Why is CBS News Selling Barack Obama Merchandise in its Online Store?

The Blaze ^ | 8/19/11 | Madeleine Morgenstern

[Nachum]

There‘s some curious merchandise for sale in CBS News’ online store.*

Alongside a travel mug, tote bag and T-shirt that all bear the CBS News logo, the store also includes the following:

“Dreams From My Father,” by Barack Obama “Dreams From My Father,” by Barack Obama (hardcover) “Change We Can Believe In: Barack Obama‘s Plan to Renew America’s Promise” “The American Journey of Barack Obama,” by Life Magazine “Obama: The Historic Campaign in Photographs” “The Official Inauguration Celebration DVD”

In fact, out of the 13 items for sale, seven are Obama-related, in addition to the late Sen. Ted Kennedy’s memoir, “True Compass.” The only CBS-related item is a DVD copy of “60 Minutes Presents — Obama: All Access – The Road to the White House.”

There is so much merchandise that a side bar on the site even has a separate “Barack Obama” tab for quick browsing:

Here’s a closer look at all of the Obama merchandise:

All of this raises a simple question: Why is CBS selling it?

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I'll NEVER tire of this one. Thanks, InkPen!

[LaybackLenny]

I See-BS. Smell it, too.

[Gator113]

We already know WHY. I want to know if and how this is legal???

[dforest]

Well duh! Why ask?

[sheik yerbouty]

See! BS! ..

[cc2k]

Wow, reallly? See-BS is selling Obama merchandise.

I need to go over there and try to order a 6 pack of Barrack Obama urinal cakes. That's the only merchandise with his likeness on it that I think I really need. And I need to restock on those. I'm almost out of the Pelosi and Reid ones I had.

[Right Wing Assault]

Because they are stupid. Why else would you try to sell something no one is buying?

[immadashell]

Hypothetical cBS Online sales meeting:

BOSS: Okay, what's selling?

SALES MANAGER: Nothing!

BOSS: Keep up the good work!

[Uncle Miltie]

Why not? They’re the same organization.

[Ohioan]

Why, indeed? But more important is that this will provide Conservatives who receive ill treatment from CBS--no uncommon occurrence--a ready measure to clarify what those of us who have been in the trenches have always well understood.

Now, that said, there are many other uses that we, in turn, can make of this demonstration of myopic media tendencies.

William Flax

[shoff]

CBS should sell a business book “how to bankrupt a company thru bad decisions”

[tcrlaf]

WHY? Because they are BIASED! DUH!!!

[Buckeye McFrog]

so they won’t have to hold an 80% off Clearance Sale next December?

[Fawn]

I don’t see any Obama merchandise except the interview with 60 minutes?

[Finalapproach29er]

He is the false god they worship.

[Rio]

In a statement, the spokesman said the merchandise posted for sale was a mistake by the store’s third-party provider and would be taken down:

“It has come to our attention that merchandise unrelated to CBS News was inadvertently made available by our third-party provider on the webpage that is located in the CBS Interactive online store. The items will be removed. We’d like to thank The Blaze for their vigilance in this important matter.”

Important, indeed.

*UPDATE: Minutes after publication, CBS removed the items from the website. Note that “Change We Can Believe In” is still visible in the lower-left corner under “recently viewed.”

UPDATE II: The merchandise is still visible if you type “obama” into the search bar. (h/t Blaze reader Aaron)

[jersey117]

Same reason they sell barack on the air.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

You are the winner!

[Beaten Valve]

Any of the candidates now running for President should file an “equal time” request from CBS with the FCC...