Election update: John McCane added to ballot at Plan B

Could these election-themed oddities get any...well...odder? As I mentioned in my previous article about politico-inspired menus, the marketing machine is hard at work in the restaurant sector, squeezing every last drop of consumerist potential out of the upcoming presidential election.

Does this brand of commercialism detract from the importance of the election? Eh, I think not. It speaks to the generation that will be voting in a presidential election for the first time this November, and it's saying, "Civics can be exciting and fun!"

...Oh, and: "Drink up!"  

Sure, why not? We all deserve a drink after the past 8 years.

"The Ciroc Obama," running uncontested for several weeks now at Plan B Bar + Kitchen (in Wicker Park), has been joined in the race by "The John McCane," and although the "McCane" platform is predicated on the principle of "Have another," the thought of having more than one of these is about as appealing as ordering another round of the Bush administration.

The sweet cocktail was created "in honor of the senator's well known love of donuts," featuring a candy sprinkle-coated rim, two different rums and three kinds of liqueur. Gross. Unless it actually tastes like a donut, which would be kinda cool, but still, probably not something I'd want more than a sip of.

Anyway, here's the down-n-dirty on both the "candidates," so you can make your own decision:

• The John McCane ($8)
  "A drink you can believe in" (if you believe in the ability of sickeningly sweet dessert liqueurs to combat the hangover induced by 80 proof rum...lemme know how that works out.)
  10 Cane rum, Malibu rum, Godiva White Chocolate, Crème de Cassis, Frangelico and a splash of cream served in a martini glass rimmed with Hershey syrup rim and sprinkles.
• The Ciroc Obama ($8)
  "Make your vote count" (What is that--a challenge? One word: Ohio.)
  Ciroc vodka, a splash of Chambord and freshly squeezed lemonade served in a highball glass rimmed with sugar and slice of lemon.

I don' t know, maybe it's just me, but one of those sounds pretty refreshing and the other sounds just plain icky. Kinda like another election I've been hearing a lot about...