Campaign Ka-ching: A shopping guide to the 2008 election

Tag : inflatable toys

1. Election aggression
Land a right jab to "Bam Bam Obama" or deliver a left hook to "BigMac McCain" with blow up "bop bags" from Annie's of Traverse City.The 46-inch punching bags promise "bounce back action" -- usefulwhen a candidate is trailing in the polls or after a debatebattering. The inflatable bags depict a bare-chested John McCain orBarack Obama sporting patriotic-striped shorts and red boxinggloves.
The downtown novelty store stocked six of each candidate (regularlypriced at $21.95). About a week before the election, it had soldthree of each political windbag and slashed prices on electionmerchandise by 20 percent. Who's buying these poli-toys?
"Sometimes it has been a joke, where they are going to sit it rightin someone's office," said store Manager Pam Ward. "People aretaking this all with a grain of salt. We've been bombarded with allthe politics."
Annie's also offers a Hillary Clinton air freshener (regularlypriced at $3.50). Question: Does the dashboard dangler smell likedisappointment? The store also sells a variety of party balloonsand cocktail napkins with snarky slogans. Customers are equallyopinionated.
"We've had a lot of comments at the counter," Ward said.
2. Dress a debonair former commerce chair in a tux or bullet proofvest. Four books of McCain paper dolls remained last week at ToyHarbor in downtown Traverse City. The Obama edition sold out. Thestore ordered two dozen dolls per presidential hopeful, saidManager Leslie Ansted.
Illustrations depict the Arizona senator in sartorial splendor.McCain's ensembles include a red cap and tan bullet proof vest(Occasion: touring an open market in Baghdad) and a turquoise knitshirt and blue jeans (Occasion: Informal visit with George andLaura Bush). The outfits come with tabs attached for folding andholding tight to the unclothed McCain doll, who wears a classicwhite T-shirt.
"It's always funny to see the presidents in their underwear,"Ansted said.
Most of the dolls were snapped up by adults looking for a campaignkeepsake (priced at $7.99).
3. Heart on a sleeve
All the mommas who love Obama bought up partisan parent shirts soldat Preggers, a Traverse City store on Union Street for expectantmothers and their children. As of last week, future hockey momscould still pick up "Mommy for McCain" shirts, made to fit duringpregnancy. The 100 percent combed cotton tops retail for $38. JamieMoyers sold an Obama shirt off a mannequin but had yet topersonally sell one for McCain. Their shelf-life after Tuesday'selection is uncertain.
"I don't know what we are going to do with them..., maybe they'llgo on sale," she said.
At the downtown Traverse City boutique Euphoria, a stack of $36organic T-shirts scrawled with "Barack" rest on a table next to (ofcourse) shirts giving props to public transportation and recycling.A child-sized shirt wails in black font "I wish I could vote" andgrown-up sizes command onlookers to "Be the change sucka." Theshirt line doesn't include any maverick McCain material. That's notreally the designer's schtick, confirmed the store owner.
Buyer beware: At the polling precinct, voters must remove or coverpartisan apparel, said Bonnie Scheele, deputy director in the GrandTraverse County Clerk office.
4. Dog days of November
Pooches can show off presidential picks by sporting anelephant-enscribed bandana ("reduced to clear" cost $1.97). Or,donkey-fy Fido in a 2008 Democratic T-shirt (clearance price$4.97). The extra-small size looks about right for a well-fedsquirrel.
If doggie haberdashery is a fashion don't, give the pet somethingto chew on. Try a plush grey-and-blue donkey toy. Or, throw "JohnMcCanine" to the dogs. The cloth McCain doll is dressed in a bluesuit and squeaks when its political button is pushed. On its back,under a balding pate, is a sign that proclaims "I'm 301 dog yearsold!"
The pet paraphernalia hails from PetSmart in Traverse City.
5. Throw pillows, not mud
Watch election day results from the comfort of the couch -- ahigh-styling, smack-talking couch. Downtown Traverse City'sStewart-Zacks offers accessories to match decor and ideology. Ablue pillow with a "D"-monogrammed donkey and a red pillow with an"R"-lettered elephant are showcased in the window. The 18- by-18inch pillows are made from small wool hook rugs and backed invelvet (priced at $78).
"We call it our personal exit survey," said Owner Lynn Starkey.
The tally: Democrats had a one-pillow edge.
6. What to do with all this stuff
Thanks for the economic stimulation, but now what to with theseelection mementos?
Hold on to it. At Wilson Antiques in Traverse City, a dealer thinksa Richard Nixon pennant should fetch $25 and an F.D.R. badge $24.Even a pin with the unsuccessful pairing of Willkie and McNary ispriced at $6.
2008 memorabilia might be worth something, some day. Until then,keep the life-size cardboard cut out of Obama, Joe Biden or SarahPalin in mint condition. Sorry, too late to collect the full set.Party Giant in Traverse City was sold out of McCains (candidate cutouts are $29.99).