Ugh. This Wisconsin boy hates Harleys.

This is a great attack on John McCain's so-called commitment to America by painting him as a puppet toy of foreign interests.

Obama = protectionism

It will be particularly interesting to see whether/how the campaign gets this out at Harley Fest (in Milwaukee, home of Harley, later this month), which 100,000 or more bikers are expected to attend . . .

Personally, I think Harley's are great.

McLame = NAFTA+maximized outsourcing+insane corporate welfare

Obama = some restraint on this so-called free trade and these so-called free markets - none of which are remotely free.

For several years I lived 1/2 a block from the oldest Harley dealer in the world, Dudley-Perkins. Once or twice a year a rally of several dozen Harleys would all arrive together. My house literally shook. No forgetting that sound. They have it trademarked.

I think Harley Davidson demographics these days are much closer to McCain's than Obama's.

hmm...i wonder if its a coincidence that all these agressive ads are coming out the week obama takes a vacation.

they're either compensating for the fact that he's not out campaigning, or they're doing it so he can remain "above the fray".

or, they would have been released whether or not he was on vacation and i should stop overthinking things.

I think this is quite effective since it seeks to undercut McCain's running on his theme of American patriotism. How patriotic can McCain really be if he's sent American jobs overseas to foreign companies in France, Germany, China, and Mexico?

"But those would be purchased by state, not the federal government. There is no way the federal government could mandate what kind of bikes states buy."

I can not speak for "most" law enforcement practices, but everywhere I have lived, they bought and maintained their own. In many places there were mutterings when HD had major economic troubles, and city councils and state officials wanted to make sure they weren't riding Yamahas, or whatever. But, a little checking might be in order to see just who is buying the two wheelers that road.

The add works on one level with Harley people, they are very strong BUY American people.

In fact the normal term for Asian bikes is rice burners .....

So the add will resonate on the gut level for many.

I couldn't agree more. This California boy loathes Harleys.
Just a bunch of fat old guys or wannabe "rebels" riding around on motorcycles with altered exhaust systems. They don't care how loud they are or how it affects the quality of life with the noise pollution. Can you say selfish? I wish the police would take the time to ticket these idiots.
Double UGH, get rid of them all.

Brand loyalty gone wild.

One question you will never have to ask:

"Um, do you own a Harley-Davidson?"

Harleys are terrible motorcycles. They are horribly overweight, badly braked, ancient in their motor and frame design, and worst of all, there is hardly one model in the entire line-up which allows a safe seating position, a position which allows the rider to un-weight the seat, or stand on the pegs, to shift his weight. Combined with their inadequate ground clearance, this majes them almost deadly in any situtation which requires quick handling or reduced traction.
They are horribly overpriced. as much as three times a bike with equal performance from a foreign maker. And they are not too reliable, and have a terrible record of re-calls.
Believe me, I have gone down to the dealership many times, test ridden and tried, really hard to find something nice to say. But the fact is, I am ashamed to be seen on one, in that silly feet-forward position. It's scary how little control you have.

Too many "cultural liberals" here need to get over their personal disdain for motorcycles and read what Greg said above because this is the key gut issue here, even if the "free traders" here don't get it:

The standard Dem effort to turn GOP patriotism attacks on their head by painting Republican trade policies as anti-American worker has generally met with mixed success. But with the economy topping the list of voter concerns, particularly in industrial swing states, it's possible that such attacks will land on more fertile ground this time around.

I'd hit it even harder. It's time call out the "patriotic" flag-wavers who turn around on a dime and say that the country owes you nothing in terms of jobs. It's a two-way street. Good on Obama for making this point, which Kerry never would touch.