Air Force Two with Vice President Dick Cheney fly's over the Daytona International Speedway prior to the start of the Pepsi 400 in Daytona Beach, Florida on July 1, 2006. REUTERS/Rick Fowler (United States)
Posted on 07/01/2006 9:58:42 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (Reuters) - Four months before crucial congressional elections, Vice President Dick Cheney saw his first stock-car race on Saturday and hoped to fire up traditionally conservative " NASCAR dads" to turn out and vote.
After Air Force Two buzzed the crowd, sweeping as low as 1,000 feet over the racetrack, Cheney's black SUV took a lap around the Daytona speedway at a sedate 65 mph (105 kph).
Infield spectators perched atop behemoth recreational vehicles waved American flags and banners proclaiming devotion to their favorite drivers and the beer companies that sponsor them.
"On Independence Day, we're reminded how fortunate we are to live in freedom and call this nation home," Cheney told more than 100,000 assembled to watch the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International speedway, the mecca of stock-car racing.
"We're are grateful above all to the men and women who defend us," he said to whoops and cheers.
"NASCAR dads," a U.S. political term coined in recent years, refers to blue-collar, overwhelmingly white, mostly Southern men. Staunch supporters of the military and sometimes avid hunters, they like to see cars hurtle around an asphalt track at speeds of up to 200 mph (320 kph).
They also are an important part of the Republican political base and the party will need to get them to the polls in November if it wants to retain control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
Cheney, a powerful but not very popular vice president, most often makes public appearances in front of sympathetic audiences to rally the Republican faithful. With the 43 race drivers standing behind him against the backdrop of a huge American flag, he spoke only briefly and was politely received.
CHECKED SHIRTS AND KHAKIS
Cheney's Secret Service detail shed their dark suits and ties for open-necked checked shirts hanging loose over khaki pants and donned well-worn baseball caps -- all the better to blend in.
Appearing at Daytona has been something of a tradition for Republican administrations. Head-liners in past years have included Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush, the current president's father.
George W. Bush served as grand marshal for the Pepsi 400 during his 2000 presidential campaign.
Democrats considering a possible White House bid in 2008 are aware that their nominee must be able to relate to voters like NASCAR dads.
"We need to do a better job of reaching out to voters who are currently voting for Republicans when it's not in their best economic interests." said Democratic National Committee spokeswoman Stacie Paxton. "Democrats too often feel they need to explain every detail of policy rather than talk about their values and how those values impact their positions, but now that's changing."
Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, a possible Democratic White House candidate, drew blank stares at a party conference in Washington last month when he mentioned NASCAR driver Elliott Sadler.
"If you want to get back in America, you better know who Elliott Sadler is," he said to laughter.
Air Force Two with Vice President Dick Cheney fly's over the Daytona International Speedway prior to the start of the Pepsi 400 in Daytona Beach, Florida on July 1, 2006. REUTERS/Rick Fowler (United States)
United States Vice President Dick Cheney, center, addresses the audience during his visit to the Pepsi 400 auto race in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, July 1, 2006. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz, Pool)
It's Al-Reuters, all right.
"Ka-CHOW!"
Outstanding ...
They really poured the cr*p into this article.
Reading this article shows you how ignorant the MSM is about NASCAR. These elitists live in their own little bubble, kissing each others butts, but none of them has a clue about how "real" Americans live. This article is only going to serve to piss off NASCAR fans. As far as the Democrat "traitor/treason" Party is concerned NASCAR is made up of White, racist, dumb Southern males. These liberal scum and vermin of the MSM and the Democrat Party are in for a rude awakening!!!
Ah my home town.
Cheney, a powerful but not very popular vice president, most often makes public appearances in front of sympathetic audiences to rally the Republican faithful. With the 43 race drivers standing behind him against the backdrop of a huge American flag, he spoke only briefly and was politely received.
No opinions is this "news" story. /sarc
If Cheney wants to rally the NASCAR crowd he could do it without leaving Washington.
He (and his boss) could slap down the SCOTUS with, first, the rational for it and then the line: "Now, let them ENFORCE their damn ruling".
Too much like leadership, I guess.
She was just miffed because Jeff Gordon didn't win.
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