Newsweek investigates: How many cars does McCain own?
posted at 12:39 pm on September 21, 2008 by Allahpundit
Lest you doubt that they’re the MSNBC of newsweeklies — and at this point, you really shouldn’t — compare MSNBC’s notorious graphic about how many houses Palin brings to the ticket during her VP rollout to this quirky little sidebar/DNC research memo accompanying the mag’s coverage this week of Wall Street’s meltdown.
When you have seven homes, that’s a lot of garages to fill. After the fuss over the number of residences owned by the two presidential nominees, NEWSWEEK looked into the candidates’ cars. And based on public vehicle-registration records, here’s the score. John and Cindy McCain: 13. Barack and Michelle Obama: one.
One vehicle in the McCain fleet has caused a small flap. United Auto Workers president Ron Gettelfinger, an Obama backer, accused McCain this month of “flip-flopping” on who bought daughter Meghan’s foreign-made Toyota Prius. McCain said last year that he bought it, but then told a Detroit TV station on Sept. 7 that Meghan “bought it, I believe, herself.” (The McCain campaign did not respond to multiple requests for comment.)…
Only the Cadillac is registered in the candidate’s name. Cindy McCain’s name is on 11 vehicles, though not the one she actually drives. That car, a Lexus, is registered to her family’s beer-distributor business and is outfitted with personalized plates that read MS BUD.
Bear in mind, the guy who signs off on these pieces has been known to muse publicly about the huge electoral advantage Democrats derive from the fact that the media is chest-deep in the tank for the left. Speaking of which, your exit question: Did you know that Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell apparently want to “go to war with Russia”? Of course you didn’t.
Blowback
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Oh for Chrisake.
You know what? When those kids of Barack’s start to drive and their kids start to drive….etc those numbers might go up. Besides, Obama has a jet..he does not need a car. And doesn’t the Senate provide him with a car or something? After all, they live in two places.
Terrye on September 21, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Good grief, these people are beyond stupid.
Cindy Munford on September 21, 2008 at 12:45 PM
So, if Barak only owns one car, how do he and the Mrs. get around? Is one of them driving someone else’s car? Or is one of them always driven in a car he doesn’t own?
Count to 10 on September 21, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Of course the Obamas don’t need multiple cars – they’ve got Newsweek to carry them around in a sedan chair.
Mr. D on September 21, 2008 at 12:46 PM
I wonder how many of those are linked to Cindy McCain’s drift racing team?
Also: FOR SHAME!!! Someone is successful! In America?!?! Burn them!!!
Abby Adams on September 21, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Bought a Prius? Sounds like a smart and responsible thing to do. It’s not McCain’s fault that US auto companies have their heads up their respective a-holes and were caught holding an empty bag when oil prices started going up. You can’t blame Americans for buying products from companies that build quality products that meet consumers’ demand.
bayam on September 21, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Follow-up:
How many tire pressure gauges does Obamam have?
profitsbeard on September 21, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Let’s cut to the chase here, folks:
We know John McCain has two of something important that Osama Obama has none of. And that’s what counts in a president.
MrScribbler on September 21, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Didn’t we have a presidential candidate a while ago with charges of rape leveled against him?
That didn’t rate the media’s attention, but the number of cars that McCain has, now that’s another matter entirely.
29Victor on September 21, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Can these people even call themselves newsmen any more?
Tommy_G on September 21, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Yeah, I saw that as well. But they (Powell) had to get a mention in there that it was all Georgia’s fault that they provoked it. Hope Powell is never in a jury for a rape trial any time soon.
wise_man on September 21, 2008 at 12:51 PM
There were FIVE SUVS in a caravan when Obama’s daughters attended their first day of school this year and Obama had to make his grand entrance to show he is just a “regular” guy taking his offspring to school……I wonder if one of those SUVS was the messiah’s? From what I understand, he just snaps his fingers and Voila…he is there.
HornetSting on September 21, 2008 at 12:52 PM
I don’t care if together the McCain and Palin families own 147 houses and 300 cars (and a few snow machines). It has exactly nothing to do with the election or their qualifications to govern the country.
KSgop on September 21, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Well..Im sure if Obama’s children were older they would have more cars. I wonder who owns that large SUV, he rides around in?
Who cares about this anyway?
becki51758 on September 21, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Ah, but Barry and Michelle have an extension onto their house lot purchased at below market value from Mrs. Rezko, don’t they? Probably not nearly as newsworthy as car numbers.
a capella on September 21, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Pfffft: 3 of the 11 cars they mention (as noted in the article):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Electric_Motorcars
How DARE they?!?
Abby Adams on September 21, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Who exactly, is Newsweek trying to appeal to? The nutjob group who’s already in a tither over the “House thing” are already pretty firmly entrenched in Obama’s camp….? Waste of ink, in my opinion.
anniekc on September 21, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Doesn’t that sniveling loser Ellis Hennican write for Newsweek? Listening to him when he was on Fox, you understand the pettiness of this rag.
HornetSting on September 21, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Of course this is all revenge by the media/democrats for John Kerry’s foot in mouth ‘I don’t own but my family owns’ claim. And the big issue is that John Kerry made a big deal out of it. John McCain has never once made any comment about his houses or his cars that deserves this. It’s just a fabrication by the left ‘journalists’/democrats who want to bring this up to counter the ‘Obama is an elite snob’ that some on the right have thrown out.
wise_man on September 21, 2008 at 12:56 PM
I guess that means we will be spared either one of these two ever being Vice President.
President, on the other hand…
Editor on September 21, 2008 at 12:57 PM
29Victor on September 21, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Other topics that don’t rate the media’s attention:
Just what Bill Ayers & Obama did for that Annenberg school improvement project; Obama’s meddling in the election in Kenya where his cousin was a candidate pushing for Sharia accommodations; Obama’s house deal with Tony Rezko; the Black Liberation Theology of his former church…and on and on and on…
Disturb the Universe on September 21, 2008 at 12:57 PM
The Messiah doesn’t need a car–he flies around on a rainbow of hope and change.
m064404 on September 21, 2008 at 12:57 PM
If less is more and car ownership is the deciding factor, then Ralph Nader should win the presidency by a landslide. Candidate Ralphie doesn’t own any cars.
AZCoyote on September 21, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Wow, can the media get anymore trivial during this election?
vcferlita on September 21, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Keith and Hilary? Go F*CK yourselves.
wise_man on September 21, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Yes. Next question.
ManlyRash on September 21, 2008 at 1:02 PM
I am guessing less than Jay Leno.
Mr. Joe on September 21, 2008 at 1:02 PM
MKH kudos to bring CNN to our attention.
So Albright and Powell admit our NATO responsibilities. Since those two mouthpieces endorse Obama, are they providing him with another ‘get out of jail free’ card? Judge Obama’s savvy meter as to his timing to use it sooner than later, or visa versa as the “O” shifts which topic to address this Friday into INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS. We watch with anticipation as the Marxists further craft NATO into their cauldron, as we all fiddled while Bosnia was burnt via Wesley Clark and Bill Clinton. Speaking of which, where are our forces yet assigned re: Bosnia debacle slaughtering innocent Christian women and children in their homes while destroying their security via commerce and government?
Ace speaks of this moment and OUR individual and cumulative responsibility to rebuke politics as usual that persistently drown us in deeper Marxism through our own government.
What worse perversion than to assimilate America within the Socialist international ranks? Where then is the foe of Marx? Where then is our refuge if not our security from Stalinism in daily life and Fascism in our faces from our own government? When politics run counter to our Constitution, the line must be formed by patriots at home to stop what is happening with the corruption of our own elections, our own existence as a free enterprise entity, and the removal of our liberty and what justice yet remains.
maverick muse on September 21, 2008 at 1:03 PM
Obama gets around on a flying carpet that the president of iran gave him.
becki51758 on September 21, 2008 at 1:03 PM
I can just see some 20 something at Newsweek declaiming “Oh! I have an idea. All those houses have garages and must have cars. Let’s count them. ” By the way, my middle class neighbors have in their driveway(not enough garages LOL)5 vehicles of varying types, 2 motorcycles and a boat.Almost as many as the MCCains Not bad for the down trodden middle class.
jeanie on September 21, 2008 at 1:04 PM
+2
Connie on September 21, 2008 at 1:05 PM
Finally! The media is digging up the REAL issues! Good Freaking Grief!
Gatordoug on September 21, 2008 at 1:08 PM
OctoberCatholic Surprise! – Life & DeathAnita on September 21, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Buy cars, good for the economy, thank you McCains
Wade on September 21, 2008 at 1:13 PM
I liked this:
Meghan’s foreign-made Toyota Prius.
Will they point out foreign made when they talk about Prius and the environment?
God, I hate liberals.
lorien1973 on September 21, 2008 at 1:19 PM
How about talking about how many brain surgeries Biden has had?
drjohn on September 21, 2008 at 1:20 PM
MSM. Less worth than worthless. Good news? Palin is hot.
Benjamin9 on September 21, 2008 at 1:23 PM
If I’m not mistaken, though Toyota is a “foreign-nameplate”, is it not “made” in the United States by American hands????
If I am wrong, I am sorry, but Ford, Chevy, Chrysler are made in Canada and Mexico….no wonder they are failing.
HornetSting on September 21, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Powerful – but lengthy. Properly edited to a 15 second or even 30 second spot it would resonate with many Catholics.
ManlyRash on September 21, 2008 at 1:28 PM
Well I did my best to see what Newsweek said about this, but just because I didn’t find anything doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. Notice, however, that there is no mention to the car’s foreign-made status here as well.
Al Gore’s Son Arrested Again on Drug Charges
Al Gore III, 24, Pulled Over Driving 100 MPH With Marijuana and Prescription Drugs in Car, Say Police
MUGSHOT PHOTO OF AL GORE’S SON
Al Gore III was arrested July 4, 2007 on narcotics possession charges by sheriff’s deputies who pulled him over driving about 100 mph in his Toyota Prius in Orange County, California. (OC Sheriff’s Dept.)
(OC Sheriff’s Dept.)
wise_man on September 21, 2008 at 1:28 PM
Obama may own only one car, but the level of smug it produces is staggering.
Pat Meebles on September 21, 2008 at 1:29 PM
Although Toyota is a foreign company, they employ tens of thousands of Americans doing the jobs that Japenese apparantly just won’t do. They produce and assemble a LOT of cars in the US, but the currently the Prius is only being built in Japan. In 2010, Prius production starts in Mississippi.
But still…
Abby Adams on September 21, 2008 at 1:31 PM
And that’s important… how?
newton on September 21, 2008 at 1:35 PM
And once again, the pettiness is apparent…from Newsweek….last week, we were heathens if we didn’t buy into the whole global warming hoopla. We were told to turn in our American cars and buy a Prius….NOW, it’s a sin.
I could care less where they are made…If McCain had seven hundred cars….and Obama rode a magic carpet, Obama will bring the end to the U.S.
HornetSting on September 21, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Can we stipulate for the record that Cindy McCain is a very wealthy businesswoman with a large family and probably expensive tastes who is well able to afford the McCain stable of vehicles? Alrighty then….. on to something people actually give a rat’s rump about.
Jill1066 on September 21, 2008 at 1:37 PM
You hate him because he has more than you!
lorien1973 on September 21, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Exactly, HornetSting. Any way they can find to prop up any negative story they can manufacture. If his daughter drove a gas guzzler, they’d nail her on that. If she drives a popular Toyota Prius, then it’s obviously bad because they are not made here. (again, no ill feelings towards Al Gore’s son who was arrested going 100 in his Prius with a bag of pot.)
Wonderful standards the left has, huh? If it weren’t for their double standards, they’d have none at all.
wise_man on September 21, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Perhaps, someone on his campaign told Obama that being good waging class warfare can actually count as having “military experience”.
Bruce in NH on September 21, 2008 at 1:40 PM
Also, four years ago, wasn’t the story about all of Kerry’s cars and SUV’s considered a “distraction”?
Bruce in NH on September 21, 2008 at 1:41 PM
How many does Oprah have?
SouthernGent on September 21, 2008 at 1:42 PM
I find it very difficult to believe Obama has only one car.
artchick on September 21, 2008 at 1:44 PM
The press has reached the point of self-parody. This almost reads like a joke.
And the wealthy Obamas only have one car? Why do I find that not just hard, but impossible, to believe? Newsweek is hiding something.
Exit question: Who gives a rat’s ass?
capitalist piglet on September 21, 2008 at 1:46 PM
Let’s see how many cars Obama has when he’s 72.
It amuses me every time Democrats and the media (I repeat myself) compare the current John McCain, you know, rich and all that to… the adolescent Obama growing up on food stamps.
Yeah, because McCain has been rich since he was a toddler. Har-har. While McCain was off in Vietnam putting his life on the line, an equally-aged Obama was doing cocaine and screwing up his grades at Columbia.
Or something, we may never know, since Mr. New Politician doesn’t want to release his grades. We know Bush’s grades, Kerry’s grades (or do we, actually? I forget) but not The One’s grades.
Do not attempt to approach The One.
Seixon on September 21, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Source: Gov Central
How many more will the thought, gun, and worker-corps troops need under Barry?
Limerick on September 21, 2008 at 1:53 PM
Ummm… please explain to me how TWO adults, raising a family, can get by witn only ONE car?
The only way to do that is is somone else is driving you around, which is somthing us poor normal people can’t do.
So, just who the heck is not “in touch” with normal people?
And of course, they don’t bother to mention the car Barry gets from the Senate either… as a perk… wonder if McCain has a Senate car?
Romeo13 on September 21, 2008 at 1:54 PM
They must take public transportation!
Or maybe he uses a ‘loaner’ from some sketchy character who he’s set up with some government money. I’m sure the MSM will investigate thoroughly and we’ll all know soon.
forest on September 21, 2008 at 1:55 PM
Who, through his multiple car purchases, has done more to preserve the jobs of auto workers, many of whom tend to belong to unions and to be…uh…democrats?
whitetop on September 21, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Big deal.
At least he is not Barack Hussein Obama!
SaintOlaf on September 21, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Obama gets around on a flying carpet that the president of iran gave him.
becki51758 on September 21, 2008 at 1:03 PM
You are mean-spirited with a caustic sense of humor and no respect for Michelle’s childrens possible daddy. I find that incredibly hot in a woman.
SKYFOX on September 21, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Newsweek is completely occupied by cretins. They are a disgrace to the country and are well beyond irrelevant.
rplat on September 21, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Heh- the press would have a bit of fun with what I’ve had.
Almost everything I’ve owned up until my Mercury Sable wagon
(my first Made-in-America car) was made in France. I don’t think I have a problem with McCain’s selection of cars or his glorified golf carts.
BillH on September 21, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Let’s cut to the nitty gritty, the REAL REPORTING. You know, THE IMPORTANT STUFF.
How much underwear to McCain and Obama own?
GarandFan on September 21, 2008 at 2:02 PM
Personally, I hope to be like John and Cindy McCain one day.
And maybe Michelle Obama got a company car with her bit fat arranged-by-Barack raise.
capitalist piglet on September 21, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Why..thank you! ;) hahaha
becki51758 on September 21, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Unbelievable.
rockmom on September 21, 2008 at 2:06 PM
No, GarandFan. The question is “Boxers or Briefs?”.
BillH on September 21, 2008 at 2:07 PM
That ad almost makes me want to convert to Catholism. Team McCain should hire whoever made it.
Disturb the Universe on September 21, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Obama has a bus with really BIG tires.
He throws inconvenient associates under it at the first sign of trouble.
Right_of_Attila on September 21, 2008 at 2:23 PM
How many cars does McCain own?
Better question:
How many crooks, terrorists,and traitors own Obama?
Disturb the Universe on September 21, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Sen. McCain, do you know how many different China patterns you own?
/MSM
burnitup on September 21, 2008 at 2:32 PM
While we’re involved in trivial counting games, how many abandoned children did Obama Sr. leave scattered about when he finally self-destructed? By how many wives?
Disturb the Universe on September 21, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Newsweek investigates: How many huts do Hussein’s half-brothers and sisters own?
We asked our Messiah about this in an interview at his $1.5 million home, Casa De Rezko, in Chicago’s historic Kenwood neighborhood.
Teddy on September 21, 2008 at 2:40 PM
More trivial counting games:
How many accidents did Obama Sr. have while driving drunk?
How many limbs did he lose due to his DUI?
More important question:
Why would you look to this man for your “dreams?”
Disturb the Universe on September 21, 2008 at 2:45 PM
I forgot:
How many computers has Team Obama hacked into?
How many critics have they shouted down?
Disturb the Universe on September 21, 2008 at 2:48 PM
But how many does he DRIiiiiiiiiiiiiiive himself HHHHMMMMMMmmmm?
I bet you he is PERSONALLY quite carbon neutral.
Man, their A GAME is a J.O.K.E.
seejanemom on September 21, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Another media slog using a theme of the new Obama liberal socialist left. Wealth is bad, success is bad…(unless liberals have it – then they don’t talk about it).
And the article uses the re-occuring Brown-shirt method of the Obamaniacs: Make whatever your opponent does or has terrible, shameful and almost equal to evil. Set up the equation of person “X” has less of something than person “Z”, therefore person “Z” is bad. Not that person “Z” is more successful, that person “Z” is one to be pilloried in our soon-to-be if Obama is elected, socialist society. Unless you are one of the liberal elite.
(Never mention in the articl that liberals have the same thing or more – how many cars does liberal Jay Leno have (over 100)? Jerry Seinfeld (over 20? The Kennedys? John Kerry?).
albill on September 21, 2008 at 3:09 PM
“I wonder how many of those are linked to Cindy McCain’s drift racing team?”
EXACTLY! when the drifting piece hit espn a few weeks ago, Cindy [and for that matter, Jack] went WAAAY up on my respect-o-meter [not that they hadn't been high there in the first place]. once again, team barry f’s the pooch on bringing something up — their potential first lady’s hobby appears to be badgering america to fill diversity quotas; our potential first lady, when she’s not donating $$ to needy folks in the poorest of nations [and adopting the occasional orphan from said nation!] …
BUILT.A.DRIFT.CAR.
With her son.
[the Middie, not the Marine!]
:-)
:-)
Buckaroo on September 21, 2008 at 3:15 PM
The millionaire McCains help their relatives & they adopted a Bangladeshi girl.
The millionaire Obamas horde their bucks & ignore the cries of BO’s impoverished family in Kenya.
When will there facts appear in Newsweak?
jgapinoy on September 21, 2008 at 3:28 PM
therethesejgapinoy on September 21, 2008 at 3:28 PM
uh 6 degrees of separation.
http://sarah-palin-2008.blogspot.com/2008/09/all-in-family.html
Who is dissin who for being a rustic ? Obama it’s all in the family.
Dr Evil on September 21, 2008 at 3:33 PM
Barry Oh! doesn’t drive anymore since his distaff sides reminds us that he could be shot while filling up at a gas station.
onlineanalyst on September 21, 2008 at 3:46 PM
jgapinoy on September 21, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Exactly.
McCain wrote a book called Faith of My Fathers about the faith and patriotism he learned from his forefathers who served their country in the military.
Obama wrote a book called Dreams from My Father about the delusions of grandeur and socialist ideals he inherited from the alcoholic polygamist who abandoned him.
Disturb the Universe on September 21, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Yeah, well, which candidate owns more camels?
Ronnie on September 21, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Geez, my son who is in Iraq owns three cars – two project cars and one driver. With out two cars, that makes five for one family.
Get over yourselves, MSM.
Maybe Barry is still symptomatic from all the coke he did in his youth to drive.
Mommynator on September 21, 2008 at 4:17 PM
I believe the Obamas have one vehicle and one unicorn.
hoosiermama on September 21, 2008 at 4:25 PM
The Obamas have one car. That car has a bumper sticker that reads “My other car is a broom.”
hoosiermama on September 21, 2008 at 4:27 PM
What we need is more elite journalists and reporters like this to give us the information we need to make serious decisions.
Dusty on September 21, 2008 at 4:39 PM
This is how dumb this story is: Even the Obamabot commenters at HuffPo think this story is stupid, at least a lot of them do.
And anyway, none of the McCain vehicles are ostentatious; they’re mostly older American sedans and ranch vehicles, plus the Bug that probably belongs to young Bridget.
juliesa on September 21, 2008 at 4:53 PM
It’s old, but I like this story better:
Obama has zero pets.
Obama must think animals are icky.
juliesa on September 21, 2008 at 5:05 PM
They traded the unicorn for a used silky pony.
Let the mud fly folks. BHO will lose that particular war.
Mojave Mark on September 21, 2008 at 5:22 PM
What do you say now, completely off topic post?
wise_man on September 21, 2008 at 6:01 PM
“wise_man on September 21, 2008 at 6:01 PM”
hey, he prolly represents ~1% of the remaining kbh fans — be kind to the disabled …
/c. rangel mode off
:-)
:-)
Buckaroo on September 21, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Obviously Newsweek knows alot about car mileage as well. After all, Newsweek is clearly in the tank for Senator Obama.
BTW, I’m also wondering about Newsweek using the word “owns” instead of “uses” or similar. Could it be that the hip, urban professionals, the Obamas, rent a second or third vehicle or uses x number of Senate vehicles or the like?
andycanuck on September 21, 2008 at 7:00 PM
… but doesn’t outright “own” them?
andycanuck on September 21, 2008 at 7:01 PM
I always vote for the candidate that has the most cars.
AlanC on September 21, 2008 at 7:08 PM
How many cars do the Obama’s own?
This many
BobMbx on September 21, 2008 at 7:55 PM
Obama has no pets.
Muslims can’t have pets.
Just pointin’ out facts. You decide what they mean.
BobMbx on September 21, 2008 at 7:57 PM
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