Looking to advertise your political views in a consumable form, specifically circular baked goods? You are in luck this election season.

Two Houston bakeries are not only offering themed Republican and Democrat cookies but are also tracking their sales: What better way to cater those debate-watching parties than to symbolically cast your vote in the sweetest way possible?

Beginning with the 2008 election, Dessert Gallery Bakery & Cafe has conducted its own cookie poll with results tabulated weekly (at press time, Obama had a small lead over Romney). The crunchy sugar cookies emblazoned with subtle political party artwork are available in several varieties (though the Democrat are $2.95, the Republican ones $8 more -- just kidding) and, according to multiple employees, extremely popular all around.

Three Brothers Bakery is conducting a similar cookie poll, with tallies continuously updated on a wipe-off board across the counter. Their thicker biscuits are infused with ginger and cinnamon, coated with a substantial vanilla glaze, and adorned with patriotic stars -- hardly "minimalist" in girth and decor, and therefore perfectly reflective of both campaigns.

Having sampled both sets of cookies, I can attest that one variety is not necessarily better than the other; what you select is simply a matter of taste. And your strategy in selection and consumption also certainly depends on how you view the candidate of the cookie. Do you sorta just want him to disappear from this earth? Well, then perhaps you better eat his face off the planet. Or do you associate him with a sort of charm and charisma? Then, do as I did and gobble him down right before a road race in hopes of setting a new personal record.

"At the end of the day, they're all cookies," said Dessert Gallery employee Greg slyly of the bakery's political wares. Maybe so. Just make sure it's palatable for at least four years.