Toying With Politics: What Can a Stuffed Animal Educate Us In regards to the President?

I’m anticipating the Joe Biden Presidential Library curators to be calling any minute now, asking me to donate my shiny pink toy dinosaur.

It’s onerous to think about the mask-free world simply over a yr in the past, when New Hampshire Journal honored me as one in every of their presidential “Primary Superfans” for zealously pursuing goofy photo-ops from Nashua to Dixville Notch (and each sq. inch of granite in between).

For the previous 4 presidential election cycles, I’ve photographed White Home hopefuls with my favourite cartoon character – Dino Flintstone – as they’ve stampeded by means of New Hampshire’s apple farms, ice cream stands and diners. It’s a profoundly totally different ask than the selfie and autograph requests that politicians sometimes obtain. The dinosaur doll catches them off-guard and forces them to momentarily go off script.

I see my stuffed animal as a character check: Does the candidate have a humorousness or, maybe extra precisely, can they embrace a humorousness that’s totally different than their very own?

Once I delivered my elevator pitch to future President Biden throughout a Harmony firefighters’ chili luncheon, he playfully slapped me on the shoulder and stated, “Dino higher vote for me!”

I’ve by no means primarily based my New Hampshire major vote on the standard of my Dino photographs, however I used to be beaming after this Biden encounter and nonetheless am. The man who will quickly be staring down Russia’s Vladimir Putin doesn’t want a teleprompter to banter with me in regards to the Flintstones. He’s fairly good at improv.

The late John McCain humored the creator in 2007, posing along with his then-5-year-old son, Ari, and Dino Flintstone.

My first plush prehistoric photo-op was with U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) through the 2008 race, when he went on to win the Republican nomination. Since then, I’ve shared cartoon karma with greater than three dozen presidential hopefuls spanning from real-life dinosaur fanatic Newt Gingrich on the precise to mittens-meme Bernie Sanders on the left. The challenge was impressed by “The Love Book” and “The Red Couch,” two espresso desk books that function pictures of the identical object with strangers throughout America.

Flipping by means of the newest batch of Dino snapshots now could be like taking a time machine again to the second when COVID-19 was nonetheless a distant headline. February 2020 was the final comparatively carefree month earlier than masks and social distancing grew to become the norm. Whereas major season is the one time most of us see our elected officers exterior the Washington bubble, we’re all now encased in particular person bubbles.

It’s in all probability probably the most acceptable query a dinosaur can ask: “Will the New Hampshire major as we all know it quickly be extinct?” Will the selfie traces and jam-packed college gyms be coming again in 2024? Or will we be doing largely digital handshakes and candidate City Halls over Zoom?

I hope that the various dad and mom who {photograph} the “Flat Stanley” character in inventive poses with their kids will admire these enjoyable Dino pics and the logistical challenges behind getting them. However the challenge can also be a reminder of how fleeting political goals might be. Scroll by means of the photographs under and rely what number of candidates you already forgot ran for president in New Hampshire solely a yr in the past – plus discover out which Hollywood film star additionally rubbed elbows with Dino!

Leap to a candidate:
Pete Buttigieg | Eric Swalwell | John Delaney | Tulsi Gabbard | Cory Booker | Michael Bennet | Andrew Yang | Marianne Williamson | William Weld | Kamala Harris | Mike Pence | Vermin Supreme | Joe Biden | Steve Bullock | Amy Klobuchar | Tom Steyer | Bernie Sanders | Tulsi Gabbard (Surfer Edition) | Michael Douglas

Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend, Indiana

Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Indiana, at Keene Excessive College Keene, NH (Could 2019)

To construct up my confidence, I like to start out with the least well-known candidates and fine-tune my elevator pitch earlier than approaching the celebrities. I had assumed that the mayor of an Indiana metropolis solely barely larger than Nashua would have loads of empty folding chairs ready for me. However surprisingly, I couldn’t discover a parking area and left my automotive in entrance of a Dumpster.

After Mayor Pete’s discuss, I muscled my means by means of the packed gymnasium to a chaotic receiving line. A couple of moments earlier than it could be my flip, the candidate darted to the opposite aspect of the room to greet a brand new group of voters. Figuring I struck out, I returned to my illegally parked automotive and located it boxed in by a black SUV with tinted home windows. It was Buttigieg’s limo, and I caught him simply earlier than he left for Manchester Airport.

“Mayor Pete, I’ve a Democratic good luck attraction. Can I seize a pic of you holding Dino?”

Buttigieg appeared down on the stuffed animal and gave me a clean stare. “Positive, why not?” he shrugged.

Not a deep bonding second, however it was a very good begin.

The place Are They Now?: Buttigieg is now the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) on the Merrimack Historical Society, Merrimack, NH (Could 2019)

Weird that it takes a man from California to open my eyes about an environmental catastrophe occurring a 10-minute drive away from my residence. Congressman Swalwell visited Merrimack’s historical past museum, housed in a 1800s schoolhouse, to debate PFAS chemical groundwater pollution from a neighborhood plastics manufacturing facility. It’s been a firebrand subject for the city, however inexplicably off my radar.

Swalwell appreciated the novelty of the Dino photographs, gamely posing as if he had been endorsing a product. However extra importantly, he impressed me to check my effectively.

The place Are They Now?: Swalwell was re-elected to the Home in 2020 and served as an Impeachment Supervisor for President Trump’s second impeachment trial.

Former U.S. Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.)

Former U.S. Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.) on the Amherst Dems Barbeque, yard of State Senator Shannon Chandley Amherst, NH (Could 2019)

Businessman and former Congressman John Delaney, the first Democrat to declare his candidacy within the 2020 race, grilled burgers and sizzling canines for about 50 folks earlier than making his case that the celebration wanted a centrist different to Biden. He arrange one of many sweetest marketing campaign swag tables I’ve ever seen, gifting away mounds of heavyweight cotton t-shirts, bottle openers and copies of his marketing campaign manifesto, “The Proper Reply.”

Dressing the normally topless Dino in a Delaney bumpersticker, I made my pitch whereas the candidate was autographing his books. “Sir, I’ve a enjoyable custom the place I {photograph} all of the candidates with my favourite toy dinosaur …,” I stated, not getting to complete my sentence. Frowning on the wrinkled “D” sticker on Dino’s chest, he replied, “I’d slightly not pose with a dinosaur,” and rapidly pivoted to different visitors.

For just a few seconds, I felt demoralized. Rejection stinks regardless of the way it’s delivered. Self-doubt got here into play. Was it my wording, my tone, the truth that I used to be sporting sun shades and didn’t make direct eye contact?

However I additionally understood his perspective. He had been on the marketing campaign path for greater than a yr and wasn’t gaining any momentum. He needed to speak in regards to the deficit and the Electoral School, not the Flintstones. Maybe he thought I wasn’t taking his candidacy critically. My temper barely improved after grabbing a complimentary memento bottle opener.

The place Are They Now?:  Delaney is now the CEO of Revolution Acceleration Acquisition Corp., an acquisition firm specializing in infrastructure, healthcare and media.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) at Apotheca Flower and Tea Shoppe, Goffstown, NH (July 2019)

After the Delaney rejection, I made a decision there was an issue with my elevator pitch. As an alternative of attempting to be “cutesy” and babbling on about New Hampshire major traditions, I wanted to chop to the chase – particularly since candidates have about 30 seconds to a minute to dedicate to every voter.

My new opening line: “On a lighthearted be aware, I’ve a enjoyable picture challenge the place I’m photographing folks throughout AMERICA with my favourite dinosaur. Could I please get a pic of you holding Dino?”

As a result of Gabbard drove round New Hampshire with a Wonder Woman doll on her dashboard, I used to be anticipating her to immediately embrace the challenge. As an alternative, she gently insisted that I get within the picture along with her and my stuffed animal – form of an insurance coverage coverage towards the second being become a wacky meme.

It appeared rude to argue the inventive deserves of her simply posing with Dino alone (that is NOT a selfie-themed endeavor). So I snapped this pic of her handing Dino again to me earlier than taking the identical selfie as everybody else.

The place Are They Now?: Gabbard simply wrapped up her fourth time period in Congress and opted to not run for re-election. In keeping with her Twitter feed, she plans on launching a brand new podcast quickly.

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) at Nashua Community College, Nashua, NH (July 2019)

As with my preconception of Tulsi Gabbard, I believed Cory Booker can be a slam dunk due to his well-known love for popular culture. He famously campaigned on the 2019 Comedian-Con, declaring that he and girlfriend Rosario Dawson had been each religious Trekkies and “really big nerds” total. And regionally, he did a meet-and-greet at Manchester’s Electric Avenue barcade, making time for a few rounds of Pac Man and Donkey Kong.

However like Gabbard, Booker needed me within the image with him – and I wasn’t about to start out a pretentious monologue about preserving my inventive imaginative and prescient. This was one of the best solo shot I may take earlier than settling for the standard selfie.

Booker’s response may have been simply pure friendliness versus PR technique. Nevertheless, it’s no shock why suspicion is the default state-of-mind in America’s meme-drenched politics. Certainly one of my 2012 Mitt Romney photos with Dino wound up resurfacing as a Fb picture caption contest attracting largely Mitt detractors. Ugly political rhetoric apart, just a few commenters mockingly warned Dino that he was subsequent to be tied to Romney’s automotive roof – a reference to his household observe of transporting his dog in a rooftop carrier throughout roadtrips.

The place Are They Now?: Booker was simply re-elected to his second full time period within the Senate.

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) on the former Portland Pie Pizzeria, Manchester, NH (September 2019)

After the state Democratic Conference on the SNHU Area, Sen. Bennet hosted a pizza celebration with former Colorado Sen. Gary Hart, winner of the 1984 New Hampshire major and notorious tabloid goal for his extramarital affair that derailed his presidential bid 4 years later.

I discovered Hart inspirational once I was a child and was even a bit starstruck seeing the 2019 model meandering round my favourite pizza place. I requested him in regards to the new Hugh Jackman movie about his scandal (he refused to see it), however lacked the braveness to ask the grumpy icon to pose with Dino. I’ll all the time remorse not doing so.

Oh, Michael Bennet is the nicest man ever. I not less than owe him a retroactive thanks for the free pizza.

The place Are They Now?: Bennet is serving his second time period within the U.S. Senate and is up for re-election in 2022. Sadly, Portland Pie closed its Manchester and Nashua eating places and now you must go to Maine.

Andrew Yang, entrepreneur at The Flight Center Beer Cafe, Nashua, NH (September 2019)

For causes which can be nonetheless unclear to me, Yang pledged that he would turn into the primary president to make use of PowerPoint in his State of the Union handle. After which, I child you not, perhaps about 10 Microsoft groupies at this aviation-themed bar began a short-lived “Pow-er Level! Pow-er Level!” chant.

Yang’s marketing campaign aide appeared perplexed that I needed a pic of the candidate with a stuffed animal as an alternative of myself. However Yang simply went with the movement.

The place Are They Now?: Yang is now operating for mayor of New York Metropolis.

Marianne Williamson, self-help creator on the Capitol Center for the Arts, Harmony, NH (October 2019)

Following a yoga exercise and group meditation for world peace, Williamson was glad to see her face adorn a dinosaur’s abdomen. The empty chairs within the picture are deceiving. This pic was taken after the occasion with most of her New Age supporters in line behind me.

The place Are They Now?: Williamson’s presidential bid helps her promote her books, new podcast and motivational seminars.

Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld on the Courtyard by Marriott Nashua, Nashua, NH (October 2019)

Gov. Weld has by no means met a goofy photo-op he didn’t like. At a 1996 press convention asserting environmental laws to guard the Bay State’s waterways, Weld as soon as dove into the polluted Charles River while wearing full business attire. He additionally has no qualms being photographed next to fellow Libertarian Vermin Supreme, the shaggy self-declared “President of New Hampshire” who wears a boot on his head.

So posing with a pink dinosaur doesn’t faze him.

The place Are They Now?: Weld is a senior advisor to “Shining City Upon a Hill,” a nonprofit public coverage group selling a “wise and restricted authorities.”

Former U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.)

The creator needed to accept the cardboard model of then-U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) on the Statehouse, Harmony, NH (November 2019).

Harris was supposed to go to Secretary of State Invoice Gardner’s workplace right now to file her candidacy. As an alternative, she dropped out of the New Hampshire major so she may focus all her assets on Iowa. I needed to accept photographing cardboard.

The place Are They Now?: Harris is the primary girl to function the vp of america.

Former Vice President Mike Pence

Former Vice President Mike Pence on the Statehouse, Harmony, NH (November 2019)

With a tone of confidence I suspected he normally reserved for Cupboard conferences, Pence made direct eye contact with me and rhetorically requested, “That’s Dino Flintstone, isn’t it?”

I needed to proceed this dialog, maybe ask if the vp prefers Cocoa or Fruity Pebbles, or share fun over the truth that Dino’s lengthy neck requires him to stay his head by means of the sunroof of the Flintstone household automobile. However the surly Secret Service had different concepts, briskly shifting Pence alongside.

The place Are They Now?: Pence plans to be a “Distinguished Visiting Fellow” on the Heritage Basis, a conservative suppose tank.

Vermin Supreme, Efficiency Artist/Activist

Vermin Supreme, efficiency artist/activist on the Statehouse, Harmony, NH (November 2019)

Political satirist and Libertarian presidential candidate Vermin Supreme was on the Statehouse for the only objective of taunting Vice President Mike Pence and his supporters – and he may have taught a grasp class on the topic.

Stored not less than 25 yards away from the motion by NH State Police, the undeterred Vermin stored shouting by means of a megaphone: “I’m from the longer term! Mike Pence was the worst president of america!”

The heckling prompted some meanspirited insults from the Republican crowd, with some calling him a “homeless Santa Claus.” Sarcastically, a few of these similar folks requested to pose for selfies with Vermin after the vp left city. Though Vermin seems to biting Dino’s head off, no stuffed animals had been harmed throughout this photo-op.

The place Are They Now?: Now busy recording personalised birthday messages on Cameo, Vermin Supreme can also be contemplating a run for the 2024 Libertarian nomination.

Former Vice President Joe Biden

Former Vice President Joe Biden on the Worldwide Affiliation of Hearth Fighters (IAFF) – Native 1045, Harmony, NH (November 2019)

I used to be completely sure I’d obtain the John Delaney therapy from Joe Biden. In 2008, the candidate turned down my Iowa good friend Andy Inexperienced, who had an analogous picture challenge starring Mr. Potato Head. Biden instructed him matter-of-factly: “I don’t take photos with humorous hats and humorous toys.”

Maybe a few of Biden’s seven grandchildren modified his earlier hardline stance on toys. As a result of this yr he playfully slapped me on the shoulder and stated, “Dino higher vote for me!” (Inexperienced tells me that Biden additionally posed along with his plastic spud in Iowa this time round.)

The place Are They Now?: Joe Biden is the forty sixth president of america.

Former Montana Gov. Steve Bullock

Former Montana Gov. Steve Bullock on the Statehouse, Harmony, NH (November 2019)

Following a press convention formally declaring his candidacy, I reminded Gov. Bullock that Montana is world famous for its dinosaur fossils. So posing with one of many world’s most well-known dinosaurs was completely on model.

“Is this sort of like Flat Stanley?” he requested.

Not like many different candidate interactions, this one was much less rushed. I used to be capable of reposition Dino within the governor’s fingers so he was upright as an alternative of staring on the ground. Nevertheless, the second I let go, Bullock let Dino’s posture droop once more. I didn’t dare waste his time for one more second.

The place Are They Now?: Bullock misplaced his bid for the U.S. Senate towards Republican incumbent Steve Daines. The previous governor instructed Montana Public Radio that he needs to take a break from politics to spend extra time along with his school-aged youngsters.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) on the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anslem School, Goffstown, NH (November 2019)

At this “Politics Unplugged” occasion, Klobuchar was interviewed on stage by journalist John Heilemann of Showtime’s “The Circus.”

After the Q&A session, I made the error of being first in line to greet the Minnesota senator. She appeared a bit stiff and uncomfortable with the Dino request, however to be truthful she was anticipating selfies with folks. I had a a lot hotter interplay along with her at my city’s 4th of July parade, when she noticed my daughter’s Crimson Sox hat and bragged about her first-place Minnesota Twins.

The very fact I could make that comparability proves how spoiled we’re as New Hampshire voters, assembly presidential candidates face-to-face a number of instances whereas different states could by no means see them. This was Klobuchar’s 18th marketing campaign journey to the Granite State.

The place Are They Now?: Klobuchar is serving her third time period within the U.S. Senate. She is up for re-election in 2024.

Tom Steyer, billionaire philanthropist/activist through the Equal Citizens Democracy City Corridor on the Unitarian Universalist Church, Nashua, NH (December 2019)

After an hour of sharing his dislike of Washington lobbyists, prescription drug costs and world warming, Steyer up to date the group on the rating of the Patriots-Payments playoff recreation for the AFC East title.

Information that the hometown Pats had been forward acquired solely scattered applause — maybe as a result of no actual Patriots fan would select to observe Harvard Regulation College Prof. Larry Lessig (the moderator) over Tom Brady.

Sporting his trademark ugly plaid tie, Steyer got here throughout extra as a highschool principal than a billionaire when he greeted Dino and famous that the dinosaurs needed to face local weather change, too.

The place Are They Now?: Steyer is volunteering because the chair of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Enterprise and Jobs Restoration Process Pressure.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) through the “Finish Company Greed Tour” on the Timberlane Performing Arts Center, Plaistow, NH (December 2019)

Two observations about Bernie Sanders: 1. He’s not straightforward to get an image with. Not like most different candidates who construct in “selfie time” as a marketing campaign crucial, Sanders sprints for the exit signal after just a few perfunctory handshakes. 2. His branding crew is superb. The “Finish Company Greed Tour” would look implausible on live performance t-shirts.

Embracing Dino a yr earlier than the Biden Inauguration, Senator Sanders proved he begrudgingly appreciated offbeat humor effectively earlier than all of the knitted mitten memes of him Photoshopped into previous films and TV reveals.

The place Are They Now?: The winner of the 2016 and 2020 New Hampshire Primaries is serving his third time period within the U.S. Senate and is up for re-election in 2024.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) at Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Company, Hampton Seaside, NH (January 2020)

On New Yr’s Day, Congresswoman Gabbard grew to become the primary presidential candidate in New Hampshire major historical past to campaign in a wetsuit. Throughout from the delightfully named Cinnamon Rainbows surf store, she additionally taught me in regards to the challenges of photographing surfers.

Moments after wading into sea – Gabbard is carrying the mint inexperienced board – I may solely see shapeless blurry black silhouettes as I squinted into the solar. From a distance, I couldn’t inform the distinction between Tulsi Gabbard and Bernie Sanders. (Seacoast On-line photographer Matt Parker captured the motion significantly better.)

As a result of I had already met Tulsi in a Goffstown flower shop, I didn’t bug her on the seaside.

Michael Douglas, Actor

Michael Douglas, actor on the Grand Opening of Michael Bloomberg’s Marketing campaign Headquarters, Medford, Mass. (February 2020)

I missed out on Bull Durham co-stars Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon (who individually stumped for Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders respectively) in New Hampshire, so I needed to trek south of the border for a celeb sighting.

Michael Douglas should actually love former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg as a result of he did this marketing campaign look at a strip mall just a few weeks after his Hollywood icon father, Kirk, died at 103.

Douglas was jovial when he posed with Dino, appearing like stuffed animal picture requests are an everyday prevalence. I by no means had an opportunity to ask Bloomberg as a result of he strategically skipped the New Hampshire Primary and Iowa Caucuses, deeming them irrelevant to successful the White Home.

I can’t declare credit score for this, however a good friend cleverly steered captioning this pic “Romancing the (Flint)Stone,” an homage to the 1984 action-adventure film co-starring Douglas and Kathleen Turner.

The place Are They Now?: Mike Bloomberg continues to be busy operating his media empire. Michael Douglas is getting ready for his position in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” the third movie within the Marvel collection.

The creator with U.S. Sen. Cory Booker

Earlier than the pandemic, hand sanitizer was already a behind-the-scenes staple for politicians on the marketing campaign path (see Larry David’s classic SNL skit as Bernie Sanders). However what occurs now? Are handshakes ever coming again? Will selfies stay extinct for the 2024 New Hampshire Major – or will they nonetheless occur from six ft away?

Certainly, there are a lot larger points going through our state and nation, however I hope that 2020 wasn’t Dino’s final hurrah.

Darren Garnick is a contract author from New Hampshire. Observe Dino’s adventures on Instagram (@CultureSchlock) and Twitter (@darrengarnick).