A STUDY IN CONTRASTS II: BARACK OBAMA and JOHN MCCAIN exiting their SUV's

[flpoljunkie]

With newspapers in hand, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., gets out of his SUV to board his campaign charter jet at Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Va., Wednesday, June 18, 2008. (AP Photo/LM Otero)


Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., gets out of the car as he boards the campaign charter plane in Albuquerque, N.M., Monday, June 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

[bunkerbuster1]

1. Sadly, both appear to be SUVs

[flpoljunkie]

2. It's what the Secret Service uses, perhaps fortified in some way.

[wndycty]

6. I don't begrudge the use of SUV's, motorcades or jets when it comes. . .

. . .to the transportation and security of the President of the United States or the two individuals running to replace him.

[bunkerbuster1]

7. These are truck-based technological throwbacks

I'm well aware that the Obama (or McCain) campaign probably doesn't have a lot of say in what type of vehicles have been beefed up for this kind of security detail.

Point is, more fuel efficient passenger cars can be secured, and should be. It would set a top-down example.

Normally I wouldn't pick on such a point, but since the OP was about visual messaging, I thought it appropriate.

[Tatiana]

10. I think they are armored. n/t

[Captain Hilts]

11. They are most likely armoured. nt

[ReverendDeuce]

12. They ARE heavily armored... I read about the company that does this stuff... (PICS)

These are not as armored as the Presidential limousine, which is essentially a fortress on wheels (the manufacturer won't give out specifications, for obvious reasons, but I think I read a quote from someone working for them saying it's designed to withstand "prolonged bombardments"), but they are nevertheless significantly tanked up.

Here's a likely example:

http://www.alpineco.com/armored/Chevy-GMC/_suburban.html

[high density]

13. Yes our candidates should ride around in little convertables instead.

Oh, wait.

[fujiyama]

14. That motherfucker Nader drove around in them too in '00

meanwhile ranting about Gore. What a moron.

[JoFerret]

3. Now they should try it in a skirt.

.

[Spock_is_Skeptical]

4. yes, inquiring minds want to know.

[Captain Hilts]

5. Is 'style' THAT important to you? nt

[flpoljunkie]

8. No, Mookie, it's not, but the contrast in the candidates is profound and worth noting.

It's also fun, as well.

[rox63]

9. McCain looks like his dentures came loose

And he's trying to get them back into place. On the other hand, Obama is smiling and looks energized. What a contrast.

[Barack_America]

15. McCain bashed his head recently, while exiting his SUV.

He was wearing bandages yesterday that he was asked about.

Not smooth at all.

:rofl:

[my2sense]

16. Old School/New School

McCain looks like the "old school" politician carrying a newspaper (old school way of getting news). Obama steps out using today's technology (New School).