While Baker works painstakingly to preserve chemically volatile vinyl stickers in separated layers of plastic and archival silicone-release or alkaline papers, she also has traced the history of bumper stickers back to her home state of Kansas and screenprinter Forest P. Gill. Initially, Gill’s car stickers printed on paper, but were more liable to slough off in nasty weather, even with the application of protective wax or varnish. So Gill introduced self-adhesive vinyl to the automotive world, and the rest is history.

Now, another Vice Presidential candidate has risen to the top, becoming the consensus frontrunner to join Barack Obama on the 2008 White House ticket: Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Governor Sebelius has gained attention for her strong defiance of right wing activists in Kansas who have tried to shove through legislation to build new dirty coal-fired power plants. Sebelius has vetoed every coal bill they have sent her way.

Barack Obama and Sebelius share Kansas roots, and the Midwestern votes that Sebelius would bring in could wrap up the Electoral College for the Democratic campaign. If Al Gore of John Kerry had just been a bit stronger in the Midwest, after all, George W. Bush would have spent years ruining businesses instead of ruining America.

Grab this oval Obama/Sebelius 2008 campaign bumper sticker to encourage Barack Obama to choose Kathleen Sebelius for his vice presidential running mate in 2008.