special-k, if you are comfortable posting a pic of yourself that may help with suggestions (re: CitrusFreak and the "House" suggestions in his beard thread below).

[not-shamelessly-whoring-for-bunny-pics]

lonefrontranger: I should but it would make me feel self-conscious so I'd rather not. For now I'll just take suggestions and see what works best. And if the costumes goes as planned, I will update the thread with pics.

Hmm. John McCain is only 5'7", and he's not what I'd describe as "skinny," so that's out.

You could dress as a hipster. Unless you already are one.

Joe the Plumber.

I could easily pull off hipster although I don't own hipster clothing.

Joe the plumber would be super easy but I bet there will be several of them (and a few Palins) where I'm going.

yeah, I would agree with not doing the cliche-everything-political angle, there will be a million of those. Unless you can come in with a side angle and go as a metaphor (peak oil! global warming! economic turmoil! some other pertinent topic!) without too much work/duct tape / cardboard.

hipster clothing merely requires attitude and a goodwill run, so it's easy.

ooh, you might take the zombie/splatter angle and go as a Wall Street investment-banker suicide, complete with suit and associated gore.

Go as a debt. Just make up a t-shirt that says " I.O.U. $10 trillion U.S.A." If you drink you can end the night as a staggering debt.

If you're willing to put aside the pop-culture reference, there's always the old standbys: animals (cat, dog, mouse), spooky things (ghost, monster, vampire), pretty things (fairy, King, Richard Simmons).

Shiny blue 50's style business suit... you're a Mad Man.

If the attendees are hip enough, try one of the Old Series Doctor Whos (not Tom Baker). If not so hip, Tom Baker.

Bill Ayers may make a bomb-carrying hippie a new icon of irony... again, depends on the crowd.

If you already have the tendency toward hyper behavior, dress up like CNBC's Jim Cramer with pockets full of worthless stock certificates.

Somebody else suggested a Zachary Quinto combo: Spock ears while carrying around a severed head with its top cut off. Or blend that in with Zach Braff scrubs and something about Zac Efron and go as EVERYBODY named Zachary. Okay, that's dumb.

With revival of The Prisoner coming soon, a Number Six outfit would be good. But the optimum would be if you were taking a date and she dressed as BSG's Number Six.

And thanks to a recent political video, The Fonz is back (and Henry Winkler was always shorter than you'd thought he was) Ayyyy!!!

Or mix a horned helmet and sword with a nightshirt and teddy bear for that favorite of contentious Simpsons fans: the Sleeping Viking!!!

If you're willing to put aside the pop-culture reference

I suppose I could do that. I usually try to find something interesting that happened between the previous Halloween and the current one and try for that. The funny cool ones I did before like flying spaghetti monster (backpack frame, copper pipe, foam insulation, paper mache + lots of paint), facebook (foam board, sharpies), ipod ad (foam board, all black) etc were all just awkward to dance in. I was once the Microsoft paper clip, which everyone laughed at but not so fun for dancing.

I forgot to mention that I have access to all sorts of costume accessories. My friends throw more than a dozen costume parties a year so we have many many costume bins. However, without a plan, getting stuff from these bins will just result in a mash up off odd clothing/hats/wigs etc.

i like the idea of costumes that lend themselves to interaction.
There's bound to be several Palin running amok: be a Caribou Barbie hunter, or a moose hunter (a moose with a rifle):
"Shhhh! Be Vewy vewy quiet, It's [wabbit/clothes horse/airbag/ducking] season."
A cheap laser pointer in a fake rifle are as easy props, you don't definitely need antlers or a cardboard helicopter hanging off you like skirt, but a hat or a rack helps.
You could be an electronic voting booth that strangely votes McCain. Just ask people who they are voting for and always say "You voted McCain!" Or the human poll (pole). Just carry a pad and pen in a nice suit, ignore what anyone says defend whatever you say by your margin of error. Your paper could be all margin that just says +/-5%.

It's endless options. We should know what impression you want to give and how uncomfortable you're willing to be.

I had a huge halloween party last weekend.
Easiest costume there was my friends mom with a 1 dollar bill attached to each ear with her earrings. We all wondered what she was till she finally announced she was a "bucaneer".

Hah, arg, i liked that.

Well, what about cereal killer? dress up in a special-k box (cardboard glued, painted etc.) and walk around with a bloodied knife or something. Yeah... I love puns. ... *crickets* ...

I picked up a V for Vendetta mask last week. I'm going as Anonymous.

How about a fedora, a tee-shirt, and attatch 6 assorted baby dolls to it in assorted colors, and go as Brad Pitt?

Tire gauge?

I know it counts as "drag", but what about Hillary Clinton?

A pile of plastic bags (or plastic bag mummy) with a sign that says "banned"?

Chains and treasure boxes that you drag behind you, but can be pinned or draped around you for dancing. Something like Jacob Marley, but put big "Made in China", "Made in Russia", etc. stickers on them.

Skeleton suit, full body airport scan ready

Baby olympic torch carrier.

Hardon Collider a.k.a. Atomic Cockblock