Part of Senator John McCain’s constituency can be described as secularist libertarian. The man, after all, is from the West, where that identity has long held a proud place. If there were any question that those folks would figure somewhere in his campaign, he laid it to rest late Monday with a campaign appearance at what may be the nation’s largest annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis, N.D.
Politico, which has got the story , describes the event as a “celebration of all things Harley” held at a place called the Buffalo Chip Campground. From what the website says, McCain drew some rather colorful endorsements in the form of hand-made political signs.
Perhaps we can assume that the Republican senator’s campaign is not worried that the religious conservatives who occasionally raise questions about McCain’s bona fides as one of their own will let this event pass, unremarked. In any case, it should have made for great pictures. And there are a lot of people in America who like Harley-Davidsons.
3
posted August 5, 2008 at 2:49 pm
And maybe everyone should remember that no matter whether it’s McCain or Obama that is elected, they’re going to be the President for everyone.
posted August 5, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Why on earth is this even an issue?
I’ve known Harley riders who were atheists, and one who is a Methodist minister. All four are liberal Democrats. If McCain doesn’t pick up the votes he expects from this even (if that’s somehow measurable), that could be the reason why.
posted August 5, 2008 at 7:45 pm
cain has been making fun of Obama’s tire pressure comment but he forgets to mention that Obama praised California for it low energy usage. Let me tell you how we did it in California WITHOUT GOVERNMENT REGULATION.
1. We turner off the lights not in use.
2. We raised the tempature of our A.C.s.
3. We switched to low wattage light bulbs.
4. We made fewer trips to the store.
5. We cared to make the difference.
Because I check my air pressure and service my car regularly, I raise my gass mileage by 15%. Now that I am retired and don’t need to drive to work any more, I don’t drive unless I have to. I take walks and talk with my nieghbors and pet thier dogs. I love life more today than I did before.
So when McCain makes fun of Obama, he is insulting me and the millions of Californians that have made a difference. Besides, there is not oil shortage, only short sighted po;ticians. WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, TURN OFF THE LIGHTS!
posted August 5, 2008 at 8:54 pm
More on energy savings: During the last ten years, I had my windows replaced, my walls re-insulated and solar tubes put in the roof as well as turban fans to cool the roof.
There are many ways we can save energy but please Mr. Senator McCain don’t make fun of me because I do.
On a note about Harley fans; I grew up in Oakland CA. and I remember that Hardy Motorcycles where the favorite of the outlaw gangs who terrorized the city streets. Most of them can’t vote because they are ex-cons. Not the ideal choice to campaign for. I admit that most of the Harley owners today are clean cut and professionals but that memory still lingers.
posted August 5, 2008 at 9:40 pm
The issue is not bikers per se, many of whom are good people. The issue is the event, the Sturgis Bike Rally. Nothing wrong with speaking at a bike rally but what else was going on there (I won’t link so as to be workplace and child friendly) cough! cough! wet T-shirt contests, topless beauty pageants and so on. Did I mention that McCain joked that he should enter Cindy in the Buffalo-Chip Beauty Pageant? Don’t take my word for it, try the google or YouTube.
posted August 6, 2008 at 10:39 am
McCain among the secularists, huh?
What percentage of Christians work around mostly non-Christians? Probably 85%. Many not willingly, but still…
Christians are USED to living among secularists.
McCain is NEVER going to present himself as George W Bush has, but if Christians put him in a *long-term* historical perspective, he looks pretty good. Nero lit Christians up like torches.