By John W. Lillpop
Although White House spinsters claim that the dustup between President Obama and Speaker Boehner over the date and time for delivery of the president’s jobs speech was much ado about nothing, there is good cause to believe otherwise.
Specifically, as reported, in part, at the reference, five NASCAR drivers (AKA, RACE-ists!) have bailed on an opportunity to spend next Wednesday with Obama:
President Barack Obama will honor NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson and the 11 other Chase drivers from last year in a White House ceremony on Wednesday – but nearly half of the 2010 playoff contenders won't be there.Actually, refusing to be a part of Obama’s reelection propaganda machine has nothing to do with being unpatriotic.
NASCAR said Thursday that five drivers – Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart – will not be attending the White House visit due to "schedule conflicts."
They must be very busy people. Regardless of one's political views, the president is still the president – and an opportunity to speak with the leader of the free world is a rare and special one.
You'd think whatever photo shoots or sponsor appearances these drivers have lined up on Wednesday afternoon – if that's indeed the reason – could be rescheduled. After all, this is the President of the United States we're talking about here.
For a sport that prides itself on patriotism, having so many drivers turn down the president's invitation simply seems strange.”
After all, Obama could have rescheduled the event so as not to infringe on the Republican debate scheduled for Wednesday.
As Obama must realize, NASCAR drivers and fans are mostly conservatives who would naturally be eager to watch the Republican presidential field go toe-to-toe.
All of which suggests that Obama was deliberately trying (once again) to use his bully pulpit to keep voters from paying attention to his GOP opponents.
Pity, that.
It appears as though Obama has learned nothing from his failed attempt at political bullying in which Speaker Boehner prevailed.
http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2011/9/1/2399376/nascar-drivers-decline-president-barack-obama-white-house-invitation-jimmie-johnson-2011
