Malia and Sasha Dolls Not Obama Girls, We Swear

By Prescott Carlson in Miscellaneous on Jan 22, 2009 5:28PM

In a move that would make Cleo McDowell blush, Oak Brook-based Ty, Inc. is insisting that the two new dolls they've added to their "TyGirlz Collection" named "Sweet Sasha" and "Marvelous Malia" are not supposed to represent President Barack Obama's daughters, no way, no how, nu uh.

"There's nothing on the dolls that refers to the Obama girls," [Ty spokeswoman Tania] Lundeen said. "It would not be fair to say they are exact replications of these girls. They are not."

Sure, the dolls happen to have darker skin and dark hair, and the release of the dolls happens to coincide with Malia and Sasha Obama becoming two of the most famous kids in the United States, if not the world. But even so, how can you possibly think a modest, mom-and-pop company like Ty, Inc. would be trying to capitalize on them to make a buck without thinking of kicking back any licensing fees? Perish the thought.

Photo from the Ty, Inc. website