Tales from the Trail

It’s Halloween this weekend. In Washington that can turn into political fright night.

So we thought we’d scare up some costume ideas to help those who are stumped.

One idea came from a comment on our Obama: “Skinny but tough” blog post from afuller who writes “Best new Halloween Idea: Socialist Mop!!!” We’re thinking red body outfit and crazy wild hair.

Another inspiration from a friend suggesting going as a teabagger (the protesters against all policies Obama). That should be fairly easy — cover yourself with tea bags — and it has the added benefit that if you get a bit parched and find some boiling water you’ve got all the makings of a thirst quencher.

The Daily Show on Comedy Central has come up with a clever costume for Cap’n Trade — think comic book hero like Captain America.

We’re still trying to figure out how to do the public option trigger.

Backstage, Inc., a costume store in the Capitol Hill area, says among the most popular political figures this Halloween are President Barack Obama and former Vice President Dick Cheney. Asked whether Sarah Palin was in the mix, store employee Rip (as in R.I.P) Clossa says: “I haven’t had anyone ask about her.”

I may just resort to an old standby — an empty cereal box at the end of a scythe (figure that one out).

And of course we are seeking any and all suggestions from you for clever Washington political costumes…

Click here for more Reuters political coverage

(OK if you haven’t figured it out the cereal box/scythe costume is a serial killer, get it??)

Photo credit: Reuters/Lucas Jackson (reveler in Greenwich Village Halloween parade in New York 2008), Reuters/Phil McCarten (Joe the Plumber costume at West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnival in California 2008)