Kickin' the Tires at the Electoral Auto Mall

It was time. I had been suffering with my old automobile for eight long years. So I went to a used car dealer.

"Can I help you?"

"Yeah, it's time for me to pick a new car," I replied.

"Oh, I see you're driving one of those GOP models."

"It's a Bush," I agreed. "Got this in 2000, but I had one before. The GOP dealer is trying to sell me on a McCain, but I thought I'd check this place out."

"Well, you're in luck, pal. Check out this Clinton! She's been around a while, but she's been places and done things. This baby is ready for the road!"

"Geez, I don't know," I said. "I had a Clinton before I got my second Bush. I was thinking of an Obama, like that one at the dealership across the street. It's newer. I'm really in the mood for change."

"That one is too new! It hasn't been tested. I think you're just taken in by the shiny paint and gleaming chrome. Fancy new tires. Listen, all that showy stuff looks impressive here on the car lot, but once you get out on the road you want a car that's got experience."

"I don't know," I said, looking at the rust and dents on the Clinton. "It looks like that Clinton has been taking a lot of abuse for a very long time. How is it going to hold up on the road against all those GOP's out there?"

"This baby has stood the test of time! She's taken everything they could throw at her, and she's still rolling. That Obama might fall apart when you take it out against the GOP's."

"But the Clinton I had was pretty new when I got it, and it did okay."

"This Clinton has passed the threshold of being your car-in-chief. That McCain they want you to buy has, too. As for that Obama, I guess you'll just have to go ask across the street."

"The Obama has done well on all kinds of roads," I said.

"Pfft! Sure, on little side roads and private driveways, maybe. Roads you won't be driving on when it counts. This Clinton excels on the big highway. When she gets rolling on a six-lane interstate, look out!"

"See, here's the thing," I said, trying to put it all on the table. "The Obama promises change. It's a new kind of car. I've experienced a Clinton, and it was a mixed bag, you know. They say this Obama can appeal to GOP drivers, maybe we can get past all this road rage."

"It's easy for a new outfit to come along and say their car is different. Say, you aren't attracted to that Obama just because of it's color, are you?"

I was shocked. "What do you mean?"

"That car wouldn't even be here if it weren't for it's color. It's quite lucky to be what it is. Everyone has bought into the concept."

"It's true that the Obama isn't the usual color and there are some drivers who wouldn't buy it, I guess, but I don't see what that has to do with the quality of the car. Why are you trying to get me to focus on color?" I asked. "The Obama people don't talk about color."

"Look, I've been selling cars for a long time. You talk about color, and everybody jumps all over you. I think you've just got something against me."

Right then the manager appeared. "I don't agree with what the sales person said about color. It happens on all the car lots, sales people get carried away."

"Maybe you should fire the sales person," I suggested, but the manager had stepped back into the office.

Cross-posted at my place, Ohio Daily Blog.