NASCAR Dads

Over the last few days, particularly since the run-up to the Daytona 500 today, I've been seeing more and more articles in the political realm that refer to the looming importance of the NASCAR Dad in the upcoming election. For the uninitiated, the NASCAR Dad is a white male who generally votes Republican, but can be convinced to vote Democrat depending on the issues and positions. NASCAR Dads are most prevelent in the South and the Midwest.

Alright we have a nice clinical definition of the NASCAR Dad, but why is he going to be so important and every bit as importantly, is he recognized by both sides?

To answer the second question first, he has been recognized by both parties. Bush has obviously recognized the NASCAR Dad with his show at the Daytona 500 today. Circling the track with Air Force One; having his motorcade drive along the track; spending 2 hours at the race. Bush's trip was meant as much to watch the race as it was to reinforce to the NASCAR Dad just how in tune the President's beliefs are with his own.

Howard Dean also made an obtuse sort of reference to the NASCAR Dad when he suggested that he wanted to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags and gun racks in their pickup trucks. He was attempting to reach out to NASCAR Dad, but at the same demostrated a complete lack of understanding about what makes him tick. And with his backtracking and waffling on his statement, Dean completely lost any hope of garnering the vote of the NASCAR Dad.

What the Democrats seem to be missing about the NASCAR Dad is that issues really are important. Schtick, like Dean's anger streak, is seen as being transparent. Defense is important. Integrity is important. Being plain spoken is important. Patriotism, fiscal responsibility, and decision making are all important.

But while the NASCAR Dad likes a leader who can make a quick, difficult decision and then stick to it, even in the face of consequences, he will not make a snap decision of his own about who his choice for President will be. I believe that one of the reasons that we are still seeing such a large undecided component in the polls is because of the importance of the NASCAR Dad this election. He is not willing to commit to any candidate until he's heard all the positions and all the issues.

Now just because Bush seems to fare well in all the important issues to the NASCAR Dad does not mean that the President will automatically get his vote. The NASCAR Dad has concerns about Bush, particularly when it comes to the budgets that have been proposed. The tax cuts were a good idea and helped to stimulate the economy. But then Bush went a massive spending spree, chock full of questionable spending items. And that fiscal irresponsibility has made put the NASCAR Dad vote for Bush in question.

But how would the Democratic contenders stack up?

Kerry wouldn't fare too well with the NASCAR Dad. His military record would be a neutral item. His commitment to defense can be legitimately questioned based on his voting record. His integrity is questionable, again based on his voting record, too many flip-flops. Straight talking? Uh-uh. But given the right issues that have yet to emerge in this election, he still has an outside chance of garnering a decent portion of the NASCAR Dad vote - which might be all he needs.

Edwards would probably connect best with the NASCAR Dad crowd. Edwards is from the same stock as most NDs. He doesn't have the voting record of Kerry to search for inconsistencies. Being a trial lawyer works against him, but he may be able to make enough of a personal level connection to nullify the President's advantages.

Dean really has no hope with the NASCAR Dad crowd. It was Howard Dean that really invoked the NASCAR Dad and it was he that showed the least in the way of character traits that might be desirable to the ND. His anger seems to be a charade, designed to tap into the resentment against political correctness felt by the average white male. His positions were about as far out of line with the NASCAR Dad's as was possible.

So while Bush hasn't sewn it up, the odds don't look all too hot for the other guys either. Like the soccer moms who helped to elect Bill Clinton, it will be the NASCAR Dads who elect or re-elect the winner of this next election.

Bush made the first real attempt of reaching out to the NASCAR Dads today and I'm guessing that it will pay dividends for him down the road. Whereas Kerry comes off as an aloof elitest, and Edwards as a slick trial lawyer, Bush can actually end up coming off as a man not all that dissimilar to the NASCAR Dad.

But ultimately it will still come down to issues and leadership. Being a man of the people is not the same as being a leader of the people. Talking like the people want to hear is useless unless you act in a similar vein.

Today in Daytona they ran The Great American Race, but another great race also started today - the race for the votes of the NASCAR Dad. How will the father/son parallel play out in the election? Earnhardt, Jr. followed in his father's footsteps by winning the 500. Will Bush chalk up another victory? Or will he become a one-termer like his father?

It's looking more and more like the NASCAR Dad will decide.