What if Mitt Romney Bought a Model S?

[rolosrevenge]

No seriously, here me out. What if he bought his way to a Signature Series, took delivery in the summer, and then started driving it around campaigning in it? He can clearly afford it. It's American made which he's all for. It's innovative which he's for. It shows how he likes auto companies and innovation in auto companies, which he's for. What would you do if he did? If you are Democrat or independent, would you vote for him (assuming he wins the nomination)? I can't see Obama blasting him for driving it because that would be way hypocritical. Thoughts?

[ElSupreme]

Someone would ask how much it cost. He would seem even richer and more out of touch with people. For some reason that seems to be important in your elected official. It would be bad PR.

"He spent $90k dollars on a car that can only drive 300 miles."

Not saying it is right, but that would happen.

Newt would pile on and say Romney no longer cares about gasoline prices.
Rick Santorum would say something about hating gays, or banning birth control, or something else absurd.
Ron Paul would keep doing his thing.

Barrack Obama would point to DOE loan that made the Model S possible, and .

[rolosrevenge]

Well, assuming that he has wrapped up the Republican nomination by the time he gets it, then Newt and Rick would be out of the picture. It would be him vs. democrats and I doubt the democrats would say that buying an EV makes one rich and out of touch. Mitt could say the DOE loans were approved under Bush so Obama had nothing to do with it.

[AnOutsider]

What car a candidate drives wouldn't change how I feel about his policies and views. I'm sure the gay community outraged by that video of him with a gay couple wouldn't think any different of him... Nor would it make his past flip-flops disappear... It would be nothing more than yet another dog and pony show IMO.

[Doug_G]

"an idea whose time has not come" - Mitt Romney on the Chevy Volt

Hell would probably freeze over.

[rolosrevenge]

What car a candidate drives wouldn't change how I feel about his policies and views. I'm sure the gay community outraged by that video of him with a gay couple wouldn't think any different of him... Nor would it make his past flip-flops disappear... It would be nothing more than yet another dog and pony show IMO.

True story. But I think it would be cool if he did it anyways.

Hell would probably freeze over.

That's with regards to the Volt, there are plenty of EV people who would agree that the Volt is not the way to go and pure EVs are.

[Doug_G]

That's with regards to the Volt, there are plenty of EV people who would agree that the Volt is not the way to go and pure EVs are.

Well, if he thinks a perfectly serviceable plug-in hybrid's time has not come, I can't imagine what he thinks of pure EVs.

[stopcrazypp]

I don't think any candidate's car purchase will affect the vote. There are way more significant factors (for example it is highly unlikely Romney will ever back policies that support EVs in any significant way).

[rolosrevenge]

Well, if he thinks a perfectly serviceable plug-in hybrid's time has not come, I can't imagine what he thinks of pure EVs.

He could say that with the Model S, 300 miles of range, quick charge, wonderful looks, and 0-60 in 4.4 sec, the time has now arrived!

[Grendal]

There are plenty of EV people who would agree that the Volt is not the way to go and pure EVs are.

The Volt is a transitional car that promotes EV's and EV technology. There are a significant number of people out there who have no understanding of what an electic car can do. The Volt allows people to relieve the "range anxiety" with the technology they are comfortable with, an ICE. I'm glad the Volt is there for those people. As far as I'm concerned an EV purist that frowns upon the Volt is doing a disservice to EV's.

As for Romney, he has little chance to win no matter what he does. He will appeal to his base which hates the Volt and EV's with a passion. He will call Tesla a government subsidized car and try to attack Obama with it as an example of frivolous government spending.