McCain Thinks Energy Crisis is a Laughing Matter

By Chris Nolan, Majikthise. Posted August 5, 2008.

John McCain's Obama tire gauge joke falls flat.

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The Republicans have been handing out tire gages with Obama's name on them. This is meant as a joke because Obama pointed out that the U.S. stands to save more energy from keeping the nation's tires properly inflated than it would from offshore drilling.

The tire gauges are supposed to be a joke. I don't get it. Usually, I can reverse engineer jokes even if they don't make me laugh. This one leaves me at a loss. What's funny about an attractive useful gadget that associates your opponent with his own message?

I can see why the Obama campaign would give out tire gage pumps to donors. That would be making fun of John McCain and the emptiness of his offshore drilling promises.

I can imagine the creative brief. Suggested tagline: McCain's plan falls flat. So, remember to check your tires with this Obama tire gage.

Frank Jones at TIME Magazine thought McCain's wisecrack was funny:

See more stories tagged with: obama, mccain, time magazine, offshore drilling, tire gauge

Lindsay Beyerstein a New York writer blogging at Majikthise.

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its easy... [Report this comment] Posted by: JoshuaLudd on Aug 5, 2008 1:02 PM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] The joke is "hyuck hyuck that thar stupid librul sed sumthin stoopid a-hyuck hyuck". Its not meant for you... its meant for all the yokels who will laugh at it because it is supposedly ridiculous, despite the fact that it is not. And also.. killing Iranian civilians through cancer, war with Iran.. what has McCain NOT found to be worth a laugh in this campaign? [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Do you want an Obama tire gauge? [Report this comment] Posted by: Lauren on Aug 5, 2008 1:18 PM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Poll You are not alone. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Wonderful! [Report this comment] Posted by: wal55 on Aug 5, 2008 2:44 PM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] I think the joke is that the mccain camp is wasting their campaign dollars by giving support to their opponent... I hope they keep it up! [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: Wonderful! Posted by: VZEQICVA » RE: Wonderful! Posted by: AussieGeoff remember when [Report this comment] Posted by: zgregz on Aug 6, 2008 3:12 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Used to be the idea of being "a conservative" meant something. Logic was valued, experience often cited -- you were supposed to learn from experience, and by listening to the learned person. I read hundreds of car magazines before I owned a car. Often articles were about horsepower, style, and those true auto nuts would regularly talk about changing oil, to keep the engine running properly. They often mentioned proper tire pressure, cause it made sure your tire patch was correct for the best handling, tires ran with less friction, meaning less heat generated which contributed to safety - correct pressure will also increase tire milage and of course gas milage. The GOP does a disservice in misleading for political benefit -- proper tire pressure is something every driver should pay attention to -- Does McCain still drive? [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » Does McCain still drive? Posted by: Gungneir NOT A JOKE [Report this comment] Posted by: VZEQICVA on Aug 6, 2008 7:44 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Back in the 70's during the last gas craziness, correct tire pressure was pointed out as a way to maximize gas mileage, along with other helpful hints. My question is, does McCain know what a tire pressure guage is and does he know how to use one? I find that sometimes people don't know what the hell yu're talking about and they turn it into a joke. Some kind of defense I guess. Put this on the list with computers. Thanks, ANNA [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Republican Humor [Report this comment] Posted by: john2007 on Aug 6, 2008 9:02 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] At this point they are still pretending to be fun guys just playing around, but the veneer is getting thinner and the ugly GOP underbelly is starting to show. Stupid jokes like this will continue, along with the lies and smears from the Swiftboaters. They will randomly toss mud until Novembver, hoping that something sticks. Anything is better than letting the voters honestly compare the two candidates. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] What's the joke? [Report this comment] Posted by: realist on Aug 6, 2008 9:26 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Because people have started conserving fuel, are driving fewer miles, and are abandoning gas hogs, the price of gas at my local pump has fallen from $4.12 to $3.69 per gallon in just one month. That's without waiting 10 years to get any of the supposed benefits that would come from McCain's additional drilling. But wait, I'm detecting a trend: - his oil solution would take 10 years to pay off (maybe); - his plan to kill Iranians with cigarettes would take 20-30 years to take effect; - he'll keep U.S. soldiers in Iraq for 100 years; I guess that's his idea of becoming the candidate of the future. His new slogan: "What's the rush?" [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: What's the joke? Posted by: peacefullaim VERY IS SAID ABOUT CONSERVATION [Report this comment] Posted by: master09 on Aug 6, 2008 10:12 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Americans stop waisting gas 1. Don't drive your Ford F1500 15 mile to buy a pair of socks? Trucks are for hauling things 2. Donot use drive-thurs unless it absolutley necessary remember drive-thur are for conveniences. 3. when at a stop lights tutn off your air condition if you can. 4. Check your tire pressure ,John McCain is laughing about tire pressure because he has never checked his own I doubt that he knows how; he definitly don't know how to fly fighter planes he has crashed 5 of them check the records remember he finished last in his class [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: VERY IS SAID ABOUT CONSERVATION Posted by: daniel w vermillion » RE: VERY IS SAID ABOUT CONSERVATION Posted by: ursapater

» RE: Wonderful! Posted by: VZEQICVA

» RE: Wonderful! Posted by: AussieGeoff

» Does McCain still drive? Posted by: Gungneir

» RE: What's the joke? Posted by: peacefullaim

» RE: VERY IS SAID ABOUT CONSERVATION Posted by: daniel w vermillion

» RE: VERY IS SAID ABOUT CONSERVATION Posted by: ursapater