Obama Girl, Joe the Plumber Sit on Sidelines of 2012 Presidential Race

Feb. 8, 2012 -- intro:

Sexy Youtube supporters? Infamous blue collar workers? Controversial priests? That's so 2008. In the opening salvo of the 2012 presidential race, the iconic figures like Obama Girl and Joe the Plummer who captured headlines throughout the campaign are flying below the radar.

But the people who were propelled to nationwide fame during 2008 aren't all sitting on the sidelines. From newly launched political campaigns to blossoming acting careers, here's a look at what the media sensations of 2008 are up to in 2012.

quicklist:1title: Obama Girl text:

The girl who had the "biggest crush on Obama" in 2008 is planning to resurface this time around to support her man one YouTube hit at a time in his bid for re-election. But while the Obama Girl character will always stand behind Obama, Obama Girl actress Amber Lee Ettinger said her support for the president has faded over the past four years.

"I always will feel like I have a connection to him, but this time around I am still undecided about who I will vote for," Ettinger told ABC News on Tuesday.

Ettinger, who recently moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, said that her Obama Girl gig has upped her name recognition but has also closed some doors.

"If you're on YouTube, some people don't see you as an actress," she said.