Memorabilia

The Obama Market: Trading Is Heavy, Hearts Are Light

By Rick Horowitz

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"...and an avocado that bears a striking resemblance to Rahm Emanuel. Jim?"

"Well, you can certainly understand the big crowds then -- it's not every day you get to see the new White House chief of staff in your guacamole."

"Absolutely."

"Thanks, Sally. And now, over to Carmela for a quick check of the markets. What do have you for us, Carm?"

"Well, Jim, it's been another busy day on Wall Street, and once again, most of the movement has been in a positive direction. We seem to have the makings of a real turnaround here, which -- I have to tell you -- comes as a real surprise to most of the analysts I've talked to."

"They've been predicting a continued down market through most of 2009, am I right?"

"Exactly, Jim. But what's caught them unawares, I guess, is the tremendous upsurge in Obamabilia. I mean, they were -- "

"Obamabilia?"

"That's right, Jim -- all the many Barack Obama-related items being swept up by eager fans looking for something to commemorate the historic occasion. The souvenir sector was out with its latest numbers this morning, and they're running a good 30 to 40 percent ahead of projections."

"Amazing! I know I've seen a lot of those 'Yes We Can' and 'Yes We Did' pins on everybody's coats the past few days. Those have been very popular, haven't they?"

"But it goes way beyond that, Jim. Hundreds of different kinds of pins, of course, and t-shirts with President Obama's face on them, and hats, and -- "

"And it's not just the official Inaugural Committee products either, I gather?"

"Not at all, Jim. The official stuff is actually a pretty small slice of the pie -- it looks like every Tom, Dick and Hatari with a decal and a printer has set up shop, either on a street corner somewhere or online, and they all seem to be selling."

"Well, who'd have -- "

"But even that's not the half of it, Jim. The souvenir sector is way up, as I said, but the tie-in sector may be doing even better! Obama-brand paint rollers, already up 43 percent. Obama-brand breath mints, up 52 percent. Obama-brand breakfast cereals, up 59 percent. Obama pajamas, up 74 percent. Even Obama-brand Bibles -- that was a product category that didn't even exist three months ago, and they're going gangbusters, too!"

"I guess people are pretty hungry for this stuff."

"Someplace between 'hungry' and 'desperate,' Jim. After eight years of George Bush, anything with Barack Obama's name or picture on it -- or Michelle, just look at all these Michelle Obama scarves -- they're practically flying off the shelves."

"I know Mr. Obama himself has been warning that it'll take some time to turn the economy around. Are they -- "

"Well, that's certainly still the official word from the Obama team. At the same time, Jim, they can't help but be pleasantly surprised at the uptick their guy seems to have created. Detroit is talking about a new line of fuel-efficient ObamaMobiles. Then there are 'Obamacademies' for pre-school kids. 'OPhones' for socially responsible social networking -- "

"Sounds like a one-man economic boom, Carm!"

"Jim, I'll tell you how far this thing has gone: Even newspapers are having a good week!"

"Newspapers?!"

"That's right, Jim. They're selling out of their Inaugural guides, and their special commemorative editions, and 'Extras' -- they can't make enough of them!"

"Newspapers?!"

"And they're also selling framed photographs, and coffee-table books, and -- "

"Newspapers?!"

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Posted 1/20/09. For award-winning commentary, click to "Rick's"! (And tell your friends!)

Rick Horowitz is a syndicated columnist, TV commentator, writing coach and public speaker.

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