Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, Richard Tedesco

Presidential politics is like a spectator sport. So it makes perfect sense for card publisher Upper Deck to enter the race with candidate cards.

One political card is inserted in every eight packs. Each pack includes 18 cards. Upper Deck is hoping that “lapsed” collectors and non-baseball fans will repeatedly fork over $2.99 to find the collectibles.

The company's “Presidential Predictor” set includes John McCain portrayed as Ted Williams (both decorated war veterans and left handed), Mitt Romney as Carlton Fisk (fellow New Englanders) and John Edwards as fleeting New York Giants right fielder Archibald “Moonlight” Graham (both healthcare advocates).

Barack Obama, Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson are also portrayed in the series, which was conceived as part of Upper Deck's 2008 Series One Baseball “Super Tuesday” release last fall.

Conspicuous by her absence is Hillary Clinton, for whom Upper Deck originally produced a card portraying her as Morgana the infamous “kissing bandit” — reputed for running onto the field to ambush players with hugs and kisses. One of the card company's external “partners” complained about the depiction and it was pulled, according to Kerri Stockholm, Upper Deck director of marketing.

But a few Clinton cards slipped through and still may be found in circulating decks. (One was posted on eBay with a high bid of $255 at last look.) A replacement Clinton card will be in the second set distributed in May, which will also likely include Mike Huckabee.

There's also a sweepstakes payoff. Collectors who enter the static code from the card backs on the Upper Deck Web site at www.presidentialpredictor.com are in the running to throw out the first pitch at a Big League opening day game next season if their card carries the election winner's caricature.

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