A few weeks ago I noticed my starter cranking a tiny bit slower on a hot start. I didnt think much of it.
This morning i went to start the car, it started to turn for about a half second then nothing. no clicks, nothing. also, I had no electrical power after. Windows or lights didn't work. Nothing. I disconnected the battery (I have one of those battery disconnects on the negative terminal) and went onto work.
I came home this evening,  and checked the battery. 12-13 volts. 
I reconnected the battery and i have electrical power.
I start the car and the same thing happens,  once the starter tried to move it stopped and i lost power again.
I came inside for awhile and went back out and there's still no electrical.
I would think disconnecting the battery and reconnecting it would supply power again.

Is it normal for a bad starter to wipe out electrical for a time?

Jeff, what you have is a bad connection somewhere. When trying to start, or even just turning the key on, you're causing the system to draw power(amperage)that it can't supply, due to a bad/loose connection. After checking the most obvious stuff, such as the battery cable connections & disconnect switch, I would go right to the starter connection, and the ground connections from the frame to the engine, and from the battery to the frame under the driver seat. In order for the car to loose ALL power like that, it has to be a connection issue. A bad, or low battery would not do this.

You nailed it, Joel!
some other people suggested a bad connection also but i just couldn't believe it. I dont have that kind of luck. lol
But when you said it too, i thought i better look into it. I replaced the battery ends tonight and it fired right up! an $8 fix.
I learned something this time. Its not always as bad as needing a whole new wiring harness (like i figured). lol!
Thanks for your help!

Glad ya got it handled Jeff. I had a similar disaster years ago when leaving a show....car wouldn't start. Wound up being my disconnect switch. It has JUST enough corrosion between the two halves to keep it from cranking, but the lights and stuff would come on until I tried to start it. I wound up just taking the dang thing off, and repairing it after we got home.

Yeah, my disconnect switch was pretty corroded, too. I cleaned it up really good tonight. I'll put it back on tomorrow .

well joel stole my thunder...  usually when all power goes out, it is usually a connection issue... been there a time or two myself...  The battery cable ends you get now-a-days are the single strap over the wire with two bolts on either side... these are great in emergencies, but in the long run they do not hold up rather well.  A crimped end is the best way to go. however I understand that can't always be done, especially with a 8 foot starter cable running under the car, however the ground cable is easier to replace. Just a bolt under the car to the frame holds it in place.