Lance Armstrong's political views

[George_Bonanza]

I understand he's having a tough time in the Tour de France. No, he's kicking everybody else's asses as usual, but from the fans, not so generous. I was wondering what his political views were. I hope he's at least a moderate liberal/Democrat, and the booing fans are just being prejudiced because he's a Texan.

[soleft]

1. I know his girl friend's have always seemed pretty liberal

I recall Sheryl Crow wearing anti-war tee shirts and pins during various performances.

Plus he's from Austin, which tends to be more progressive.

[wellstone_democrat]

2. He's constantly with the Chimperor

when he rolls into our great state of Texas. My husband is a serious bicyclist and very *slightly* is acquainted with Armstrong---he reports that the man is a good conservative Republican! There ya go for what it is worth.

[hlthe2b]

9. I'm always a little bit cautious on drawing conclusions

re: athletes who hav had a major success and their visits to the WH or with the President, whoever it might be. To be honest, I might have a hard time snubbing (although I hope that I would) if I'd be invited to celebrate my "success on behalf of all Americans" at the WH. At some point, there is the office of the President and then the occupier....

[AntiCoup2K4]

13. But if he was a GOOD conservative Republican....

...he wouldn't want anything to do with Junior, right?

[SaveElmer]

3. I heard at one point he was a Republican

But he's dating Sheryl Crow who is definitely on the correct side...so maybe she is having a good influence over him

[vi5]

4. Well, isn't he an atheist?

So I'm not sure how that fits into the mix.

[DenverDem]

5. He describes his politics as "middle to left"

<http://www.lancearmstrongfanclub.net/uktimesonline.html>

[shadu]

6. thanks for the link

[dmkinsey]

14. OK, glad to see that

I really have huge respect for LA as a bike racer but was suspicious about his chumminess with *
I'm happier now

[DemoTex]

7. Armstrong's politics "middle-to-left" according to this source:

http://www.lancearmstrongfanclub.com/uktimesonline.html

[sonias]

10. thanks for the story link DemoTex

Glad to hear I heard it wrong. I thought Lance was just being quite about his politics. I knew he wasn't a rabid republican, but I had heard he was a republican. Middle to left is very good.

Yeah Lance!!!

Sonia

[sonias]

8. moderate republican

But hopefully with Sheryl Crow's help he'll move over to be at least an independent. He was opposed to the Iraq war from what I have heard around Austin. I think anyone who travels as much as he does in Europe, France and Spain mainly, would get a lot of opposing views to US policy.

Bu$h considers him a friend but Lance has only gone to the WH on official visits after the tour. Lance has flown to DC on bu$h's plane. I don't expect Lance to campaign for bu$h, he's being respectful to the office. And he's doing what he needs to promote cycling in the U.S.

A lot of riders are getting booed. Some fans are particularly vocal this year. Jens Voight the German T-Mobile rider was booed as much as Lance by the Germans because they felt he had helped Lance on Stage 15.

Frankie Andreu, on the US Postal Team site:

"Many riders talked about the negativity of the crowd. Lance alluded to it, but from talking with other riders, I knew what he meant. It wasn't only Postal. Many riders were booed, spit on, and yelled at. Rubiera looked like he was going to cry at the finish because he was so upset at the reception he received from the crowd.

I talked with Jens Voigt and he said the same. It was the Germans who were going off on their non favorite riders. They yelled and spit on Jens today because he helped to pull back Ullrich yesterday in the race. Jens just couldn't understand it and he's German."


Sonia

[Still_Loves_John]

The fans aren't booing because of his politics

They just hate him in France for winning so much. There's plenty of vicious rumors about steroids and whatnot circulating over there. But it's just because of the competitiveness, nothing beyond that.

[Still_Loves_John]

11. The fans aren't booing because of his politics

They just hate him in France for winning so much. There's plenty of vicious rumors about steroids and whatnot circulating over there. But it's just because of the competitiveness, nothing beyond that.

[pocket]

12. not just booing

A few 'fans' have jumped out in front of his bike and spat on him.

[Kellanved]

15. the booing had little to do with that

The booing fans tend to be not the most informed people around. Although Lance has very bad press in Europe (his "MIT" bike allegedly using elements of his former bike/ his frequenting former GDR-doctors/ general bad sportsmanship), the booing has a very simple reason: he is not in the team the fans are rooting for. They boo him just like they would boo a player from a soccer team other than their own.

[theboss]

16. Dirty little secret about great athletes

They have no political views typically (of course there are always exceptions). I mean, how many hours a day do you think Lance Armstrong trains? How many hours a day worrying about his diet? His equipment? Do you really think he worries too much about, say, the No Child Left Behind Act? Supreme athletes like him get to be that way by the narrowness of their focus.