Toy company Ty, fresh from Sasha and Malia Obama doll controversy, introduces Beanie Bo

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Ty, the manufacturer of ‘90s toy-of-the-moment Beanie Babies, came under fire earlier this year with the release of two dolls modeled after Sasha and Malia Obama. (‘There’s nothing on the dolls that refers to the Obama girls,’ Ty spokesperson Tania Lundeen said at the time, insisting the company had chosen the first daughters’ names simply because ‘they are beautiful names.’)

The dolls, marketed as ‘Sweet Sasha’ and ‘Marvelous Malia,’ were eventually renamed by the company. (They’re now called ‘Sweet Sydney’ and ‘Marvelous Mariah,’ but, for the record, the originals are fetching considerably more than the new models on eBay. One seller is currently offering both for the low, low price of $2,400.)

Now the toy company is looking to capitalize on the newest Obama family member with the introduction of ‘Beanie Bo.’ The Chicago Tribune’s politics blog, the Swamp, reports:

Ty Inc. promises that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Beanie Bo will go to animal shelters -- which is where the Obama family once considered finding the dog that they promised the girls, until Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) found the perfect pet for the president’s family, a littermate to one of his own PWDs.

If the now-extinct Sweet Sasha and Marvelous Malia already have become collectors’ items, they still have ‘Bubbly Britney’’ and ‘Hip Hannah’’ for your consideration.

Beanie Bo can be purchased ‘at select stores,’ according to Ty’s website.

-- Lindsay Barnett