Bonnie McCartney just had to get her picture taken next to the life-sized cut-out of John McCain on Main Street in Annapolis. Her best friend, Jan Deaver, took the photo - even though Deaver is a die-hard supporter of Barack Obama.
The two women said their differences in politics have not spoiled their 38-year friendship. Still, Deaver couldn't resist needling McCartney.
"We know Obama will make a better future for our children," she said with a wide smile.
McCartney countered that McCain has a better handle on how to turn the economy around, and said she is concerned about what awaits their grandchildren.
"I want them to have the good life I had. I don't think they will with Obama," the Harford County woman said.
The exchange took place this week outside America!, a store that, like many tourist shops in downtown Annapolis' Main Street, sells the obligatory Maryland hats, crab key chains and U.S. Naval Academy T-shirts. But America also sells flags, presidential history books and other politically themed gifts.
Merchandise for both Obama, the Democratic candidate, and McCain, the Republican contender, usually shares a table at the front of the store. And, with Election Day drawing near, the shop has become a site for good-natured political give-and-take.
Store employee Michael Mussenden says that when the debate starts to get too heated, he makes a joke and tries to calm things down.
"We're not trying to suppress intelligent discussion," he said. "We want to suppress the 4-year-old mentality of throwing blocks at each other."
Some customers are drawn by curiosity. They smile and point at the Obama magnets and the McCain pens and pencils. Others come in with a mission.
"Where are the Obama T-shirts?" asked Tara Ream of Annapolis.
Mussenden led her to the racks, where she looked over a light-green Obama shirt. She stood next to Anita Wenke, who was trying figure out if any of the pink shirts promoting Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin would fit. Wenke, of Kansas City, Mo., looked at Mussenden and rolled her eyes.
"When I heard that woman say she was looking for Obama T-shirts, my stomach just turned," she whispered after she moved several feet away.
The pink Palin shirt would look fine if she just hemmed the bottom, Wenke later said. Palin "doesn't care about Democrats or Republicans, she just wants to do the best for us," Wenke said.
