It doesn't get much more American than the iconic Harley Davidson Chopper, and while hybrids were strictly the territory of tree huggers and communists in America five years ago, with GM's launch of the electric Chevy Volt and the staggering success of the Prius, buying a hybrid is becoming an acceptable move by even the most die-hard of conservatives. Heck, even McCain bought his daughter a Prius...or at least he thought he bought his daughter a Prius. Whatever. She drives one.
Speaking of that Japan-made Prius, the Obama camp is painting McCain as less than supportive of the American worker and economy, going as far as creating a Hybrids and Harleys Web Site where "supporters will be able to join with other Hybrid and Harley owners to track John McCain's public campaign against American made vehicles." A limited-edition bumper sticker emblazoned with the new phrase will surely be plastered on hybrids in blue areas around the country (where, exactly, would you place a bumper sticker on a Harley?). Just think, if Mrs. Rodham Clinton had received the nod for veep, it could've been Hybrids, Harleys, and Hillary.
Clearly, a strong undercurrent of this campaign is the battle for the mantle of he whose blood runs with the brightest hues of red, white, and blue. Regardless, this is all a shot in the arm for hybrid vehicles, Harley Davidson, not to mention a well-timed (pre-planned?) boost to GM on the day of its huge Chevy Volt reveal.--Colin Mathews
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