The 2012 presidential campaign is an opportunity for Americans to exercise their right to equal say. They will determine who leads them through the next four years, amid a climate of cultural discord and economic uncertainty.
It's also a ripe time for advertisers looking to tie their marketing campaigns to the election hype.
Whether via a faux presidential candidate or an actual political personality, ads are reflecting the intertwined nature of American democracy and capitalism -- and we still have two months left until election day. Some election-themed marketing campaigns are good for a few chuckles; others you'll find cringe-worthy. And still others prove the viral power of a timely and trending concept.
Here, Mashable rounded up seven campaigns that leveraged this election year for some branding bonus points.