Bush pitches economy from a Harley (omg!)

[leftchick]

I can not believe they let him do this....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/bush

YORK, Pa. - President Bush hopped on a Harley-Davidson at a motorcycle factory Wednesday as he made an election-year pitch for Republican stewardship of the economy.

<snip>

Cheers and applause erupted inside the Harley-Davidson Inc. vehicle operations plant here when Bush straddled a high-end model painted blue and white and revved its engine again and again. Climbing down, he ripped off blue-tinted safety glasses that he insisted made him look like rock star Bono and jokingly struck a pose intended to show a hip side.

"I'm just looking so far," Bush said during a tour of the plant where 3,200 employees work around the clock on shiny motorcycles that move slowly around the assembly floor on tracks. "I'll let Josh Bolten ride these things," Bush said of his chief of staff, known as a motorcycle enthusiast.

<snip>

"The more Harleys sold in a place like Vietnam or China or India, the more likely that somebody is going to be able to find work," Bush said.




U.S. President George W. Bush waves after starting the engine on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle while touring Harley Davidson Vehicle Operations in York, Pennsylvania, August 16, 2006. At right applauding Bush is Harley-Davidson President and CEO Jim Ziemer. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES)

[K8-EEE]

1. God What A FREAK!

I'm so sick of being embarassed by him.

[Born Free]

46. 2 kinds of Harley riders

There are many good Harley riders, but far too many assholes for me, that is why we usually don't go to dealer events as that is when the assholes are out in full force - this guy fits in with the asshole crowd. They all have new, expensive, "metric smooth" models with very low milage as they are afraid to actually ride them because riding it might lower the resale value, so they park their bikes in everybody's way and sit around at the dealers trying to impress people. Harley will take the free ad time, can't blame them for that, but having this idiot dressing up for another "make believe" stunt doen't mean real Harley riders support the fool.

[noonwitch]

56. I know what you mean

My uncle and cousin are cool Harley riders. My mom's boyfriend is a doofus Harley rider.

What I notice is that my uncle and cousin can fix their own bikes. The idiot can't.

If I had the money, I'd buy a Harley. My uncle has a sweet, new black one. I don't know enough to know model numbers or anything. My cousin has a pretty blue colored one.

[jseankil]

57. What a tool. /nm

nm

[LSparkle]

2. "Sig heil, ya'all"

What a dope.

[City Lights]

11. His arm salute reminds me more of Hussein than Hitler.

[Sequoia]

13. Yoah-za!

[LisaM]

3. Oh fer cripe's sake....

is there no end to the ways this fool will embarrass us?

[pooja]

4. is Harley really a freeper company... this could really hurt their

sales. I thought they were the wild side, the hogs. I just lost interest in ever purchasing or wanting dibs on my father's bike.

[LeftHander]

53. Like any successful company there is a mix of people....

Was a contractor there....it is one of the last great American manufacturing companies to work for.

I always enjoyed my stints at HD. The employees are truely into the products they make. Many are riders themselves and are passionate about the sport and motorcycle lifestyle. When an employee got their new bike coworkers would all go out to see it. Taking a break was to walk out and "look at bikes" Hundreds of the employee's bikes would be lined up outside of corporate HQ...

The Harley Davidison story is a great story as well. From a tiny shack, to dominance, to near collapse, taken over by dedicated employees and again taking the lead in style, culture and quality.

Is it freeper? I don't think so. Is it an American icon...yes it is.

Harley is in a great position...they make vechicles that get 50+ mpg. And I can bet that as gas goes up and up we are going to see a expanded range of vehicles slowly introduced. The V-Rod and Buell Blast opened the door and cracked the mold. HD can and will produce a bike that is outside the classic "HOG" or Sporty...

[mahatmakanejeeves]

61. "one of the last great American manufacturing companies to work for...."

And they are made here, "here" being the good ol' US of A, though they do have some foreign parts, such as Showa forks.

Not all are from Milwaukee, as you know; the factory * visited is in York PA. Every September, they have an open house. Come to think of it, that might be a fun visit. You can show up on a Kawasaki; they aren't going to get upset.

They're not my cup of tea, but that's just me. I don't go for the cruiser look; that's all.

The most fascinating anecdote I can think of regarding HDs is that David LeVan, once head of Conrail, which was split up and sold to CSX and Norfolk Southern, went on to open a HD dealership in Gettysburg PA for his next job.

HD Factory Tours

Vehicle Operations, York Pennsylvania

Keep the shiny side up.

Edited:

But * still looks like a pre-schooler on a children's bike ride in front of the grocery store. 25 cents for three minutes.

[leQ]

62. the local harley dealer here in mason city is a rightwing wacko

who publishes letters to the editor every chance he gets to smear whatever smear-job-of-the-day their hero rush puts out. i wouldn't be surprised if every harley dealer in the country put this picture in poster size on the wall.

[tularetom]

5. Jebus the friggin thing is on a stand on rollers

When I read the article for some reason I thought he actually rode the thing around the factory floor or something but I guess I should've known they'd never trust this spaz to be able to actually ride it. It's on a test stand like when you take your car in for smog check for crissakes. God what a subhuman pos he is.

[tanyev]

7. He looks a lot goofier than Dukakis ever did in that tank.

[geomon666]

25. Oh please.

This idiot would kill himself just trying to start it.

[JuniperLea]

6. Even a Harley can't make him look cool!

And it makes Harley-Davidson look way less cool.


That's just gross. Ok, so I'm crossing a Harley of my list of things I want before I die.

[cali]

18. LOL

Harley's haven't been cool in a while. You want cool? An old Laverda, a Ducati, or a BMW are much cooler.

[JuniperLea]

51. Riiiiight

I'll tell that to the bikers that hang at Curley's... :eyes:


I guess it depends on where you live... around here, only a vintage Harley or Moto Guzzi will do.

[cali]

63. You do realize that

a Ducati will blow past ANY Harley on the road. You want to putt along, you ride a Harley, you want speed and cornering ability, you don't.

[JuniperLea]

64. I'll fill in my homies at West Coast Chopper...

I'm sure they'll get a kick out of that:)

[michreject]

54. I don't think so..............eom

[City Lights]

8. He can barely pedal a two-wheeler, can you imagine what would

happen if he tried to ride a Harely? One word comes to mind: "totaled."

Lookie me, Ma, I'm all growed up. What a jackass.

[Mist]

27. Seems they had the wit to keep the garage door closed, so *

couldn't do much damage. Of course, he rev'd the engine in an enclosed space, but what's a * visit without some stupidity?

[pokercat999]

48. Bush's last words as he starts the bike,

"Hey Yo'all watch this"

[brentspeak]

9. If the Repubs and neolibs had their way, Harleys would be made in China

[angstlessk]

10. Are those goggles? Where's the side car? freaking freak!

Hasn't Harley moved their manufacturing to China or some such? Like the kiss of death..by this time next year this place will be shuttered!

[underpants]

12. Another photo

Hold it thats not right oh here you go


:bounce:

[corkhead]

15. and another

[underpants]

16. YES!!

C'est magnifique!

[yorkiemommie1]

37. not laughing out loud

GUFFAWING OUT LOUD!!!!

[IndyBob]

43. I was scrolling down the post

and came across your linked photo. ROTFLMAO!

Bravo

[Judi Lynn]

14. Yeah, it's really time he tried a Harley.

[calico1]

17. Is Harley Davidson traded publicly?

Because if it is this is not good for the stock.

:rofl:

[mahatmakanejeeves]

59. Traded publicly? Yes.

Until recently, the ticker symbol was HDI, for Harley Davidson Industries. It was changed just the other day to HOG.

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=HOG

[Jed Dilligan]

19. Oooh, maybe it's the sleep-dep talking...

But I think I just had a brilliant campaign ad idea.

A montage of Republican corruption imagery that keeps cutting back to this image. The music: "Breakin' the Law" by Judas Priest. Halford would probably give it up for our cause, don't you think?

[democracyindanger]

20. Fake president on a fake motorcycle

Have to admire the symmetry.

[ShortnFiery]

21. I feel only pity ...

Yes, pity for this pathetic little man who has charmed so many ... a mere man who will NOT be King. :cry:

[rock]

22. What a geek

I mean the kind you find at a carnival.

[ConcernedCanuk]

23. Guy with a pig farm finally gets to sit on a HOG!

.
.
.

Betcha Hell's Angels and any other biker group is just a howling

Or madly writing Harley to keep fruit-cakes off their bikes . .

The Biker World ain't gonna be impressed methinks

TRAINING WHEELS ON A HARLEY

Who woulda thunk it

Only your pretzeldent . . .

[Monkeyman]

24. Know I want to sell my bike na sell Bush instead anyone have a 1/2 penny

[Pepper32]

26. I just knew this headline was joke

:wtf: He can't be serious!

[Sal Minella]

28. Somebody tell him, he doesn't need both the elevator shoes AND the Harley

[truthisfreedom]

29. he's pitched the economy alright. right off a cliff.

into the abyss we go.

[133724]

30. Is Harley an employee owned company????

[Rex]

31. No one is ever going to elect a Repuke again!

The man just DRIVES them away from his own party! I used to hate him, but now I love the fact that Bush has destroyed his own party. I hope we still have fair elections.

[Richard Steele]

32. Rebel Without a Clue.

[Sequoia]

38. Unlike these two dudes!

Who actually know how to ride the big ones!

[Lisa]

33. let's see -- he's done the soldier, cop, construction worker ...

... and now the biker.

All we need to do is stick a Sioux war-bonnet on him, and he can do the entire Village People lineup!

(Apologies to the Sioux Nation, and all the aboriginal groups -- I realize that this would be a horrible fraudulent thing for him to do, but somehow I suspect that he would not hesistate if he had the chance!)

[leftchick]

34. LOL! I think you are on to something...

[Lisa]

35. how could I have forgotten the cowboy!

Thanks for the reminder!

[mitchum]

36. What a fucking assclown

[Toots]

39. Are those safety goggles,..just to sit on the thing????

:rofl:

[uppityperson]

40. he needs safety goggles to make it go vrrrrooommm vrrrooommmm

:rofl: indeed

[HuffleClaw]

41. bwhaahhahahaaaaaa

though i'd pay real money to see him decked out in genuine biker leathers from toes to nose. THAT would be a classic.

[ryanmuegge]

42. Selling Harleys in China, like that's realistic...

Give me a break. The benefits of globalization, at least the way it exists currently, almost all "stop at the top." He's acting as if we're on an equal playing field. People in Vietnam or China can't afford to buy a fucking Harley.

[dysfunctional press]

52. not quite true...

there are lots of people with the means to buy expensive foreign goods in both countries...a very small percentage of the population for sure- but when you have 4 billion people, a very small percentage can still mean a lot of people.

[Mendocino]

44. What no Helmet? they don't come in extra fat

This reminds me of the photos of Nixon walking on a beach, wearing a suit.

[radfringe]

45. When my brother and I were kids

we'd hop a bus and go downtown on a Saturday morning

Every once in a while, there would be a dog wandering around the streets. I'd pet it, and it would follow us

<b>"If we leave before the mission is complete, if we withdraw, the enemy will follow us home," he said.</b>

so remember - don't pet a terrorist, it'll follow us home...

---

mentioned on the radio regarding the PRIVATE fundraiser for Swann - it was asked if Swann was concerned at all about aligning/appearing with bush - the commentator said Swann's campaign needs the money and that overrode the downside of bush's visit.

[ThsMchneKilsFascists]

47. Dim-son can't even ride a mountain bike without wiping out

Someone please let this worthless turd start driving motorcycles regularly.
And btw shrubbie, the only reason someone in Vietnam or China or India would drive a Harley over a Honda or Suzuki would be if they wanted to make believe cowboy like you.

[Buns_of_Fire]

49. Whistleass: Born to Be Mild.

Did they give him a leather jacket with "Bushie Baby" on it? We know how he likes to play dress-up. Ha. One good varooom! and he'd wish he'd worn his Depends. :eyes:

[missTheBigDog]

50. Holy cow...

This is just plain pathetic. What a loser.

[NotGivingUp]

55. this is why they don't give a shit about us anymore....

"The more Harleys sold in a place like Vietnam or China or India, the more likely that somebody is going to be able to find work," Bush said.


they don't care how broke we are.....they've got their new market.

[michreject]

58. My caption...................

"Hey somebody give me a quarter"

[FooFootheSnoo]

60. he's so manly!!

*sigh* I wish I could have a beer with him, just once!!:sarcasm: