Obama: Times Square (drafted) pitchman

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The president has been known to throw the first pitch at the start of baseball season. But a presidential pitch in Times Square?

The White House has tried to curb the use of Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their children as tools of advertising. But the president’s protests are a no-sale on Madison Avenue. Or Times Square.

The fur-less first lady is featured at the moment in a ‘Fabulous, No Fur’’ ad that PETA has posted around Washington.

Now the president, appearing atop the Great Wall of China in a Weatherproof overcoat, is pictured by the company on its Times Square billboard.

White House spokesman Bill Burton says the administration has a long-standing policy against the use of Obama’s name and likeness for commercial purposes.

For more details, see The Swamp.

--- Mark Silva