DENVER — You can’t walk a block here without seeing at least a handful of vendors staked out on the sidewalk corner, selling everything from Obama-emblazoned T-shirts to his-and-hers complementary scents, mixed to evoke fragrant impressions of Hillary and Bill Clinton (the Bill is a “pre-Lewinsky” blend, we’re told.).

Jim Macer, a self-described peddler hailing from Colorado Springs, has worked the “hot market” for three years now. His specialty is professional sports paraphernalia, but this week he’s out selling campaign buttons a few blocks from the Pepsi Center.

Though he can’t put a finger on the amount of dough he’s raked in since the convention kicked off Monday, by the looks of the wad of bills bulging out of his left hand, business can’t be too bad.

A word of advice to avid political button collectors (they exist — my mom still has an impressive stash of pins she collected as a child), prices go down about $1 a day. But holding out for a good deal might leave you empty handed.

Hillary pins “went like crazy” today as Obama officially clinched the nomination. And Michelle Obama’s Monday night address gave her buttons a boost.

“Couldn’t sell one until after the speech, but after the speech they’d be selling like crazy,” he said.

The bestsellers? A groovy, multicolored rendering of Obama’s name and a pick declaring the day the next president takes office.

A word to the wise: the upside about stacking up on buttons is you can take them off as you please. Five hours later, I still reek of a pungent blend of Obama, Hillary and Michelle from my stop by the perfume stand. Hey, something for everyone, right?

Photos by Chris Nelson