Valero (petrol) ads on AAR

[Atman]

I just checked on buyblue.org and didn't see them listed. "Valero" gas stations have begun to spring up out of nowhere, yet I recently recall hearing that Valero was one of the largest oil companies in the world, and got that way by buying cheaper grades of petrol to refine into gasoline.

But, I also thought I heard they were heavily republican.

I ask for a couple reasons; a few weeks ago, I posted a story here about walking out of a mini-mart upon hearing a hard-core Xtian fire and brimstone station playing on the story radio. I told the clerk I thought I'd entered a mini mart, not a church, and left my stuff on the counter. It was a Valero station. That, and the republican thing, have led me to put Valero on my short-list of stations I'd sooner push my bone-dry car past than give them my money. Exxon/Mobil is the other (I haven't knowingly spent a dime on Exxon products since the Valdez, and added Mobile to the list upon their merger).

Anyone have the skinny on Valero? And if they are so red and evil, should AAR be taking their blood money? Is it a double-edge sword, using your enemy's own money to smite him?

[benburch]

1. If they give AAR money...

That is enough for me...

[GOPisEvil]

2. Based in San Antonio, TX.

They bought Ultramar/Diamond Shamrock a while back. I don't know about their political leanings, but I would bet they are as red as red gets.

Edit - but maybe they know that liberals buy gas, too. :shrug:

[DemNoir]

3. Look at it this way

It beats the endless Wendi Friesen ad's. Talk about something that makes AAR sound cheap and sleazy!

[Atman]

5. Gotta agree about the Wendy ads! UGH!

They remind of the snake-oil ads Rush runs because he can't attract legitimate advertisers. I used to tell people that if Rush was really speaking to a "quality" demographic, national advertisers with recognized brand names wouldn't care about the politics, they'd just want to reach the audience. But after the barrage of Wendy Friesen ads on AAR, I don't use that argument anymore. Thy hypnosis stuff plays right into the right's stereotypes about "lefty hippies."

[kedrys]

4. Check out this page from The Center for Public Integrity

Valero Campaign Contributions and Lobbying information

Their contributions to the repugs outpace those to Democrats 2 to 1. They're the parent company of Diamond Shamrock and Ultramar (in Canada).

[Historic NY]

6. Valero has been springing up here in northeast NY.....

my buddy signed with them and they have taken over a few small mom & pop operations as gas supplier. What is strange here locally that all the various big name gas stations use one or two terminals here.

[pstokely]

7. many companies have no idea where their ads run

they have their ad agencies place the ads on the shows