Getting ready for John McCain's 72nd birthday on Friday: Steve Duprey is the T-shirt meister of the McCain campaign. Photo by Jill Zuckman
by Jill Zuckman
On the Straight Talk Air, the person to see for T-shirts, baseball caps, beach balls, bumper stickers, and other swag is Steve Duprey, the former chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party.
Duprey, a Concord developer, turned his business over to a colleague and hit the road with McCain following the senator's huge comeback in New Hampshire at the beginning of the year.
His latest T-shirt - in black - says: "I'd rather have a cool old dude with experience than a young hip celebrity with none. Vote John McCain."
In case you're wondering, "old dude" is what Paris Hilton called McCain in her rapid response video after McCain compared Sen. Barack Obama to Hilton and Britney Spears. Duprey insists he would never call McCain an old dude.
He also has shot glasses, T-shirts and caps that say "McCain Pirate." The Pirate comes from McCain's habit of growling with glee when he tells a story: "Aaaargh!" And a slew of T-shirts are patterned after rock bands, listing every city and date that McCain has visited during various campaign swings.
During the primaries, Duprey outfitted staff with new jackets and hats in every state. There was Team New Hampshire, Team Michigan, Team South Carolina, Team Florida and so on.







Comments
Awesome t-shirt. It reminds me of Reagan's quip, when challenged about his age, that he would not hold his opponent's youth and inexperience against him. If the shoe fits...
Posted by: Vast Right Wing Conspirator | August 27, 2008 2:38 PM
I thought Rick Majerus was a Democrat.
Posted by: dt | August 27, 2008 2:43 PM
Well, I'm probably ot voting for McCain (I'm writing in Hillary -- Illinois is going for Obama anyway), but that's a great shirt.
My daughter is wild for Obama (of course, as she's 15 she can't vote...) -- I could drive her crazy by trying to get her one.
Posted by: Beth | August 27, 2008 2:57 PM
Think again Beth, Illinois is NOT Obama's state. Too many Illinoisans have endured the slime, sleeze and corrupt democrat party here and are getting fed up with the "Rock Star's" lack of engagement in Illinois.
They may love him in Germany but like your daughter, can't vote!
Don't drink the kool-aid!
Posted by: Springfield | August 27, 2008 3:34 PM
where is the mention of the "cool old dude" being a POW? because we all know that his answer to anything is to say he is a POW. Because being a POW helps to explain that being a POW is better than answering your question.
Posted by: Fred Jones | August 27, 2008 3:46 PM
"Cool old dude"? The one who skips his senate job and still gets paid for it? Dude! Experience like that is sure to count big with the slacker vote dude. Not that they'd like, actually vote...
Posted by: Tom O | August 27, 2008 5:56 PM
i was one of the million when mccain visted sturgis the roar of the harley was awsome.... I would like a tee that says when the goinggets tuff the tuff votes present.....is it possible where might i find one
Posted by: cindy landreth | September 9, 2008 8:53 AM