Who is this guy? He looks like he runs some kind of heavy machinery plant, and it looks like he's given up on President Obama. For a starting bid of $5 at ShopGoodwill.com, you can buy four framed photos of him shaking hands with the president, posing with some other guys and the president, and giving a big speech in front of an American flag. No one has bid on the photos in the seven days since they were posted by Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana. And the organization offers no help in figuring out who the guy is. "Unfortunately, my ignorance and apathy for politics are unable to identify the others in the photos," reads the listing copy, which adds optimistically, "Great for display in your home." This mustachioed man is not the only one giving up his Obama mementos for free.
For a starting bid of $75.99, you can buy a framed form letter from the president. (One person has bid since Goodwill of Western New York posted it September 26.) Dated July 27, 2010, the letter begins, "Dear Friend, I want to thank you for your message and for holding me in your prayers. my family and I are honored that so many Americans have supported us in this special way." Who could part with a touching personal message like that?
Another bit of Obama paraphenalia someone has given away is this print posted by Goodwill Industries of Northeast Indiana. Bidding starts at $4. No one has jumped on it yet.
There's also a special edition Obama Chia Pet, posted by Goodwill Easter Seals of St. Paul, Minnesota, which as of Monday morning is going for $8.17. Two people have bid so far. The poster notes that "Item is the 'Determined' version (as opposed to the 'Happy' version)" of the Obama Chia Pet. Also: " Item's box is somewhat bent up. May need some light cleaning."
It's worth noting that you can find other presidential memorabilia on ShopGoodwill.com, like this collection of 42 presidential thimbles from Indianapolis, starting at $5. The number of thimbles indicates the collector gave up after Bill Clinton.
Much of the Obama-related items for sale on the Goodwill site come from Rust Belt states where Obama's low approval among working-class whites has led his reelection campaign to just about give up. Still, the most interesting bit of presidential junk is the Obama photo op. Here's a close-up with what appears to be his business partners standing in front of what looks like a military vehicle:
Obama has visited several factories around Indiana, where the posting comes from. Anyone know who these guys are? Let us know.
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Elspeth Reeve
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