The Texas GOP has been getting some negative press lately, thanks to a vendor and his $2 button.

Republicans from the Lone Star state took some heat this week when the Dallas Morning News reported that a button saying “If Obama is President…will we still call it the White House?” was sold at the GOP convention held in Houston this past weekend. The party released a statement apologizing for the mishap, saying it would no longer allow the vendor,  RepublicanMarket.com, to sell at future conventions and promised to donate the money collected for the booth rental to those affected by flooding in the Midwest.

Hans Klinger, spokesman for the Texas GOP, said the party would not tolerate bigotry.

“Our state convention was energetic, unifying and positive. We will not allow any dishonor to be brought to our hardworking grassroots leaders by the actions of a misguided few. The Republican Party is proud of its principles, record and diversity,” he said.

Now here’s the kicker: The vendor, Jonathan Alcox, who is based in Florida, told the AustinAmerican-Statesman  he only sold four of the buttons, one of which was picked up by theMorning Newsreporter.

But of course, Alcox has some other delightful pieces to offer. This button  is a perfect juxtaposition of ideals from this one. Who said some politicos aren’t classy folk? I wonder how many of those he has sold…

FYI, he also sells his oh-so-charming political paraphernalia at Democratic gatherings, like the Texas Dem convention held two weeks ago. What can you say? Alcox is a business man, right?

Considering all of this, you would think the GOP would get a clue and maybe try to distance itself from Obama-related novelty items. Unfortunately, it seems they have not learned their lesson through all of this. Texas Republicans are doing an open call for a new slogan to adorn their official campaign party bumper sticker. Oh, the irony. Yes, the image may just be a sample, but you would think it would be good ol’ boy John McCain promoting the party. Maybe someone out there can come up with something totally PC that promotes Texas Republicans and disses Barack Obama at the same time.

You can never tell what wit, humor and sarcasm can churn out. Maybe we will be surprised. After all, Texas is a red state with a good chunk of GOPers with the ability to tickle your funny bone.