Obama Effigy May Be Removed From Boardwalk Game

Game's creator has placed a paper bag over the Commander-in-Chief's head in the meantime

The head of a figure representing President Obama in a boardwalk ball toss game has been covered over after national backlash about its existence.

Cheers and jeers have been flowing across the Internet about "Walkin' Charlie" -- a carnival game on the Seaside Heights, N.J. boardwalk.

In the game, players throw baseballs at plastic plates being held by famous figures and characters like Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden, Family Guy's Stewie Griffin and Michael Jackson as they spin on a turntable. Also included in the game is an effigy of President Barack Obama.

Many times, players -- either intentionally or not -- miss the plates and hit Mr. Obama square in the face -- a move which is seen as a sign of disrespect by some.

Game owner and creator Tom Whalen says he sees nothing wrong with the addition of famous figures calling it good fun.

"When Jay Leno stands up and makes a crack about Obama or another political person, not everybody claps their hands and cheers,'' Whalen said Tuesday. "We don't have a bull's-eye on anyone's head or chest. Each caricature is holding a couple of plates, and the object is to break the plates.''

Controversy over the game came just a few weeks after a similar game was pulled from operation in the Lehigh Valley for including the prez's likeness.

Called "Alien Attack," the goal of that game was to shoot targets on the head and chests of aliens for prizes. One of the painted aliens looked very similar to the president and featured a mock presidential seal on his belt buckle and health care bill in his hand.

That game's creator denied it was made with Mr. Obama in mind and apologized for any confusion.

Back in Seaside, Whalen says he and his half-brother, who owns the game with him, may remove Obama's likeness altogether because of the controversy.

Prior to the news attention, Whalen said he planned to add Sarah Palin, Hillary Rodham Clinton and former President George W. Bush.

Here's some video of the game recorded by Jersey filmmaker Chris Barrett:

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