Sixteen-year-old Maxine Perkins, a senior at Brentwood School, wanted to get involved in Election 2000. The former intern for Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg was eager to support fellow-Jew Joe Lieberman. And changing the world, so they say, begins at home. Perkins turned to her mom, a toy manufacturer, and had her create what is know in the business as a plush.
Thus was born the Democratic Donkey, a cuddly little beast decked out in red, white and blue and featuring a countdown clock set for Nov. 7. She’s donating a portion of the proceeds from the stuffed toy to the Democratic Party and the Make a Wish Foundation. After being featured on national television, Perkins decided to go bipartisan, and an elephant joined her menagerie (a portion of those profits go to the Republican Party). After Nov. 7, the countdown clock can be reset to Jan. 20, 2001, Inauguration Day – on either toy. – Staff Report
