A Breakfast Certain to Make You Lose Your Appetite

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Sep 14, 2008 5:10PM

Two freelance writers/budding entrepreneurs were doing brisk business this weekend selling "Obama Waffles" waffle mix at the ironically titled Value Voters Summit in Washington until organizers cut off sales of the $10-per-pop waffle mix, saying they hadn't "realized the boxes displayed 'offensive material.'"

Creators Mark Whitlock and Bob DeMoss of Franklin, TN said that they came upon the idea of "Obama Waffles" after hearing friends speak about the Illinois senators shifting positions on major issues and decided to combine pancake mix with political satire. Had they decided to focus on legitimate questions like Obama's vote for FISA, his position reversal on public campaign financing and his apparent warming up to 527 groups and attack ads, we could see DeMoss' and Whitlock's point.

Instead, the two decided to repeat already debunked claims about Obama being a Muslim while depicting the Democratic presidential nominee in a sombrero with a recipe for "Open Border Fiesta Waffles" that can "serve 4 or more illegal aliens" and Obama donning a turban with the phrase, "point box toward Mecca for tastier waffles." The box also brings to mind images of Aunt Jemima pancake mix, which DeMoss equated with "quality." Fending off accusations of racism, Whitlock added, "Think about Newman's Own or Emeril's food line. Is it racist because they're an Italian or white guy?"

It's a wonder that these two didn't call their product "Obama's 'Buckwheat' Waffles." But then some things are so obvious that a blind man — or two men from middle Tennessee — could see. Now if you'll excuse us, we're off to draw plans for "John McCain's 'Reformed Maverick'" oat bran and multivitamin supplements, "for when you can't remember what you said in public two years ago."