What if a US President drove one of these:

[MannyGoldstein]

That's Pope Francis' "new" wheels. 29 years old, stick. He'll be driving it himself.

I know, I know, the Pope will only be driving it locally, not in parades and such. But what if a US President did something like that? I'm sure it would be awful - but how awful?

What if our President had to live like us? Or had to make ends meet on food stamps (which *is* living like many of us)? Since Francis got his car, I've been thinking about this.

[NYC_SKP]

1. Only if Boner and company promise to drive this:

[99Forever]

2. K&R

[Hoyt]

3. He shouldn't take the risk, except in some ceremonial event to make a point.

The message is pretty good.

[Fumesucker]

4. I bet it gets better mileage than a presidential limo

It's like something Sister Bertrille would drive.

[MannyGoldstein]

5. LOL!

Haven't thought about her in many moons!

[jberryhill]

26. I just saw an episode where she bought a car

It did not go well.

Fortunately, Alejandro Rey straightened it all out.

[msongs]

6. the current president is probably too tall lol nt

[1000words]

7. The Vatican has a great PR team

I'll give The Church its due though, they understand if they don't evolve they will die.
Francis is a breath of fresh air.

[MannyGoldstein]

9. Seriously?

Wow.

Also, can you get rid of that picture in your sig? It's just silly and offensive, not cool.

[Dragonfli]

12. He can't get rid of it due to his deep rooted obsession with colonics.

Perhaps in time, with professional help he will get over his strange obsession with wanting to feel like an impacted clown, but he would first have to seek help, and spend several months in therapy.

I for one wish him luck and eventual mental health, I will praise him publicly if he grows beyond his strange obsession and discards that rather crude self identity image. We should encourage him to take advantage of counseling, because we should care about him.

[MannyGoldstein]

18. You suck

Just as I was falling asleep, your post had me hunched-over laughing.

Now I won't get enough shuteye, grrr. Ahh, it was worth i!

[Dragonfli]

27. I posted an OP for all you hippy Paul lovers that suffer from ODS, Someone had to respond

to the anti-Obama criticisms from baggers such as Sanders that think that the base is unhappy with the wise rightward direction he has led this party with his important nominations of Republicans (usually more qualified for posts than any Democrat, a fact not lost on the President) and his backing of Heritage Foundation policies and Chicago school economic preferences.

As I explain in the OP, truth is quite different from Sanders ravings, 99.9% of thee real base Love Obama and agree wholeheartedly with all his policies!

Read and enter the reality based base. http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023699985

[rhett o rick]

16. He hasnt been the same since Meta forum was shut down. nm

[rug]

22. Leave him be, he just likes other cars.

[Fumesucker]

28. An Obamadonk!

[pacalo]

10. Lawrence O'Donnell's "Last Word" tonight was about Pope Francis & it was beautifully done!

http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/09/19/pope-francis-refocuses-catholicism-on-mercy/

[MannyGoldstein]

13. That was wonderful!

Truly, a New-Testament Pope.

[pacalo]

14. Glad you watched it, Manny. It really fits the message of your OP.

[longship]

11. Myself, I would opt for a Citroen Deux Chevaux.

That would guarantee to piss of the Republicans.

Plus, it's a stark exemplar of what the 99% would be driving under austerity. Well, at least they might have some fun along the way.

(Safety by Gillette, as Road and Track Magazine once commented on another, and much more expensive, automobile. BTW, it was the deTomaso Mangusta, a real beauty, probably one of the prettiest cars ever designed, but apparently not so safety minded.

)


I'd go for the Deux Chevaux, just to stick it to the GOP.

Comments welcome.

on edit: actually, if I were President, my car would likely be something like a Ferrari 250GTL Lusso. A real beauty.





Red, of course.

And of course, there's always the Lamorghini Miura S which was the first automobile that I knew of that fairly defined wretched excess.


Fun.

[1000words]

15. Car porn

You have excellent taste.

[longship]

23. I drive this.

Mine's maroon. It's 17 years old and I bought it last October.

I almost bought a 1958 Mercedes 300SL spider in the late 60's. No, it didn't have Gullwing doors (a convertable). But it was the same basic car. The price was a bit out of my range, (just under $6K)
but I was making pretty good money and was awefully tempted.

In hind sight, I made the correct decision. But damn! That car would be worth a fortune in a few years.

[MannyGoldstein]

20. All death traps

Like my old '65 Mustang. I drove cross-country in a '62 Austin Healy. Terrifying but fun.

I guess the Pope could really show us his faith by getting the Citroen up to 100 mph or so, down hill of course. See if the Lord let's him live.

Thanks for the beautiful car pics!

[longship]

25. A Deux Chevaux going through a test drive.

From the only Roger Moore "James Bond" flick worth watching.

Enjoy.

[frazzled]

17. Apparently, the Secret Service doesn't allow presidents to drive themselves

But I think Obama has driven some ratty cars in his day. He's lived like the rest of us (or at times worse), so it's not like he doesn't know. According to his account:

I bought my first car for about $900. It had a big hole in the floor that allowed you to see the road, so I knew my wife wasn't marrying me for my money.

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/04/05/obama-on-personal-finance-first-car-had-a-big-hole-in-the-floo/

Our presidents, though they sometimes come from humble beginnings, live in splendor for the term of their office (though they walk away with plenty of gray hair for the privilege). And they're usually able to make a lot of dough from books and speaking engagements afterward.

Disclosure: I drive (when I drive, which is kind of rare since I can walk or take the bus/train most places) an almost 8-year-old Prius. I love it. It's not bulletproof, though.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. The truth, secret service does not let them drive

For fear they will hurt themselves.

Carter drove his detachment crazy by escaping, so did Reagan.

As to this Pope, I said it the day he was elected, liberation theologian who hid that aspect when the pushback came. Much of what he is doing and saying is very much that and a Jesuit view of the world.

Opus Dei is likely thinking schism as this point with the Dominicans. And yes, I am half kidding. Today he told the church to stop their fixation on abortion, and choice. He added to pay attention to those souls already here. I like this Pope.

[Recursion]

30. Sedevacantism is up already

It will be interesting to see how this plays out

[rl6214]

21. If only that were possible

[joshcryer]

24. White House = 18 acres, mostly grass. Vatican City = 110 acres, buildings and roads.

The President rides bikes, segways, golf carts, or walks on the White House grounds.



The Pope drives a car around his own personal city surrounded by luxury.

Let me know when he opens up the vaults and starts giving stuff away.

If he was driving one of these maybe you'd have a point:

[DemocraticWing]

29. Nice concept

Maybe Democratic politicians should take a vow of poverty like Catholic priests do?

[Recursion]

31. Are you kidding? The last President nearly killed himself on a Segway

Secret Service isn't letting any President near a vehicle he can steer for a while yet...