Been quite a while since I’ve had the time and schedule to take in a Sturgis run. Oh happy days… and the ride there was generally as much, if not more fun than the event itself.
But I have to say, not only did JSM manage to get some exposure just about him for a change, but he’s stepped up a notch for a lively crowd when he decided to campaign at the annual Sturgis biker rally in Sturgis, SD.
Motorcycle engines revved in deafening approval when a rock guitarist played the national anthem at earsplitting volume and with a soaring solo, a la Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock. Kid Rock was to perform later in the evening, and Kiss was due at another nearby stage.
Suffice it to say that few political rallies can match John McCain’s brief appearance on an outdoor stage Monday night before several thousand bikers at the 68th annual Sturgis Rally, America’s largest biker convention and arguably its most colorful national gathering.
Rather than applause, McCain was greeted again and again by the full-throated roar of scores of gleaming Harley-Davidsons of every shape and color. The stench of burning gasoline and rowdy shouts filled the prairie night air.
It was almost as if McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, was a celebrity — a dirty word in his lexicon since his campaign last week ran ads mocking rival Barack Obama for his celebrity status, comparing him to Britney Spears.
Taking the stage at Buffalo Chip, the main festival site, McCain again ridiculed the presumptive Democratic nominee for drawing “hundreds of thousands” of people to an outdoor speech in Berlin.
Exaggerating his own reception by a considerable factor, McCain boasted, “I’ll take the roar of 50,000 Harleys any day.”
As dozens of engines revved again, he grinned. “I recognize that sound. It’s the sound of freedom.”
I had to laugh when he jokingly offered up wife Cindy to compete in the Miss Buffalo Chip pagaent. The man obviously does not have enough biker rallies under his belt to know what she would be getting in to…
Being, of course, the LA Times , they decided to only report on a few Obama supporters in the crowd. And, with their usual not-so-balanced reporting, didn’t counter it with others. So it’s hardly indicative of the crowd’s response to McCain.
But as one who’s run that crowd often enough, there’s a good chance of more than plenty anti-helmet/seat belt laws, anti-nanny gov’t, proud American veterans in that crowd who will be supporting the GOP candidate come Nov.
But, ya know, they don’t have polls that focus of those of us who “scooter trash-Americans”.
Vietnam era Navy wife, indy/conservative, and an official California escapee now residing as a red speck in the sea of Oregon blue.
bikers are a forgotten and often overlook part of our nation. how many are doctors, lawyers, stock brokers, or like mata, very informed? the dems have no idea how much fun bikers can be. i find it hard to believe there was an obama supporter there at all, thought bikers were more discriminating.
Having been to 6 Sturgis rallies,,, I found this most excellent!!!!
And whomever in the McCain camp who thought of this KUDOS…. nice call.
Talk about a diverse crowd,,, you won’t find one more diverse than this…
The only Nobama supporters were probably hard core union…. who really don’t understand their fortunes are tied to big business…. but I could be wrong.
Buffalo Chip is not for those with weak constitutions after dark.. and for most of the trolls around here… anytime..
Having been at the 50th Rally where 350,000 invaded the Black Hills,, 50,000 is a not a problem today…
Was at the 50th myself, bigpapa… missed you there!
Yes… got quite a few grins with Mac offering up Cindy as a Miss Buffalo Chip entry. I wonder if he stayed after hours to catch a few of the regular festivities… LOL
MataH,
“wonder if he stayed after hours to catch a few of the regular festivities… LOL:”
Bet you 20 bucks he didn’t!!!!!! hell I’m almost too old for that….almost 🙂
You didn’t miss me by much if you drove down I-90, lived just North of the mall in Rapid City then… ahhhh ,,,
good times,,, good times….
Been doing music gigs here for 15 years, lots of Daytona Beach biker bars during many events. Maybe he’ll come down here to Biketoberfest. You couldn’t ask for a more patriotic crowd than the bikers I know here in Florida. Many, many are Vets, and despite the appearance of some, are among the nicest folks I’ve ever met.
MataHarley typed:
‘Yes… got quite a few grins with Mac offering up Cindy as a Miss Buffalo Chip entry.’
What a marvelous sense of humor the candidate possesses. Bet Cindy was amused at her hubby putting her up for this:
http://www.amxvideo.com/titles/a245.htm
I,m w/ya Bboy,we did a ride a few weeks ago for a fallin HP officer,and let me tell,they were streched from boone to cherokee.all in all,they collecte bout 60,000 for the mans wife and kids. lets see the Oman top that. Oh, thats right,he said he would help a school .my bad.
MataHarley typed:
‘Being, of course, the LA Times , they decided to only report on a few Obama supporters in the crowd. And, with their usual not-so-balanced reporting, didn’t counter it with others. So it’s hardly indicative of the crowd’s response to McCain.’
Not exactly:
One for. One agin. One undecided. The rest of the piece were quotes by McCain, a description of the event and coverage of his warm reception.
Here’s the ‘usual not-so-balanced reporting’:
Not everyone in the crowd was convinced.
Bruce Charles Wenger, 54, who served 31 years in the Army and now is a criminal defense lawyer in Hudson, Wis., made his annual pilgrimage to Sturgis on his Harley. He wore shoulder-length white hair and a black leather vest over his bare chest.
“As a career military man, it sickens me that our boys are dying in Iraq,” Wenger said heatedly. “It’s pointless. That’s why I’m supporting Obama.”
Mickey Hartnett, 60, a Vietnam veteran and an environmental engineer, also was skeptical. “I don’t agree with all his positions,” he said.
Jon Zuspanni, 40, a burly man in black leather vest who works for a repossession agency in Kansas City, admitted that his business was “booming” now that the economy had tumbled into recession.
But Zuspanni said he supported McCain for his military service and his experience as a prisoner of war.
I still haven’t found a photo of Cindy in black leather chaps & a thong.
Thanks Mata…looks like a good time was had by all there! Lots of energy, for sure! I’m glad John McCain went. Good way to get the word out about who he is.