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Obama in Wax Takes the Oval
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ShareFebruary 11, 2008 1:22 PM
ABC News' Matt Jaffe Reports: Ever wonder what presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama would look like in the Oval Office? Well, look no further than Madame Tussauds wax museum in Washington, D.C. to catch a glimpse of what may be the nation's political future. While "Hail to the Chief" played in the background, a wax figure of Illinois senator, standing behind the desk in the museum's replica of the Oval Office and flanked by wax figures of the Clintons and Kennedys, was unveiled Monday morning.
Watch video from the unveiling HERE.
The figure of Obama is standing with his arms crossed, wearing a black suit and smiling broadly. To his right, figures of his Democratic rival Sen. Hillary Clinton and her husband, former president Bill Clinton. To Obama's left, figures of another first family that graced the Oval Office, former president John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy.
"Given that this is the eve of the primaries for Maryland, D.C., and Virginia, he's definitely in the news," said Madame Tussauds' marketing manager Shameka Lloyd. "You open the newspaper, you look on the television, he definitely represents a historic time in this election season. He represents pop culture. He is a figure that not only are people talking about, but all of our guests are overwhelmingly asking for a Barack Obama figure so now they have it."
Lloyd said that the exhibit's placement of the figures - with Obama directly behind the desk and Hillary off to the side - is only meant to serve as a way to put the spotlight on Obama for the day. On Tuesday, the wax version of both Obama and Hillary Clinton will be moved out of the Oval Office exhibit and over to the Washington Links & Current Affairs hall, while those of Bill Clinton and the Kennedys will return to the Presidential Room.
"Given that this is an election season we said, 'Hmm, why don't we just take a little peek at what could possibly be the outcome of this election season?' Not that we're saying we want it to go one way or another, but Barack Obama is our newest figure and so the spotlight is on him today," said Lloyd.
The inclusion of the Kennedy figures in today's exhibit comes just two weeks after the late President's daughter Caroline Kennedy endorsed Obama, as did Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI).
"There has been some reference to Barack Obama kind of capturing the spirit of Kennedy, so why not be flanked by the Kennedys, be flanked by the Clintons? It's just really what people are talking about," said Lloyd.
Lloyd added that the museum's presentation of the Obama figure is nothing more than "an endorsement of what's being talked about by everyone else."
Over a three to six month period, the Obama figure was sculpted in London by the Madame Tussauds studio team using a picture of the senator and then shipped to Washington. Lloyd extended an invitation to Obama to come to the museum to meet his wax likeness.
"We're happy to have him," said Lloyd. "We're hoping that he'll come check himself out."
The Hillary Clinton figure was unveiled on President's Day weekend 2007 in New York City and according to Lloyd, the senator "loved it."
February 11, 2008 in Obama, Barack | Permalink | User Comments (14)
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Huh. I might have to get down there to see that.
Posted by: Paul | Feb 11, 2008 1:55:26 PM
cool.. a vision realized..
Posted by: Lawrence | Feb 11, 2008 3:14:10 PM
..If nightmare is what you mean by "Vision" then yes I agree.
Vote Dem and see payroll taxes go through the roof,How else will all these new entitlements going to get paid?
Posted by: Realist | Feb 11, 2008 3:35:04 PM
the cult of obama continues....
Posted by: oprahlaloca | Feb 11, 2008 3:46:24 PM
Oh, Realist, because we've been doing so great under Bush ! PuHleez. You guys always pull out these scare tactics -- taxes are going to go through the roof, businesses will go bankrupt, people will lose their homes -- oh wait, these things are happening to us now!
Posted by: Jackt51 | Feb 11, 2008 4:32:57 PM
Let me say first off Obama is no JFK. JFK had more experience before becoming president. Secondly, I don't want a president who is also charisma and no real programs or substance. Right now Obama scares me with his fainting women and large crowds who are taken up with the whirlwind of events and Oprah. More importantly, I feel their has been some unjust and unfair political manuvering by the good old boys who cannot see a woman in charge. That includes all the news networks as well as Obamah and others like him. Yes you Teddy...
Posted by: Eymard | Feb 11, 2008 4:54:08 PM
Another tactic used on the American people with a visual, instead of truthful procedures to rid our nations problems, along with, the word nation being used as universal. This is another aroguant ploy to elect a president. Bandwagon has a stopping point, what will happen when the wagon does stop?
Posted by: callenfallen | Feb 11, 2008 5:32:44 PM
President Kennedy and his wife...
President Clinton and his wife....
Barack Obama
Which one of these things is not like the others??? Hello, as much as the media wants to shove it down people's throats Barack Obama is not the President. And this race is far from over.
Posted by: GeesLouise | Feb 11, 2008 8:13:41 PM
Wow, even in wax he needs to take a few classes on body language!
The way he is standing with his arms crossed says everything!
Hillary Clinton 08
Posted by: Jersey Girl | Feb 12, 2008 12:46:02 AM
A wax figure of Obama in the oval office. Ok, and what will be so different from that if he is elected and he, along with all of the inspired dreamers that vote for him, finally come to the realization that this man does not have the experience necessary to run the country?
Posted by: SuzieD1234 | Feb 12, 2008 12:59:49 AM
Those wax statues of Obama and the Clintons are freakishly realistic.
It's just too weird for me.
Posted by: TheChrisBerry | Feb 12, 2008 1:45:45 AM
My question is, when is the McCain wax figure going to be unveiled? Last I checked there was more than one candidate for president. I'm sick and tired of the media and the entertainment industry trying to choose our political leaders. Last I checked, the voters were the ones who decided. So let's let them decide before we put ANY candidate's wax figure in the Oval Office.
Posted by: chk | Feb 12, 2008 9:28:28 AM
Well, if you'll notice, the figures are all the "beautiful" dems. It's an indication that those who frequent the museum are vocal dems. Possibly that Madame Toussauds' has a left-perspective, nothing more. If you want a McCain or a Huckabee or a (oh hell, I don't know) Nader figure, you and all your friends who share those sentiments should go down and request it. Blame the media, but not the museum. Also, in response to the pro-Clinton dems who tout the "more experience" card, how so? Are we counting First Lady as official political experience these days? I don't mean to come off glibly, I'd just like to educate myself.
Posted by: George | Feb 12, 2008 11:34:58 AM
Those figures have more personality than the clintons have. I wouldn't waste wax on those two. Candles would be useful
Posted by: del | Feb 12, 2008 1:22:22 PM
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