NASCAR Drivers Blow Off Obama Invite to White House. Looks like this is the week for Obama to get blown off. First the Speaker of the House, then the NFL and now NASCAR. Who’s next?
NASCAR Drivers Blow Off Obama Invite to White House. Looks like this is the week for Obama to get blown off. First the Speaker of the House, then the NFL and now NASCAR. Who’s next?
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First person to blow him off was at the men's warehouse in chicago where he had a membership
I'm proud of these Americans. They wear helmets, not towels. And I'm sure they've lost a lot in sales because of the economy. Screw you PRez "O".
Hey- Read the statements from the actual people who are not going. Places to go, things to do, schedule to meet... no insult intended.
Not like the Dixie Chicks, who stood on a stage in another country and insulted GWB for all to hear. The Left thought they were "darlings" after that little tantrum.
We don't even have to go into the insults of Michael Moore against a sitting President, and he got an award for it.
Let's not make this situation more than it is. The Left does that enough for both sides of the aisle.
Bean: I agree that this could be very simply an issue of scheduling. However, can we really say that they wouldn't move heaven and earth to get into the White House if it wasn't Obama? The truth is that we don't know. I am quite sure that they aren't busier than the other NASCAR drivers that made the decision to go to the White House. Like the article stated, since it is a rare invitation and it is the office of the President asking, under normal circumstances, people would try to do all their best to go and clear their schedules.... however there is a chance that they just don't want to go because of the President.
Many people have blown off Bush also claiming scheduling conflicts when it was obvious that their schedules were not an issue (they were already in Washington as an example). I remember Jessica Simpson stating plainly that she just didnt want to go because she didn't want to politicize her campaign (Operation Smiles). The fact is that she is a moron. By going to Washington and going to Congress in order to gain attention to her campaign she did indeed politicized it, so her excuse not to see the President when she was summoned/invited was lame. She just didn't want to go and visit him because Bush was becoming very unpopular at the time. All in all I can tell you right now that the only reason she was probably invited is because she is from TX. I really disagreed with her decision, because the excuse was petty, but at the same time if she really didn't want to see him she of course shouldn't be forced, but I wish that these people would just state the truth and not hide behind excuses.
Now again it could be that they are really busy, but we really cannot know for sure. You are right, at least it wasn't a blatant diss like the DC (that was disgusting, but at the same time that was their right and at least they were honest*), but unless we choose to see it as face value, it does open up the question that there may have been more to their denial of the invitation.
*The only problem that I have with that really is the fact that they did it in another country. If they had done it in the US, I wouldn't have had much of a problem with it. I would have found it perhaps disrespectful, but still as Americans their rights. Doing it in another country was really the only reason why I found it disgusting.
If I had been offered a chance to visit with Ronald Reagan at the White House, I would have changed ANY part of my schedule to be there. If I were offered a chance to visit Obama, I would tell him up front, no hiding anything, in front of a dozen TV cameras, NO. Not no, thank you, just no.
I am sure, being the smartest man in the world, he figured that because these guys turn left all the time they were in his core constituency. I don't think too many NASCAR fans are Obama fans. They didn't buy into that hopey changey crap.
They're probably afraid that Obummer will use the visit to announce a new edict, that in the interest of going green, NASCAR and Winston Cup racing will now be required to use Smart cars and Volts for racing!!
Can you imagine the pit stop times if you had to recharge your car rather then laod it up with more fuel?
They would probably just change battery packs.
I'm thinking that half of the battery power would be spent driving large speakers, trying to replicate the noise of the "old-school" cars, since without that, most of the fans would walk away.
You mean people wouldn't go see a race with a bunch of cars that sound like an old Waring blender?
I almost don't want to watch the current clonemobiles. They're all the same underneath. Just have a Chevy, Ford, Toyota body on it. I miss the old days when you had interesting personalities like Cale Yarborough and Junior Johnson driving around in real cars, modified for racing. Nowadays you can about sleep until the last 20 laps or so and not miss much.
NASCAR is feeling the effects of the horrible economy just like everyone else in business. So why would any of these drivers want to do a dumbass thing like meet with the great exacerbator of this rotten economy?
This would cause sales of their licensed paraphernalia to tank even further. Not to mention the fact that Obama is using it for political purposes, even though he hasn't a chance in hell of getting the motor sports vote (outside of the F-1 snobs).
Of course, this does open the door for Olivia and Mitch to cry raaaaacist.
Hey, I like Formula One. It's the most high-tech form of racing out there, and the technology those vehicles and their drivers use to get those cars around a course at those speeds fascinates me.
You are one of the handful of F-1 fans who have a brain. There are exceptions to every rule.
But then again, I also enjoyed watching the World of Outlaws getting down and dirty in Eldora on the Speed Channel last night. Nothing like a bunch of horsepower stuffed into a lightweight car driven sideways around a dirt oval.
Now, try imagining that same race with Chevy Volts running it!
NASCAR is feeling the effects of the horrible economy just like everyone else in business. So why would any of these drivers want to do a dumbass thing like meet with the great exacerbator of this rotten economy?
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The story said that it was Obama inviting them, not Bush and Cheney.
Olivia, you need to do some remedial work in math. Bush left office after spending way too much money and Obama has spent three times as much as Bush did in one-third of the time. When Bush left office, unemployment was 7.6% and it is now at 9.1% and holding, 31 months later.
But once again, you fail because the subject was the overt failings of Obama, not Bush. Try again, next time with some effort, please. Debating with you is like shooting fish in a barrel. No challenge at all.
LA Sunset
The actually number is more like 11.9 or so. This administration shrank the employement pool in order to drive down the numbers.
I will say this " Way to go boys" now if the others would just be too busy to attend as well. The invitation was just away for barry to have another photo op and show he's just one of the guys.
I know, Deepthinker. It is even higher than 11.9% when we take into consideration that many people have given up on work and are not part of the stats anymore, because their unemployment ran out.
But I don't have time to educate Olivia or Mitch. We just have to go with the official numbers because they only believe what the government serves them. I cannot do in a couple of paragraphs, what the public school system could not do in 12 years.
We just have to go with the official numbers because they only believe what the government serves them.
Which explains why they think there is no inflation.
You're right. most of these people work down at the welfare office handing out freebies to folks with anchor babies.
They can't afford to have his "bad luck" rub off onto them.
People also blew off Bush. It happens. However I do have to agree it is rare to be personally invited to the White House by the President. One should be gracious and attend, however with that said, I do understand if they will rather not due to the fact that they despise the man. If they really feel strongly against him, they shouldn't have to be in this man's presence.
KQ, I'm torn on this issue. If the President, whoever he is, or whatever party he's from, offers an invite, you should try to accept. At least where sports figures are concerned. We have gotten used to the fact that teams that win the Super Bowl, World Series, Stanley Cup, NBA title, & major NCAA National Champions are invited to The White House. We see the President pay tribute, we then see the team present the President with a jersey & some other gifts. I generally don't mind this, since since Reagan, I know the Presidents have been big sports fans, & they would generally be as happy to meet with them as the teams are in visiting The White House. As for NASCAR, they have become a major sports powerhouse over the last 15 years, & is almost purely an American sport. Both in it's roots from the old bootlegging prohibition days, to it's drivers, past & present. Almost exclusively American, & yeah, I know about Juan Pablo Montoya, & I've liked him from his F1 days a decade ago.
Now where I'm torn, I agree with you about if they really don't like the man, they should'nt visit. BTW, my guess, Obama's core constitutancy groups don't exactly give a damn about NASCAR. But I will say that I really do believe that The White House & Obama were just trying to be nice about the whole thing, & NASCAR may, just maybe, regret this down the road. Just a guess on my part.
"...just trying to be nice..."???!!! Got to be kidding. Here's the BHO plan: read from the TP for 22 minutes, lecture NASCAR for 8 minutes about lousy gas mileage, introduce HIS new NASCAR scoring rules for 2012 season, authorize DOJ to investigate those absent, and excuse himself for another 18.
I understand what you are saying. It is something to think about. I dislike Obama greatly, so I cannot blame them from balking at the opportunity, however rare and chances that it won't be repeated. Sometimes you need to stick to your convictions even if it means missing out on something that under other circumstances (or person) would have been a great thing.
Now, I'm not an important person, such as one that can throw a ball, or maybe catch one, but if I were for some reason to be invited to the Obama White House, I would have to put some conditions on the visit, or decline.
1) The visit must be captured on video, and I have exclusive control of the video.
2) I get to ask any questions I want to.
If those conditions were not agreed to, why in the world would I want to visit someone I have no respect for?
That is what I am saying. I believe in diplomacy, but I do not believe in hypocrisy. I couldn't go there and pretend to be all happy to be in this man's presence when I have dreamt on spitting on him and giving him a piece of my mind... If the person respects the office a lot, and is able to stand being in his presence considering the personal invitation and the fact that it is a rare thing, sure they should go and act graciously. However, if they cannot stand him, they shouldn't be forced to go, even if it means letting go of a rare opportunity.
Again, mixed feelings on what you're saying, Kimmy. If a person truly respects the office, shouldn't they be even more disgusted by the man occupying it? I used to respect the office, but after the parade of incompetent disrespectful men that have gone through it since Reagan, and before him, I've lost all of that.
My feelings about the Presidency remind me of graduating High School. I had an after school job in an automotive machine shop, and the hours I could work were limited by the time I had to spend in school. So when everyone else got out early to go march around in the hot sun wearing expensive rented caps and gowns, I declined, and went to work. I also missed the graduation ceremony, of course. People asked my why I didn't participate in such a proud moment in my life. I told them that since I personally knew most of the people graduating, and knew of their intelligence and how much hard work they put into it, why would I be proud? If they're giving THOSE guys diplomas, what's to be proud of?
If a man like Obama can be elected President, it's pretty obvious that the position is for sale to the highest bidder, and his backers bid highest. Nothing to be proud of there, nor is he due any respect.
True the man does not deserve respect and he does cheapens the office. That is why I cannot blame anyone from deciding not to go if invited. In the end it boils down to the amount of tolerance one has. If a person can tolerate the man because of the office and the venue, there is nothing wrong with them going even if they disagree or are not happy with the man occupying the office. However, a person that cannot tolerate the man at all nor can show respect for the office because of the man shouldn't go.
In the end, what I am looking for is honesty here. "I don't want to go because I disagree with Obama and although I respect the office and would have liked to visit the White House, I respect the office too much to be in the presence of a person that I do not respect that in my opinion sullies the office." Now is that harsh? Perhaps, but it is truthful IF indeed that is how they feel. The scheduling excuse is lame, lazy and whiffs of a lie.
But the chances are that indeed they just happen to have very busy schedules, but I just find it hard to believe. Like you stated below, a Prez that you like you will probably reschedule your marriage ceremony to make it happen.