Obama: A One-Man Economic Stimulus Package
Obama Brand Kick-Starting Businesses Worldwide
When Obama promised change during his campaign, most of the world outside the United States didn't really understand what he was talking about. Now, enveloped in economic gloom, everyone gets the message and hopes for a miracle. This adulation is fostering a hunger for campaign and inauguration souvenirs that is creating businesses everywhere. "He's been so good for the economy that we're printing up his dollars," said Jim Warlick of Political Americana, showing replica dollar bills featuring Obama's face instead of George Washington's. "If the new president can perform as well as his brand, " writes Alexandra Wolfe on portfolio.com,"there may yet be hope for the economy."
China Is Busy Manufacturing Shirts
While American companies and individuals design, tweak and make most of the finished souvenirs, China is busy manufacturing shirts, key chains, watches and much else, the United Kingdom minting commemorative paladian, gold and silver coins and a German company an Obama doll complete with blue tie and stars and stripes pin. Kathleen and Barney Coils of Urenui, New Zealand, are supplying their Taranaki orchids for the inauguration and Canadians who canvassed for Obama in the US wearing their own buttons and t-shirts, are sold out of their merchandise.
Obama Blend
Despite the frenzied activity and crowds boosting Washington hotel and restaurant occupancy and souvenir sales in gas stations, convenience, drugstores and other outlets, it's not only business there that's benefiting. East African Breweries is having great success with its Senator Keg Lager popularly known as Obama. Kenyan vendors are selling robes emblazoned with his face. A Sydney coffee house has an Obama blend. Pubs in the antipodes, Europe and Canada will be celebrating the inauguration and, in Indonesia, a developer offered $3 million to buy the new president's former home and make it into a tourist destination.
Italian Fashion Industry
Even the usually aloof Italian fashion industry has hopes the new president's policies will trounce the current bruising frugality; Donatella Versace is dedicating her spring-summer collection to him and jeweler Giovanni Bosco is rumored to have produced a ring for Michelle Obama.
The French wine industry, not to be left out, thinks it has a good chance of boosting the quaffing of its vintages among Obama voters and the Canadian maker of the BlackBerry is basking in the new president's delight in its product. In Kenya, a delighted tourism minister expects a 10 to 15 percent increase in visitors.
Barack Obama In Amazing Spiderman
A print showing the 44th president flying angel-like over the White House to his inauguration and a comic book featuring both him and the iconic Spiderman reinforces his perceived superhuman status. One inaugural calendar vendor joked that his approval ratings should last at least a year.
Joe Quesada of Marvel Comics calls the "Barack Obama in Amazing Spiderman" comic, "a shoutout back" and a tribute to the new president's boyhood delight in Spiderman. As well, Obama has a comic book all his own.
Auctions Of Obama Souvenirs
With 30,000 auctions of Obama souvenirs on ebay, it's time to ask what all this stuff will be worth in the long run. Not much overall. However, collectors believe inauguration and official ball tickets should become valuable, as will buttons, tee-shirts and signs from both the Illinois State Senate campaign and from local rallies and the democratic national convention during his run for the presidency.
Tidal Wave Of Memorabilia
The high hopes that people have for Obama have been translated into a tidal wave of memorabilia the making of which is propping up worldwide economies. Sadly, most of the mementos will prove of little monetary value in the long run.
Vendors selling Obama souvenirs
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