Is crazy candidate merchandise the new activism

Just 24 hours after John McCain introduced us to a new Joe, a search for the blue collar hero on CafePress -- the online retailer of user-customized products -- yielded more than 700 results. Americans were hawking teddy bears, trucker hats and camcorders decked out with slogans like "Joe the plumber for President," "Spread the wealth around," and offering witty designs like an American eagle clutching a plunger. Handmade good boutique Etsy.com featured Joe-inspired crafts like ceramic plates and soap bars.

With the Internet playing a bigger role in this election than any other, politically minded creatives found clever ways to express their views online. From presidential debate bingo ("maverick" and "change" are basically freebies) to the Palin Baby Name Generator (John Doe would be dubbed "Halter Grasshopper Palin"), everyone wants to weigh in on the political cultural thread. Today's action figures, toys and baby's onesies are yesterday's buttons and bumper stickers.

You can buy a McCain Pez dispenser, Barack action figure, "Obamica" yarmulke, Palin pet chew-toy, Biden finger puppet, "Obama Rama" air freshener, McCain-endorsed condom, "Bark-Obama" dog tag, "Mavericks" beer, and even a busty Sarah Palin blowup doll.
Story continues below ↓advertisement

If it's a whiff of seniority you seek, why not spritz yourself with the John McCain fragrance? Available at Presidentialperfumes.com, it's "aged with experience, accentuated with nonpartisanship and military strength." Need a new 'do? Log on to Internationalwig.com to order your very own feathered "Michelle Obama wig" or, at Georgie Wigs, you can purchase a Sarah Palin style intended for Orthodox Jewish head-coverings.

These days, people don't even need an established business to participate in the political battleground. At CaféPress, which boasts 6.5 million users, more than 20 percent of sales come directly from election-related products. And whereas the last election marked mostly anti-Bush or pro-Bush products (Kerry was generally ignored), this year's race focuses on the colorful cast of "SNL"-fodder, specifically Obama and Palin.

Before Palin's acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, McCain's campaign had barely captured 10 percent of CafePress election-related sales, whereas Obama boasted more than 50 percent. Now, a search for Sarah Palin's name rings up 31,000 results, compared to 44 for Delaware Democratic Sen. Joe Biden. From T-shirts portraying the Alaskan governor as Rosie the Riveter to eco-friendly tote bags emblazoned with the slogan "Real women hunt moose," she's already an iconic pop culture figure. This Halloween, even Lindsay Lohan plans to don rimless glasses.

Read More