All the Rage: Cardboard Politicians

A NEW KIND of rage has descended upon the D.C. area: cardboard cutout rage.

Specifically, cardboard cutout likenesses of presidential candidates.

Take one recent incident at the America! store at Reagan National Airport, where cutouts of nominees John McCain and Barack Obama beamed at passengers struggling with their luggage. A commotion ensues: McCain took a pummeling at the hands of a pint-sized rival — a boy of 7 or so — whose cell-phone-glued father boasted, "I taught him well."

Cardboard McCain's experience paled in comparison to a certain former primary candidate, according to Alexis Garrett, an employee at America!'s Old Town Alexandria store. "The Hillary cutout we used to have: They beat her so bad she couldn't stand up no more," she said, shaking her head. "They poked her eyes out."

Cutout rage isn't just about abusing the image of a hated political figure; the likenesses clearly bring out the crazy in certain people. One clearly inebriated traveler at America!'s Reagan National shop became enamored of the cutouts, cajoling a complete stranger to take his picture via her cell phone and e-mail it to him.

Not finished, the passenger pushed the cutouts together, effectively closing the store, then proceeded to buy mass quantities of both politicians. The transaction turned ugly when the clerk informed him that she couldn't ship them. Profanities and "moron" monikers were spewed and travelers hoping to buy a pack of gum shuffled past the store in confusion.

Yep, it's the crazy season in Washington. Anything can happen.

Fortunately, most people react to cardboard cutouts with relative sanity. They eyeball the likenesses a bit, then shyly and self-consciously sidle up to have a companion take a picture. They muse to themselves, "Is McCain really that short?" or "I didn't know Obama wore glasses" (he's holding them in his hands).

Jelena Vries and her two daughters struck a pose. Vries, a Croatian in the area on business — she favors McCain, while her daughters prefer Obama — explained that the fascination with U.S. politics is international. "Everyone thinks about elections in Europe, not just here," she said.

Patricia Ridgeway, an Obama fan from Saint John, New Brunswick, explained her preference. "I just like [Obama]. I know more about American politics than I do Canadian," she said. Besides, she added, pointing to McCain, "he's too old."

But one grandfather, who declined to be named, had no problem showing his displeasure with the Democratic candidate. His family giggled as he posed sticking his tongue out at Obama's cutout.

At least Obama was spared Hillary's fate.

Stories and photos by Express contributor Erin Trompeter