Atrios asked this morning, “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 kicks 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.”
I’ve been trying to figure it out myself and other than the literal embodiment of grasping at wispy strands of vegetation as they fall down the canyon, I just don’t get it. But what I do know, and what everybody else knows, is…
tires are black!
GOP won’t let go of its new tire-gauge toy - The Carpetbagger Report
August 4th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Of course it’s ridiculous to suggest that this is Obama’s entire energy policy. And it’s also stupid to act like keeping your tires properly inflated isn’t good advice.
In 1995 the US Energy Department said that under-inflated tires waste an estimated 4 million gallons of gas daily in America. The Pump ‘Em Up! campaign was born in 2001 when nine-year old Savannah Walters, concerned by proposals to drill for oil in the Arctic, learned that the U.S. could save as much oil as would be produced by the new drilling if drivers simply pumped up their car tires to proper inflation levels.
I’ve met Savannah Walters, and John McCain could learn a lot from that young lady.
August 11th, 2008 at 11:08 am
You know what it is? It’s that high-and-mighty Obama actually is in touch with the small things. How could a presidential candidate have knowledge of such small details about what can make a difference?! He’s not ready to lead if he knows what the average Joe is going through and what smalls teps to take to help! He’s supposed to only understand ro deal with the Macro! The Macro! Forget proper tire inflation! Propose new tires! Help the manufacturing sector! Don’t help the little guy! What an amateur!
(yes, people, that’s how some in this country think — and that’s what got us into this mess that has been the Error of George W. Bush)