By Ethan Forman
DANVERS — There's no way to sugarcoat the sugar cookie election for Barack Obama — he won the popular vote, but his party lost the race.
A likeness of the Democratic presidential hopeful toasted one of Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain in the Cakes for Occasions 2008 cookie election.
But his party fell flatter than a pancake as Republican cookies edged out Democratic ones in sales 52 percent to 48 percent.
The bakery sold 219 dozen cookies (2,628) with Republican candidates on them to 203 dozen (2,436) with Democrats.
For several weeks leading up to today's election, the Maple Street bakery has sold sugar cookies with edible pictures printed on them of the Illinois senator, his running mate, Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden, McCain and his Republican running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. They've been selling for $2.50 each.
Early on, Palin dominated sales with 40 percent of all cookies sold, but in the end, sales of Obama cookies rolled past her, 173 dozen (2,076 cookies, 41 percent) to 150 dozen (1,800, 36 percent).
"People came in trying to support Obama," bakery owner Kelly Delaney said after word got out of Palin's popularity.
Cookies with Obama on them sold twice as many as those with McCain, whose sales represented 69 dozen (828, 16 percent).
Biden's cookies weighed heavily on the Democrats, as his cookies sold just 30 dozen (360, 7 percent).
Those trying to support Obama could not overcome their distaste for Biden cookies, it seems.
The bakery will sell the cookies through today, said Lynne Sheeley, the bakery's marketing coordinator.
Cakes for Occasions was not the only North Shore eatery with a presidential cookie on its menu. Perfecto's Caffe has sold thousands of Obama and McCain gingerbread men at its stores in Andover, North Andover, Tewksbury and on Lowell Street in Peabody at $2.59 a pop.
Owner Max Gabriello said Obama was the clear favorite, 45 percent to 40 percent, but Gabriello said his cookie poll has a 3 percent margin of error.
"Some people are buying them not for a political decision but for the amount of frosting we put on the cookies."
