Just when you thought you could escape politics, even briefly, in our fair city, there’s a new menace lurking: the subversive marketing of yet another set of political trading cards.

It happened on Monday, when exiting the Dupont Metro. The perfect storm of heels, gum and litter had left me with a little present. Further inspection revealed it to be a small piece of cardboard with an illustration of George W. Bush, surrounded by flames and sporting horns.

Visiting the Web site on the card leads to suckscards.com which sells a set of 16 cards detailing various unflattering facts about some of Democrats’ favorite targets in the President’s inner circle. Described as “snaky and educational”, their best Karl Rove slam is that he lies, steals elections and “loves puppies… for breakfast.” Tell us something we don’t know.

SucksCards also produces a set of Ohio cards, dissing such targets as James Traficant, Bob Ney and Jerry Springer. Ouch!

Apparently, a sticky floor is exactly where the creators of the trading cards want their product. The Web site says they pass out free samples at political rallies and Washingtonians might find them on the Metro or bar bathrooms. Gin and tonic and political litter is their marketing strategy?

Has anyone else seen these around town, or maybe even shelled out the cash to own a set? Let us know in comments.