The National supported both of Barack Obama's presidential candidacies in 2008 and 2012. In July 2008, the band designed and sold a T-shirt featuring Obama's image above the words "Mr. November," a reference to both their song from "Alligator" and the month of the U.S. presidential election. All proceeds were donated to Obama's campaign. On October 16, 2008, the band played a rally for Barack Obama on Fountain Square in their hometown of Cincinnati with The Breeders. Buses for early voting were available before the show to take voters to the Hamilton County Board of Elections.