Obama: Times Square (drafted) pitchman

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Obama: Times Square (drafted) pitchman

by Mark Silva

The president has been known to throw the first pitch at the start of baseball season. But a presidential pitch in Times Square?

The White House has tried to curb the use of Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and the Obama children as tools of advertising. But the president's protests are a no-sale on Madison Avenue. Or Times Square.

The fur-less first lady is featured at the moment in a "Fur-free, Fabulous'' ad that PETA has posted around Washington.

Now the president, appearing atop the Great Wall of China in a Weatherproof overcoat, is pictured by the company on its Times Square billboard.

White House spokesman Bill Burton says the administration has a long-standing policy against the use of Obama's name and likeness for commercial purposes.

The photo of the president touring China's best-known landmark, a rugged pose captured by the Associated Press' Charles Dharapak in the line of journalistic duty, caught the attention of Weatherproof President Freddie Stollmack. The coat looked familiar, so Stollmack got out his magnifying glass -- Yureeka!

The company bought the photo rights from Images, and did not seek permission from the White Housenor does it believe that necessary, because Obama is not endorsing the product.

"He didn't come to us. It's just a great looking jacket on a great looking president," Stollmack explains.

The president's job approval may be off nationally, but he has a ready following in Manhattan, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by about five-to-one. And Stollmack figures Obama should thank them for making him look so good.

"We did this in good faith," Stollmack says. "This is an image that we thought would enhance the president of the United States."

And, oh yes, the coats. (Fur-less).

Republicans Hope For Gains In 2010

Two Democratic Senators, Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, have announced they will not seek re-election this fall. Also, the failed attack on Northwest flight 253 continues to have political ramifications.