Politicians vie for NASCAR dads

[chimpymustgo]

-Posted on Sun, Aug. 03, 2003

Presidential hopefuls, NRA target votes
LIZ CLARKE
Washington Post


In 2000, it was soccer moms. Today, the demographic that's most in demand by political strategists converges at racetracks to whoop, holler and shake a fist at the Fords and Chevys whizzing past. They're called "NASCAR dads."

"They are middle- to lower middle-class males who are family men, live in rural areas, used to vote heavily Democratic but now usually vote Republican," explains Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. "That's the definition of a NASCAR dad, and there are a lot of them."

The National Rifle Association and Sen. Bob Graham are staking considerable sums on the belief that if NASCAR can sell fans on Pennzoil and Budweiser, why not the Second Amendment and the next president of the United States?

-snip-

Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., who has helped sponsor a racecar in an Iowa racing series, "could pull it off," Sabato says. Former Vermont Gov. Howard "Dean -- I don't even think NASCAR fans know who he is. And Hillary Clinton would be booed, no question about it."

Of the bunch, Saunders believes Graham has the strongest appeal to NASCAR dads.


 
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/politics/6447171.htm

[graham67]

1. Lower Income Converging at Racetracks?

Most of the "NASCAR Dads" I see at racetracks are upper-middle class, khaki-pants wearing CPA-types. The lower income Dads are watching on TV...the tickets cost too damn much. :shrug:

[lcordero]

2. The lower income dads are who they are appealing to

I think this is good strategy and I think this is pretty creative.

[pstokely]

3. do the dads care about anything else besides guns?

their wives probably vote Dem

[Yentatelaventa]

6. Yep.

Access to public land for hunting, ATV, snowmobile and other access that is usually verboten by more left-leaning dems.

[graham67]

5. Creative, Interesting Idea....

but I'm not convinced this strategy is going to be effective. Budweiser and guns aren't a hard sell. Selling politics is a whole different ballgame. I'll be the first one to cheer if it does work :)

[chimpymustgo]

7. Our candidate should reach out every segment of society.

That's why I like Edwards - I think he can appeal across the board.

[BOSSHOG]

4. If the NASCAR dads

are the voting block that puts a Democrat in the White House, I say, Gentlemen, Start your engines.