Bush Was 'Re-elected By Porsche Drivers'

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 12-7-2004 | David Rennie

[blam]

Bush was 're-elected by Porsche drivers'

By David Rennie in Washington
(Filed: 07/12/2004)

The backroom wizards who won the American presidential election for George W Bush have disclosed how they tracked down every last Republican, even in traditionally unfriendly districts.

Using market research more normally reserved for the launch of a new soap powder or soft drink, they drew up a database indicating the likely political persuasion of every consumer, based on car brands, hobbies and favourite television programmes.

Research showed that the most Republican car was Porsche Having found America's water-skiing, golf-loving Porsche drivers, they then persuaded them to vote. Bush strategists told the New York Times that they targeted advertising minutely, sending advertising dollars to small, sometimes, tiny niche broadcasters and media outlets - from religious and country music radio outlets, to video screens hanging in a chain of gymnasiums.

Their research told them that the most Republican car marques were Porsche, followed by Jaguar, Land Rover, and General Motors. Other luxury car-makers that scored well among conservatives were Audi, Lexus and Jeep.

Volvo, Subaru and Volkswagen owners showed a strong Democratic bias. In general, Middle Americans favoured US-built vehicles. Sports were also a key indicator. Republicans loved golf, fishing, snowmobiling, hunting, power-boating and riding horses.

Out of 34 recreational activities studied, only three were solid Democratic indicators: dancing, casino gambling and antique-shopping.

At any given time, Democrats were 15 per cent more likely to be watching television than Republicans, with top Democratic programmes being game shows and celebrity court cases.

[Wheens]

"and a liberal gal and a liberal guy...in a Yugo.

[TFine80]

Casino-gambling = Democrat

Very interesting... Parallels their outlook on life.

[maine-iac7]

Well, golly gee, where's that leave me? I just traded my Buick La Sabra in for a Buick Century -

of course, I bought my La Sabra second hand years ago and it gave up the ghost at 204,000 miles and a hole in the grill from hitting a wild turkey...and the "new" century is a 1991 with 104,000 already on it...cost a whopping $1,000.

Dang, it's great to be a wealthy republican...

[ClearBlueSky]

Huh? I thought all of us Red State yahoos were in rusty pickups or taped-together gas guzzlers.
How can the unwashed, uneducated Red Staters be elite Porsche drivers? Talk about contradictory reasoning!
'Splain it to me.

I registered Republican in 1968, voted that way ever since, and have never even ridden in- or known anyone who owned- a Porsche. If I could find one, I'd own a Pacer- so I discredit their demographic right there! Lol

[Kolokotronis]

What about us BMW 7 series drivers? Oh well, we have a couple of Jeeps too. They probably explain our votes!

[June Cleaver]

Hey, where's MY Porche??!!

[Fresh Wind]

Will water skis fit into the Porsche trunk?

If that's a concern, I suggest the Cayenne Turbo SUV. 450 HP. I voted for Bush twice, and I'm still waiting for mine to be delivered.

[Optimus Prime]

Their research told them that the most Republican car marques were Porsche, followed by Jaguar, Land Rover, and General Motors. Other luxury car-makers that scored well among conservatives were Audi, Lexus and Jeep.

Not a single one of which I own. :(

[FrankRepublican]

My neighborhood is about 65% Repub. The Dem houses with Kerry signs had brand new BMW 7-series. I saw a few Repubs with BMWs too. Smaller 3-series and M-3s. Lots of minivan Repubs and SUVs.

[Reaganez]

Not from the Onion but true research.

If the car brand is not listed it is one that did not skew heavily in either direction.Some of it just confirms common sense.Volvos are driven by wealthy liberals who don't want to be seen in "over-class" Mercedes or BMWs. Republicans like golf and fishing in greater numbers than liberals.That is not news.

Porche owners typically own more than one car.So that is not what they use to go water skiing.This is effective advertising rather than just carpet bombing advertising on the major networks. That does not mean there are no liberals driving Porche and conservatives driving Volvo.

[JustAnotherOkie]

Porche sales must really be up.

[ken5050]

Many years ago, when the new 911 Targa whale tail was intoduced, Porsch had what I think was the best ad campaign ever. They identified the zipcodes that had the desired demographics of their raket market..single, higher income males..and they had a beautiful poster of the car made..and mailed to each person..came in a cardboard tube..hig class..but when you unrolled, it, and it was like 2' x 3'..on the license plate of the car was "your name"..I still have mine somewheres..

[CheneyChick]

I knew the part about dems driving Volvos, you should see all of 'em on the road in the SF Bay area!

Wow - another female conservative in the Bay Area! That's something to celebrate! Hang in there....

Cheers, CC :)

[Muleteam1]

I can't believe they are still trying to figure out which train it was that hit them. As a Republican, I would never drive anything built in Europe.

And what happened to Toyotas and Hondas in this survey? There are 10 to 20 Toyotas or Hondas for every Suburu on the road.

Muleteam1

[Hi Heels]

"As for Porsches, I drive a Ferrari and a Mustang"

Care to adopt a 50 y/o woman with child, 6 dogs, turtle, parrot...

[hawker7]

Porsche squishen GMC truck owner Montanans voted for GW

[EGPWS]

Guess it's time to invest in Europe with one's options in the market...

[FrozenCavemanLawyer]

Darn, my Honda dealer forgot to tell me that Bush voters are entitled to a 911 Carrera. And here I am, driving a lowly Accord four-banger. I thought membership in VRWC would pay off. Thanks for nothing guys.

[TexasCowboy]

Wul, down Texas way a lot of us drive pickemup trucks.

Now, they may be Cadillac pickemup trucks, but if you look at the tire tread you'll probably see a little fresh cow crap.

I don't think Porshe makes a pickemup truck.

[Coyoteman]

Hey, Blam! You're off topic. Not an old bone to be found anywhere here.

How about a Ford truck?

A view from the rear view mirror of a Yugo!

A Yugo-eye view!