Got hope?
That's the slogan on several items of merchandise to be found at Barack Obama's online store. Selling t-shirts and bumper stickers is nothing new for a political campaign, of course. However, Obama's are distinctive because his campaign is handling such sales directly as a form of fund raising. Apparently, they feel that Obama's brand is strong enough to make the time and money required for such an endeavor worth the attention. Of all the candidates thus far, it certainly seems like Obama's is by far the most iconic. (I can't imagine wanting to wear Guiliani's face, or even Romney's.) The question still remains whether that will end up being a hinderance or strength--it's easier to love an abstraction than a nuts and bolts politician, but at some point people will want some reassurance that Obama can actually, you know, govern.
In any case, I do have to say that the apparel section here is catchy, even for someone still undecided on his choice of candidate.