.

It was silly – silly like, every time I hear the name of that book, all I can think about is Dabney Coleman in a skydiving harness and dog collar swinging from the ceiling attached by wire to the garage-door opener in “Nine to Five.” That’s just me.

But it sends a clear message. If you’re gonna run for office you better sweep your bookshelves and nightstands. Destroy all evidence that you’re reading anything you don’t want to be asked about.

Same thing with TV habits. I’d do a big fat deletion session on my DVR. “The X Factor,” “The Daily Show,” “Revenge” and “Intervention” would not put me in a very flattering political light. And I wouldn’t want my viewing preferences played out on the national stage:

“Question for Ms. Curtis – do you watch ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey?’”

Highly alarming question, made more terrifying by the fact that they broke it down by season, making follow-up questions surely about Beverly Hills, New York, Atlanta and Miami. Political suicide.

So thank goodness for the debates. Good to know. If I decide to run for office, I’m definitely going to think about what I’m reading.

And about getting a Kindle.