The tat factor

Oct 23rd 2008
From Economist.com

Sales of Halloween masks, and other tat, predict election results in America

THE reliability of opinion polls is doubtful but an alternative means exists for predicting the outcome of America's election. Purveyors of Halloween masks of presidential candidates take a ghoulish glee in claiming that they have accurately predicted the winner of the past seven elections: he who sells most, wins. Luckily for Barack Obama, his masks are outselling those of John McCain by 54% to 46%. He is beating Mr McCain in the sales of other presidential tat, too. The Democratic former law professor is trouncing the ex-pilot in sales of action figures. Mr McCain can take little comfort that those wanting to dress as the Wicked Witch of Wasilla, Sarah Palin, far outnumber Halloween Hillarys.

AP/Amazon.com