White House mum on new Michelle Obama doll
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.
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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.
Totally Obamas fans. The dolls however are over the top. Like Bill and Hillary too. Are there dolls for them.
I'll wait until the camo version comes out!
Give me a break!
They are cheap looking dolls that don't even look like Michelle.
This is news?
Those dolls are hideous and look nothing like the beautiful First Lady. I would be incredibly insulted if I were she.
Cool.. I'll buy one for each of my nieces...
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.
hardly first lady material
All I have to say is what in the world the company is thinking?
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.
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.
WHAT A JOKE, but it will probably be a best seller at the MSNBC store in New York.
I love it! I hope to buy one!
I'd buy one. I think the First Lady is someone to admire. She is a great role model for girls.
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.
Looks just like her!
This is STUPID!! WHY would they make a doll like this? Good Lord.... what is this world coming to?
How cute! I want one!.....
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.
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.
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.
So what's next? A Sarah Palin doll? It's hilarious on what some people will do to make a buck.
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.