McCain rallies bikers at Sturgis
done
STURGIS, SD — An extremely enthusiastic Sen. McCain stressed energy independence during brief remarks before more than 20,000 bikers Monday night at the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
“This is my first time here but I recognize that sound. It’s the sound of freedom and thank you for it,” McCain said as hundreds of bikers revved their engines at a Salute to Veterans rally on the Buffalo Chip campgrounds. “I thank you all very much for that unique Sturgis welcome.”
A week-long event, which is celebrating its 68th anniversary, Sturgis attracts more than 500,000 bikers from around the world nearly doubling the population of South Dakota.
The McCain campaign sees a political opportunity out of Obama’s Berlin speech–to paint him as an out-of-touch celebrity–and today was no different.
“As you may know, not long ago a couple hundred thousand Berliners made a lot of noise for my opponent. I will take the roar of 50,000 Harleys any day, any day my friends,” McCain exclaimed to roars from the crowd.
He continued to hammer home his energy message and again attacked Obama for his tire inflation recommendation.
“We’re not going to pay $4 dollars a gallon for gas (when I am president) because we are going to drill offshore and we are going to drill now. We are doing to drill here and we are going to drill now,” he said. “My opponent doesn’t want to drill, he doesn’t want nuclear power. He wants to inflate your tires.”
It should be noted though that a few close McCain allies including Govs. Charlie Crist and Arnold Schwarzenegger as well as the U.S. Department of Energy all recommend that Americans properly inflate their tires as a cost saving measure but Republicans see an opportunity mock Obama for the remark and are taking advantage.
“Is there anyone that is tired of paying…four dollars a gallon for gasoline. Is there anyone that is sick and tired of it? Is there anyone that wants to become energy independent?” McCain said. “Well I am telling you right now we are sending 700 billion dollars (abroad) and your Congress just went on vacation for five weeks. Tell them to come back and get to work.”
McCain was joined on stage by his daughter Meghan and wife Cindy, who introduced her husband as the “only man that can keep us free.”
McCain also joked that he urged Cindy to participate in a campground beauty pageant that was taking place during his speech.
“I was looking at the Sturgis schedule and noticed that you have a beauty pageant and so I encouraged Cindy to compete. I told her, with a little luck, she could be the only woman ever to serve as both the First Lady and Miss Buffalo Chip,” he said to cheers.
He closed by calling on the bikers to ride to the polls in less than 100 days.
“I know it will be a good sign on election day if there are a lot of bikes parked outside the polling places of America. So don’t let November Fourth find you on the open road, I’m counting on you to show up and I’m asking for your vote,” McCain added.
Tags: bikers, john mccain, Sturgis
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This is a perfect venue for a McCain campaign speech. It sounds as if the speech was well-received. And it was a great event for Cindy and Meghan to be seen with John McCain.
Now, it remains to be seen whether Obama will respond by saying McCain is trying to appeal to those who “cling” to their Harleys and the rural open road.
Or, will he have learned from previous condescending mistakes and attempt a photo op of himself riding one?
But, somehow Obama and Harleys; that just doesn’t seem to fit, does it?
Oh, WOW!
Bikers love America more than any other group I can think of. Many of them are veterans. I’m sure they support McCain … who unlike Obama, not only talks the talk, but walks the walk.
No comments? Really. uch an exciting event and story.
What a weast of Gas!!!!
This is pretty fun, actually - he can’t draw the crowds, so he’s seeking them out instead. Can’t blame him for trying!
We need more Sturgis and less Stooges from McCain and his campaign. If he would only talk like this all the time instead of pandering to open border groups like La Raza ( translated ” The Race”) he would win more Americans over.
Stay classy, John.
[...] Added our next president, John Sidney McCain III, “I was looking at the Sturgis schedule and noticed that you have a beauty pageant and so I encouraged Cindy to compete. I told her, with a little luck, she could be the only woman ever to serve as both the First Lady and Miss Buffalo Chip!” [...]
As a semi-biker (I ride scooters), I am glad to see McCain reach out to bikers! They are the real Freedom Loving Americans!
Did he wear the $500 shoes seen on him last week while riding a golf cart? When is the working class going to wake up to the Republican pandering for votes? McCain has an awful economic platform according to the National Review. If only the press would do their job this idiot would be a distant second.
I thought Harley riders were a bunch of old middle class guys with divorces.
[...] again if that had happened, nobody would have remembered John McCain was even there. McCain rallies bikers at Sturgis I really wonder why I can’t find more reporting on this, if anyone else finds something, please [...]
What a crock of B.S. I’m retired military and a biker, however I wouldn’t vote for McCain for anything higher then waste management. The S.O.B. voted against raises for us veterans.
In every American there is a little biker,even if they will not admit it.I can’t wait for the SNOBS to ditch him for this appearance,it will be a big mistake.John was on top of his game today, lets see more of it!!!
Drew
AWESOME, I just left South Dakota from a week of vacation and saw the Straight Talk Express bus, I really wish I could have been there to see John and Cindy, I still find it extremely difficult to listen and even look at Obama what a fake
Great to see a Presidential Candidate speaking to AMERICANS !!!!! Obama loves those Europeans and they love him ……..he should run for EU Prez while Prez McCain leads the Greatest Country On Earth!
Obama does not have a clue. Ever since I was a teenager, I have keep my tires ‘properly’ inflated and engine tuned-up. Thats just common sense. But, we’re still paying 4 bucks for gas. So how is Obama helping us? He’s NOT!!! and the ‘dumocrats are doing Nothing to get us off foreign oil. Pelosi says she’s “trying to save the planet”….save the planet??? while America goes down the drain? Pelosi should be impeached for TREASON!!!
Democrats are destroying our country. And Obama’s lack of experience is beginning to show thru.
McCain has the plan to make America strong again!!!
***NO OBAMA***
There are no greater Americans than Harley owners. They are the small business owners that ARE America.
I personally am sick of being patronized to the lowest education level by being told by that dolt Obama, to inflate my tires. No S*&^ sherlock. His plan, typical democrat. Tell Granny who lives on oil stock dividends whether profits from more people driving are a so-called windfall and she has to get less to give money to inner city yahoos who drive around in gas guzzling tricked up escaldes with 9 boom boxes.
Senator John is a classy guy. Also the person that made the waste gas remark should learn how to spell.
I just heard Senator McCain’s comment about 100,000 Germans applauding. He said that he’ll take the sound of 50,000 Harley Davidsons anytime. God Bless Him. He knows where the real people are. On Harley Davidsons of course!!!!!
What a great comparison! Motorcycles are such an icon of America and McCain fits right in. Obama gets great cheers in Berlin: so European. America wants McCain!!!
Obama was against the surge before he was for it, and he opposed off-shore drilling before he supported it. Indecisive (a record 130 present votes in Illinois legislature), partisan (votes the Democratic line a record 97% of the time as opposed to McCain who votes with Republicans only 74% of the time), venal if not criminal (land deal with Rezko), questionable judgment and agenda(long-standing associations with radically racist Wright, Rezko, that crazy priest, and Ayers). Yeah, that’s really a change, but not the kind of change I want. John Wayne McCain for President.
I know how John McCain can save energy—HE can take all that ” dead air space between his ears and inflate his tires with it ” I will be happy to provide the gauge !!!!
Wow. Didn’t see this on the liberal controlled MSM. What a surprise! McCain might have to hire his own video team since the rest of MSM has it’s nose firmly planted up Obama’s butt.
While we are riding our Harley’s, Tire Inflation Obama, wusses around the Lakefront in Chicago on his bicycle.
Way to go McCain. I’m glad you went there. I don’t like you much but I like you a little better now. I’ve been to several biker events in my time but unfortunately never to Sturgis. It’s a great event. Yes, what a sweet sound 50,000 harleys make.. just can’t get that sound from any other bike that’s for sure. Seems you’re coming to life finally. glad to see you back from the walking dead my friend.
Any more free crowds for a McCain photo op?
It seems like it’s John McCain and the veterans who are out of touch with reality. People are struggling to pay for gas to get to work whereas these fools are riding around in hogs for their own pleasure. What’s next? RV version of Sturgis/Daytona/Myrtle Beach? This man is going to ruin the country if you vote for him. Period.
[...] Original Post By Google News foxnewsonline@foxnews.com [...]
Good Going John
Freedom Keep that your main reason for being president of USA. It won’t happen under O What’s his name.
Stay classy, John??? The man and his campaign are nothing more than a laughable disgrace. He thinks pandering to bikers (whom he undoubtedly perceives as undereducated) will bolster his credentials? They are much smarter than he thinks, and they know that voting for Obama is the sure-fire way for the next President to lead us down the path of restoring this nation to greatness.
Good work John and Cindy! I am sure the Sturgis group appreciated the visit and support for the veterans here in the United States.
Headlights On (see above) comments that McCain can’t draw crowds so he seeks them out. When Obama spoke in Berlin, what was not reported in the media was that it was at a concert where two of Germany’s most popular rock bands were playing. I would say that was a captive crowd. If Obama wants to run for President of Europe, they can have him. We don’t need that kind of leader or his socialist ideas here.
As McCain calls for lawmakers to return to Washington to vote on some kind of energy bill, he also manages to pander to thousands of gas-guzzling Harley riders. Why isn’t he in Washington himself to lead the way if he wants an energy policy? What has he been doing for an energy policy in the 27 years he’s been in Washington?
This is a great venue for McCain, and a clever jujitsu against Barack’s trip to Berlin. In the past this venue has played host to wrestling events, so there is a bit of synergy there.
This has to be my favorite quote “Bikers love America more than any other group I can think of. Many of them are veterans. I’m sure they support McCain … “
Your article did not mention that his reception was cool when speaking to the bikers. John McSame must be really hard up to have to go after these votes.
Way to go McCain!!! Sturgis is a HUGE part of Americana, and a perfect place for a candidate to get his message across. RIDERS unite for McCain! As a rider, McCain supporter and a retired veteran, I intend to do my part to make sure America doesn’t fall for the Obama hype that has no real substance. While I may not agree with Senator McCain 100 percent of the time, he’s a lot closer to my views than Obama, who’s all rhetoric and no substance.
And, McCain has demonstrated time and time again that he puts his country FIRST and FOREMOST, above politics or even his own life. You don’t spend over 5 years in the Hanoi Hilton and not demonstrate your love for your country!!!
The executive summary, for those who like the Cliff’s Notes version:
Candidate Congress Military
======================
McCain 26 Years 22 Years
Obama 173 Days ZERO
Questions?
NO MORE OIL FROM TERRORISTS!!!!!!
As for the first comment by Jerry Allsman “But, somehow Obama and Harleys; that just doesn’t seem to fit, does it?
What exactly is this guy talking about?! Why do we always have to put down one candidate to bring up the other?! I guess that is just America. SO SAD!
Good story and venue for John McCain. I hope for the future of our country he wins. Be informed, be involved, educate yourself, vote and vote smart! No Marxism, No Socialism, NOBAMA!
I hear that Obama plans to counter by giving a speech at a Vespa rally.
A political maverick rallying to Walter Mitty summer fantasy mavericks.
This is the first time I’ve ever thought of McCain as being, “inspiring”!
If you can’t draw a crowd, go find one!!!!
If I were there, I would expect that the reception wasn’t all that enthusiastic. Harleys and McCain don’t go together. I did laugh when I first heard he was going there. But, when I read he was going to recognize veterans, I felt it was a good decision.
Why does he always bring up Obama and Berlin? It is getting tiring. It makes him sound jealous.
SD is a Republican state, so he will win anyway.
John McBush….what a joke. Stooping so low as to patronize the looks of his wife for a beauty pageant. More drivel. The guy’s no hero, more like a loser. He looked like Grandpa McCoy when he was photo-op’d ranting about the success of the charismatic, man of strength, courage, conviction to speak direct to issues and accusations….OBAMA. I bet when Johnwas shot down over ‘Nam, he was confused, thinking he was flying at he Iraq-Pakistan border for some R&R. McBush will be a bigger laughing stock than he already is, come September, when the clowns convene in Minneapolis/St. Paul for their Oil companies/Defense contractor/Treasonous GOP’ers United convention. November 5th = GOP/DOA.
obamas snowballing is fading away pretty fast, he should be actively seeking a career in acting, he will do very well he is a natural liar, mccain is a favourite of americans not europeans and middle easterners, i think the former makes sense
Pretty pathetic - the ONLY way McCain can get a crowd that size is to be at a place where crowds were expected to be there REGARDLESS of any political visit. Also, there were a lot more than just German’s at the Berlin speech. Several thousand AMERICANS live abroad AND VOTE abroad.
Also, Miss Buffalo Chip? That’ll go over really good with the contemporary women out there. There goes the women vote!
McCain’s negativitiy and old style politics are truly nauseating.
GO OBAMA! HE’S OUR NEXT PRESIDENT NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE!
This was pandering by McCain. Walking around in his $525.00 shoes acting as though he fit in!
Saying bikers have “Walter Mitty Fantasies”
Implying McCain and Bikers have no class.
Seems like Obama’s elitism has rubbed off even more on the liberals who already possessed it.
WOW!!
That speech just gets you going!!
Almost as exciting as the vibration of my scooter with my little lady on back! It’s going to be a fun ride!!
McCain08!!
I’m from Minnesota and know more than I care to know about what happens at this Sturgis biker rally. Two of my children went up there two years ago and were appaled at the things they saw. Go to the Huffington Post web-site and read Mayflowers edit about what she saw. Its people totally out of moral control. I hope Obama has the good judgement never to go to this event. I’m not implying that bikers are bad. Two of my kids have bikes. What I’m telling you is that this event brings some sleezy people…..
Some comments say they are wasting gas! For most it is the only vacation of the year.On bikes that most get 25 to 40 mpg @ thats wasting?
PATHETIC - The only way McCain can get a crowd to see him is at a place where crowds were predicted to be there anyways. Also, his comment about his wife becomming Miss Nugett? That should wonders for the women vote. He gets stranger by the day.
Also looks like McCain is focusing his ‘all-of-the-above’ strategy on all other aspects of his McCampaign to win this election - not just certain, highly thought-out aspects that are the most beneficial to the American public, but everything and anything in his (and the Republican’s) arsenal, in order to win (Brittney, Paris, Moses, race-card accusations, gas gauge gags, etc.).
I’d personally rather someone who will not just throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks - that’s what political advisers are for! I’d rather someone who would take the time and effort to discuss issues thoroughly and make an executive decision (right or wrong - hindsight is always 20/20), based on what’s best for the people at that time.
If McCain, as president, were to take this strategy with a situation like, let’s say a major war, would he throw out his entire diplomatic and weapon arsenal right off the bat, see what worked, and then say - ’see, I was right.’? Although one of the above may have worked, the rest would cause major implications. In a situation like the economy, will he just throw out and try every idea that comes his way, failing time after time, until that one good idea came along (if at all)?
‘All-of-the-above’ is a political cop-out, and can be easily translated into ‘we’re all out of good ideas, so we’ll try any idea.’ At least Obama is spelling out specifics - and if they’re wrong, at least he takes a stance, and fesses up to his misjudgement. This should give voters some inclination on what we’d be getting into with a McCain presidency - no decisiveness, just political gaming. Let the games begin (or shall I say, continue)!
Did John McCain really just (even jokingly) encourage his wife to compete in the Sturgis beauty pageant - perhaps by joining other topless contestants???? Way to get wolf whistles for you wife, Senator. That should cost him the remaining Clinton female votes.
Cindy better be careful!!! With all of the hot topless women in Sturgis McCain might leave her for a twenty-something.
Me think the RNC want to suck every last bit of oil out ot this planet until it’s dry.
We need to conserv our resources and find renewable alternative energy.
Out with the OLD and IN with the NEW.
NO to McSame!!!
PS: McSame is starting to flip-flop again……..watch his latest ad titled “Broken”
Obama’08
Really too bad that Cindi didn’t get a chance to strut her stuff for the Ms. Buffalo Chip contest. That would have been cl-assy.
[...] point you’re probably asking yourself, what does this have to do with politics? Here’s John McCain, speaking yesterday at the Sturgis motorcycle [...]
He wants Cindy to enter a topless beauty pageant with biker skanks?
Hmmmm…..
He clearly thinks very highly of his wife.
[...] point you’re probably asking yourself, what does this have to do with politics? Here’s John McCain, speaking yesterday at the Sturgis motorcycle [...]
[...] probably asking yourself, what does this have to do with politics? Here’s John McCain, speaking yesterday at the Sturgis motorcycle rally: I was looking at the Sturgis schedule and noticed that [...]
bikers (and hot rodders!) are usually true red white and blue americans, and i would think be heavily in favor of McCain.
[...] fend off the crowd from running him over John McCain today offered his wife to 50,000 bikers. “I was looking at the Sturgis schedule and noticed that you have a beauty [...]
Obama supporters are sick people. The things you write. And the news media call you educated. Educated where is what many of us would like to know.
To become an oil independent is a great idea, I will vote for McCain. I am tired seeing the American people suffering because of today’s gas price. The gas price will affect on every aspect of our lives. The President must be the one who can work for the majority of American people, not only for the selected interest groups. THE BOTOM LINE IS THAT WE HAVE TO PROTECT HUMAN BEINGS FIRST, EVERYTHING ELSE COMES THE NEXT.
I hear he offered up his wife in the topless competition. Real classy.
I liked the fact that he was speaking in Sturgis. For all those people who could not take the joke
about his wife entering the contest, don’t worry. Someday you too will grow to be an older women and be able to laugh again. The self righteous stage passes.
Got news, Nancy Polosi is not going to allow a vote on drilling until after the election in the hopes of more dems getting into congress so they can vote no and we keep our high prices and we have to use hybred cars with their battery that cost more than my car now does. All I can say is I hope there are not any fools out there that puts another democrat into office. Obama does not plan on drilling for oil he just wants your vote.
Bikes wasting gas? That’s a statement made to appeal to the ignorant, that or now everyone not driving a hybrid is ‘wasting gas’. Let Obama buy a Smart car and drive around Europe while running for a position there, he’s their biggest celebrity after all.
Good job, John
And you loser Demos have the nerve to talk about race. Who is judging who with the “sleezy” and “skank” comments? You people on your high horse just make me sick!!! You would be surprised(and in denial of facts put in your face) that alot of the “sleezy people” that attend the Rally are well educated professionals who could be your neighbor. Quit being so judge-”mental” and open your eyes to the real world. When you do you will be amazed at the things you see.
You “conservatives” seriously have no problem with the fact that McCain suggested, even in jest, that his wife participate in a topless beauty contest?! This is the same guy that talks about “values”?!
And you are the same group of people that was outraged about lyrics to a rap song?! Wow.
The Daily Show should be especially funny tonight
Wow,
This is the family values party? What a bunch of hypocrites. Not to mention fools Bush and Cheney created $4 gas and now you want to blame the Dems, that’s a good one. Motorcycles … the sound of freedom? More like the sound of wasted resources and the sound of cash flowing to the middle east. Can any of you add 1 + 1, here’s a hint it’s less than three?
[...] http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/08/04/mccain-rallies-bikers-at-sturgis/ [...]
I think McCain is, “The Man”. When it comes to energy, look at his record. He has slept through more sessions of congress than you can count. He will take that do nothing energy policy to the white house where he can sleep in the oval office.
Check his record, he is an energy conservation machine. Who do you think was in office when they banned offshore drilling, when they quit building nuclear power plants, when the radicals to over our forest management, and when we turned over our sovereignty to illegal invaders by the million? Yes it was the man in the cap who always needed a nap.
And who is currently in office with $4 a gallon gas. Your the man John.
http://www.fightagainstmccain.com/
I have a question for Mike in San Antonio………………..since when does 2 years = 173 days?? just curious. i’m noticing a lot of slanderous, borderline racist comments coming from a lot of you people. (calm down white people. you don’t have to be a racist to make racist comments). what was so impressive in what mccain said?? i saw nothing from the quotes in the article that made me say “WOW! I can see where this dude is coming from”. & Cindy had the audacity to drop the biggest load of BS i’ve ever seen during this campaign. She introduced her husband as the “only man that can keep us free.” Free from who? from what?? i’m sorry but the last time i checked, we are free (some of us longer than others but that’s a different topic). if you lemmings want to keep on living in your bubble of a world, go ahead & vote for mccain………………….not that it’ll matter.
Obama in 08!!!
I have attended the Sturgis Rally over the last 35 years at least 25 times. Met many different types of people,from all walks of life. From the top shelf to the bottom rung of the ladder. For some wimpy ass bleeding heart liberal to classify this as a nothing but low trash gathering is not only showing their stupidity but shows you just how out of touch these Obamma worshipers are. Right on John and Cindy you got my vote.
On a funnier note, the comedy website 236.com had a really great feature/photo gallery about McCain in Sturgis: http://www.236.com/news/2008/08/05/mccain_goes_to_sturgis_because_8135.php
I don’t think McCain can throw a leg over my Harley.
But since he’s crashed so many planes (check his record) I wouldn’t let him ride it anyway, assuming of course he can figure out how to ride it, given the fact he graduated near the bottom of his class. Yeah, that’s certainly presidential.
And shame on Sturgis for playing host to this. Isn’t that why we ride - to escape politics and the news?
The beauty contest that McCain volunteered his wife for involves topless and often bottomless nudity as well as sexual innuendo with bananas and other phallic symbols. Why no mention of this from the “family values” candidate. Who’s pulling this puppets’ strings?
This is unbelievable, I just watched this clip in its entirety, and Fox conveniently edited out the gaffes that make John McCain sound old and delusional. Fox get real- I suggest you change your motto from: Fair and Balanced to Fairly Biased.
hmmm, i know you uys just like the idea that he asked his wife to participate in the beauty pageant contest. is this the kind of president america wants? this disrespectful to all women. imagine obama saying that to his wife. this would have been the top story on fox news criticising him, but i don’t blame them the republican are showing us their real family values. offers your wife to get naked for men. hmmm
How dare you high-and-mighty Obamabots try to characterize Sturgis as an event that’s only patronized by sleezes and skanks! I’ll have you know that I personally have met many Nobel Prize winners and Quantum theorists there! I was there the year that Stephen Hawking and Mother Teresa were King and Queen of the Buffalo Chip Prom!
See for yourself!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTh69_HPFU0
RG
Yeah, this was a new low for McSame. Apparently, he needs a crowd that’s mostly intoxicated & almost entirely white to even act like they give a flip about what he’s saying. Most of them were probably there only for the hope that Cindy might flash them.
Can only imagine what’s next. Will he hit all future NASCAR races? Surely there’s a monster truck rally on any given weekend somewhere around the country–opportunity!!! Maybe he’ll pick Lee Greenwood as his VP, so he can regale us with “Proud To Be an American” about every ten minutes.
Speaking as a vet myself, this sort of transparent pandering cuts zero ice with me. I don’t care that he was a POW when it comes to assessing his leadership qualities. (The fact that he was an officer actually takes him down quite a few pegs; the vast majority of them since WW2 only know how to kiss up & kick down). McCain has no significant policy ideas, and clearly he’s sold himself out to the same bunch of special interests that gave us the current joke of an Administration.
The jig is up, Republibots. Time to go back to passing out leaflets about Commies (or gays, or abortion, or whatever it is that Fox News tells you to be scared about now) in front of John Birch Society bookstores. Change is about to occur…finally!!!!!
The amazing thing about McCain & the Sturgis rally is the amazing double standard that exists in this presidentail campaign. Can you imagine what the press would have done if Obama showed up at an event like that, with naked women, bikers, Kid Rock, etc. He would have been run out of town, by both the Republicans and the Press. Not John McCain. He even offered up his wife for a (semi) nude beauty contest.
In contrast, when Obama goes to Germany and 200,000 people show up to see/hear him, the Repubs and the media castigate him for staging an “empty headed” event.
John McCain… you should take a few tips from Obama and start thinking Presidential (if that’s even possible). Maybe the bikers and the biker girls will vote for you, but you just lost a zillion other votes, with your “empty headed”, tasteless pandering.
[...] All I can say is, “Thank God he’s not wearing leather pants and a do-rag.” [...]
[...] “As you may know, not long ago a couple hundred thousand Berliners made a lot of noise for my opponent. I will take the roar of 50,000 Harleys any day, any day my friends,” McCain exclaimed to roars from the crowd. [...]