Barak Obama swaps his hemi for a hybrid
Click on the photo for a huge high-res gallery of the 2008 Escape Hybrid
When Sen. Barak Obama (D-Il) came to Detroit In May to speak to the Detroit Economic Club he was very critical of he local automakers for the poor fuel economy of their vehicles and their pushback against new fuel economy regulations. He subsequently drew some criticism for himself when it became known that his personal transport was a Hemi powered Chrysler V-8, a car not exactly in the same league as a Prius. Obama has now corrected that problem by following his fellow presidential hopefuls John Edwards, Sens. Christopher Dodd and Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Govs. Mitt Romney and Bill Richardson and switched to a Ford Escape Hybrid.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
OthelloPrime 4:27PM (2/14/2008)
To Karkus:
I imagine Obama chose the Ford over the Mercury because psychologically Ford appears more down to Earth and "of the people". The Mercury may appear more upscale.
To pkuhl:
For a candidate running for President of the US to switch to anything other than an American car would spell certain doom in gaining the support of unions and their members.
Now, lets see the next President turn that gas-guzzling behemoth of a Presidential limo into a diesel or a hybrid.
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TomtenT 6:07PM (2/14/2008)
To OthelloPrime:
Looking from outside, I'd be euphoric if a leader-to-be would choose an EV !!!!
Why not the eBox from AC Propulsion ?
Or , are those discontinued ? Anyone knows ?
Think I read somewhere the donor car changed model > if so ,
does that mean they quit making the eBox ?
The LionEV would be another superb choice if only they'd present a minibus model.
Leave the ICE-age behind !
Start produce the juice right !
Quit burning stuff to get energy !
( that's REALLY ancient tech ! )
"The whole world's watching!"
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pkuhl 2:08PM (7/13/2007)
Why didn't he get a Prius? You don't think Toyota would fall over themselves to get a Democratic presidential nominee a Prius? How about a Honda Civic Hybrid or a cavernous Toyota Camry Hyrbrid? How about any *car* that isn't a friggin SUV-minibus?
Instead of going half-assed, he should have gone all the way.
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Scott 3:09PM (6/19/2009)
At the time he bought his car, the Prius was not made in America. He probably didn't want to support a vehicle (even a hybrid) that wasn't American Made.The Escape Hybrid is made in Kansas City, MO. A well thought out move, IMO.
Schmeltz 2:09PM (7/13/2007)
Always good to practice what you preach. Good move.
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Joseph 4:57PM (7/13/2007)
Well, well, well. Politicians are acting more like Celebrities these days; they always have to keep up a good appearance for the public since the media reveals more and more of their private life.
Unless his lease expired, and needed to get a new car, this was purely an act for everyone to see how "green" he is. I really cannot stand this whole green movement because its based on celebrities who want some good press. (cough, cough, Live Earth, cough)I guess it's good though for celebrities and politicians to be talking about the environment though, it's kicking the green movement into overdrive. So I guess, it's a good thing.
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Mike Z 2:22PM (7/13/2007)
Actually Obama has done a lot of protecting the environment: His latest book "My Experience" actually contains no pages of paper at all!
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Tim 4:00PM (7/13/2007)
Ah, political prostitutes. What he drove BEFORE he was trying to get your vote is what he truly believes. Changing his tune to get elected is pure political pandering. This reminds me of Marxist Hillary’s tactics.
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Michael 2:33PM (7/13/2007)
It's crazy how many politicians feel that it's worth their time to be seen in a hybrid.
You see how they switch to a hybrid all the time, then a few months later, they're back in a monster SUV.
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Karkus 2:40PM (7/13/2007)
Politicians don't want to get a Prius because it's Japanese. So they only choice they really have right now is a Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner. And it has the highest MPG of any hybrid SUVs too.
But I'm a little surprised he got an Escape instead of the nicer Mariner.
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Don 2:42PM (7/13/2007)
Pfft. He's just cowtowing to perceived interests. Coward.
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InColsOh 12:31PM (7/15/2007)
Environmentalism and Conservation should never be a matter of "I was here first". I don't care why Obama or anyone else decides to begin living a green life... it's that they decide to do so. Its a matter of reflection and thoughtfulness, even if the motivation is not pure.
We all make a difference in the small decisions we make, so take the time to analyze and reflect on our own actions and make sure we make good decisions. It does matter. So spend less time wondering why Mitt or Barak decided to go green and realize that most Americans have yet to take even the first baby steps into green living (some intentionally don't while a great majority just don't know any better . . . like Mitt and Barak they will learn and make better decisions). We need to support them when they do
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