Barack Obama is cleaning John McCain’s clock – at least on 7th Avenue.
For the past two weeks, Jack Rabbit Sports at 151 7th Avenue in Park Slope has been selling technical running shirts bearing the likenesses of both the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees, and according to store manager Todd Colby, the “Obamathoner” shirt is outselling the “McCainathoner” shirt 50 to 1.
In fact, the store has had to restock its Obama inventory twice, but is still working on its original batch of McCain shirts.
“It’s definitely more Obama leaning by far,” Colby said.
Both the blue Obama shirts and red McCain shirts are prominently displayed in the storefront’s window located between Carroll Street and Garfield Place.
“A lot of people have responded to them very emotionally,” Colby said. “There’s just a lot of interest and debate about the election as there is everywhere else.”
So far, Jack Rabbit Sports founder Lee Silverman says that that between his Brooklyn and Manhattan stores he’s sold over 100 shirts.
While sales of the “Obamathoner” have been “fantastic,” he says that the “McCainathoner” are languishing in single digits.
The Brooks brand running shirts sell for $20 each and are made of lightweight moisture wicking material that makes them ideal for marathoners.
Proceeds from the shirts will be donated to the respective campaigns.
“We’re not taking sides one way or the other,” Silverman said. “Our customers are leaning towards Obama.”
Colby says that the running shirts have complimented business at the Brooklyn store while providing customers with a sense of solidarity with fellow supporters.
“Manhattan and Brooklyn are a microcosm of the whole country,” Colby said.
The latest nationwide polls show Barack Obama extending his lead over John McCain.
