The Change Card

Anthony Mantova, of Carlotta, ohlds a Barack Obama business card from his days as a U.S. Senator. Photo by Ryan Burns
Barack Obama's business card from his days as a U.S. Senator. Photo by Ryan Burns

By Ryan Burns

Like countless other Americans, Anthony Mantova of Carlotta saw in the election and inauguration of Barack Obama an opportunity -- not for something grand and abstract like restoring the world's faith in the United States or breaking down racial barriers, but an opportunity nonetheless: Mantova is trying to sell Barack Obama's business card on Craigslist for $600. "Or best offer," the ad adds, hopefully.

Dating from our new president's days as a United States Senator, the matte-finished off-white card looks entirely unremarkable save for a gold bald eagle embossed in the upper left corner and, of course, the distinctive, now-ubiquitous name of its originator, stamped in inky all-caps across the middle. The corners of the card are slightly rounded from wear, and there's a subtle hairline crease near one edge, "just because it was in my wallet when I worked in Washington D.C.," Mantova explains in his online ad.

The card came to Mantova when he was in Maryland working for Dr. Donald Devine, director of the Federalist Leadership Center, a conservative ideological leadership institute. Occasionally, Mantova would get together with a friend who worked as a lobbyist for the American Legion, and the two would trade business cards. Obama's was just one of many. "We had no idea he'd be president," Mantova said Monday. "No clue." He held onto it anyway, just because that's what he does. "I don't know why," he said. "I just collect ’em."

Mantova, who grew up in Humboldt County and recently moved back, posted the Craigslist ad in late November. Thus far, he's received just three responses, none containing what he considers a reasonable offer. The first respondent said his ad was in poor taste, snarking, "Capitalism at its worst." The second theorized that "$600 must be a typo," and suggested, "Even at $6, just keep the card." The third was a binary pattern made up of the word "Ha" typed 204 times and accompanied by an animated dancing Obama. Undeterred, Mantova says the price is reasonable. "I figured a thousand might be pushing it," he allowed. "But $600, you know, it's three digits that were conspicuous enough. And I just went for it. I mean, you can win six Uncle Bennies at the casino."

He knows because he works at one. He also reads the news on the air for a local AM radio station and does building inspections. He had his Class B driver's license test scheduled for Tuesday, during the inauguration. Mantova said he's "not a huge supporter" of our new Commander-in-Chief but added that he doesn't like McCain either. Mantova's job at the Federalist Leadership Center largely consisted of facilitating speaking engagements across the country, and a frequent "dignitary" speaker at these events was conservative political commentator and journalist Robert Novak, whose outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame in a 2003 newspaper column was viewed by many as cheap political retribution at its worst.

Mantova insists his own motives are neither political nor cynical. It's simply an opportunity to make some money, he said, and maybe make an Obamaniac happy in the process. "It's not like I'm doing this out of spite or anti-Obama leanings or anything like that," he explained. "I just think there are people out there who are bigger fans than me, and I think they'd like to have this item."

Mantova even hinted that fervent Obama enthusiasm might melt his capitalist heart and convince him to lower his asking price a skosh. "I'm not a jerk," he declared. "I'm not just gonna say, 'Oh, you can only offer five hundred? Then you can't have a seat at the table.' That's not gonna happen. If you only have four hundred and you say, 'I love Obama [and] I'm very interested,' I'm not gonna shut you out. I'm gonna talk to ya. Maybe we can work something out."

-- Ryan Burns

comments

1. robash:

Jan. 22, 10:10 p.m.

Anyone who does any kind of business deal with this guy should make sure they get everything in writing.

IMHO Anthony Mantova is an out an out weasel.

http://operationyellowelephant.blogspot.com/2006/08/yellow-elephant-anthony-mantova-its.html

2. Operation Yellow Elephant:

Jan. 23, 7:39 a.m.

If Anthony Mantova really had the courage of his convictions, he would have contacted a military recruiter to Be A Man! Enlist! a long, long time ago.

Perhaps it's time for the good people of Humboldt County to suggest that he consider really serving his country now.

3. Robert McCallister:

Jan. 27, 2:29 p.m.

This message is for "operation Yellow Elephant." You know something, I would agree with your statement if it was 1966 when there was a national draft. But this is 2009 and now the United States Armed Forces is a VOLUNTEER Army.
Do you know what "VOLUNTEER" means?
There are other nations, Democratic nations that do not have a "volunteer" army." For example, The State of Israel. Another example of this is the so-called Republic of Cuba but what can you expect from a totalitarian state?
If you want to join or have joined the military after the draft was taken away, then it is YOUR choice and I thank you for your service. This is what America was built on on, "Individual Freedom and personal choice." Thank you.

4. robash141:

Jan. 27, 11:01 p.m.

"individual freedom and personal choice " is one of those vauge and elastic terms that can mean anything the writer wants it to mean. In this case McCallister if that is indeed his name using is it as a euphemism to excuse pathological selfishness and wanton cowardice.

Freedom isn't free and actions have consequences

In Mantova we have a guy who chose write rabidly jingoistic op-eds for the newspaper but flatly refuses to back up his tough talk by wearing the uniform of the United States .

The "I'll go if the law forces me to go" line of argument is hardly a courageous posture for someone super patriot.

Perhaps he's under the mistaken impression that being a part-time errand boy for the likes of Robert Novak . Is somehow equal to service in our armed forces.

McCallister Isn't thanking vets so much as he's congratulating himself for being pro-military

The Ironic thing is that If Mantova had followed my original recommendation , he'd just be getting out of the service. He'd have the thanks of a greatful nation as well some veterans benefits to fall back upon.

Mantova wouldn't have to resort to such bottom feeding measures as this feeble attempt to cash in on his proximity to the powerful

5. Robert McCallister:

Jan. 28, 1:44 p.m.

Have you joined or were forced to join the U.S. Armed Forces? If you joined then it was by your own free will BUT if you were forced into it then I am against that because I do not agree with a national draft. Whoever this Mantova character is, if he wants to join the armed forces then it is his CHOICE to join and I or anybody else cannot force him to join. BUT he and others have also the right to support the US Armed Forces. If you did not understand my statement then you need to go back to Grammar 101. I was indeed thanking for your service if you had joined the armed forces and I also thank our fighting men and women in arms for protecting our nation and also our veterans for what they gave for our country. I also agree that if this country expects its citizens to fight then we should take care of them after they retire from the armed forces.

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