A Bipartisan Carnival Game

A carnival game operator got some attention the other day when it was revealed that patrons were able to throw things at a likeness of Obama.  After the Secret Service showed up he backed off a bit, but isn't backing down:

Operators of a Jersey Shore boardwalk game have removed a mannequin representing President Barack Obama.

It has been replaced by effigies of former President George W. Bush and Hillary Clinton.

"It’s just to show we’re not anti-Democrat or anti-Republican," Tommy Whalen told The Star-Ledger. He's the manager of Lucky Leo’s where the "Walkin Charlie" game debuted this summer.

The game requires patrons to throw baseballs at plates held by the rotating caricatures.

A plastic bag -- pink -- was placed over the Obama character's head after some people earlier this week said it was disrespectful to use the president's likeness.

Whalen says a Secret Service agent visited the Seaside Heights concession on Wednesday and told him none of his employees had urged patrons to throw at or hurt Obama.

The Obama figure might not be packed away for good.

"Maybe we'll put it back up in a couple weeks after everything dies down," Whalen said.

As long as no express threats are being made to Obama himself, the game operator isn't guilty of any crime. At worst this is just political speech and therefore protected.  He can bring Barry back anytime he wants to.