Merchandisers cash in on US presidential vote

Link : http://uk.news.yahoo.com/040928/323/f3go8.html


LOS ANGELES (AFP) - The US election campaign is going to the dogs, as enterprising merchandisers give voters the chance to feed President George W. Bush or John Kerry to man's best friend.

Amidst one of the toughest elections in years, a slew of rival political novelties ranging from presidential dog chews and punching bags to anti-Kerry flip-flops and biting bumper stickers has flooded the market.

Manufacturers and supporters of each candidate are squaring off behind mountains of political gear. But the only sure thing about the outcome of the November 2 election is that the merchandise industry stands to win big.

"Our members have seen a sales spike of 15 to 30 percent thanks to the election," said Bill Prickett of the Promotional Products Association International, a trade group that represents around 6,500 manufacturers in the 16.3-billion-dollar a year industry.

You can buy a 30-dollar George-in-the-Box pop-up president that emerges to the strains of the presidential tune "Hail to the Chief" and a pro-Bush condiment dubbed "W Ketchup," the Republican answer to the Kerry-related Heinz brand.

Then there's the 10-dollar deck of cards featuring the faces of "America's least wanted" figures, including Bush, Vice-President Dick Cheney, Attorney General John Ashcroft and conservative television commentator Bill O'Reilly.

One pro-Democratic group is successfully peddling an 11-dollar "Babes Against Bush" calendar bearing the slogan "Thirteen beautiful women versus one hideous president."

Right-wing groups have a line of bumper sticks bearing an image of a toilet and the slogan "Flush the Johns now," a reference to Kerry and running-mate, John Edwards. Another plays on a catchphrase of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and proclaims: "Don't be a girlie-man, vote Bush."

Also selling fast are plastic Kerry beach sandals, or flip-flops, a reference to the Democrat's reputation among Republicans as an ideological flip-flopper.

One California company is marketing talking Bush action dolls, costing 30 dollars and spouting lines from his speeches.

Bush opponents can buy a "Pull My Finger President doll" for 15 dollars that utters phrases such as "Hey, Saddam! Here's a weapon of mass destruction!" punctuated by the sound of passing gas.

More than 55,000 of the figures with an extended index finger have already sold, while 3,000 Kerry supporters have bought a George W. Bush Punching Doll bop bag, offering the president's face and a set of exaggerated ears for boxing practice.

Even man's best friend is getting a look in on the presidential marketing battle, with dog chews and treats.

And, if the makers of partisan pet products are to be believed, Bush should be worried about his future, as the president appears to be firmly in the dog house with politically-active American canines.

"Our figures currently show that 75 percent of American dogs think Bush bites," said Kelli Caldwell, co-founder of Van Dogh, makers of rival snacks dubbed "Bush Bites" and "Kerry Waffles" that allow politically discerning canines to eat their least-favourite candidate for breakfast.

Three out of four dogs ordering the snacks online have chosen to bite down on an edible image of Bush rather, than that of Kerry, branded a waffler by Bush, since the biscuits went on sale last month.

Australian-based firm Political Pet Toys is doing roaring trade in the United States with its rival Bush and Kerry dog chews that finally give pets and their owners a chance to go for their political foes' jugulars.

The firm has added Kerry to a line-up that also includes Osama Bin Laden, Saddam Hussein and former US president Bill Clinton, but says dogs are voting five to one to chew on Bush's head.