Obama Is on a Roll

The story about the guy who printed the president-elect's face on a roll of toilet paper sounds like the start of a thousand punchlines -- or worse. But Jeremy Rupke insists it's only business; nothing personal.

"I am not picking on anyone," said Rupke, 23, in an interview. "I am actually a big fan of Obama. I am very happy to see that he was elected and hope that he sticks around for a while."

Rupke, a Canadian from Beaverton, Ontario, has sold rolls of Obama paper -- only the first dozen or so sheets are actually printed, he said -- since June. While he won't say how many of the $10 rolls he's sold, he says sales picked up after the election and have continued to be strong as the inauguration has approached.

"Recently, the Obama orders have been coming in," Rupke said. "I find that political leaders tend to be big sellers so when the election came around I saw it as a great opportunity."

The rolls are for sale through his web site. "This roll would look great on the desk of any Democrat," the site reads. "It would certainly make for an interesting stocking stuffer or Christmas gift."

(Also available, according to the web site, are rolls adorned with the faces of President Bush, Sen. John McCain and others. Shoppers can also have their own made with custom pictures and messages.)

And there's a warning for those who plan to use the rolls for "traditional" uses: "The toilet paper is for display only," said Rupke. "The ink I use has not been tested for wiping purposes and could cause a rash in a place where you would least likely want it."

-- By Jamisha N. Purdy, washingtonpost.com

By Washington Post Editors  |  December 4, 2008; 8:45 AM ET  | Category:  Souvenirs
Previous: Sources: Inauguration Organizers to Open More Viewing Space | Next: The $1 Million Man

The comments to this entry are closed.