October 12, 2009
Posted: October 12th, 2009 08:15 PM ET

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A spokeswoman for first lady Michelle Obama said the White House has no comment on a new doll set to be released in late November.
A spokeswoman for first lady Michelle Obama said the White House has no comment on a new doll set to be released in late November.

WASHINGTON (CNN) –- The White House said it had no comment Monday in response to the upcoming release of a new Michelle Obama action figure doll.

The six-inch doll is made by New York toymaker Jailbreak Toys and is set for release on November 20, but the company began work on the new product six or seven months ago, according to Jason Feinberg, Jailbreak Toys’ 32-year-old founder.

“The entire political scene was a little rosier at the time,” Feinberg said in a phone interview, “But what was really apparent was the country, and really the world at large, were very enamored of this lady.”

Feinberg, whose company began selling a Barack Obama action figure doll in mid-2008, said that Michelle Obama’s “energy” was “muted, subdued, classy” coming out of last year’s campaign while her husband’s image was much more like that of a superhero.

The new Michelle Obama doll is available in three different outfits: the purple dress worn when the Obamas shared their famous fist bump during the campaign, the red and black dress she wore on election night, and the black and white floral dress she wore during an appearance on “The View.” All three dolls show Michelle Obama in a sheath dress and with bare arms, attributes that have both become personal trademarks during her tenure as first lady.

Feinberg said his target audience for the new doll is not children but instead adults “who collected toys as a child, who haven’t lost that kind of whimsical enthusiasm.”

Like Jailbreak’s Barack Obama doll, the new Michelle Obama doll will retail for $12.99, according to Feinberg.

Katie McCormick Lelyveld, a spokeswoman for the first lady, said in an e-mail to CNN that the White House had no comment on the new doll.

When the company behind Beanie Babies began selling dolls named “Marvelous Malia and Sweet Sasha” soon after Inauguration Day, the White House had a swift and strong reaction. "We feel it is inappropriate to use young private citizens for marketing purposes," the first lady’s spokeswoman said at the time.

Filed under: Michelle Obama • Popular Posts


S M R   October 13th, 2009 1:15 am ET

Michelle has a WARM smile.

Richard N. Komi   October 13th, 2009 12:53 am ET

Like any public figure the first lady has seen many things about her and her family being used for profit by the public.

hockey dad   October 13th, 2009 12:32 am ET

Not very flattering reproduction,... what gives with the over emphasis on a large mouth and teeth? The First Lady deserves a bit more respect, than that poorly designed , insulting image.

leakypen   October 13th, 2009 12:21 am ET

The doll does not look like Michelle Obama.

Joseybo   October 12th, 2009 11:27 pm ET

I don't feel that these dolls are appropriate for sale at this time. Before young girls are to "adore" these dolls, more information on Michele Obama should be looked into.

Gus The Willie   October 12th, 2009 11:20 pm ET

So what's next? A Sarah Palin doll? It's hilarious on what some people will do to make a buck.

BENNY SCOTT   October 12th, 2009 11:13 pm ET

Regading the white house and Fox News:

All the white house has done is to join the fight, Fox news has been fighting them all along, good to see the White house fight back. When I get to the fox channel i change as quickly as possible. fox is comedy.

Perusing-through   October 12th, 2009 11:11 pm ET

TWO OUT OF THREE AIN'T BAD

I remember the occasion First Lady Obama wore each outfit. The purple dress was worn in Minnesota on the eve of President Obama's capture of the Democratic nomination. The black & white was worn on "The View", while the red & black was worn the night Obama won the presidency.

The purple one-piece and the black & white outfit were great dresses. The red & black was not so great.

New Yorker   October 12th, 2009 10:18 pm ET

The only thing that bears a resemblance is the clothing.
Boy, they are getting desperate for some publicity. Of course all the school children that are being indoctrinated will just have to have one of these dolls.

Maria   October 12th, 2009 9:56 pm ET

How cute! I want one!.....

The President Sucks   October 12th, 2009 9:41 pm ET

This is STUPID!! WHY would they make a doll like this? Good Lord.... what is this world coming to?

Karen   October 12th, 2009 9:38 pm ET

Looks just like her!

30m-PA-former Dem   October 12th, 2009 9:36 pm ET

This type of story is exactly why Obama has no problem giving interviews with CNN. He doesn't have to worry about getting asked questions that will require him to use his brain as is required on Fox News.

Debbie   October 12th, 2009 9:31 pm ET

I'd buy one. I think the First Lady is someone to admire. She is a great role model for girls.

wow   October 12th, 2009 8:54 pm ET

I love it! I hope to buy one!

LacrosseDad   October 12th, 2009 8:38 pm ET

WHAT A JOKE, but it will probably be a best seller at the MSNBC store in New York.

Karol   October 12th, 2009 8:31 pm ET

The dolls are cheap. Look at the arms. You don't make a doll who wears sleeveless dresses with cheap joint arms like that. Mr. Feinberg ought to be ashamed of himself. Go back in the lab and make a better doll.

3toot4obama   October 12th, 2009 8:30 pm ET

Whether its a rosy political environment or not, this doll would likely not have sold in either climate. It looks an absolute mess and is an embarrassment to the honor of the First Lady. I would not think twice about buying any one of these dolls. Outside of the dresses on each doll, none of the figures resemble the beauty, dignity, and elegance that is Michelle Obama. My advice – go back to the drawing board and try hard to get it right before trying to profit off the magnitude of the historicity surrounding America's First African American First Lady.

ephinn   October 12th, 2009 8:24 pm ET

All I have to say is what in the world the company is thinking?

Michael   October 12th, 2009 8:21 pm ET

hardly first lady material

Shirley In California   October 12th, 2009 8:06 pm ET

Besides the dolls being hideous and totally NOT representative of our First Lady – who would let their child play with toys made by a company called "Jailbreak"? They can keep them. I for one won't buy one for any girls I know. The manufacturers must vote republican.

Tracy   October 12th, 2009 8:03 pm ET

Cool.. I'll buy one for each of my nieces...

Emily in Michigan   October 12th, 2009 8:01 pm ET

Those dolls are hideous and look nothing like the beautiful First Lady. I would be incredibly insulted if I were she.

HJA   October 12th, 2009 7:48 pm ET

This is news?

Steph   October 12th, 2009 7:46 pm ET

They are cheap looking dolls that don't even look like Michelle.

jp,michigan   October 12th, 2009 7:39 pm ET

Give me a break!

Michael   October 12th, 2009 7:39 pm ET

I'll wait until the camo version comes out!

tiff of lithia springs   October 12th, 2009 7:37 pm ET

Totally Obamas fans. The dolls however are over the top. Like Bill and Hillary too. Are there dolls for them.

EBJ   October 12th, 2009 7:34 pm ET

you know good and well if President Obama got an action figure doll the right wing would condemn it and wouldn't want the kids to have it. Why even try to make one.

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