Obama not doing NASCAR sponsorship

JOLIET, Ill. — NASCAR's BAM Racing team has presented Barack Obama's presidential campaign with a potential sponsorship deal in the Sprint Cup series later this year, but it doesn't look like an Obama car will be burning rubber on the track anytime soon.

BAM team spokesman Rhett Vandiver told The Associated Press on Friday that the team made a sponsorship proposal to the Democratic presidential hopeful's campaign, and has made similar proposals to the campaign of Republican John McCain and at least one third-party candidate.

Late Friday, the Obama campaign said there would be no sponsorship.

"The Obama campaign will not be sponsoring a car in the Sprint Cup series, though we will continue to look for ways to reach out to voters and convey Senator Obama's message of change." said Bill Burton, an Obama campaign spokesman

Sports Illustrated first reported the proposal on its Web site, saying Obama's campaign is in talks with BAM, a part-time operation that hasn't raced in recent weeks, to sponsor its No. 49 car in the Aug. 3 race at Pocono.

"The Obama campaign will not be sponsoring a car in the Sprint Cup series, though we will continue to look for ways to reach out to voters and convey Senator Obama's message of change." Bill Burton, Obama Campaign Spokesman

It would have been a fairly bold move within a sport whose competitors spend all year turning left on the track but tend to lean to the right politically.

BAM's choice of drivers and car brands might have been a little too sticky politically for the Obama camp.

The car, a Toyota _ the only foreign automaker racing in NASCAR _ would be driven by veteran Ken Schrader.

According to the Federal Election Commission's Web site, Schrader gave $1,000 to the campaign of North Carolina Republican congressman Robin Hayes in June 2004, and a total of $2,500 in 2003 and 2004 to the failed Virginia congressional campaign of Republican Kevin Triplett, a former NASCAR official.

Also according to the FEC, Mrs. Ann Schrader of Concord, N.C. and Ken Schrader Racing donated a total of $2,000 to President Bush's campaign in May 2004 and $900 to the North Carolina Republican Executive Committee in August 2004.

NASCAR has been playing an increasing role in politics, as so-called "NASCAR dads" were considered a key constituency in recent elections.

A Cup series car carried a George W. Bush logo in 2004 but wasn't officially associated with the campaign. And Democratic presidential hopeful Bob Graham sponsored a truck in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2003.

Comments

[johnnygoodwud]

so much for the 'obamamobile'.

[gobarackgo]

If you change your mind Senator, make sure Junior is behind the wheel and not Jeff Gordon!*

*Let's just say Jeff doesn't poll well in NASCAR country.

[DMW1]

Maybe his campaign was smart enough to remember what happened with Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby...

http://www.StopThinkVote.com

[walk0nwalls]

... because it would be too expensive.

No seriously though, why would you waste that much money on a token and pandering gesture?

Gas alone would cost immense amounts.

[cluesearch]

I think the Campaign should sponsor a car--preferably one that is run on renewable energy--if he is having trouble focusing on the average white guy NASCAR is the natural place to make a stand.

[JDJase]

Nascar folk think renewable energy is weak and wimpy...that would definately not win them over

[joeyp404]

You know his folks are checking here and elsewhere when an idea is floated. Remember the presidential seal?

Next, "Obama considers having his face on a box of cereal."

[4wehttam]

Next, "Obama considers having his face on a box of cereal."


Well then I'd go out and buy ten boxes.

[JerryTheAngel]

The is common on this blog. They report stories that might be true. And then they end up with egg on their face. They have premature reportiitis on this blog.

[typicalwhitegrandma4BO]

This report came from Sports Illustrated first. You should know your facts before accusing, it makes you look dumb.

[Aramingo]

I think reaching out to the "other" side - I'm a lifelong racing fan and pretty much a liberal - is a good idea. However, it should be an American car that gets the sponsorship. To me, that sends a very good message to the NACAR fans that might be more conservative than someone like myself.

I don't get why some liberals get so upset with the whole NASCAR thing. The racers spend the day turning to the left. What's wrong with that? (Appologies to Peter Sagal)

[Beaux510]

"Turning Left" that's funny.

[Mdazes]

Good, Rudy at the NASCAR track was enough.

[DesertLight]

I guess he thought better of sponsoring the "Smart" car after all.

It does get 41 miles to the gallon though.

[pupbayer]

Good move. I don't think this would help his image. It seemed inappropriate to me then you add in the Toyota...it's just not a good option for him in my opinion.

[MajorKong]

I can only imagine what the GOP would have done with that in Michigan.

[4wehttam]

Hey puppy, are you on his team again? Cause if you are then I say HOORAY, if not then at least your being reasonably nice. Have a great weekend.

[eden4barack08]

pupbayer? Is that really you?

[NoahVail]

Appearing (or sponsoring) a NASCAR event is sort of like being on FOX News. The last time I saw one of these, a right wing preacher said a public prayer (to Jeezus, no less) in front of a reverent crowd, where he prayed not only for their lives, but their victory as well. I think the Republicans already have this brand all wrapped up.

[MajorKong]

Between helping people win high school football games, Grammy Awards and NASCAR races, it's amazing Jesus has time to get anything done at all.

[neesy08]

Bad move. Are these not the type people Obama needs to vote for him come Nov?

[MajorKong]

The Toyota thing was probably a bad idea. The people that run Obama's campaign seem to be pretty sharp. I'm surprised they let that one get by in the first place.

[JiminNC]

No way it works with a toyota but making a republican redneck drive a car with a black democrat for president ad is too rich!

[DesertLight]

I guess the environmentalists threatened to remove their five dollar a month pledge, so he caved.

[JiminNC]

Hey light, shouldn't you be off passing judgement on someone?

[DesertLight]

get in line.

NEXT!