by L.S. Watts

Created on: October 19, 2009   Last Updated: October 21, 2009

When a person thinks of political costumes, they first think of current and past presidents as well as past presidential candidates. Although political figures are very popular, there is more to politics than the candidates of presidential elections.

Bill on Capitol Hill

For many of us, we remember when School House Rock came on. Most of us still can't forget the song '

Bill on Capitol Hill'. While everyone is dressing as key figures in politics, consider dressing up as a bill on Capitol Hill using a mattress pad and some creativity. Wear a white shirt and pants with white tennis shoes. Cut out a spot for your arms and face. Wrap the mattress pad around you. Tie together with a strip of red material. Using a white frisbee, paint the top red, the bottom blue, and leave the center white but write the word "BILL" on it. Now attach it to the red strip of material. Last, have someone draw the face of Bill from School House Rock.

Republican Elephant

The Republican mascot is the elephant and there are a variety of costumes available. To help turn any elephant costume into a Republican costume, simply add Republican buttons.

Democrat Donkey

The Democrats also have a mascot and several costumes available for individuals as well as couples. Just like the Republican elephant, you can dress this donkey up with Democratic buttons, hats, and scarves.

Polling Booth

We all dislike long lines when it comes to voting time, so why not have the booth come to the people. Using a tall cardboard box, a shower curtain rod with curtain, and some ingenuity, you can become a rendition of a polling booth. This is also great for political campaigns doing public surveys before Election Day.

Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam is considered an icon of patriotism, but he wasn't always that popular, especially when he became the poster person for the draft. However, a few decades later, Uncle Sam is still a popular costume. Some even take it so far as to walk on stilts to appear to be larger than life. Regardless, the outfit and top hat is patterned after the American flag. Add a white wig and beard and you are ready to show your patriotism.

If you still have your sights set on a particular person in politics but can't quite decide, here is a list of the most popular political people that you might want to consider.

Presidents

* Barack Obama

* Bill Clinton

* George W. Bush

* Ronald Regan

* Richard Nixon

* Abraham Lincoln

* John F. Kennedy

* Teddy Roosevelt

Vice Presidents

* Joe Biden

* Dick Cheney

* Al Gore

First Ladies

* Michelle Obama

* Hillary Clinton

* Laura Bush

* Jackie Kennedy

Other Political Figures

* John McCain

* Sarah Palin

* Donald Rumsfeld (serve twice as the youngest Secretary of Defense and the oldest Secretary of Defense)

* Condolezza Rice (first African American woman to serve as Secretary of State)

* Arnold Schwarzenegger (governor of California and former actor)

* Sandra Day O'Connor (first woman appointed to the Supreme Court)

Group Ideas

There are a several ideas in US political history that would work for groups. Here is a list of a few ideas gathered from events to government structure.

* Boston Tea Party

* US Supreme Court

* US Founding Fathers

Although masks are available for political people, you could always do the best you can portraying the person with a change of hairstyle, an outfit, and getting into character. If you choose a political costume that isn't a person per se, be creative and in some cases consider the message you are trying to get across. Otherwise, remember it is all in good fun and a political costume will help you stand out in a crowd.

Learn more about this author, L.S. Watts.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.