GOP won't let go of its new tire-gauge toy
By Steve Benen Monday Aug 04, 2008 7:30amAtrios asked yesterday, “Does anyone understand why Obama suggesting that people keep their tires properly inflated is some sort of hilarious gaffe?”
I’ve been trying to figure out the same thing for days. As the Obama campaign kicked off “energy week” with a new contrast ad and a policy speech in Michigan, Time’s Mark Halperin reports, “McCain supporters in Michigan will distribute tire gauges at Obama’s energy speech in Lansing. The RNC will also deliver gauges reading ‘Obama’s energy plan’ to Washington newsrooms.”
It looks like far-right blogs have received their copies of the Republican script, too. RedState.org’s Erick Erickson is on message: “Inflating your tires and getting a regular tune-up sounds more like Obama’s plan for ego maintenance than it does for helping American families.” Ed Morrissey added, “…Obama refers to ‘big oil’ and the need to reduce our use of oil by 35% over the next twenty years. How do we get there? Keep inflating those tires, folks.”
We are, quite obviously, in the midst of a very aggressive roll-out here. John McCain criticized the notion of well-inflated tires on Friday, and Newt Gingrich described Obama’s remarks as “loony toons” during a Fox News interview. Over the weekend, McCain said, “It seems to me the only thing [Obama] wants us to do is inflate tires” to improve gas mileage.
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, still auditioning for the role of VP, even took to using a tire gauge as a prop.
“Barack Obama stood up at a speech recently and said that one of the things that is really important from energy policy from his standpoint is to check the pressure in our tires, so here’s a tire gauge and you can go out in the parking lot here and check your tires. Now, that’s an interesting thing — we want you to have good pressure in your tires, you know, it will very mildly add to your fuel efficiency — but checking the air pressure in your tires is not an energy policy for the United States of America,” Pawlenty said.
ABC News’ The Note added that tire gauges may get the Republican Party’s message “back on the road.”
There’s something deeply wrong with these people.
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[Deleted. Don't post in ALL CAPS-Sitemonitor]
I have renamed the GOP the JOP....Jackass Old Party, and our donkey can kick their ass any day of the week.
Down with McMoron @ 1:
United Schmucks of America?
Marketing needs props. This is the new version of the John Kerry purple heart band-aid slander. This is how they trivialize and demean serious people and policies. Ideas for anti-repub props? An oil-soaked sponge? Blood-soaked dollars bills?
Time has a piece up saying bluntly: "Obama is right."
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1829354,00.html
Not only are you asking the wrong questions, you are spending your time reading and watching coma-inducing inputs. This little blog, as wonderful as it is, cannot compete with billions of dollars in advertising revenue, lobbying money, corporate political cronyism and the dedicated self-interest of those at the top of the economic food chain.
Dog eat Dog
You'll do well in this land of
Snakebite evangelists and racketeers
You could get to be
a big wig financier
Its a symbol of the GOP, their tires are flat. Maybe we should pass out white flags - to symbolize John McCain's surrender to the North Vietnamese?
unfortunately, a lot of 'murcans eat this kind of shit up. they absolutely believe that is the entirety of the energy plan, and find it absolutely hilarious, even though EVERY LOCAL NEWS BROADCAST a few months ago was saying the exact same thing in their "news you can use" or "channel X on your side" segments...
thinking in terms of 'republicans' and 'democrats' is just perpetuating the destruction
of our democracy. and pressuring(no pun intended) obama on the tire 'issue' was just
icing on the cake for the corporatists because god knows he had already rolled over
on the drilling issue.....
Why are people acting like this is confusing?
The GOP is pushing the talking point that Obama's (and the Democrats') energy plan consists of no more than inflating tires because Obama actually has a comprehensive energy plan.
That is the point.
Their goal is to replace actual reality -- i.e., Obama actually has a real and comprehensive energy plan (at least as much of one as politicians ever present in advance) -- with a preferred fiction -- i.e., the la-di-da gay wimpy weirdo elitist just wants to prance around and tell people to inflate their tires while kneeling down to the jihadists and enviro-whackoes who won't let us drill for all the oil that is just sitting out there waiting to make us all happy.
THAT is what they're doing. THAT is what they want people to hear. They don't want people debating between McCain's fictitious energy plan and Obama's options. They WANT people having the mental image of a stupid, wimpy, confused person handing out tire gauges while the grownups want to do something different.
It's obvious.
It may be a sort of mental problem, but is one of sociopathy, not irrationality.
Someone should make 'John McCain hangnooses'. That's what most people will be needing if the Republicans stay in charge of this economy.
That said, a commenter on Sadly No! came up with the best response:
Why are the Republicans still running FLAT after nearly 8 years in office???
Proper tire pressure will have more of a positive effect on consumption and gas prices than offshore drilling. At least with Obama's suggestion we are guaranteed of less consumption, but offshore drilling does not (and may not decrease prices anyway).
Japandrew @ 4:
I offer this suggestion for an ad, gratis, to the Obama campaign.
*Sound of cash registers ringing in the background" picture of McCain, money falling all around him, cut to has price signs and rising prices year to year over the last 5 years, graphic of oil company donations to McCain campaigns over the last 5 years, pictures of GWBush with oil Excecutives, pictures of Cheney with oil executives, back to picture of McCain again...and morph it into Rich Uncle Milburn Pennybags (the Monopoly money guy), with a voiceover....can we afford another 4 years of THIS?
When I first heard it, I actually thought it was a fantastic suggestion... you'd be surprised how many people forget to check their tire pressure on a regular basis, and it really makes a difference on fuel economy!
I drive a Hybrid, my wife drives a Hybrid.
As hybrid drivers, we are almost obsessive about even a .10 of a MPG.
Hybrid drivers even have contests to see who can squeeze more out of a full tank of gas or higher MPG.
Just as truck drivers (real trucks - as in 18 wheelers), hybrid drivers will tell you....tire pressure is a HUGE deal.
Because its simple, doesn't mean its not true....
But its easy to slam something simple...
If we follow the GOP free market hocus pocus/supply side BS....you'll have $10 a gallon gas in 3 years....take that to the bank
The only way to lower prices, enforce the Sherman anti-trust act, re-regulate energy markets thereby neutralizing speculators & hedge fund managers gaming the market for their own greedy little purposes, announce an Apollo program for sustainable energy, and put OPEC on notice...that petrodollars are 20th century IOUs....new energy is local and sustainable...and they can go swim in their Oil wells for all we care...
El Cid @ 11:
I wish I said ^^ that ^^. Can you take it another step and talk about what you see as an effective approach for the Democratic response? My inclination (as indicated by my first post) is that we have no choice but to sink to the GOP level. That is my belief at this point, but I'm interested in your opinion as to an appropriate and effective response.
They're trying desperately to manufacture an "I invented the internet" moment for Obama. Unfortunately, they don't have much to work with, since Obama's proven to be extremely well-spoken.
It's really rather pathetic, to watch.
G-Md @ 10:
Democracy can only exist without secrecy and with a reliable and secure voting process. The US fails on both counts.
Offshore Oil Drilling Will Still Not Lower Gasoline Prices: Barack Obama and Legislative Compromise - http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/08/obama-willing-to-compromise-offs...
Recapping Why Offshore Oil Won’t Reduce Energy Prices Short-Term: 1) There are 17.8 billion barrels of “undiscovered recoverable resources” (not actual oil, mind you, but potential oil) in areas currently off limits, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
2) The Energy Information Administration ays that once opened, leasing would not begin until 2012, production would not begin until 2017 and would not be of sufficient scale until 2030 to have any impact on the US oil or natural gas market. By this time offshore oil drilling would add approximately 250,000 barrels a day to the U.S. market, against an overall current demand of about 21 million barrels.
To use my father’s vernacular: The amount of oil contained in offshore areas which are current off limits means bubkiss when compared to overall U.S. oil demand.
Is This Sort of Compromise A Bad Thing? If Barack Obama were saying, as John McCain has, that offshore oil drilling will reduce energy prices in the short term, or that it is a real solution to U.S. energy independence, then I might feel more strongly about this. However, all he has done is say that he is willing to compromise.
Personally, I don’t think drilling offshore is worthwhile even as an interim step. The impact on U.S. energy independence and energy cost will be negligible, no matter if that oil comes online tomorrow or ten years from now. We need to be focussing all of our efforts on transforming the base structure of the US economy away from fossil fuels, not debating empty energy baby steps.
Obama Calls for Tapping of Oil Stockpiles - http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Obama.html
Obama put forward a broad energy plan Monday designed to end U.S. reliance on imported oil within 10 years and shore up his standing amid a tightening White House race and high-anxiety over gas prices.
In response to the stupidity of the right wingnuts, Gingrich's horsecrap 527 (Drill now campaign), and all the other GOP talking points garbage.....a real energy plan from a real presidential candidate.
Obama 08 Drilling solves nothing: The world's fleet of Deep sea drilling rigs is booked until 2013, it costs $500 Million to make a new one, costs $500,000 a day to operate one, Bush's own energy dept: Savings on a gallon of gas won't be realized until 2030!!!!! And even then it will only be a few cents....THINK, THINK, THINK, THINK!
Not shocked: Multiple Oil Company Executives Gave Huge Contributions To Electing McCain Just Days After Offshore Drilling Flip-Flop/'Reversal' - http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/08/oil_company_exec...
Drilling solves nothing....FOLLOW THE MONEY & THINK....McBush & Big Oil....we already have two oilmen in the White House now....we don't need another one, unless $10 a gallon is something you look forward to spending in 3 years.....
Once again the McCain camp is more interested in diverting attention from it's campaign of hot air.
I think it's great that they waste their time AND money on this kind of crap. What else do they have to run on?
Certainly not issues that concern this country. I can't wait for the debates!
El Cid @ 11:
What grownups?
Liberal AND Proud @ 15:
^^ Good ^^ I was thinking similarly when I heard on C-Span this morning that McCain just got like a million bucks from oil companies and that his position changed after the donations. I don't know how true that is, but that was the claim of the guest.
I know jack sh*t about cars but I have known forever that tire pressure affects gas mileage. It's just a fact. Okay having said that, the repubs have found a new shiny thing, literally, a tire gauge. A gimmick, something simple, to focus on for a few minutes. That tells you the mentality they are playing to.
Meanwhile yesterday Sen Obama gave a very detailed energy speech and anyone who listened to it would feel inspired and ready to do whatever he or she could to help attain the goals he set out.
If it was McCain who said "check your tire pressure", the Dems would be all over it too.
Keeping your tire pressure correct is new thinking? High achievement?
buzz @ 26:
Yeah, because we would find it hard to believe he had said something so sensible.
Maybe someone should hand out sunscreen at a McSame rally.
It's hard to get organized when the attention span of the general populace is one second.
The caliber of individuals that praise and believe McCain ... the ones who eat up his cutesy, airhead, gimmic-like gotchas have no idea what is truly happening to this country. I don't think anyone can convince these people that the GOP is strictly for "Big Business" at the expense of the middle working class. Pat them on their head a few times and they believe anything you tell them.
Unfortunately, this republican method of trivializing a candidate works with the average vapid american voter. We can all snicker about how silly it is, which it is, but this can do some damage if not properly dealt with.
As I understand it, Obama was at a town hall meeting and a lady asked him what she personally could do to increase her gas mileage. One of the things he suggested to her was to check her tire pressure. That makes total sense to me.
This appears to be a mountain made, not of a mole hill, but perhaps of desperation.
Only 14.9% of the Youth Vote actually turned out in the primaries to vote for Obama.
It's The Power of Hype
Handing out tire gauges with the phrase "Obama's Energy Plan" on them is actually kind of funny. Sorry. But my sense of humor is telling me that one kind of works, just purely on the level of a sarcastic joke.
That doesn't make it all any less juvenile, especially in light of the fact McCain's energy policy is nigh non-existent as far I know, but, yeah...
They really are good at the trivializing game. Trying to make Democrats laughing stocks is their lifework. Maybe they only thing they're any good at. It helps the Dems never really fight back or do the same thing. They're perpetually stuck as the nerdy kid who doesn't understand why the bully is pantsing him.
American Politics is pure juvenilia.
pissed off patricia @ 33:
He should have said . . . get rid of the Ford Explorer and buy an Escort. (It would be more honest)
For the NASCAR moms and dads. GOP base.
http://www.nascar.com/2004/auto/cct/02/19/tire_wear/
Strangefate @ 35:
Dumbing down of the populace
Why save energy, that is 'unserious'. Serious people want to drill everywhere, the environment be damned, as well as bomb Iran and take theirs. That is the implicit message.
Tip of The Day
Destroy your TV's and stop numbing yourself out on Bitches Brew.
They got nothing else... let'em play with the friggin toy!
If only god had not buried our oil under the middle eastern countries it would be so much easier.
cause its just as stupid as McCain telling everyone to wear sunblock. And they're grasping as straws. is it really that hard to understand?
El Cid @ 13:
Right on. It should be easy for the opposition to turn this around and make the RePugs look childish and sad. This is how they treat the solutions to lowering the average persons energy costs. If there were an exclusive GOP maker of tire guages and they cost 120 bucks, you can bet this would be solution number one.
L.A. Confidential @ 30:
Only for those that actually pay attention!
So I should just ignore all those public safety messages I've seen over the decades reminding me to keep my engine tuned and check the tire pressure every month from now on? Even the ones they show on the speed channel wherein Mario Andretti and Richard Petty tell people to check their tire pressure regularly?
Since when is repeating common knowledge a "gaffe" and how stupid do reslugs really want to look?
But then these are the morons who want everyone to think that conserving anything is un'merkan.
Why don't they just cut to the chase and tell their spongeminions that being a brain dead moron who lets a chimp tell them what to do is the only real way to be "cool". There'll be a line up for lobotomies tomorrow.
Reslugs are indeed THAT stupid.
quick google, CA Integrated Waste Managment Board
- low tire pressure-related crashes are to blame for 660 fatalities and 33,000 injuries every year.
- Californians would save 47.9 million gallons of fuel annually if tires are properly inflated.
- etc.
Waiting for Obama camp to hit back hard on this.
Will they?
Need tv ads showing McSame driving around on flat tires.
Talk up Obama energy plan.
Talk about plans Gore was pushing in 2000.
GOP lied about Gore's proposal for 30 yr plan for gov to develop alternative energy sources saying "Gore's going to outlaw the internal combustion engine".
Time for a new ad with Arnold, Crist, NASCAR and the rest saying the exact same thing Obama said. They all said it first. Olbermann kicked the shit out this bogus republican "tire gauge" thing last night. I wish other networks would follow suit but alas the McMedia will not.
I remember seeing the women at the last repub convention wearing those purple heart band aids. They were smiling ear to ear. They thought it was so clever. I'm betting those same women had Support the Troops magnets on their cars. I doubt they were aware of the irony they were displaying.
Yeah, Ha Ha. It's all a big old joke. The ads the McCain made about Obama? Ha Ha, come on, they're just joking. This silly gauge thing? Oh come on, it's just a harmless joke. Let's all yuck it and have a big laugh.
Now, isn't that more fun than thinking about the fact that our country is circling the drain? Isn't that more fun than thinking about foreclosures and people being homeless? Isn't that more fun than watching businesses shut down all over small towns? Damn straight. Forget all the problems and laugh along with McCain.
McCain is the only one with real solutions. I hear from a well-placed source in his campaign that next week General McCain will announce a new automotive technology initiative to promote fast track development of coal-powered cars with wooden wheels. He's a goddamn visionary, I tell ya! And what does Osama Hussein bring to the table - pneumatic tires??! LOL that will never work, not in a million years!!
What Obama should say: "Americans, take this tire gauge and check the pressure in your tires to ensure you're doing even the smallest measures to conserve fuel. Republicans, take this tire gauge and shove it up your ass."
Mark my words: Mc Cain will win this election. Once again, Obama- like Kerry- thinks (and plans on thinking) the American people are smarter than to fall for the little tire guage prop ( like the Kerry purple heart band aid) and what it means. Unfortunately, they are not that smart: the trick has put him neck and neck with McCain. It's not a gaffe on Obama's part- yet the Repubicans have made it seem so. Once he has an ACTUAL gaffe (and he will), it'll be game over. Yet again, Obama is siting back doing nothing, hoping Americans see through the nonsense. It's a losing strategy.
Janet @ 48:
Those commercials already exist. [re: @46]
They need to make a point of showing those people who don't already know, just how insanely stupid mcsame and friends really are.
Obama can't hit back.
If he does, he'll be perceived and portrayed as dissing Murka's (WHITE) War Hero.
White folks don't wanna see their (WHITE) war hero dissed by some 'presumptuous' Kneegrow...
The funny part is, it's McCain's flat campaign that lacks any 'air' and could use a tire gauge to see just how bad it's gotten.
An effective ad campaign would show a bar graph of net gains. Short oil platform, taller tire gauge.
Steve @ 52:
Yeah Obama has to be reminded he's basically trying to become king of the stupids and the only thing they like are flashy magic shows and lots and lots of lies. Which explains the government of the past 8 years.
The few people who still understand more than what channel their favorite reality show is on see what's going on. The rest just want to be told everything will be fine so they can go back to their tv and video games.
My husband's family believe that Obama is a muslim and will not hear anything else on the subject. They are losing all their savings just paying to live. They've lost their health care coverage and continue to spiral downwards because one has a chronic illness and another is now suffering from old age related health issues. But they will still vote for mcsame because basically they're dumber than wood. This is what obama is up against.
The tire gauge is mightier than the drilling rig
Steve @ 52:
Agreed. It's time to take the gloves off and call out McCain. Subtle digs don't count - we need knockdown brawl. The problem of course is twofold. First, it alienates voters. Second, it plays right in to the hands of the cranial-rectal inversion MEDIA that is already doing such a wonderful job of ignoring truth, history, reality, common sense and the basic principles of journalism.
pissed off patricia @ 33:
That's all they've got.
If you can take all the hot air the McCain campaign belches out every day, you'd have enough wind energy to power Amerikkka for 15 months.
Heh, and people say 66% of statistics are made up on the spot.
An elderly man playing with childish games and gimmicks. Is that really the way they want to portray McCain? Second childhood comes to mind.
Here's another ad idea...
How about a tire gas gauge...with voiceover talking about oil profits...and the gauge extends....oil contributions to the GOP...the gauge extends...oil company executive pay growth...gauge expands...flaming oil rigs in Iraq...gauge expands...Halliburton contracts...gauge expands...Cheney link to Halliburton and how much he has made...gauge expands...Bush family connection to oil....gauge expands...McCain links to oil industry...gauge shoots off like an arrow...voiceover..."How much more pressure can YOU take...Vote real change...vote Obama".
woody> "can't hit back"
baloney.
Obama could destroy McSame over this issue.
here's another one:
The Department of Transportation estimates that 5 million gallons of fuel per day are wasted due to low tire pressure. That's more than 2 billion gallons per year, just because people don't take the time to inflate their tires properly.
Obama camp: I don't care if you belittle McSame. I will vote for Obama. I would prefer Obama camp make a complete fool of McSame. Bring in Gore, Clinton, etc. you got a few months left. Turn up the heat.
Whenever you see a car with a republican bumper sticker, let the air out of their tires. Apparently, you'd be doing them some kind of favor.
Oh, and there's a convenient little bump of a thingy on one end of your official mccain tire gauge designed for just that purpose.
proper tire pressure not only saves fuel, it is also a safety issue. i don't see the humor in that but repubes seem to.
if Mario Andretti is for proper tire pressure so am I.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4NBwFRnFbQ
All the GOP has is fear, hate, division and ridicule. That's their plan, along with more of the same and more give aways for the big corporations and the super rich at the expense of the middle class. Sadly, half the country will fall for it....again.
1. Obama says to thoroughly cook chicken if you don't want to get sick.
2. Republicans call it a stupid and insane idea for keeping healthy.
3. GOP campaign rallies start passing out rubber chickens with the phrase "Obama's national healthcare plan" printed on them.
4. Many people wooed by the hype perpetuated by the MSM eat raw chicken, just to spite those silly Democrats.
5. Thousands die from salmonella poisoning. MSM calls it a "mysterious outbreak" that's "pandemic", and recommend wearing paper masks and quarantining those "who may appear to be sick".
6. GOP and rightwing pundits blame the "mysterious outbreak" on illegals and other scary foreigners.
7. Many people are mesmerized by the scare tactics and cheer on GOP legislation to further restrict immigration and foreign travel. Several Dem congresscritters easily buckle under public pressure and bill easily gets pushed through Congress.
8. GOP wins again.
Those wacky Republicans...next thing you know, they'll be telling us ketchup is a vegetable.
McCains getting some stiff-formidable opposition.
http://tinyurl.com/6fpo4g
free John McCain flip-flops for everybody!!
The Dems could distribute "Price of oil and cost of living gauge"
Said items pumped up by corrupt malfeasant Bushies.
The economic wheels of America are absolutely going FLAT.
cj51 @ 63:
After seeing that interview with Bill Clinton yesterday, I'm not real sure that his heart is into helping Obama too much. As I said yesterday, Sen. Claire McCaskill is a killer when it comes to standing up for Obama and smacking down the petty stuff.
Mr Squirrel @ 68:
Or tell us to buy more duct tape
Mallard Foulmore is molting.
it's sad how republicans seem so desperate to believe their leaders-even when those same leaders have failed them. they can't seem to accept that the country is in a dire situation and off course,and they just keep right on slogging in the muck for those greedy, lying fools.it's never the country first.
Yellow Elephant Safari @ 64:
It's on his crotch too.
Mr Squirrel @ 68:
Or the new Green World Together Economy. Brought to you by Exxon Mobil.
pissed off patricia @ 61:
He's the Baby New Year AND Father Time all rolled into one!
Oh. "lighten up" folks...nothing SERIOUS going on here...like an election that might determine the course of America's progress ...so let's just let the GOP REPUG "talking points" be what drives the "discussion" (yeah, like there is ever a discussion)...it fills up those meaningless hours of MSM programming and puts so much crap into the heads of viewers that soon they can't even remember what the points of the debate are. FOR INSTANCE...we continue to wonder WHY McSHAME is making so much of Congress being "on vacation" when he hasn't voted since APRIL...and do you ever hear that mentioned? NAH...there is such a LONG LIST of actual, accurate, points to skewer this buzzard with and DEMS are incapable of putting it together, retaining it, hitting them over the head with it over and over ...and they continue going on these ridiculous tv/radio programs where they are given 10 seconds to respond with their practice TPs to inane and unsupported and incurious questions by overpaid opiners...CAN YOU TELL I'M PISSED?????
So if we're advised to wear sun-block in the summer that would be called Obama Global Climate Change Initiative?
I don't want the dems to hand out anything or any trinket. Instead I want them to point our how lame that practice is in the first place. While the dems are seriously trying to come up with an answer to our energy problems, the repubs are playing with their new shiny tire gauges.
Ummmmmmmm yeah.... I'm pretty sure this kind of silliness appeals only to the GOP base.
How can the GOP run a candidate like McCain?
He's too much of a health expense at his age to be an employee of the government. Such a bad business decision...tsk, tsk, tsk.
Wait a sec, W told everyone they could conserve engergy/cut costs by turning down their thermostats while they were at work. I'm so tired of the @#$%$ double standard. I'm equally tired of the Obama campaign not fighting back. Do something.
I'm worried (astounded) about how close this election really is. The Dems seem to think there's no way the can lose. How quickly they've forgotten 2004.
Down With McMoron is absolutely right.
The majority of this country, or at least the majority of voters, are idiots in most all cases.
If Obama wants to survive this nonsense he need to take off the gloves, look right into the camera at his next speech or news conference and call these people LIARS and CONMEN directly.
[Reporter] McCain accuses you of flip-floping and having weak policies positions.
[Obama] Listen, this is simple. McCain and his represenatives are LYING to you, period.
They have every intention of continue to enrich themselves and their, already rich, friends on the American people's back by any means necessary. If that calls for them to tell outright lies about my positions then they'll do it. These people are the SCUM of the earth and if you follow them you are helping sell this country out to corporate interests.
So, the choice is really simple.
Vote for me and let's start to live up to the ideals of the founders of this country or vote for McCain and get what you deserve.
Ignorance breeeds more ignorance - repugs prove it every single day.
Keith Olbermann had a discussion on the subject last night. I have it at my site.
Anyone with a brain knows that properly filled tires saves on Gas and Tire wear.
It's that "Anyone with a brain" part that is the problem here.
The Tire Gauge is a rallying cry like "Mushroom Cloud" or "Ayatollah Assahola". It frenzies the meatheads so that they will support their elite masters.
Many have made the point here, to the effect that the American public has the attention span of a gerbil. Now that the vast majority has grown up with television doing most of our parenting, we have reached the point of being almost completely hypnotized and reprogrammed into gathering our information from spoon-fed sound-bites, and there is only a small minority of folks who will bother to delve deeper and analyze anything in the news deeper than the first superficial level. Thus the increased effectiveness of propaganda is staggering to behold, as a mixture of numb apathy toward politics and a lack of critical thinking has turned the large majority of the electorate into bleating ignoramuses.
pissed off patricia @ 80:
You'll see the tire gauges again at the GOP Convention. While the people are cheering, the oil executives will be in the smoking lounge lighting cigars with hundred dollar bills.
Mr Squirrel @ 88:
Why do hate the gerbils!!! LOL. Sorry...couldn't resist.
Every time before I roll my car out of the drive I check the tires. 35 psi all the way around.
This promotes maximum fuel efficiency, savings as much as ten percent. maximum safety, under inflation is the primary cause of tire failure.
I don't often find much of a change but I have aluminum wheels which can develop leaks. You can also pick up a nail, which I have done a number of times. It only takes one catastrophe tire failure at 70 mph+ to be investigating the veracity of some supposed afterlife, or worse the rigors of the American health care system for the underinsured but badly mangled.
Where will you drill, find ten percent of what we have used today and bring it to market tomorrow?
No where!
The barbarians are counting on the stupidity of the populace to fall for their crap.
Liberal AND Proud @ 62:
sounds like a viagra commercial. i don't like the specifics of this one. i think we need more simple, direct attacks against McCain's credibility. don't ask americans to read between the lines, especially when they can look at something and think of boners and giggle.
cobalt @ 19:
Exactly. It's all about marketing and belittling your opponent. We could do the same with McCain's emphasis on "psychological" solutions. All you need is a prop and a thousand flying monkeys.
There is a very simple response to these morons:
"Energy efficiency by using improved technology and practicing sensible habits in our homes, businesses and automobiles is a big part of the answer, and is something we can achieve right now."
What a radical notion! What kind of Socialist would suggest that we can do something (such as getting tune-ups or keeping our tires filled properly) now on an individual basis to HELP matters instead of being lax in our conservation of energy?
Who else? That old hippie, John McCain in HIS Energy speech from April. Of THIS year.
Lob the ball back to their court....
Just being snarky @ 92:
Ok...make it a circular tire guage and have it explode.
Why not just run with it? The Obama campaign ought to be handing out gauges at their events and to all the press with a web link printed on the side to the Time article. Get fricking creative rather than just take the slime without responding.
Everyone go grab your bottle of sunscreen lotion, get a black marker, write McCain's healthcare plan on the bottle. Take it to the beach or to the pool with you and pass it around. Let your friends and family use it. The stupidity of the McCain campaign has not ceased to amaze me, yet.
Earl Scheib @ 93:
Obama talked about McCain's psychological solutions in his speech yesterday.
Mr Squirrel @ 88:
Absolutely truthful statement.
Fucking simpletons and their bumper sticker mentality.
Here's my idea for a Democratic ad campaign.
1. Show a quick montage of the sillier aspects of the recent mcshame ads
2. Voiceover comes in saying " John McCain asks if Barack Obama is ready to lead".
3. Camera zooms in on a mcshame tire pressure gauge and the voiceover asks "And this is all they've got?"
4. Closeup of mcshame making that creepy grin. Voiceover says "He may be 72 years old, but is John McCain mature enough to lead?"
It's strange. Mocking Obama over this tire gauge thing is ludicrous. Even a 16 year old know to check the tire pressure.
And Obama is right. If you want better mileage slightly over inflate your tires (on long trips). Regular oil changes are also a no brainer. Be careful if you're going to drive with over inflated tires. For obvious reasons, safety,tire wear, and poor comfort when traveling. never go over 3-4 lb's of pressure. But keeping the tire pressure at the recommended air pressure will give you better mileage.
This has got to be the most childish GOP campaign I've ever seen. Worse than Geee Dubbbya's.
Liberal AND Proud @ 89:
And that's only because it's hard to find 1000 or 10,000 dollar bills.
patricia> interview with Bill Clinton
ooo patricia.. I was thinking of Sen. Hillary Clinton :)
Agreed, Bill might be the guy.
I have to admit I voted for Hillary.
I am looking forward to her helping Obama.
☻..Bangkok Bob..☻♫♪ Sawatdee @ 86:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hAg_k69a4M
THEY LIKE US STUPID...it's worked for the past two administrations even given the weak candidate we put out there in 2004...and here we are again with a nice, smart guy who has the potential to make a real difference but who jumped into place BEFORE his time and will likely share the same fate as Kerry...perhaps Hillary also would have been smeared ("perhaps"?) but it would have been a real scramble because they've already done their nasty with THE CLINTONS (and continue to with the help of our illustrious MSM and many bloggers) so none of that would be a surprise...still, I'm betting folks would have been out there trying to get them to FIGHT BACK because they are scum, right...not lofty promoters of CHANGE!!! It's like the REPUGS doing this stunt in the House trying to make their constituents believe that they REALLY, REALLY CARE about their pain (so please re-elect us)...could you see Mr. Milquetoast Reed or MISS NANCY being that "creative"? No, because folks wouldn't like them, maybe...MY GOD, this is becoming a real joke and I'm not happy contemplating the outcome!!!
☻..Bangkok Bob..☻♫♪ Sawatdee @ 86:
I saw it coming when MTV launched in 1981. Mass Brain Death was inevitable.
Janet @ 48:
This is the best way to "attack" McSame--- with his and his supporters own words! A Straight Talk Hot Air gauge might get the, now, full of good humor Rovians to have a yuck, but it's better to hoist them by their own....
Yellow Elephant Safari @ 101:
Screw it. Just do an ad stating that its no surprise that John McCain doesn't understand the benefits of proper tire pressure. The last car he owned had a horse in front of it!!
ysbaddaden @ 105:
good one.
They. got. Nothing. .
Yellow Elephant Safari @ 101:
I really like that. At number three I would have the voice say, In this time of exceedingly high prices, McCain thinks that doing something as common sense as checking your tire pressure to increase your gas mileage is just a silly idea.
I say embrace the tire gauge! Get blue and white Obama gauges!
Then start distributing McCain pill boxes like my grandpa has!
Or big foam hands with the hitchhiking thumb stuck out that say, "McCain-Out of gas and out of ideas!"
Mr Squirrel @ 88:
I DISAGREE. Blaming television is the easy answer. We are what we are because we're humans and this is how we've been for centuries. Average people are not smart, not well-informed and don't care. Mass media simply allows us a better window into other peoples' lives, so we're more aware of each other now. But I'd make the case that we're at least more informed now than we've ever been. That will NEVER make us less susceptible to lowest common denominator attacks and the pack mentality that we are born with.
So it's a small disagreement but I think a meaningful one.
L.A. Confidential @ 107:
TV is the most dangerous technological thing that has been produced in the last hundred years. Tens of millions of people staring at the same images and believing what the voices are saying. Just imagine what the world would be like if Hitler had it at his disposal.
☻..Bangkok Bob..☻♫♪ Sawatdee @ 110:
I've forgotten what a schwenger Dorothy was.
woody, tokin librul @ 54:
No matter how reasonable and intelligent Obama is, and no matter how old, miserable, and wrong thinking McCain is, Rove and Company are betting on the "Great White Hope" factor to win the election. As others have said, Obama needs to change his strategy. Smart and reasonable won't win this election, I'm afraid.
Obama should give out free tire gauges instead of pens at all his stops.
That will fix everything.
I am a woman and I know you should have the properly inflated tires to save gas. I guess that makes me smarter then Mcdumb or the ruplicans for that matter. What a bunch of morans, the next thing you know they will be saying that inflating tires was there idea, since they don't have any ideas of their own.
Oopsie, schwinger.
I love Obama's latest email:
The "tire gauge" is the same thing as Jimmy Carter's "sweater" - easily mocked by simple minded, stay-on-message, 3G (Guns, God, and Gays) Republicans. The FACT that properly maintained vehicles that run on gas or diesel can achieve 10, 15, or even 20% better efficiency with proper tire pressure, regular oil & filter changes, and quality fuels is completely lost on such simple minded 3G-ers. They will continue to mock it, just as the GOP mocked Carter's sweater wearing, because the American masses can understand and relate to it on a very simple level. Remember, this is an electorate who in the majority believes the earth is only 6000 years old, so they are easily manipulated.
The Republicans can make fun of Obama's idea of keeping tires fully inflated all they want. However, most everyone knows that keeping your tires fully inflated reduces drag and friction which then leads to lower fuel consumption. I make sure my tires are fully inflated all of the time.
Obama's idea is by no means a fix for America's overall fuel problems and Obama knows it. His simple tip though will help Americans to reduce their overall expenditures on fuel in the short term while a long term solution is formulated. There is no quick fix to this problem and every little tip helps.
buzz @ 26:
No, we wouldn't.
We have issues with things like:
Tax breaks for companies that are robbing the country blind.
War profiteering.
Health Care
Social security.
Wars started on false pretenses AND attacking the WRONG country
Vote rigging
Politicians that are owned by companies, and who could care less about American or Americans (I'm talking about YOU BushCo.)
A president that suddenly forgets who Osama Bin Laden is (Hint, his family and Bush's family were BUSINESS PARTNERS)
The list goes on... but then, you're just a republican troll. You don't care about facts or issues. You're just here to pander lies.
McCain admitted he couldn't remember the last time he pumped his own gas. Maybe that was so long ago that tire gauges hadn't been invented yet. Maybe he doesn't know what they do or how to use one.
You guys aren't getting it, are you?
The Republicans are letting Obama talk his way out of the race.
They know he is the best speaker, the most intelligent. So they are simply turning his words against him by making him seem naive, silly. They are using ridicule.
But what does Obama's campaign do whenever McCain makes a fool of himself? They go out of their way to praise McCain's military service. They shout down those that want to go on the offensive.
Democrats only how to do one thing: surrender. And the Obama campaign is out there with their white flags right now.
Enjoy the election guys. This one will be over by Labor Day.
Wouldn't it be a great practical joke to gather a bunch of people together with valve stem removal tools and flatten the tires of everyone at the RNC convention!!!
pissed off patricia @ 125:
He fueled the last car he owned by dropping a bale of hay in front of it.
☻..Bangkok Bob..☻♫♪ Sawatdee @ 115:
PC's (interconnectivity), technology, and the internet are more dangerous then TV ever could be at this point.
I'll leave it at that.
They are all third grade bullies - what do you expect? They're too mule-headed to come up with real ideas so need to belittle aeveryone else.
pissed off patricia @ 125:
Hand Crank
Obama needs to attack Mccain.period. But he can't come off as pissed off, otherwise the McCain camp will paint him as being unstable or grumpy. imagine that?
Dicksknee @ 126:
Bingo.
Ron @ 96:
I like this! Call attention to it and the McCain
JoeP @ 122:
And we got Reagan rather then change.
{ Deleted, Rude and offensive. SiteMonitor}
McKeating = Geritol, ginkgo, Depends, A Field Guide to Songbirds, Silverado, shopping in Baghdad, viagra, loafers, oh hell; whaddabunchabullshit.
Mr Squirrel @ 88:
Why do you suppose one of the first things Bu$h did when he got office was to instill No child left behind?? That really means no child learning critical thinking skills. PERIOD. I am having a hell of a time with my twins, I set up critical thinking problems all the time for them, and I am lucky if they manage to think outside the box 1 out of 10 times I try. It's damned scary, It's hard to be the only one teaching them the very valuable things they REALLY need. It's hard to find material as well. But hey once the economy started to tank, it's come alot easier. At least now they understand alot more then they did 8 yrs ago. :)
The way I see it, the republicans believe that the best way to improve mileage is to allow oil companies to have more places to drill. The democrats should start attacking these dirty pricks for their obvious pandering to the corporations.
Left&Left @ 136: {refers to deleted post SiteMonitor}
Tires that are properly inflated reduce the level of friction between the road and the tires....thus, the tires roll along with less energy expended by the car's engine. Thus, less gas is burned.
Obama is correct. This is another non-issue being concocted by the Swift Boat assholes to smear Obama.
lj @ 134:
Sorry, quick trigger finger. Call attention to it and McCain's desperation and sloppy campaign.
Potentially, another 4 years of assmonkeydom. Lovely. I hope Rove's career progresses in the same manner as his mentor, Lee Atwater.
{ Look, I said this was over, Knock it off with the personal attacks.SiteMonitor}
Charlie Weiss where have you gone? @ 133:
I have to agree.
If there isn't some major changes made to the dems responses by the time the election actually gets going there isn't a chance they'll win.
The msm is already fudging the polls to make it look like Obama is 'struggling' which is total shit.
The reslugs and mcsame base [the press] smear Obama all over the place and their response is to "trust the truth". Good luck with that.
Not to mention that the best possible candidate for VP has had a slow burn smear campaign attached to him since the spring and all the dems want to do is call it 'nonsense' meanwhile the reslugs have already got John Edwards set up to look like a gop bathroom stall stalker should his name come up for the VP spot. They are WAY ahead of the dems on all of this.
Obama won't even release a 'strongly worded' press release.
I understand, the dems are basically working in a war zone. But if they're not going to fight then what's the fucking point of any of this?
L.A. Confidential @ 129:
You can't say something like that and not elaborate greatly with what you mean. Dangerous to Whom? The government or all of us? I want to know.
I think this is an issue where the Republicans are trying to pander to a base they don't understand.
Most rednecks I know understand things like tire pressue and automobile maintenance.
The GOP thinks it is so funny, because they don't check the pressure on their tires, they wouldn't even know how to if they had to.
Scott @ 14:
Obama's right. Why is this such a disaster? It's a fact that poorly inflated tires waste gas.
The fact of the matter is that because Americans are using less gasoline, the prices have dropped considerably in the past few weeks. Conservation = reduced demand = reduced prices = reduced dependency on foreign oil. We've dropped the price of gasoline much more quickly through conservation (by doing things like inflating tires and driving less) than drilling offshore or at Anwar ever would. Gee, maybe Obama's on to something!
These airheads should use the gauges on that little valve behind their ears.
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