From koozies to cornhole sets, Beats headphone skins to beer steins, NSA-blocking devices to anti-drone shirts, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) is hoping donors to his presidential campaign will buy doodads that will bring his brand to backyard barbecues.
Paul
kicked off his campaign Tuesday, announcing his bid not with
a typical political speech ‒ that came later in the day ‒ but
with a declaration on his website. Like his announcement, Paul’s
fundraising is happening online, in a store filled with items
designed to woo millennials.
Rand Paul really consectetur adipiscing elit his new store
pic.twitter.com/cwmZ5ySNPB
— Eric Reif (@esreif) April 7,
2015
With a nod towards safety and security, the website sells several
items that portray his opposition to governmental overreach,
especially by the National Security Agency and the
military-industrial complex.
One such accessory is the ‘NSA Spy Cam Blocker’, which allows the
purchaser to use a Rand-branded plastic tool that opens and
closes access to a computer’s camera. The device prevents the
NSA
from remotely taking control of the Paul fan’s webcam.
The strategy behind Rand Paul’s 2016 campaign store http://t.co/YugpGGIRs6 pic.twitter.com/ZVrBVSTWyV
— Brian Resnick (@B_resnick) April
7, 2015
Recalling Paul’s 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference
that was interrupted by an
audience member yelling, “Don’t drone me, bro!”, the
site sells a shirt with the meme on it.
The best thing about Rand Paul running for President is his
wacky online store. http://t.co/u2K1Wqd5bl pic.twitter.com/XaB4M4f8X4
— someecards (@someecards) April
7, 2015
For those who want to emulate Paul’s presidential run while they
run, they can stay safe in a neon yellow sports top that allows
them to “let the running world know which candidate has the
endurance to go the distance and protect our Constitution.”
When donors aren’t running, they can, quite literally, “stand
with Rand” on car mats and in flip flops. No, wait, make
that sandals ‒ at some point on Tuesday, the shop decided to
change the name of the footwear to a less politically-charged
term.
Millennials, known for their casual shoes and love of drinking
games, can party hard with Paul, too. The site sells plenty to
keep the younger generation entertained, from Beats headphone
skins to all manner of barware. There are two different bag toss
game sets (also called cornhole) so players have something to
talk about while drinking and tossing beanbags.
9 amazing things you can buy at Rand Paul’s online store.
http://t.co/21UZxygPPLpic.twitter.com/afQHNzZjq5
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) April 7,
2015
Other fun buys include ‘Rand on a Stick’, a giant Rand Paul
birthday card and an eye chart, in case you forgot that the
senator’s first career was as an opthamologist.
Paul’s competition is behind the eight ball when it comes to
their online stores. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who announced
his candidacy for president in late March, doesn’t have an
online store. Neither do either of his political action
committees (PACs).
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton isn’t expected to
announce her presidential campaign for another two weeks, so she
hasn’t set up a store of her own. But the Ready for Hillary PAC
has plenty of objects for anyone clamoring for another Clinton
candidacy. That store goes for a classier kind of booze, with
‘Hillary Rocks!’ old-fashioned glasses and champagne flutes.
And perhaps a little something for the crazy cat lady to dress
her babies in.
Though Ready for Hillary may want to rethink their iPhone cases,
in light of the revelations about her use
of two devices for work email on her private server ‒ neither
of which was an iPhone.
But while the PAC store’s most expensive item tops out at $65 for
a “formidable fleece,” Paul supporters can drop an even
grand on an autographed copy of the Constitution. Buyer beware,
though, as purchasing two of the bound books brings you to the
$2,000 campaign contribution limit.
Rand Paul’s just-opened campaign store offers some seriously
awesome offbeat merchandise http://t.co/RRYlCFvNni pic.twitter.com/ZzHMs80lLn
— Rare (@Rare) April 7,
2015