10 Zany Election 2008 Products

I'm sure you've seen a few Campaign 2008 T-shirts and buttons beginning to appear in your neighborhood, school or workplace. Listen, this is a democracy and we're allowed to make spectacles of ourselves. It's called free speech. So in that spirit, let me introduce my top 10 Zaniest Campaign 2008 Products that people like you and me are actually purchasing.

This deserves the number 1 spot, don't you think?

The suede Obamica, a play on the Hebrew word "Kippah," or Yarmulke, is made from the finest cowhide, according to Vanity Kippah.com. On one side of the Kippah, you'll see the slogan, "Obamica 08," and on the other side, the words "My Bubby is voting Obama." It comes with complimentary Kippah clips for stability.

Not only that, but Vanity Kippah is selling the McCippah, the McCain version, and the Sarah Palin Lipstick Kippah, an ivory white version with hot pink trim, a lipstick smudge and the words "Sarah Barajewda Eshet Chayil." Translation: "Woman of Valor." All are $15.95.

Be heard through your choice of hot sauce. Dave's Gourmet Inc. came up with a clever marketing ploy, advertising its choice of hot sauces on its website and allowing you to cast your "vote" by purchasing the Obama version or the McCain version. The choice has been whittled down to an original list of all the candidates. "That's it - no long polling lines, no confusing voting machines," says Dave's Gourmet. "Heck - you can even vote multiple times, if you like! Or you can vote for different candidates!" The hot sauces are selling for $6.99 a bottle and the proceeds are being donated to the American Cancer Society.

With a nod to Halloween, I couldn't resist listing Obama and McCain Halloween masks here. These are about as grotesque as you can get, no? For some reason, the Obama mask is almost $5 more expensive than the McCain. Who knew? Both are available at Amazon, with the Obama mask listed at $19.98 and McCain at $14.99. Me? I'd rather wear the "Scream" mask.

OK, so this might be a somewhat serious purchase, especially for collectors. But it's my list and I think it's zany. From IDW Publishing -- you get a pair of graphic biographies of both McCain and Obama. The comics are "painstakingly researched and beautifully drawn depictions of the two men vying for what is arguably the most important job in the world," says IDW. Arguably is the most important word in that sentence. The set goes for $7.99.

In this case, a picture says a thousand words. This "casual thong" (is there a formal thong?) covers your "sweet spots without covering your assets," according to Cafepress.com, where the thong is listed. It includes the lovely likeness of a pitbull wearing lipstick and backed up by a pair of hockey sticks. I can't wait to order this, especially now that I know it's made of "100% ultra-fine combed ring-spun baby rib cotton." A word to the wise -- size up for a looser fit. The thong is available for $9.89.

Oh my. Don't write me letters. I didn't make the T-shirt, I'm just telling you about it. Available on Zazzle.com, this T-shirt sells for a whopping $21.20. It comes in 11 lovely colors, and is a classic heavyweight T-shirt, pre-shrunk and 100% cotton. According to Zazzle, it "wears well on anyone."

You'd better be willing to get into endless political discussions with people if you plunk down $77.15 for these Champion sneakers for women. Also available at Zazzle, where they say "style and comfort make the Champion canvas sneaker an undisputable wardrobe essential for every woman."

Need plastic plates with the Republican elephant on it? Were these on your personal wish list? Well, you've come to the right place. These 9-inch Election Time Republican Dinner Plates, available at Amazon, are $3.39 for a set of 8. And don't let me forget to mention that you can get the matching set of napkins for $3.39.

If you're sweet on Obama or McCain, check out Kai's Candy's Obama and McCain lollipops, designed with very, very vague likenesses of the candidates, along with Democratic and Republican Party hard candies. Made using the traditional Japanese art of kumi ame (rolled candy), the lollipops and political party candies come in gift sets packaged in clear tubes that include 4 lollipops and 14 candies. Mini Sets are packaged in a small cellophane bag and include 2 lollipops and 5 candies. You can get Obama, McCain and Bipartisan sets. Two mini sets are $7.95 and one gift set is $8.95.

New York's famous bakery, Zaro's, is selling black-and-white cookies bearing the faces of the presidential and the vice-presidential candidates. The photos are reportedly printed on rice paper using inkjet printer cartridges that have been loaded with food coloring. Is that possible? The Zaro cookies sell for $3.25 each, in case you want a cookie bearing an uncanny likeness to Sarah Palin. You might have to live in New York to get these, but check out the Zaro's website to see if they'll ship these around the country.