Oct 8, 2008 11:32 am US/Eastern
Can Cookie Sales Predict Who Will Be President?
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
There are plenty of ways to judge the popularity of a presidential candidate. Polls are just one tool to gauge public opinion. Local Chicago station WBBM's Dana Kozlov found another way to get a taste for a candidate's appeal.
In Northbrook, a cookie choice has never been so tough.
"I think I would buy Sarah Palin," a customer said.
The faces of all four candidates in the race to lead our country now adorn the tasty treats at Max and Benny's restaurant.
"I've got a Barack Obama, McCain and a Sarah Palin," another customer said.
Restaurant owner Ben Schlan says so far Obama cookies are outselling the others in Illinois. But he says online sales nationwide are almost neck-in-neck.
At Berry Chill in Chicago, they're counting prospective votes a little differently.
"Can I have the McCain Crunch?" a customer asked.
"You know, this is a tough one, but I'm gonna have to go with the Berry Obama," another customer said.
Those are yogurt creations named for each of the presidential nominees. Every day, between two stores, sales are counted and candy is used to keep track of customers' candidate preference. So far, the blue and red bits are fairly even.
"This is Chicago and it seems to be Obama territory, but McCain supporters are coming out and they're voting at Berry Chill for McCain, so it's a pretty close race," said Michael Farah, Berry Chill owner.
If you need something to help wash down those partisan goodies, a cup of joe at 7-11 can help you do that - while staying true to your red or blue by cup selection.
"It seems to be two ways. They either know exactly what cup they want or they look for the undecided cup," said Rick Boone, 7-11 franchise owner.
Boone says Obama cups make up about 60 percent of this store's sales versus 40 percent McCain. He says that pretty much reflects 7-11's national sales totals.
Of course in all of this, there's always margin of error. And with Halloween fast approaching, there's one last way to unofficially show your support or lack of it - with a McCain or Obama costume.
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