What does the lack of candidate bumper stickers signify?

[OmahaBlueDog]

Yesterday, I posted this poll

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3742843

Overwhelmingly, folks agree that we're just not seeing the same display of bumper advertising we saw 4 years ago (for either side). My question now is "why?"

edit: I added a choice specific to workplace issues

[kickysnana]

1. Poor choice of endorsed candidates. n/t

[demnan]

2. Other -

people with nice new cars don't want to mess the paint up with bumperstickers.

That's why magnetics are popular.

(2009 Camary with magnetic Obama sticker)

[OmahaBlueDog]

5. I, too, use a magnetic Obama sticker

a) because I do have a workplace issue and b) because I don't want to invite vandalism

[Midlodemocrat]

10. 2007 Town and Country with several magnetic bumper stickers.

My other van was keyed during 2004. Not making that mistake again.

[OmahaBlueDog]

18. I had a bunch of anti-Bush & pro-Kerry stickers in '04

... and I had yard signs. I didn't get vandalized, but I received anonymous hate mail (I suspect from a coworker) and after I put up yard signs, an unspoken chill developed with several of my neighbors.

I'm sorry you got keyed -- that sucks!

[LiberalHeart]

3. I've seen only one bumper sticker (Obama), and...

...it was attached to the rear window, inside, with scotch tape -- for easy removal.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. Politics as usual doesn't sell bumper stickers.

[OmahaBlueDog]

9. How do you explain so many more Kerry & Bush stickers by this time in 2004?

Seriously, I see more "W '04" and "Bush Cheney" stickers than McSame stickers -- it's not even close.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

14. People are more fed up with politicians now than they were then.

Just look at how the people rate the presidency and current congress.

[OmahaBlueDog]

16. I see that for McSame, but the typical Obama supporter is said to be enthusiastic

Also, if your hypothesis is correct, wouldn't we expect to see Greens and Libertarians poll better as people look for alternatives? (Your hypothesis does address why I still see ron Paul signs, for example). Or is it that we've directed our energy to causes rather than candidates?

[MedleyMisty]

6. I see plenty of Obama yard signs and a decent amount of Obama stickers

My job is driving around to rental properties to take pictures and put up and take down signs and supra locks so I see a lot of residential neighborhoods and spend most of the day driving, so I have a pretty large sample to base that on.

I've seen one McCain yard sign and really I can't remember a McCain bumper sticker right off. Maybe I've seen one or two.

[OmahaBlueDog]

11. Interesting

I drive to a lot of businesses, but obviously pass a lot of homes. As I said yesterday -- on the opposition side, I see Ron Paul signs still up, but not McSame signs. I've seen a few Obama signs. I'm in the Upper Midwest; I gather you are in NC (which, if what you say holds true, it a VERY encouraging sign)

[Vanje]

25. Thers Ron Paul sighns all over rural Idaho.

That dude is not stingy with his signs

[Warpy]

7. The campaigns haven't printed them yet

pending the conventions, official announcements, and announcement of the running mates.

Indie outfits like Cafe Press have printed some Obama materials and those are seen from time to time, but they're not official campaign materials.

Indie outfits might have designed McGoo stickers, but there's been a great outpouring of apathy over that campaign so they're poor sellers. I know I haven't seen a single bumpersticker even in GOP areas of town.

There was the same lack of early distribution of campaign stickers for Stupid/Corrupt both in 2000 and 2004.

[OmahaBlueDog]

13. I've got to disagree with your last sentence

... or maybe we're talking cross purposes.

I lived outside Fort Lauderdale in 2004. I saw my first "W, The President" sticker in December '03, and the "W'04" ovals pop up shortly thereafter, and in big numbers. Keep in mind that Jeb had been elected 2 years earlier, so his machine was still in place.

I also noted that both GWB and Jeb used off-size stickers. the "W" stickers were about 1/4 the size of an ordinary sticker, and the ubiquitous "Jeb!" stickers one saw in FL were about 1/3 the size. Was this for ease of distribution? cost? ease of mailing?

[Ganja Ninja]

8. I think it's a combination of reasons 3 & 4.

Obama supporters are fearful of road rage or vandalism and Republicans just aren't all that enthused about McCain.

[LiberalEsto]

12. The economy

I think a lot of people can't afford to buy bumper stickers. Also, people may be afraid their cars will be vandalized, costing them more money.

[endelfam]

15. Two different reasons.....

Many Repubs aren't enthusiastic about McCain. The Obama campaign isn't pushing yard signs or bumper stickers the way campaigns traditionally have. There were complaints during the primaries from Obama supporters in the field that they had a hard time getting hold of this stuff unless they paid for it out of their own pockets. Our local office in Houston had a limited supply, especially of yard signs, and they went very fast. (I got there at the right moment and snarfed one up.) I heard a similar complaint just the other day on the Obama blog thread from someone who was trying to get the stuff for a local shindig. I know our local campaign office has a real dearth of such items to pass out.

[aikoaiko]

17. I dont screw up my car with stickers.

[AndyA]

19. I think there are many reasons why we aren't seeing many bumper stickers.

I'm in Tulsa, and I've seen a lot more Obama stickers than I have McSame stickers. I've seen a few cars with both W'04 and McSame stickers (some people never learn).

I don't think Republicans are fired up at all about McSame. They are weary after seeing what their party has done to this country the past 7.5 years. Republicans are straining to fill their gas tank and put food on the table. They know people who've lost their jobs and/or their homes. Many have lost loved ones due to the war in Iraq.

I think many are questioning whether "family values" is really worth the price they're paying.

Deep down inside, I think most people know things aren't going well, and that the Republicans are to blame. They know Bush and Cheney are both oil men, and SURPRISE! the oil industry is one of the few that's remained profitable under their watch. How can that be? The automotive, manufacturing, and airline industries are all suffering greatly. So is retail. But oil is just great.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see what's going on. Like it or not, most know this.

I think after the VPs are named and the conventions have been held, enthusiasm will increase for both candidates.

[DebJ]

20. All the Hummers and big trucks here in Pa are being traded in

along with the Bush 04 bumper stickers. Used to see lots of them. Diminishing daily on the bigger vehicles. Bumper stickers . . . none around to speak of.

[MrCoffee]

21. I don't have any because I'm not that excited about the candidate

How much worse must it be for the poor Repukes to have to support Johnny McSame?

[moonlady0623]

22. State Fair Season

Perhaps folks haven't had opportunities to pick them up....the State Fair in Oregon is later this month, I suspect we'll see more once that's over.

On two recent 600 mile drives to Northern California we saw 20 Obama stickers/signs to every 1 McCain. A Really good sign considering how "red" Southern Oregon can be.

[Romulox]

23. It seems like campaigns are charging for promotional materials. I never recall having to pay...

for a bumper sticker or a yard sign... :shrug:

[Vanje]

24. They were charging 5 bucks for one

At a county fair in Idah recently, I stopped by the Democrats booth to share some friendly, maybe meet a local candidate or two.
They had shiny Obama bumper stickers and buttons. But each cost a donation of 5 bucks.
I just dont have 5 bux to spare these days.

I already have an Obama sicker on my bumper. Its a small one though. If anyone can read that one, they really are tail-gating too close.


Recently I had seen a REPUBLICANS FOR OBAMA bumper sticker .
I wish I'd thought to visit the GOP booth at the fair and mess with their heads by asking for a REPUBLICANS FOR OBAMA sticker.

[eshfemme]

26. BTW, the fact that McCain's Straight Talk Express' bumper got Obama-fied is awesome in my back.

Most likely explanation is based on how polarized this country has been and the general fuckitude of the freepers, putting a bumper sticker on your car is asking for it to be keyed.

What I'd like to know is what it's like in yard sign land? Are yard signs getting more popular to offset the relative lack of bumper stickers?

[isentropic]

27. Hard to get excited over the choice...piss-poor vs. mediocre.

:shrug:

[cbc5g]

28. I see far more Bush stickers than McCain stickers...and it's still not many at all

I use a car magnet to show my support

[bobbert]

29. It's still too early

Wait until late september and october and you'll start seeing them more often. I don't remember seeing any stickers until after summer was over four years ago. I saw more Obama signs during the heated primary season than I have seen lately. I think once debates start and there's a lot more media attention, we will see more signs, but it is just too far away.