Treadmarks mar McCain campaign

September 23, 2008

FIRST it was the seven houses. Now it’s the Republican
presidential nominee John McCain’s 13 cars that are getting
attention.

More... In an election where both candidates are vying to paint
themselves as in touch with Middle America and their opponents as
elitist, the lifestyles of the McCain and Obama families have
become a matter to be picked over by the media, looking for the
“gotcha” story.

The Democratic nominee, Barack Obama, has come under fire for
having a Harvard law degree, for his “small town America clinging
to their guns and religion” comments and for the land deal he did
with a dodgy developer to expand his garden in Chicago.

Politico, a political newspaper and website, scored a
direct hit on Senator McCain when he was unable to answer how many
houses he owned. The answer turned out to be seven, some of which
are owned through family trusts, controlled by his wife, Cindy, who
is the heir to the Hensley beer distribution business.

Now Newsweek has taken aim at the McCain fleet of cars -
and it’s not just the number that is causing a stir.

Newsweek found 13 registered to John and Cindy McCain.
The Obamas have just one, a 2008 Ford Escape hybrid, which they
bought recently after Senator Obama copped some flak for owning a
gas-guzzling Chrysler.

The problem for McCain is that earlier this year he told a
Detroit TV station: “I’ve bought American literally all my life,
and I’m proud.”

Senator McCain made the comments while defending his purchase -
or his daughter Meghan’s purchase – of a Toyota Prius.

But now it turns out that he and his wife own three foreign
vehicles: a Lexus, a 2005 VW convertible and a 2001 Honda
sedan.

The rest of the fleet, however, is all-American. Only a 2004
Cadillac is registered in the candidate’s name. Mrs McCain’s name
is on 11 vehicles and the Lexus that she drives is registered to
her family’s beer distribution business.

Meanwhile the economic crisis seems to be benefiting Senator
Obama, who has pulled ahead in the Gallup daily tracking poll, 49
per cent to 45 per cent.