Obama swaps 300C for Escape Hybrid
Senator Barack Obama has tossed aside the keys to his Chrysler 300C in favor of a new Ford Escape Hybrid. According to the Detroit Free Press, the senator from Illinois was lambasted for driving the a V8 300C after chastising Detroit in a May 7 speech for failing to anticipate rising oil prices that have changed consumers' buying habits.
We for one wish Obama would've kept his 300, not because we hate the environment or think his lecture to Detroit wasn't a wee bit hypocritical, but because hybrids have become nothing more than a decorative accessory for politicians on both sides of the aisle. The Freep reports that John Edwards, Chris Dodd, Hilary Clinton, Mitt Romney and Bill Richardson all have Escape Hybrids in their fleets.
What does it all mean? Nothing really, as hybrids are now politicized to the point where politicians believe owning one gives them a free pass to guilt trip the auto industry in every speech. Less pandering, more substance, please.
[Source: The Detroit Free Press]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Aetius 12:46PM (7/13/2007)
All the politicians should also have to drive those Escapes to whatever states they have speeches and dinners to go to. No taking the jets. Then we'll buy what they're selling.
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Don 2:27PM (7/13/2007)
Pfft. Obama's a pussy...cowtowing to what he thinks the public wants him to drive.
snazzum 5:35AM (7/14/2007)
better than Hillary kowtowing to Bush on the war or Bush kowtowing to Dick.
Tony 12:49PM (7/13/2007)
Hypocritical or not what Obama said on May 7 was the gospel Truth period.
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Johnny Rocket 2:17PM (7/13/2007)
Yeah...right. I suppose when he said easting monkey balls is good for you, that was the Gospel of Osama--er, Obama?
psarhjinian 12:54PM (7/13/2007)
It's funny how the Escape is the "politically safe" choice for the wannabe-left in the US.
Of course, left-wing politics in the US is just flat depressing. I'm really glad that, as a left-winger, I don't live there.
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Gerard 5:40PM (7/13/2007)
Judging from your name, the Department of Homeland Security is pretty glad, too.
DriftPunch 12:56PM (7/13/2007)
From Democrats getting busted with gas guzzlers to Republicans getting busted with Ho's, hypocracy is running amok. In other words, it's the same as it ever was...
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Daniel 2:31PM (7/13/2007)
Did you hear about the politician who had the Ho in the back seat of his Chrysler 300?
Avinash machado 1:00PM (7/13/2007)
Well, at least he bought a domestic hybrid instead of an import like Prius.
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John R 1:02PM (7/13/2007)
D'oh!!
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bikko100 1:13PM (7/13/2007)
Wow, so cynical. People need to stop being so miserable. It's a step in the right direction. If somebody doesn't go far enough their are a hypocrite and/or have other motives, if they do too much then they are out of touch hippies etc.,.
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F451 1:15PM (7/13/2007)
All politicians' are a loathsome bunch. This smacks of royal pandering to the crowd, but again—all politicians' are a loathsome bunch.
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lawtrainee 4:55PM (7/13/2007)
Spending major Greenbacks to turn green
The ford escape hybrid costs $25,496 ($500 rebate) with its 133hp and CVT goes 29 city/ 30 highway.
A similarly equipped Ford Escape gas SUV 20 city/26 highway mpg (28 with manual) with I-4 153hp costs $19,030 (it has a $1,000 manufacturer rebate.
Around a $6,000 premium..... the manual only costs $18,110, so that would be about a $7,000 premium, or needing 14.2 YEARS to break even at $3 gas.
This hybrid at 30 mpg @15,000 miles [annual average of average driver] @ $3 a gallon equals $1,500 spending on gas.
The I-4 Escape 4 speed auto goes 50% city ($1125 @20 mpg) 50% highway ($865 @26mpg) total is $1,990. Difference is $490 more dollars a year.
The difference is really only in the city driving and a little bump from highway miles, so the average Joe and Jane need to drive for 12.2 years on a hybrid before they start saving any money.
Do people want to brag they drive hybrids because they help the environment by sucking less gas? I think a Ford Hybrid Escape is a joke when you compare the costs. Must be for the lack of brains and common sense that they will fork over so much green to turn green.
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Namir 1:18PM (7/13/2007)
eh, if I were him i would have gotten the GS450h, that way you could have a nice car and still pretend like you are saving the environment
or even better... the 600h when its available.
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dilslips 1:26PM (7/13/2007)
He wouldnt get a japanese car at any cost..that would affect the voters.
I guess the politicians are left with no choice..
american car+environmentally friendly (percieved) -> Ford escape hybrid..
the celebs might lap up a caddy/lincoln hybrid..
Mike I 2:34PM (7/13/2007)
A Full-Electric Lincoln Navigator please. For $38,000 max please.
Thanks!
Mike G 4:05PM (7/13/2007)
For sure, Ford should offer a hybrid Lincoln MKZ - you'd get all the hollywood and political posers who want the green image but can't do without that bling bling that their "fabulous" careers deserve.
Make it $5k more with only 5mpg more mileage, they'll still stumble over themselves for it lol.
... 12:52AM (7/14/2007)
so would i, but he would get hell for buying an import
Paul 1:33PM (7/13/2007)
The Secret Service must be LOVING this... there is a reason why they all tended to drive big V8s...
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