John McCain and Sarah Palin get special biker offer

MEDIA, Pa. -- When Sen. John McCain campaigned at a motorcycle rally last month in Sturgis, S.D., he joked that he'd urged his wife, Cindy, to enter the semi-nude "Miss Buffalo Chip" beauty contest.

The burly bikers gathered there gunned their engines loudly in appreciation.

On Monday, McCain offered to pack his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, onto a custom chopper and drive her to Washington to “raise hell.” The response this time was applause and laughter.

The occasion was a McCain-Palin rally that drew several thousand people to the courthouse square here. As usual, Palin spoke first, and she stoked the crowd by repeatedly praising McCain's leadership, especially on the war in Iraq.

Then the GOP's vice presidential nominee announced a surprise for McCain.

Heavy metal music thundered from loudspeakers. Then, barrel-chested, blond-haired, grandly tattooed Paul Teutel slowly rode a gleaming, cream-colored chopper up a ramp and onto the stage, followed by sons Paul Jr. and Mikey. The crowd cheered at the sight.

The trio are best known as the constantly squabbling stars of Orange County Choppers, a custom motorcycle company based in central New York state (no, not the other Orange County) that is featured on "American Chopper," a long-running reality TV show on the Discovery Channel.

Paul Sr., a Vietnam veteran, climbed off the bike and leaned over to the microphone. The chopper, he said, was a special POW-MIA tribute, referring to prisoners of war and missing in action. “How many people out there love their country and the military?” he asked.

Satisfied that enough did, he noted that McCain suffered as a POW in Vietnam and said, “This bike represents that. All the people who have been POW-MIA, this bike represents that.”

McCain, standing to one side, grinned wildly. “Marvelous,” he enthused, after grabbing the mike. “Sarah and I are going to get on that chopper and ride it right to Washington and raise hell when we get there.”

A campaign aide said later that Orange County Chopper normally hauls the chopper to special memorials and “support our troops” events. It will continue to serve as such a tribute –- unless McCain borrows it to ride up to Capitol Hill next January.

-- Bob Drogin

Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[eh]

I'm glad to know what Paul Teutel thinks of this Presidential contest. He ranks right up there with Volker and Krugman, and I'm sure he has given a lot of thought about the economic hardships that are facing this country.

[Frieda]

As an Iranian American I was proud that Gov. Palin took a stand for Iranian Women in Iran. Most American politicians mention Iran with the issue of "nuclear power", but no one mentions about the grave situation the women in Iran have.

EXCERTPS:

"Not even Iranian citizens are safe from their government's threat to those who want to live, work, and worship in peace. Politically-motivated abductions, torture, death by stoning, flogging, and amputations are just some of its state-sanctioned punishments. It is said that the measure of a country is the treatment of its most vulnerable citizens. By that standard, the Iranian government is both oppressive and barbaric. Under Ahmadinejad's rule, Iranian women are some of the most vulnerable citizens. If an Iranian woman shows too much hair in public, she risks being beaten or killed. If she walks down a public street in clothing that violates the state dress code, she could be arrested. But in the face of this harsh regime, the Iranian women have shown courage. Despite threats to their lives and their families, Iranian women have sought better treatment through the "One Million Signatures Campaign Demanding Changes to Discriminatory Laws." The authorities have reacted with predictable barbarism. Last year, women's rights activist Delaram Ali was sentenced to 20 lashes and 10 months in prison for committing the crime of "propaganda against the system." After international protests, the judiciary reduced her sentence to "only" 10 lashes and 36 months in prison and then temporarily suspended her sentence. She still faces the threat of imprisonment."

That's why we need to elect a women for the White House..

Link: http://www.governorpalin.blogspot.com

[IowaChild]

At least Paul Teutel loves this country and sacrificed for it. That's more than I can say for some of the America-bashing Obama supporters.

[Monique Myers]

Never, EVER underestimate the STUPIDITY of the American electorate seems to be the Republicans mantra. McSame should have had Chuck Norris there telling tales about how he was sent in to rescue McSame. Ted Nugent could rallied the crowd with a thundering version of Great White Buffalo while Six Gun Sarah played like Annie Oakley at the side of the stage.

WTF is happening to our country?

[jonjay]

some may doubt the capabilities and the qualifications of sarah palin to the vp post but the more we should doubt the capabilities, the qualifications, the wisdom and the adeptness of barack...lets all wake up, he's running for the presidency of the united states...lets not be deceived....

[Membery]

Oh America what have we become? It's so bad that we don't even realize how absurd we are anymore.

[Tru Blu]

McSame and Palin are a threat to our Constitution, our economy, the environment, our national security, women's rights and our standing in the world. A vote for McSame/Palin is a worse choice than the idiotic bumbling politics of Bush/Cheney. Wake up and vote Obama/Biden!

[pitbullstew]

point of order here?
I understood he was in the Merchant Marines? That he sailed to Vietnam?
The Pow- scooter? Its not a veteran, its steel and chrome, it is an icon, a false God.
This simply grand standing show boating is ego centrisical.
In some parts of the country? This sort of politicing is tacky.

[Cal Godot]

WTF is happening to our country?

We have entered the fascist phase of our national evolution. Whether liberal or conservative, this election is about selecting a "strong leader" who will guide our corporate-controlled state as it generates fear and uncertainty in both the electorate and the world. The fear and uncertainty justify the growth of the State machine, which will continue to churn out such "leadership" and grind out any opposition. Meanwhile a significant portion of the citizenry enjoy such bread and circuses, and joined with those who will play along they comprise an almost-majority. The oppressive State manages to generate a lot of apathy along with the fear, which compels a good third or more of the citizens away from expressing their voices at the voting booth. This lives a thinning minority to struggle against a growing plurality, the latter of which is served by politicians who care only about personal gain. McCain or Obama - take your pick: it is merely a choice of what flavor of fascism you'll enjoy for the next decade or more.

[Tom Cochran]

NO THIRD TERM! NO THIRD TERM! NO THIRD TERM! NO THIRD TERM! NO THIRD TERM! NO THIRD TERM! NO THIRD TERM! NO THIRD TERM! NO THIRD TERM! NO THIRD TERM! NO THIRD TERM! NO THIRD TERM! NO THIRD TERM! NO THIRD TERM! NO THIRD TERM! NO THIRD TERM! NO THIRD TERM! NO THIRD TERM!

[rob]

Style not substance. What did I tellya?

[blacksuri]

Anyone who watched their program on a regular basis would know that Paul Teutel was NOT a VietNam veteran.

While building the POW-MIA bike, the show failed to explain how he was able to avoid the military during that time period. Perhaps he got the same deferments that Dick Cheney had.

[carolyne]

Yea! vote MCCAIN/PALIN 2008 AND BEYOND!

A TRUE GOD SEND, SO RAISE HELL IN WASHINGTON.

GO BIKERS!

[bcarter]

I'd like to see McCain and Palin ride into D.C. on a Harley. Honestly, McCain doesn't strike me as a biker—I'd like to see him prove me wrong, and Harley-Davidson could use the endorsement. Last I heard sales were down for the Motor Company.

[steve rodriguez]

Obama is so not ready to become president it's painful!

[worriedsick]

I love this country but frankly, I am scared to death of it. I am moving to Switzerland at first chance.

[Team America]

Liberal coastal elites don't seem to understand the country as a whole. It's not that many Americans are stupid, it's just they have a few things that are very, very important to them.

Obama may win, but like it or not Palin strikes a chord with most Americans.

[Straight Talk]

For IowaChild,
John McCain is the only America basher. As a POW John McCain made an anti-American propaganda film for the North Vietnamese. Paul Teutel while as thick as a two by four never sunk that low. Guess what, neither Barak Obama nor Joe Biden have made anti-American propaganda films either. Only your beloved GWB wannabe has sullied America in such a manner.
Facts are facts.

[Bill]

Cool. I love McCain, Palin, and Orange County Choppers. All real Americans!

[techlady44]

As a soldier's MOM, I am so proud of John McCain. He embodies what true patriotism and service to country means. Obama wasn't even a boy scout! He has given nothing to this country. Service to ACORN you say? That's part of the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac problem, not to mention all the funds he realized from that situation. Obama, Dodd, Frank---they are all part of the problem---open your eyes before it's too late.

[Bikeratthechip]

I was at the Buffalo Chip to experience McCains visit. I would have to say that he did alright - my fellow bikers and I werent an easy crowd to please -

I'll tell you -- even though I had to go through the security measures to be ten feet from the stage, it was well worth it.

thanks for making the trip to the Rally and to South Dakota McCain and team!

[Michel de Rooij]

LOL. Economic disaster struck, let's talk about bikes. Also, McCain is nog elegible for choppers; he's way past his mid-life crisis ..