Is all the Obama merchandise really necessary?
Asked by
Sakata (
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February 1st, 2009
It’s everywhere. Everything from stickers to outfits. Some of it is just pointless crap.
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40 Answers
Stephen Colbert did a funny bit on this.
I’m thinking it may be what brings back the economy! Now if only we could export it. :-)
Welcome to America. Land of consumer culture.
necessary…no. I can see how someone would be interested in buying such things…memorabilia of the culmination of the civil rights movement.
I have two Obama posters in my apartment…however, my brother bought them. I donated some money to his campaign a couple times, and got a fridge magnet. I kind of want a T-shirt…just haven’t found the motivation to buy one really.
It is totally unecessary. He’s the President not a rockstar; in some cases it seems to tarnish his image rather than enhance it.
Chapstik, tissues, earrings…tacky.
This is where I knew for sure that it had all gone horribly wrong. Posters and bumper stickers were one thing, but thongs?
@bythebay: Yea, he’s the President but this is America which means he’s also a rock star. That’s how we roll
@Sakata: That’s how some people roll.
Only the ones who count I guess.
Luckily I have not seen any cross the Atlantic. It is very sad though, seems like they won’t let the guy do his job. If people treat his like some pop idol, he’ll behave like one.
No, it probably is not “really neccesary.” But then, what is? And if nothing else, it should offer a clue as to how fed up many people were w/ GW, jr. It’ll fade and he’ll be able to do his job. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Let the people enjoy themselves a bit—it’s been eight years of embarassment & hell.
It’s the American Way to make a profit. And who is more American than the President? I haven’t bought any of the stuff, but if I were younger and more excited, I might.
That’s the thing about Obama. Someone up there said that he’s the President, not a rock star, but it’s the bigger-than-life bit about him that got the youth riled up way more than any of our old, fuddy-duddy presidents ever would have. He might be the best at that since JFK. It might seem weird for so many people to have a “crush” on the President, but if it gets them involved in politics for once, it might not be so bad.
I do think it’s all a bit silly – particularly beyond posters, bumber stickers, buttons, and the like.
That being said, I would like the action figure for my desk if, for no other reason, than to completely annoy the die-hard republicans that work here.
Ultimately, I agree with @tb1570 – This will fade soon enough.
Until then, you can enjoy (or avoid) this site.
No more than all the My Little Pony, Michael Jackson (in his day—before the jesus juice tarnished him forever), Star Wars, Pokemon, Farah Fawcett and Charlie’s Angels stuff (long, long ago in a galaxy far away).
As to it being unseemly because he’s the President, what about all the Pope paraphernalia? And remember, we’re the country who elected a B actor president and whose largest state elected a governor who already had his own action figures.
It’s just as much America as the moving, majestic experience of the inauguration.
@cprevite Thanks, cprevite. That cracked me up. I love the grin!
@Jack79 – No, he won’t. He’s a grown man who was president of The Harvard Law Review. He knows that he was elected in part because of his level of maturity and responsibility. He also knows that if he messes up, it’s going to make it that much harder for any other non-white non-male that runs after him. He will not act like “a rock star.” Now if he goes nuts, that’s one thing, but somehow I don’t see that happening. I am getting sick of the “Magical Negro” trope being put on him, this isn’t some damn Will Smith movie.
Further, what these companies do to make a buck has nothing to do with the Obama administration. Coming up with tacky products to sell is the way it’s always been. I remember when Diana & Charles married, and all the crap that was for sale in the UK, throughout the Commonwealth and in the US. It was revolting, but not Chuck & Di’s fault.
Not interested? Don’t buy. I have a magnet. That’s it. And it was given to me on the street.
It kind of reminds me of all the “W” crap everywhere after 2004, all the Bush/Cheney War Criminal teeshirts that the Evangicals were wearing.
Obama gear really bother’s the racist amongst us I have noticed.
Necessary-no but then neither are magic mops, shamwows, sandwich grillers, food savers, sets of state quarters, WTC pop-up coins or knives that cut metal AND strawberries. But if someone wants them, what Commisar of Good Sense has the right to say they can’t have them?
@galileogirl Well that’s good to hear – because I am just now slipping on my Obama-Biden Underoos.
100% cotton too
@cprevite: I hope your wife is wearing the matching thong! You two will make a dashing pair…very spicy…like Old Bay! ;P
@bythebay There is no “dashing” happening here – More like a waddle.
@cprevite Are the ‘I like Ike’ tighty whiteys in the wash?
@ galileo girl – I think those are AstroChuck’s. (And he wants them back.)
I did buy a first edition Barack in the Box for my nephew for Christmas, only to have it stolen off my porch before the UPS guy could pick it up to deliver it to him :-(
@galileogirl Nope – but I did borrow those from AstroChu….wait a MINUTE!
How did @janbb know that?!?!?!
If people will buy it, someone will make it.
There’s no idea so stupid that someone won’t pay money for it.
I’m waiting for the Obama Collector’s Edition Thimble. When you put it on your middle finger and twist, a tiny little elephant goes out one side of the White House and a little donkey goes in the other.
@Jeruba: Don’t give away your best ideas so easily. Ron Copeel could be on Fluther. ;^)
i guess when there’s a lot of excitement generated about someone, no matter who they are, if people can make money on them they’ll do it in any ridiculous way they can.
i think some of the crazy merch is pretty cool, but at the same time it is just over the top.
Oh yeah, its so Presidential
The Obama merch is really popular in the so-called urban culture. I often must stifle a laugh when, at work, I see a middle-aged woman roll past with Obama’s face made out across her chest in sequins.
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