Perry Campaign Items Inspire New Word

‘Perryphrenalia’ describes wave of buttons, mugs, T-shirts

Commentary
by Bruce Felps

The man’s ego must have burst through the Texas borders by now.

Rick Perry has yet to proclaim his presidential aspirations and already a full range of campaign items bearing some variation on “Perry for President 2012” exists — buttons, lots of buttons, bumper stickers, T-shirts, key rings, mouse pads, mugs, dog sweaters, and oh my God, a Perry-Palin pin.

In all, Zazzle.com lists nearly 500 items. In fairness, a smattering of equal-time tchotchkes dot the samplings — “Gov. Rick’s a [rhyme]” and “Proud of Texas, Ashamed of Rick Perry,” and the inclusion of his first name threw off the syncopation.

The operators of GOPMall.com offer about three dozen versions of similar wares, and some enterprising conspiracy theorist will find some connection between this design and the Ancient Egyptian eye of Horus and hey, happy hunting.

The mass production line even gave rise to a freshly minted coining of the term “Perryphrenalia,” which probably puts him in the lead for new terms applying to possible presidential candidates.

Yup, his ego just crossed over into New Mexico and is headed for Arizona.


Bruce Felps owns and operates East Dallas Times, an online community news outlet serving the White Rock Lake area. Yeah, he’s saving his money.

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