Barack Obama: The Action Figure

Who could possibly think of a better way of celebrating Barack Obama's election and early presidency than to purchase this premium edition President Obama action figure? Replete with highly detailed facial expressions, three sets of hands, a microphone, a wooden stool, and infamous flag pin lapel, you too can own a piece of the history and hope that our new president embodies. All this and more for the low, low price of $69.99.

The action figure is 12" tall and is remarkably realistic, although one could say too realistic. I feel that the doll straddles the two poles of realistic and creepy, a quality similar to a wax museum. One is not quite sure whether to be repulsed or impressed in this so-called "uncanny valley." President Obama (the doll) also includes two different emotive heads, both of which contain overly harsh facial expressions, I feel.

When used in the right hands, you too can recreate the unlikely rise of Obama: from his birth in "Kenya," to scruffy community organizer, to civil rights lawyer, and then onto a career as Illinois state senator and then US senator, and finally onto the grand position of President of the United States. Relive the highs of his nomination and inauguration, as well as the establishment of the economic stimulus package and Cash for Clunkers, a shift in the policies in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the lows of the nomination of a "racist" Supreme Court Justice, the spewing of socialism to our schoolchildren, and the failure by the Senate Finance Committee to pass either of the public option health care reform bills. Or if revisionist history is more of your thing, your Obama action figure can fight off Nazis, destroy the alien invaders of 2076, or have an epic lightsaber battle with Darth Vader himself.

All of which begs the question, who is this product for? What is the target audience? Is it mostly intended for the die-hard Obama enthusiast, a comic book collector, or a lover of anything kitsch? It probably isn't suitable for a birther or tea bagger/tea partier due to its $70 price tag, although it could work as an effigy in a pinch. Which brings us to a more pressing question: Why? If it's for the Obamamanics, if you will, aren't there better ways of displaying your support for him and his policies? It would seem more productive to fulfill his calls for national service, or to join or create a social activist group, or to simply read a book.

Yes, President Obama is an international social and cultural icon. And yes, it is appropriate to express pride, warmth, and love for him, as well as criticism and disappointment, but only when we do so in constructive, effective ways. The only increasing polarization and politicization of this country, in an inevitably shrill tenor, is not helping. Nor, I'm afraid, is this doll. And maybe that's all it is. Maybe it is just a doll. But it is difficult to separate the political from the neutral in this action figure. Obama, for people on both sides of the aisle, elicits so much raw emotion, that it is next to impossible not to project your political views and frustrations onto this doll.

This President Barack Obama action figure includes:
* two different heads (one face on the neutral end of the spectrum, albeit with a slight smirk; the other face is enraged or engaged in a heated oratory exchange)
* two different styles of ties (in red or blue)
* three different pairs of hands (slight fist; pointing index finger; relaxed hand with wedding band)
* wrist watch
* microphone
* wooden stool
* fringed American flag with metal stand

The doll is made by DiD (Dragon in Dream) Corp., which is, ironically enough, a Chinese company. DiD Corp also sells a John McCain action figure, ideal for reenacting the divisive and prolonged 2008 election. (http://onlinedid.com/products/obama_action_figure/index.htm)