Show your support with a cuppa for your candidate. What next?!On Friday, I happened to be walking past a 7-11 and saw a banner that said "7-Election '08." I stepped in to see what that was all about and imagine my dismay when I saw these coffee cups near the self-serve coffee. Last night, I popped into my local 7-11 and snapped this picture.*
That's right, folks. 7-11 has coffee cups that let you show your support for your candidate. When the clerk scans the UPC on the cup, it collects the information and "counts your vote." I guess near or on election day, the marketing geniuses at 7-11 will tell us the results of their polling data a la coffee?!?!
Who knew coffee could be such a partisan activity?
Have you seen U.S. presidential campaign oddities in your neighborhood, state, or country?** If so, share what you're seeing with us and leave a comment here. On Friday, if I have enough entries, I'll do a round-up with links to your photos on this blog.
* Why I didn't take a picture on Friday, when I first saw this, is a mystery to me. Call it a senior moment, I suppose!
** Yes, you read that last one correctly. I said country. There are U.S. expats living overseas and citizens in other nations who are following our elections and supporting one candidate or the other.
Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 10/08
27 comments:
So, which cup did you take?
Oh Jim, she'll tell you in a heartbeat, won't you DC!!
Well these cups "take the cake" as we say down here. I am so glad you took this picture. IT"s great. Somebody may as well make a dime on something around here! I say go for it. With the economy tanked we may all have to come up with a "gig".
Jim: I took one of each! ;-) (If you want to know who I prefer out of the red and blue cups, go here.
VJ: Aren't these just over the top? I'm surprised there aren't McCain and Obama action figures for sale at Target or Wal-Mart or something. (Hey, maybe I should patent that idea...)
I haven't noticed anything relevant in the UK. But it must say something about my choice of bloggers that I don't follow a single blog that is pro McCain.
Pierre: Aside from a scattering of U.S. expats, is anyone in the U.K. pro-McCain?
It's difficult to be sure. The bloggers I was referring to were mostly American or Canadian. I think it's fair to say that everyone I've read (British or not) is afraid of the prospect of Ms Palin becoming President. I don't think Mr Bush is especially popular here either. I think
rachelnorthlondon.blogspot.com
(who was in the same carriage as one of the London tube bombers of 7/7 and was very lucky indeed) is probably the only blogger I read who writes regularly about politics. But lots of people who don't normally write about politics are talking about this election. Finally, earlier in the summer, I knew nothing about Mr Obama, but was in favour of Mrs Clinton.
I'll have to run down to the 7-11 on the corner and see if they also have the 7-election marketing ....
Pierre: I think you're right about people all over the world talking about this election. They are because it matters beyond the borders of the United States and impacts trade, foreign policy, immigration, financial markets. While the Bush Administration and many Republicans would like to think we can be an isolationist superpower, the fact is, we're living in a global village now and the U.S. can't just do things for the sake of the U.S. and its interests exclusively any longer. Among so many things, that's why this election matters.
Kim: 7-11 has a tally running on their site already. Looks like Obama is winning. Check it out here.
Interesting. I know Pierre follows my partner's blog. Now My partner is a political cartoonist so should be impartial, but hell no. Soemtimes you just can't be. We are both against that pit bull with or without her lipstick, and McCain, just no. Get this administration out, I am begging Americans out there, grab a cup of Obama.
From a demented British woman, living on a bonkers island who is still trying to find a way to get in on the vote.
Apologies to Barker (Babooshka's partner). I do indeed look at his political cartoon every day, and love them (even if I don't leave comments).
Babooshka: At 7-11, the Obama cup is in the lead. Perhaps it is a sign of what's to come in three weeks!
Pierre: Obviously, I need to check out Barker's cartoons.
Election was finished here...maybe you still remember Haider but he died last Saturday, ironically after having lots of votes for his party this year...
Wise way of selling coffee! LOL
Mirage: I read the other day that Jorg Haider died in a car accident in Karnten. While I'm sorry he died, I can't say I'm sorry to see him exit Austrian politics. He was a racist and a Nazi. Austria can do better than that by their leaders.
Mary Jo: Isn't it, though?
I like the one in the center. And no, I'm not undecided, I just don't care for the radical extremism of the two party partisan machine.
What we have here is an extreme left of center and a right of center. who's representing the clear minded in the center? With a 2 party system there will always be a populace disenfranchised without a voice of reason.
Wow some folks will do anything for a vote. I would just want the coffee! And this summer our local cafe has Obama- berry Pie and McCain Cream pie.... ick. all of it.
Rob: The "independent/undecided" option? I agree with you on the polarizing two party system we have in this country. It needs to go. We need more choices and our leaders should have to learn to collaborate and create coalitions. You're right to say there is no voice for those among us who are more moderate.
Prof: Obamaberry and McCain Cream pies? Oh, the humanity. Make it stop! Please, make it stop. I'm so done with this election and am ready to vote, it isn't even funny. Just think: we get to do this again in two years after the mid-term elections. Woo hoo.
Oh dear! ;-)
Merisi: Oh dear is right! You definitely wouldn't see coffee cups like this in the Hotel Sacher! LOL!
I actually love clever marketing and I think this display is great. I can't believe what people come up with & I'm not sure I can figure any logic to this, but I love the display!
Arlene: I thought this was pretty clever, too! Apparently 7-11 has been doing this for the last three elections, but I only just found out about it during this one. Go to 7-Eleven's site and see the results of the cup buying. Stats show Utah polling 60% for Obama and 40% for McCain. I think that's a misnomer, though, since most of the people who buy coffee in Utah aren't Mormons. Utah is definitely in the McCain column!
Wow. I just dunno... I'm speechless.
Clearly this poll is biased towards coffee drinkers (as you mention, Utah is probably not fairly represented). What about people that don't want to advertise their preference, or don't like either candidate? Did they have any "regular" cups, or did people have to choose one of the three?
As I believe in secret ballots and always refuse to reply to pollsters, i would either always pick the "undecided" cup, or pick McCain on even-numbered days and Obama on odd-numbered days. But then I'm boring :-).
During one General Election in the UK, Thornton's, a company that makes and sells lovely chocolates, did do chocolate pieces that looked like the party leaders -- I decided they were great and bought one of each....
Maya? Speechless? Is that possible? ;-) Seriously, though... This poll is obviously biased toward coffee drinkers as the cups sit right next to the coffee machine. However, there was nothing that said you couldn't use one at the soda fountain. Also, the only cups available at either of the 7-11s where I saw them were Obama or McCain cups. There were actually no Undecided/Independent cups, even though the display says there are. Not sure what that's about...
Pierre: Great minds think alike! While I've endorsed a particular candidate, I didn't at 7-11. I bought one of each cup! That makes me boring, too!
10 points for clever marketing!
We have rubber heads of party leaders that are squeaky toys for dogs....
Lisa: I wonder if we have chew toys over here of our candidates?! Now you've got me thinking I need to make a trip to the pet store!
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