Barack Obama is simply a doll
Not getting enough of presidential hopeful Barack Obama? Now for the right price, you can take a miniature him home. Renita Jablonski talks to German doll maker Marcel Offermann about his tribute to the presidential nominee.
A Barack Obama doll by German doll maker Marcel Offermann. (Marcel Offermann)
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TEXT OF INTERVIEW
Renita Jablonski: A lot of entrepreneurial minds go red, white and blue during presidential election season -- even outside of the U.S. In Germany, a doll maker is taking steady orders for a Barack Obama doll that costs $220.
Marcel Offermann says he's only making 999 of the dolls. Since they went on sale yesterday, he's taken 100 orders, and he's with us now. Mr. Offermann, welcome. What was your inspiration?
Marcel Offermann: That a black man is in the position to get the President of the United States, in my humble opinion I think that is really wonderful.
Jablonski: Have you heard from the Obama campaign at all about this?
Offermann: Yes -- it's really funny. I sent an e-mail last week and told them that I created the Obama doll. And after four hours, I get an answer, and I think they are amazed from this. Perhaps because, of the account from a German doll maker.
Jablonski: Is a Hillary Clinton doll . . . ?
Offermann: No. If Obama had missed, I have no Hillary doll.
Jablonski: Why not?
Offermann: Because it's not, my opinion, in her political . . . and it's very difficult to create.
Jablonski: It's difficult to create certain people?
Offermann: Yes, yes.
Jablonski: Can you give us a taste of what other public figures you've made into dolls recently?
Offermann: Yes -- we have made the Pope Benedict, the Dalai Lama, Mozart and last year, Lady Diana.
Jablonski: Marcel Offermann is a doll maker in Germany. His latest offering is the Barack Obama doll. Thank you so much, Mr. Offermann.
Offermann: I thank you! Bye!
Comments
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11/16/2008
This looks like a Sambo doll
From Los Angeles, CA, 10/03/2008
One of the biggest targets for politicians, as far as economics are concerned, is becoming the payday loan industry. Governors across the country are trying to rid their states of the industry altogether, and so far, Georgia, North Carolina, and Oregon have succeeded. The result was that bankruptcies, foreclosures, and also the number of overdraft fees due to bouncing checks went through the roof, which doesn�t do anything for the citizens afflicted in these turbulent times, and only is really good for the banking industry. Despite these negative effects, other states are looking to follow the example and do the same. Even at the national level, presidential candidate Barack Obama, is weighing in his own agenda on the issue, and advancing his own intentions on getting rid of the industry in the United States completely. If these measures, both on state levels and nationally, are successful, the results are going to be increased unemployment, more debt, more foreclosures, and an even worse economy.
From Los Angeles, CA, 09/26/2008
You should always have all of the facts before you make any type of decision, especially in an instance when you take a course of action based on those misinformed facts. The pros and cons of payday loans, and what the future holds for the industry often can fall victim to this. Some politicians from both parties are attempting to pass legislation that would restrict or take away your ability to get a payday loan. Unfortunately, some of these politicians have succeeded in passing their legislation. . Some politicians have even gone as far as outlawing the industry all together. Many of these laws are based on the assumption that payday lenders are run under the same ethics as illegal loan sharks. Please don�t be misinformed on the facts, follow facts and not opinions and statements based on assumption. Post Courtesy of Personal Money Store Professional Blogging Team Feed Back: 1-866-641-3406 Home: http://personalmoneystore.com/NoFaxPaydayLoans.html Blog: http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/
From Silver Spring, MD, 09/10/2008
I Found this Barack Obama Gift shop on the Internet:
http://www.afrocentricgifts.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=844
Or If you want the Real Action Figure Doll of Barack Obama Click Here:
http://www.afrocentricgifts.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=10767
From Sparks, NV, 06/12/2008
The doll looks like a stereotypical black boy; nothing at all like Barak Obama. I can't imagine why anyone would want one.
From Los Angeles, CA, 06/11/2008
Do you have a website, email, or phone number for Marcel Offerman? I desperately want to buy an Obama doll. Please let me know how I can contact this fellow.
Regards,
Carl D. Reeece in LA
From Los Angeles, CA, 06/10/2008
The doll looks like the epitome of what some might call a black American president. The face is very old-fashioned and the doll looks like a perfect model for a ventriloquist. Interesting
From Omaha, NE, 06/10/2008
MAYBE this would have warrented a story if the doll actually looked like Obama, but please explain to viewers why some German based huckster deserved this free advertising for collectable trash? Journalistic standards? Who needs 'em Marketplace!
From Los Angeles, CA, 06/10/2008
Beside the fact that it looks nothing like Sen. Obama, it is highly offensive. There was a time when black dolls were a form of entertainment, a joke. I know that Marcel Offerman means well and he is an official doll maker of historical figures, I just don't care for it. Thank you for your enthusiasm! And, the doll could be named Little Bill and I wouldn't know any differen't. That's because he just looks like a young African American man.
From Tacoma, WA, 06/10/2008
Sorry, but the Obama doll looks nothing at all like the candidate. Obama is a slender light skinned man. The doll has a fat round face with dark skin. Marcel Offermann did not do a good depiction of Barack Obama.
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