As election season is in bloom around the nation – with Arizona’s primary slated for Aug. 24 – political candidates need something that really stands out.
What better way to stand out, literally, than with a lifelike and life-size cutout of a candidate?
A Midwestern man had this same thought, so he created such standup, life-size cutouts he sells at his Victory Store site.
These signs can feature stock images, like a stereotypical happy, blue-collar worker holding a candidate’s sign, or one custom made in the candidate’s own likeness.
Any folks up for a life-size Gov. Jan Brewer in their front yard? What about Attorney General candidate Tom Horne?
The signs not only grab a lot of attention, but they also give us a chance to meet our candidates face to face – or at least face to cardboard face.
C’mon, admit it. Many of us may have lain awake at night wondering just what our candidates for State Mine Inspector look like.
The idea is quite dandy – although prices are still high. A large, single life-size cutout with a stock image starts at $89 and a custom cutout at $129, but candidates would never get just one. Up the order to 1,000 signs and the stock image price dips to an affordable $16 each. Thicker signs cost more; smaller ones cost less.
But even $16 per sign seems cheaper than the price of a Starbucks latte these days.
Pols need something new and innovative, as old tactics just don’t cut it.
We have long learned to hang up on robo calls, especially after realizing there is a few seconds’ delay between saying “Hello” and then hearing the robo voice.
Knocking on doors, especially during nap time on a lazy Sunday afternoon, tends to just tick people off. That’s a sure way to get a vote against the candidate, not for him.
Campaign literature left on the doorstep goes the same way as Cox ads hung on the doorknob or landscaping business cards shoved in the jamb: the junk pile.
Direct mail has much the same fate. Some of us have learned to weed out junk mail quite efficiently, with the recycling bin conveniently located between the mailbox and our front doors. Glossy campaign postcards and brochures tend to join pre-approved credit card announcements and slick circulars screaming about cheap pizza.
We have noted a few dangers, however, that could accompany lifelike and life-size political signs.
Like darts, rotten eggs or tomatoes. Yes, opposing candidates or obnoxious haters can get ugly and perhaps deface competitors’ faces.
The fetching signs may also fetch an unwanted glance or two from passing motorists, resulting in running over the sign and smashing it flat or a crash into the nearest light post.
And the signs in all their large and glorious grandeur do seem like they’d have the power to scare small kids.
Or even adults, for that matter.
But, heck, it all seems worth it. A wise investment of campaign funds. And candidates can always save the signs after elections and put them in their foyers to deter intruders.
[tnipoll]
Full disclosure: No, I was not offered any bribes or custom lifelike, life-size signs for this write-up. I simply thought it a fun and funky idea. And if I did get a life-size sign, I would not choose a politician. I’d opt for a cardboard replication of Carol Channing.
What do you think?
Would you put a lifelike and life-size candidate sign in your yard?
Would you throw things at signs of candidates you do not appreciate?
What campaign tactic is most effective? Most annoying?
Ryn, the only one of these life-size candidate signs I’ve ever seen here in Tucson was one of Barack Obama when he was running for U.S. President. Lots of people stood next to it and took their photos “with the President” when he won.
carolyn,
that’s one more than i’ve seen!
how cool that folks had fun with photos of it, rather than destroying it, which would be my worry about any life-size sign of any likeness (as also noted by hugh below).
Ryn, I noticed a life-size campaign cut out of Senator John McCain today at his HQ. So now I’ve seen both President Obama and Senator McCain in cut-out.
This being ARizona…folks would probably steal life-like signs of candidates and use them for target practice.
ha! valid fears, hugh!
I agree with Hugh… I’m afraid the one you have above would have some words that begin with N sprayed on it…
awww, i would hope not – we could see cutting off heads and throwing tomatoes, but the racial junk is just unacceptable.
thanks for input, three sonoroans (and nice pic – that would make a dandy life-size sign, for sure)
I would rather vote for the sign than the person.
hahahhahahaha! i am TOTALLY with you on that one, alan in kent wa…
bet cardboard cutouts would do better in some offices!
Ahhh, my childlike mind was thinking of the old days….a goofy mustache or eye patch drawn on them.
ha! not childlike mind at all – but rather one that is kind and loving (unlike some folks who would think about chopping off heads or throwing eggs – hahahha).
goofy mustaches are one of those eternally fun accessories, anyway.
It is so cool to see these things up on the web. I actually work in production at http://www.victorystore.com so it actually fills me with a little pride to see things that I help make get media coverage.
yaaay! glad to write about it, justin – looks like you guys have tons of fun promotional products – and a fun job.
…if you ever make a carol channing cutout, do let me know – hahahha.
Wouldn’t it be great to see
Sarah Palin, or
Rush Limbaugh, or
Glenn Beck – let alone any other political hacks
when you drive by every day?
Arghhh…
Think about it!!!
But I like Sarah Palin! I’d wave to her 🙂
hahahahhaha!
Hey Rynski, these things are two dimensional, colorful yet lacking in substance.
Perfect!
Sure hope they remove these eyesores as quickly as they remove the old placards…yeah, right…
ha! you’re too much, radmax! – and right on the money, once again!
i know there is some time limit for removing political signs – not sure how frequently it’s followed – i only know since i once asked if i could go take all the signs’ sticks for my artwork and was told after a certain number of days, the signs are open season.
“@#$% no” should have been one of the choices.
hahahahhahaah! i hear ya, koreyk!
…but i think ‘heck’ is as profanity-ridden as i’m allowed to get (although i do sneak in ‘hell’ once in awhile….)
thanks for laugh!