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]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Aetius @ Jul 13th 2007 12:46PM
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.
Don @ Jul 13th 2007 2:27PM
Pfft. Obama's a pussy...cowtowing to what he thinks the public wants him to drive.
snazzum @ Jul 14th 2007 5:35AM
better than Hillary kowtowing to Bush on the war or Bush kowtowing to Dick.
Tony @ Jul 13th 2007 12:49PM
Hypocritical or not what Obama said on May 7 was the gospel Truth period.
Johnny Rocket @ Jul 13th 2007 2:17PM
Yeah...right. I suppose when he said easting monkey balls is good for you, that was the Gospel of Osama--er, Obama?
psarhjinian @ Jul 13th 2007 12:54PM
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.
Gerard @ Jul 13th 2007 5:40PM
Judging from your name, the Department of Homeland Security is pretty glad, too.
DriftPunch @ Jul 13th 2007 12:56PM
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...
Daniel @ Jul 13th 2007 2:31PM
Did you hear about the politician who had the Ho in the back seat of his Chrysler 300?
Avinash machado @ Jul 13th 2007 1:00PM
Well, at least he bought a domestic hybrid instead of an import like Prius.
John R @ Jul 13th 2007 1:02PM
D'oh!!
bikko100 @ Jul 13th 2007 1:13PM
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.,.
F451 @ Jul 13th 2007 1:15PM
All politicians' are a loathsome bunch. This smacks of royal pandering to the crowd, but again—all politicians' are a loathsome bunch.
Namir @ Jul 13th 2007 1:18PM
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.
dilslips @ Jul 13th 2007 1:26PM
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 @ Jul 13th 2007 2:34PM
A Full-Electric Lincoln Navigator please. For $38,000 max please.
Thanks!
Mike G @ Jul 13th 2007 4:05PM
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.
... @ Jul 14th 2007 12:52AM
so would i, but he would get hell for buying an import
Paul @ Jul 13th 2007 1:33PM
The Secret Service must be LOVING this... there is a reason why they all tended to drive big V8s...
Derek Kreindler @ Jul 13th 2007 1:44PM
Bah, Obama's pimp status has just been eliminated.