Since Election Day 2004, we’ve kept track of committed support for various 2008 presidential contenders, indicated by sales of Election 2008 bumper stickers, magnets, campaign buttons, and American Apparel t-shirts. Lately we’ve added yard signs, lapel stickers and union made t-shirts for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama as well. While polls measure fickle opinions, our measure tracks the stronger commitment marked by the laying down of cash to promote a candidate in public. The more strongly committed are more likely to actually get out there and vote. The following is the percent share of sales of our Election 2008 gear in the past week of March 30 to April 5, 2008:
Barack Obama 2008: 89.5%
Hillary Clinton 2008: 7.1%
Al Gore 2008: 3.4%
Mike Gravel 2008: 0%
Yes, that’s Al Gore in there. There are rumors (batted down by Al Gore himself) that he may emerge as a presidential pick in a brokered convention, and it seems that some people find this idea attractive. This is the second week of some activity for Al Gore in our sales. Only twice that number are purchasing items in support of Hillary Clinton, and the very, very big remainder is accounted for by Barack Obama.
And Mike Gravel, who now wants to run for President as a Libertarian? Eh. Nothing.
