WASHINGTON — Nothing says "Merry Christmas" to the political junkie on your gift list better than a Mitt mitt, a Rudy rhinestone lapel pin, an Obama official campaign Christmas ornament or a Hillary highlighter.
Those are just a few of the holiday gift items on offer from the 2008 presidential candidates. While T-shirts, yard signs and bumper stickers are the most basic elements of White House contenders' Web-site stores, some unique items can be found if you click around enough. If the politically inclined don't like any of the candidates or would rather show their distaste for a particular contender, there are options for them, as well.
With the January primaries and caucuses now just weeks away, some items might not be around for long, if some of the candidates drop out. Gift-buyers should also note that buying items from a candidate's store can count as a campaign contribution and counts toward the total the federal legal limit a person can donate each year — which is $2,300 per candidate, per election, so that's a whole lot of bumper stickers. But some candidates do not make money off the sale of the items. In either case, the sites are clear on whether you are donating or not.
The Mitt mitt
Fans of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney can wave a $7.95 red foam mitt for Mitt, with Mitt '08 written on it. The item just begs the response, "Get it? A mitt." It's a good thing Romney doesn't go by his real first name, Willard, as that would make it harder to make something out of foam. The campaign says its vendor has sold "thousands" of these.
In addition to the usual T-shirts and buttons, Romney's also has a "Kids for Mitt" bib and tiny T-shirt, which seems appropriate seeing that the candidate has five sons and five daughters-in-law. Mitt and Ann Romney became grandparents for the 11th time on Nov. 21, with the addition of Nathan Matthew Romney.
The Mitt gear can be found at Romney's online store: www.romneyshop.com
Obama's ornaments
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has the same familiar favorites of shirts, hats and buttons that the other candidates do, plus he has an entire Holiday Gear section.
With just a click, you can find a four-pack of red, white and blue globe Christmas ornaments with the campaign logo for $30. Two-packs of ornaments are available for $17.50, with one solo ornament for $12.
Supporters can stay warm with Obama fleece blankets and knit caps or dress their babies in more onesies (with the Obama logo as the top of a rattle.) T-Shirts have the candidate's "Got Hope?" message, while buttons show a family photo with "America's first family."
Obama's online store is at: store.barackobama.com
Rudy's rhinestones
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has a Rudy bib and kid T-shirt and also features a sweatshirt onesie for babies and a pink or blue T-shirt.
Gear for those who can actually vote gets more interesting, with a $12.95 pin with RUDY spelled in rhinestones. Cuff links, an apron, a golf towel and golf balls (buy both and make it a set!) are also online.
Rudy supporters can also go a step above a bumper sticker with a $9.95 Rudy car plate, which can turn even the most simplest of cars into a Rudy-mobile. Rudy Party Packs combine buttons, tumblers, signs and stickers to help outfit a returns-watching party in an instant.
Giuliani's online store is at: www.rudy2008store.com
Hillary's highlighters
Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., has the biggest selection of any of the candidates at her online store — from official campaign piggy banks, a star-shaped five-point highlighter with orange, blue, green, pink and yellow tips, as well as an official "Hillary" ruler and an ice scraper.
She also has a crystal Hillary lapel pin and a special signature series line of a T-shirt, beanie hat, lapel pin, decal and water bottle bearing a replica of her signature.
Her Web store is at: www.hillarystore.com.
Huck hawks Chuck
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who is gaining momentum in the GOP race, has several items touting actor Chuck Norris' endorsement of his candidacy. T-shirts with caricatures of the politician and the actor say, "Chuck doesn't tell you how to endorse, he tells you how it's going to be."
The play on words continue with "a. HUCK. i. be" or "I Like Mike" and "I heart Huckabee" (not to be confused with the movie "I Heart Huckabees," which has nothing to do with the candidate).
Huckabee's merchandise is for sale on the Web at: www.mikehuckabee.com
Fred's fanwear
For the "Fred Heads" on your list, actor and former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson has a Fred football jersey with the number 08, along with hats and shirts in official Fred Navy or Fred Gold.
He also has his own silicone wristbands in Fred Navy, in case supporters' arms are not covered in their old Live Strong bracelets or supporting some other cause via a glorified rubber band.
His online store is at: www.officialfred08store.com
McCain's movie
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., just has the basic T-shirts, stickers and hats, but he also offers a DVD of "Faith of My Fathers," a movie version of his memoir of the same title.
His Web site is at: www.johnmccain.com
Kucinich's collectibles
Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, offers supporters an official Palm Beach County Voting Machine used in Election 2000. For $219.95 (and $30 for shipping), not only can you get the machine, but it will contain actual chads, a replica butterfly ballot, plus a bonus letter titled "The Stolen Presidential Election of 2000," personally signed by Dennis Kucinich.
He also offers doggie neck scarves saying "man's best friend supports Dennis Kucinich."
Kucinich's Web store is at: www.officialkucinichstore.us.
CafePress for the rest
If the official campaign merchandise doesn't suit your needs, CafePress.com, a Web site where you can make and sell your own T-shirts, does not disappoint. The site offers pre-made items for supporters or for those who want to make clear via shirt or sticker who they do not want in the White House or you can create your own message.
The site's special election shop divides items by Republican or Democrat and the "Anybody but" categories for both parties. One anti-Republican shirt says, "Make the Scary Republican go away" in child-like handwriting. Another shirt speaks out against the White House incumbent, saying "1-20-09: the end of an error" — noting the day a new president will be inaugurated to replace President Bush.
The anti-Democrat merchandise isn't any friendlier, with slogans that say, "My dog is smarter then a Democrat," "Here come the Democrats, hide your wallet and your guns," and "Any Republican '08."
The Web address for CafePress is: www.cafepress.com/cp/buy/elections08.
E-mail: suzanne@desnews.com