Action figure makers are toying with President Bush

Depending on your political leanings, they could be seen as either ridiculing or immortalizing the prez in the hearts and minds of patriotic toy collectors. Keep in mind, none of these manufacturers and distributors claim to be promoting the president or lampooning him. That's up to the buyer. They're just makin' a buck.

One of the newest toys -- Elite Force Aviator: George W. Bush, U.S. President and Naval Aviator -- is already a hot collectible. One eBay dealer is ordering the action figures with the starting bid of $64.99 (a 60 percent markup).

Keep in mind there are dozens of George W. Bush toys and action figures (some of them look oddly like a cross between Dan Quayle and Richard Nixon).

Of course, Bush isn't the first president to be action-figured -- his father, George H.W., and Bill Clinton are among the commanders-in- chief to have their own dolls -- but he's well on his way to becoming the most action-figured president ever.

These are just some of the newer ones.

Hail to the Chief Presidential Jack-In-The-Box

Meant for those age 5 and up, this could be a mockery of the president. Crank the handle, and, like a traditional jack-in-the-box deal, you'll hear a tune (in this case, "Hail to the Chief") followed by a presidential appearance by G.W. himself, behind a miked podium.

You can get yours at www.georgeinthebox.com for $29.99. The Smithsonian Institution already has. According to the distributor, the venerable institution plans to include the Bush-in-the-box in a political memorabilia exhibition.

The 43rd President -- George W. Bush Talking Action Figure

This 12 1/2-inch guy, dressed in a suit and black cowboy boots, utters "25 unique and authentic phrases," which will either make your heart swell with pride or have you breaking out in a cold sweat.

Among the gems are: "Either you're for us, or against us" and "The liberty we prize is not America's gift to the world, it's God's gift to humanity."

Unlike the doll released by Talking Presidents last year (www.talkingpresidents.com, the company that also sells talking Donald Rumsfeld and Ann Coulter figures, both saying things that make Democrats laugh and cringe) you won't hear any of the verbal gaffes -- there will be no misunderestimations here.

This doll, available at toypresidents.com for $29.95, is the real deal, right down to his stars 'n' stripes boxers. How do we know? P-I art critic Regina Hackett pantsed the president as soon as he was out of the box.

Elite Force Aviator: George W. Bush -- U.S. President and Naval Aviator

What makes this toy special is that the president is clad in an authentic flight suit, as Bush himself was when he landed on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln and declared that major combat in Iraq was over (Given the frequent attacks, is it over? Discuss.).

The $39.99 doll was introduced in August and immediately sold out. If you order yours now at K-B Toys stores or online at www.kbtoys.com, with a $10 deposit and a limit of two per customer, you might get it by Christmas.

Note: While commemorating a rah-rah moment in U.S. history, the dolls are manufactured by Hong Kong's bbi-Blue Box Toys.

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