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No NASCAR Car for Obama

Submitted by Sean Hackbarth on Sat, 07/12/2008 - 19:19
in

The campaign that ran a Super Bowl ad now refuses to sponsor a part-time team in the Sprint Cup. Money problems? -Patrick

The Obama campaign pulled back from plans to sponsor a NASCAR car:

“The Obama campaign will not be sponsoring a car in the Sprint Cup series, though we will continue to look for ways to reach out to voters and convey Senator Obama’s message of change.” said Bill Burton, an Obama campaign spokesman

Sports Illustrated first reported the proposal on its Web site, saying Obama’s campaign is in talks with BAM, a part-time operation that hasn’t raced in recent weeks, to sponsor its No. 49 car in the Aug. 3 race at Pocono.

I think some of this talk was simply a trial balloon that didn't soar into the sky. Some of it is also reduced fundraising expectations. Paying for offices in all 50 states takes precedence over a potentially failed bit of marketing.

McCain has an opening to connect to NASCAR fans. I'm not recommending he sponsor a car, but getting to a race as soon as possible to get some pictures taken with drivers would make for a nice contrast.

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McCain / IndyCar

Submitted by MediaLizzy on Sat, 07/12/2008 - 23:30.

It's worth noting NASCAR fans also tend to be plain old racing fans... and the McCain camp is on top of it.  Cindy McCain rode in the pace car at today's Nashville Firestone 200 IndyCar race.  They may not be as flashy as Obama - but why bother.  Narcissus killed himself - and Obama's political narcissism is at least as dangerous.

RE: McCain/IndyCar

Submitted by Sean Hackbarth on Sun, 07/13/2008 - 15:56.

Good for Cindy and the McCain campaign. It seems like they're going a little under the radar.

Did Obama hurt himself with the NASCAR crowd by setting expectations he didn't meet? With Obama's attitude towards the "bitter" crowd he's likely show up to a Formula 1 race if they still came to the U.S.

P.S. Can we get a Danica Patrick endorsement?

McCain's been there. . .

Submitted by Walt Gilbert on Mon, 07/14/2008 - 03:27.

. . .and done that.  Wouldn't hurt to do it again, though.

John McCain and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.