• The Sock Obama stuffed animal was a traditional homemade "sock monkey" that featured the likeness of presidential candidate Barack Obama. The toy was marketed as a "cute and cuddly" novelty item for Obama supporters, but many of those supporters felt it qualified as a racist depiction of the senator.Official Site: The Sock ObamaABC4: Utah company causes nationwide uproar over 'Sock Obama'

• Fast Facts

  1. Officially discontinued on June 16, 2008
  2. Maker: Sock Obama LLC
  3. Creators: David and Elizabeth Lawson of West Jordan, Utah
  4. Sales pitch: "Fall in love with your chosen candidate all over again"Official Site: The Sock Obama
  5. Price: $29.95
  6. 16" tall
  7. Wears campaign lapel pin

• Controversy

  According the the manufacturer's official site, the Sock Obama was meant to "introduce children to the political process with a cuddly plush toy all their own."Official Site: The Sock Obama However, some commentators, online and otherwise, have been less than charmed by the depiction of an African-American man as a monkey. Jeanetta Williams, president of the Salt Lake City chapter of the NAACP, described it as "pure racism at its extreme."Monkey doll named for Obama called racist

• Apology

  Sock Obama LLC issued the following statement before finally suspending production of the toy:

  "We at TheSockObama Co. are saddened that some individuals have chosen to misinterpret our plush toy. It is not, nor has it ever been, our objective to hurt, dismay or anger anyone. We guess there is an element of naiveté on our part, in that we don't think in terms of myths, fables, fairy tales and folklore. In earnest, folks, we're so sorry we offended anybody."ABC4: Utah company causes nationwide uproar over 'Sock Obama'

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