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February 17, 2004

Kerry's NASCAR Envy

Greyhawk

I'd really like to race into addressing the issues of the political campaign, but the ex-Vietnam Veteran just made me stomp the brakes and take notice of his personality problems again. This time John F. should have really just kept his mouth shut.

Kerry Blasts Bush's Daytona 'Photo Op' By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer
WAUSAU, Wis. - A confident John Kerry launched a full-throttle attack on President Bush's economic policies, mostly ignoring his Democratic rivals on the eve of the Wisconsin primary. Howard Dean's campaign shed another top manager and John Edwards vowed to press on no matter how he fares Tuesday.

Kerry, who has a commanding lead in the race to oppose Bush this fall, chided the president for taking time out Sunday to attend the Daytona 500, saying the country was bleeding jobs while he posed for a "photo opportunity." Bush had donned a racing jacket to officially open NASCAR's most prestigious event in front of some 180,000 fans.

"We don't need a president who just says, `Gentlemen start your engines,'" Kerry said. "We need a president who says, `America, let's start our economy and put people back to work.'"

Uh, yea, sure.

And I'm sure the guys that were at the track yesterday (200,000 wildly cheering fans) are now saying, "Hey, wait a minute! He's right!"

Not.

But no wonder Kerry's going a little berserk. Even in a bizarro world where he was president this could never happen:

About 200,000 fans roared their approval when Bush arrived and worked his way along pit road, stopping to chat with pole winner Greg Biffle, who drives the Army National Guard car.
He patted the shoulder of retired champion driver and noted Republican Richard Petty. He chatted with Teresa Earnhardt, the widow of seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt. And he stood at attention for the national anthem with Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, who owns a NASCAR racing team.

The Washington Post adds more details that must have Kerry pulling his hair out.

Bush sought to maximize his exposure to racing fans during his visit. Air Force One circled low over the speedway so the president could get a look - and to give racing fans a dramatic look at a symbol of the presidency.
<...>

With his wife, Laura, trailing him, Bush walked the pit, mingling with drivers, shaking hands with fans. He peered into car No. 16, sponsored by the National Guard, and if the car reminded him of the tempest swirling around his own service in the Texas Air National Guard, he didn't show it.

Bush referred to that history in an interview with NBC just before the race.

"I flew fighters when I was in the Guard, and I like speed," he said. "It would've been fun to drive up on these banks. ... I'd like to, but I'm afraid the agents wouldn't let me."

The president got a much warmer reception than Bill Clinton did when he visited a NASCAR race as a candidate in September 1992, when the question of his lack of Vietnam-era military service was dogging Clinton.

At the Southern 500 race in Darlington, S.C., Clinton was booed and heckled by fans, many shouting "draft dodger!" at him.

As Bush strode through pit road, he received rock-star treatment. An extravaganza unfolded around him.

And several thousand miles away a lot of GI's gathered to watch in Germany had ear to ear smiles.

Scott Ott had two posts (one / two) up before Kerry commented. We've reached a point where a Party's likely presidential candidate has actually fulfilled satire. Is that funny or frightening?

Of course this has no end of satire potential. Issues with various banners, car advertising, the president arriving in an SUV, that he wasn't driving himself, Halliburton�s profits from the fuel used in the cars, just showing up in a NASCAR jacket and parading around starting the race...

Of course Kerry, who spent most of his many summers in his ancestral home in France, isn't aware of the popularity of NASCAR in America.

He's more of a Formula 1 kind of guy.

(Hat tip Ipse Dixit)

Posted by Greyhawk at 12:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (30) |

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Looks lik eKerry might just be writing off sports fans, in addition to military and southern voters.

Probably also upset about Superbowl MVP Boston MAss Patriots QB Brady blowing him off in favor of an appearance with the president.

Posted by Gunther at February 17, 2004 12:49 AM

Well, Kerry will always have Hockey. And even if the NHL goes bankrupt they'll still be playing in Canada.

I wonder which team Kerry was rooting for in the Disney "Miracle" movie?

Posted by Bushman at February 17, 2004 12:57 AM

I liked it when Bush called the race a "spectacle."

The Daytona 500, the greatest spectacle in racing.

Right?

Posted by SamAm at February 17, 2004 01:23 AM

Not just this, but he had Kennedy at a rally in Wisconsin trying to rally the troops. Teddy was so incoherent even the faithful couldn't figure out when to cheer.

Posted by Mike at February 17, 2004 01:35 AM

Incoherence is one of Ted's best traits.

Posted by BradDad at February 17, 2004 01:47 AM

Shameless linktrolling:

http://iowahawk.typepad.com/iowahawk/2004/02/dems_daytona_de.html

Dems' Daytona Debut Disappoints

Posted by iowahawk at February 17, 2004 01:53 AM

That Bush! I can't believe he flew in in an gas guzzling SUV. Also I heard they delayed the start of the race by seven hours and made everyone eat Turkey for breakfast.

Posted by Goonsquadcommando at February 17, 2004 01:55 AM

Well, if IowaHawk can do it, so can I.
Here's more on Mr. Ketchup on my blog:
http://www.asininity.com/comments/P1566_0_1_0/Kerry Criticizes Nascar George

Posted by Randall at February 17, 2004 02:06 AM

Democrat NASCAR: all the cars go the same speed. No wait, cars are bad for the environment. All are pulled by horses. No wait that's animal cruelty. People push the cars.

Posted by Dan Searles at February 17, 2004 02:20 AM

Also I heard Bush had an Aircraft Carrier flown into the midfield so he could watch the race from the poopdeck.

Posted by Goonsquadcommando at February 17, 2004 02:28 AM

I'm depending on Kerry playing "Kerry" throughout the campaign. I can't imagine a bigger turn-off. As someone said above, when the satirizable starting doing for real what satirists merely (presumably) exaggerate, then doom is sure. I say give Kerry all the playing room he needs.

Posted by Michael McCanles at February 17, 2004 02:43 AM

http://blamebush.blogspot.com/2004_02_15_blamebush_archive.html#107695958800118204

Another one here, or linked to my name. Just please don't put html link tags in comments. Linked page opens in comment window and that's just not good for anybody.

Posted by Greyhawk at February 17, 2004 02:52 AM

Maybe Kerry will put a set of wheels on his titanium comb and join the races. Of course, he wouldn't wear a helmet for fear of mussing his hair.

Posted by Buster at February 17, 2004 03:15 AM

Kerry should certainly always keep his mouth shut. Text-only proclamations from here on won't hurt his chances.

Posted by David Blalock at February 17, 2004 03:41 AM

And by theway, did the president wave the checkered flag?

Because that would be declaring an end to the major racing operations.

Posted by David Blalock at February 17, 2004 03:45 AM

Since we're throwing down links, here's one to my blog on this subject:
http://slipofthepen.blogspot.com/2004_02_15_slipofthepen_archive.html#10769705079110272

;)

Posted by JasonH at February 17, 2004 05:14 AM

JFKerry(D) today expressed outrage that the President was 'photographed' amongst the 'Southern- riff-raff' attending the NASCAR showcase at Daytona where 180,000 attended.

Remember when JFKerry(D) said:

"Everybody always makes the mistake of looking South," Kerry said, in response to a question about winning the region. "Al Gore proved he could have been president of the United States without winning one Southern state, including his own."

One can only assume the Carpetbagger didn't "stoop" to attend Daytona himself for exactly the reasons he previously, and arrogantly, suggested.

I think we can safely conclude that JFKerry will have to win the election "without winning one Southern state".

Posted by DANEgerus at February 17, 2004 05:35 AM

J.F. Heinz-Kerry, the "Ketchup Kennedy" jist don't get it, do he? The military/veterans ain't gonna vote fer him, the South/Border States ain't gonna vote fer him, "NASCAR Dads" and "Security Moms" ain't gonna vote fer him, and "middle America" ain't gonna vote fer him. Who in the Sam Hill does the DNC think is gonna vote fer him? They ain't enough latte-sippin', French-luvin', tree-huggin' peacecreeps out there to elect a president...

Posted by Junior Samples (BR-549) at February 17, 2004 06:49 AM

The other poster said Kerry wasn't gonna win. I don't know about that. According to general Giap, the leader of the Viet Kong, the VC was militarily defeated and about to surrender, when Hanoi Jane and Kerry and his Veterans against the war turned America in a civil war zone, and says the VC general in his book, this told them that a political victory was possible and all they had to do is buy time and kill American soldiers. He explicitly says that Hanoi Jane and the Veterans against the Vietnam war were paramount to America's defeat. OK. But How is it possible that such a man, Kerry is seriously a candidate for president? A lot of Americans have gone wacko. The only question is. Is it a majority.

Posted by Ricky Vandal at February 17, 2004 12:13 PM

The loony left, as represented by dailyKOS posters, were apoplectic over the President's Daytona appearance. Literally seething with anger. I greatly enjoyed reading their "green with envy" postings and their laughable attempts to slander President Bush.

Posted by Colorado Conservative at February 17, 2004 04:15 PM

My favorite line from this?

"And several thousand miles away a lot of GI's gathered to watch in Germany had ear to ear smiles."

Thanks, Greyhawk!

Posted by Sherry at February 17, 2004 04:32 PM

"We don't need a president who just says, `Gentlemen start your engines,'" Kerry said. "We need a president who says, `America, let's start our economy and put people back to work.'"

jeez, is that LAME or what?

think of it ... Bush: 'Oh No, the economy is STARTING! .. people are going to be PUT BACK to work.. woe is me!"

hahahahahah..

Posted by Jon Brennan at February 17, 2004 05:38 PM

LOL!!

Kerry's point was made. Bush cares more about photo ops, and wasting taxpayers dollars on campaign stunts, than working on creating jobs for the American people.

Believe me. The industrial workers in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois "got it." Even the NASCAR fans. Maybe even especially the NASCAR fans. [Wouldn't they love to fly down to Florida and attend the Daytona 500 -- except they have to worry about their jobs, and putting food on the table for their kids].

While Bush was preeening around like a peacock at the event (and his supporters were telling protesters to "Go back to Ey-rack!" and were throwing beer bottles at their heads) Kerry was talking to SWING voters.

You know, from states Bush has to win to keep his job? Mission accomplished.

Posted by Hesiod at February 17, 2004 05:59 PM

yeah, and the RNC had booths set up to register voters in Daytona which is, in, uh, Florida..

Posted by Jon Brennan at February 17, 2004 06:08 PM

Oh, Hesiod, trust me, the industrial workers of IL are getting and will continue to get it, pink slips I mean. Check out Governor Blowdry and his tax burden.

Wants to put a corp tax on nat gas usage, amongst others.

And w/Kerry's 45% tax rate on small business?

Why stay?

Posted by Sandy P. at February 17, 2004 06:32 PM

Yes Hessoid, the Nascar fans in Michigan would like to fly to Florida for the Daytona 500 but can't afford it. That is why they have the Michigan 500 to look forward to, which I am sure that the florida fans would like to fly up to but can't afford it.

Nascar fans are not stupid. They know when they are being spun and when they are truly appreciated. Kerry's spin will get no traction with them, and they truly love this President who they know is looking out for them.

The economy is recovering quite nicely and we know it. Jobs are being added in great numbers, espicially in small to meduim sized business and entrepenurial startups. The loss of traditional "smokestack" jobs is not a tragedy when they are replaced by individual initiative and smaller businesses. Unless you are a union boss. Boo hoo.

Posted by Dougger at February 17, 2004 06:53 PM

Hesiod must have watched the race with the sound turned down.

Posted by Greyhawk at February 17, 2004 07:46 PM

Hesiod knows, or ought to know, that there isn't a heck of a lot a President can do with the economy. He can take the blame for a bad economy, sure. Get the credit for a good economy.

Clinton supporters give their guy credit for the good economy (good, that is, until the Clinton recession began, the internet bubble burst, and the markets tanked).

I always enjoy asking them, "What did Clinton DO to make the economy good?"

The usual answer is, "He built the economy. It was good."

Okay, but what did he DO?

"It was really GOOD."

Okay, but what did he DO? Geez.

Posted by Rick The Lawyer at February 17, 2004 07:52 PM

Hesoid's ignorant comments aside, I would just like to say that I am a Formula 1 kind of guy.

While I thoroughly enjoyed Bush's visit, I did not stick around for the rest of the race either.

Can't we say that Kerry likes to watch "The American Solar Challenge" instead of Formula 1.

Thank you

(note: the "American Solar Challenge" is a race along Route 66 from Chicago to LA that only allows purely solar powered vehicles.)

Posted by Analog Kid at February 17, 2004 08:07 PM

I'm a soccer fan myself, so really Eurosports aren't inherently bad.

And like the President, I like speed.

I wonder if Kerry's hair would be mussed in a Formel Eins ride at 200mph?

Oops, I mean 320kph.

Posted by Greyhawk at February 17, 2004 10:43 PM

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February 17, 2004

Kerry's NASCAR Envy