Top Cars for Democrats and Republicans
In case you haven't heard, it's an election year, and it now appears as if (finally!) the presidential matchup is set, with Republican Sen. John McCain facing off against Democratic Sen. Barack Obama.
With cars and politics constantly on the brain, we thought we'd look at the qualities that help define the two major parties and see which cars fit their worldviews. Of course, this is merely our take — neither party, as far as we know, has come up with an endorsed lineup of cars. As you’ll see below, that’s a good thing.
In a snapshot, you could argue that Republicans are interested in American-made cars (but not so much in unions), are fiscally conservative (read: cheap), in favor of tax cuts and credits, less government regulation, and a strong U.S., both militarily and economically. Democrats are likely more environmentally focused fans of safety regulations, big fans of unions, and interested in diversity and social progressivism.
There are a few cars that work for both parties, and others that are strict partisans. Keep reading for details.
Bitter Rivals: Cars the Parties Just Can’t Agree On
Toyota Corolla
Republicans: A small car with a small
engine from a Japanese company? With less than 160 hp? Why don't we
nominate Janeane Garofalo to the Supreme Court while we're at it?
Democrats: While a little indistinct, its low
price and fantastic mpg make this one a contender. It's built in California anyway! Old-school liberal internationalism rules the day.
Dodge Challenger
Republicans: Now you're talking: A
red-meat engine, looks that take us straight back to the glory days of
1970s American muscle cars, and enough horsepower to make PETA weep.
Let's kick some … er, sorry. Got a bit carried away there.
Democrats: It's the wrong message at the wrong time. Sure, no one plays "Born to Be Wild" while tearing out of a gravel parking lot in a Prius, but mark our words, driving that muscle-car engine would be like taking a sledgehammer to your liberal cred. And think of the emissions! (Shudder.)
Smart ForTwo
Republicans: While a rolling metaphor of
our love for small government, it's an import and just a little too
distinctive-looking. In a bad way. Plus, it’s impossible to fit our big
tent into anything named “ForTwo.”
Democrats: Good fuel efficiency bolsters your environmental bonafides, plus it has hipness a hybrid can’t match. Think of it as an iPhone for those unwilling to dirty themselves on public transportation. Still, it might not be the safest car out there; you might as well be on a bicycle. Now, there’s an idea…
BMW 7 Series
Republicans: We drive a 7 Series because
we pulled ourselves up by our bootstraps to get it and, dammit, we
deserve one. It may be imported, but it reeks of power.
Democrats: We’d consider the 7 Series because its cupholders are big enough for a 22-ounce latte and its radio plays NPR in high-def. Not even donating to MoveOn will assuage our guilt over its bad gas mileage and foreign pedigree.
Cadillac Escalade
Republicans: Screams, "I'm an important official/businessperson/movie star/NBA player, and man, I want you to know it!"
Democrats: Screams, "I'm single-handedly melting the Arctic ice cap, drowning a baby polar bear and buying a Saudi prince a new golden toothbrush, and I don't care who knows it!" The hybrid version might get an additional donkey.
Strange Bedfellows: Cars That Appeal to Both Sides of the Aisle
Ford F-150
Republicans: We drive the American-built F-150 because Pat Buchanan says it’s un-American to send your money overseas.
Democrats: We drive the American-built F-150 because Lou Dobbs says it’s un-American to send your money overseas.
Chevrolet Corvette
Republicans: We'd drive the ‘Vette
because it’s the only 430-hp car that avoids the gas-guzzler tax. What
good is power if you can’t use it to avoid taxes?
Democrats: We'd drive the ‘Vette because it's as American as apple pie, an icon to boot, and because our tort settlement allowed us to pay cash for it.
Lexus LS 600h
Republicans: Self-parking and a hybrid
engine? Stylish, powerful and roomy? What's not to endorse? OK, the
$100K+ price tag and the Japanese nameplate.
Democrats: A hybrid with pizzazz? A high-tech monster with better than 20 mpg? What's not to love? Well, that $100K+ price tag seems a little — er, what's the word? Elitist.
Ford Escape Hybrid
Republicans: We’d invest in an
Escape Hybrid and hold on to some of that bootstrap money when we reap
those awesome tax credits come April 15. Plus, Mitt Romney drives one.
Democrats: The best fuel economy of any SUV, matched with solidarity for the UAW workers who built it. Plus, Barack Obama drives one.
Chevy Aveo
Republicans: Republicans are the party of
fiscal conservatism, so we'd totally buy the dirt-cheap Chevy Aveo …
that is, if it didn't involve us actually driving a Chevy Aveo.
Democrats: Republicans bungled the budget when they were in power! Democrats are now the party of fiscal conservatism, so we're totally buying the dirt-cheap Chevy Aveo … except it's still a Chevy Aveo.
We realize we only hit on 10 vehicles here (surely, there are some Dems who think leaving out the Prius was heretical), so let us know what you think. What partisan and bipartisan cars can you come up with?
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i acctually find the way you have depicted Republicans to be quite offensive.
Dems = Hypocrites
Every day I get to pass that bastion of union democrats - a public school.
The parking lot is full of Japanese brand cars and SUVs. Not one of those Japanese cars is built by the UAW. Of course, the SUVs waste gas and contribute to global warming (according to Al Gore's infantile followers).
That's right the liberal union Democrat teachers are brainwashing the kids about the horrors of this global warming hoax and then driving to work in the things that are supposed to cause it.
They're just a bunch of self centered hypocrites.
Maxwell,
thank you!
someone really needs to tell Al Gore to shut his trap. we had 45º F lows until last week. so much for global warming.
Hey guys,
remember, that part of global warming is actually, global cooling.
So, may be what you see is the beginning of the cooling phase...
I think, there are plenty of republicans in the teaching corps. But just like everyone else, the money for them more important then loyalty.
"Not one of those Japanese cars is built by the UAW."
The Mazda 6 and Toyota Matrix are assembled in UAW plants, as are some Toyota Corollas.
As a proud member of the AFT, I drive a '95 Saturn--UAW assembled and 95% domestic content. It has averaged 42.4 mpg, too!
Did you get ACTUAL republicans and ACTUAL democrats to make those comments? I know that's a stupid question, but this article thing was pretty funny.
Love the mention of the tort lawsuit. Dems love to sue and the appeal of a handout.
Most Dems I see drive cheap cars because they cannot compete in the business world. Outside of limo libs in Hollywood I can't recall many successful lib business people.
How about Michael Bloomberg?
How about a US manufacturer design and sell a car designed for Republicans only? They can call it the IraQar, it'll get 5 miles per gallon, be impervious to IEDs, and will be guaranteed to sit in your driveway for 100 years. It'll only cost the new Republican owner 12 billion a month.
On the other hand, they could design and sell the HealthCar to Democrats. It will be bloated, overpriced, and guarantee a mediocre experience but keep your family safe.
As an independent, I want a car that gets 35mpg, is a 5 star value, and is designed and built in a democratic country. Oh, I already have one.
A Kia Spectra.
I drive a Kia Spectra5 and couldn't be happier. I'll never forget all of the ribbing I took when I bought her. Now who's laughing?
I wouldn't consider Bloomberg a liberal by any stretch of the imagination. If you read any of the bio's written by him it's clear he's no different than any other ruthless ultra conservative businessman. He and Soros are to of the biggest imposters going today.
Bloomberg is a moderate to conservative Repub and has been since early 2000. I believe he made the official jump to the Repub party in 01 or 02 but had been making his conservative views known for several years prior. Although I voted for Bloomberg twice, he's no different than any other political opportunist. A few of my current colleagues have worked for him and although they say he is a generous man, he also carries what many would constrew as far right wing views that only those in his inner circle know. I guess you can say he's a great chameleon.
Was this post supposed to be insightful or funny? It failed either way. What pabulum.
Stephen,
Great article with sharp wit and observations -on both sides of the political spectrum.
Shocked that between both the article, and the comment threads, there wasn't one mention of Hillary.
Ron Paul could be considered the Pontiac Aztec of the bunch...two things that people just scratch their head at when seen in public...
I don't usually comment on my own posts, but I thought it necessary to note that I did not write the content of this post alone. It had many authors within the editorial department; therefore all praise and/or condemnation can be spread around equally.
Thanks Stephen Markley, for your reply.
The most polarizing car of all is missing here: The Hummer. Nothing seems to divide opinions more.
Repubs driving a German, GERMAN car? Why, they as may as well drive a French car.
Funny story though.
I think plenty of Repubs would take the Corolla - its cheap, efficient and mundane.
Dear writers, way to stereotype people guys. :rolleyes.
Everyone knows the ideal car for a Democrat is a bright yellow VW Beetle. For the Cons I would say a 5 Series or F150 pick-up.
Heh heh. I'm a political novice (meaning - I've been alive long enough to know better, but have not ever been to a rally, or even spent more than a 1/2 hour drive home listening to a political article on the radio) - I basically hate politics. But I do vote, so reading the above article (about two things I love/hate - cars and human folly) I'd have to say: please add to the list the Jeep. You could see both parties driving this one: and yelling "WHAT?!!" to eachother as they try to hear what the other is saying. Or actually, pretending to hear the other and saying whatever they think - because most politicians seem to think they already know what everyone needs, but fail to realize that what we really need is (pick your favorite issue: healthcare that works, lower taxes, less war and to QUIT using so darn much oil: geothermal for our houses? I bet a US subsidy or tax break to install this in as many homes as possible would cut use of oil by 20% in a heartbeat.