Dale Earnhardt Jr says, "Go See Fahrenheit 911"

[graham67]

They just announced this during the NASCAR pre-race show on Fox. Pretty cool, considering this sport is dominated by Republicans. Don't forget, his family is much-beholden to Jeb Bush for the Earnhardt law (autopsy photos) in Florida.



:thumbsup:

[Eloriel]

1. Oh, man. That's BIG.

Unbelievable.

[skooooo]

5. That is VERY big....

....the NASCAR contingent...omg....lol..unbelievable.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

2. Wow. What would be great is a F9/11 NASCAR car, with flaming logo.

[NMDemDist2]

toooo kewl! that would ROCK! eom

[graham67]

12. It costs a lot of money....

even a one-time sponsorship would cost a ton. They do this with movies frequently. An already-sponsored car carries the logo for the movie on its hood for one race. They've done it for Shrek 2, etc.

[Liberal Veteran]

3. Cool beans!

:)

[Fxmur]

Wow, thats really cool

Wow, Im really surprised something like that be said over such a conservative sport. Then again, Bush is not a conservative.

[Jade Fox]

27. No, he is not....

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

4. did he elaborate any???? eom

[graham67]

7. The announcers just talked about it....

Said that Dale Jr says that everyone should see it, regardless of their political beliefs.

[Must_B_Free]

40. Dale Jr. says it ,

I believe it,
That's all there is to it!
:bounce:

[cjbuchanan]

6. Good to hear

I hope a few folks who were not going to go will go now.

[StandUpGuy]

67. I just heard

That Hezbollah and the people of the ME are outraged that MM would except the endorsement of a Terrorist Sympathizer such as Ernhart Jr.

If he doesn't immediately denounce Ernhart Jr for supporting Jeb Bush and his movie there will be a boycott of this film in the entire middle east .

If you believe is good that redneck, truck driving patriot flag waivers vote for Kerry....

You might as well believe that Bushco and the corporate elite have decided that a United country behind a popular puppet is better than a divided country behind an unpopular puppet is better for business.
:tinfoilhat:

[gmoney]

8. Make room for the "NASCAR Dads"

I've never understood the appeal of NASCAR, but I'd wager a lot of them have lost jobs during thes past three years, or have family in the military risking their lives, if they haven't already been injured or worse.

Maybe Dale Jr. can help spread the word that the Repubs are NOT working for the benefit of blue-collar or working class families...

[Tansy_Gold]

69. NASCAR was boosted by the media when one or the other

of the "major" sports was going through a players' strike, owners' lockout, or whatever. Seeing a major loss of revenue -- ESPECIALLY FROM BEER COMPANIES -- the media decided to promote another sport that would appeal to beer drinkers.

:shrug:

The appeal, of course, lies in the fact that many beer drinkers drive cars (not necessarily at the same time, but not necessarily not at the same time) and can spend time imagining themselves to be Jeff Gordon or Dale Earnhardt or whoever. The media boost worked. As Bob Boudelang, who didn't throw up when he looked at the autopsy photos so stop saying that, would say, "WALA!"


Tansy Gold, having fun with complex syntax

[PROGRESSIVE1]

9. Did he actually say this?

[graham67]

13. He was quoted..

by one of the three announcers.

[Bombero1956]

10. yeah

But Junior is alot more open minded than the majority of drivers like Mikey Waltrip and Bill Elliott.

[obietiger]

43. and Rusty Wallace

:(

[proud patriot]

11. Cool

B-)

[madrchsod]

14. alright!!

he`s going to lose fans but i don`t think he cares-i wonder what his sponser thinks!!!!!!

[SheepyMcSheepster]

15. very cool

dale earnhardt sr. is as good as god with many of the people around where i live.

[Tellurian]

75. His father must be spinning...

He'd know what a Pandora's Box Jr. just opened..

[Gemini Cat]

16. Great!

The working class needs to know bush and his stupid policies aren't on their side.

[Ernesto]

17. Finally I have a NASCAR driver to root for!

I much prefer the NHRA, actually.

[graham67]

19. I love it all!

NHRA, NASCAR, ARCA, IRL, CART, Outlaws, it doesn't matter. :)

[rolodomo]

18. I heard that too and could not believe my ears...

I thought I heard other interesting comments attributed to him, like you should see it regardless of political belief?

Surprising, he's been apolitical in the past although I've read that he likes rap, hip-hop, and rock and roll.

[wryter2000]

20. Whoa!

That's one helluva an endorsement.

:yourock: DE, Jr.

[jokerman93]

21. He cares about the future of the sport

Bush, being the opportunist he is, has politicized Nascar, by co-opting its fan base as representing a fantasy stereotype of his die-hard political supporters.

This is bad for the sport. It's bad for business. And down the line it's bound to marginalize Nascar. I'm pretty sure he's pissed off more than a good number of people who've devoted their lives to the growth and popularity of this homegrown American sport.

Nascar fans ought to all turn around and tell Bush to kiss their collective ass, if they know what's good for them.

And I don't even LIKE Nascar.

[shraby]

25. Why do people consider NASCAR

dads conservative? Anyone who will drive a car almost 200 miles an hour around a track or advertise Viagra in my mind are anything but conservative.

[graham67]

30. Because the Nascar base begins in the south

Up until the last 10 years or so, the sport was predominantly in the south. Southern fans, southern drivers, southern tracks, etc. It's changing now. They're moving the races to tracks in the west and in the north. What I don't understand is why women are ignored, i.e. its all "Nascar dads". Women are the fastest growing demographic in this sport.

[Jane Eyre]

22. That is very big - 8th Cong. District is up for grabs then!

Dale Earnhardt Sr. is like a god in his home town Kannapolis, home of the now-defunct Pillowtex Mills which provided the whole reason for the town's being. The local minor-league baseball team is called "The Intimidators" after Dale Earnhardt's nickname.

Kannapolis is a very large part of the 8th Congressional District in North Carolina, a seat now held by Republican Robin Hayes who helped to send the town's textile jobs overseas. He has won by not-very-large margins the last couple of times. His challenger this time is a twenty-something beauty queen, Beth Troutman, who works on the staff of "The West Wing" and whose family owns a lot of businesses in the area.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. carries the mantle for his dad. If Dale Earnhardt Jr. is up against Dubya, it could literally mean a win in this congressional district. Oh man, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the "West Wing" beauty queen - well, whatever it takes! :-)

[Bluebear]

23. Dale Jr. also campaigned for Jeb Bush....

so before I order his T-shirt I want to see the F9/11 endorsement in print and find out more about it lol.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

24. Do you have a link?

[Bluebear]

32. Voila

http://www.nascar.com/2002/news/headlines/wc/11/05/dearnhardtjr_jeb/

[rolodomo]

33. I saw him recently criticize drivers who become too political

one way or the other because he thought no good came from it. Perhaps Earnharddt was trying to play it down the middle when he talked about F911.

Case in point regarding political drivers is Rusty Wallace, who showed up and assisted the GOP in registering Republicans outside the race track this season.

[bandy]

26. Ohhhhhhh!

My family will be so happy to hear this!!!!! He is an idol around here.

[gpandas]

28. just became a nascar fan rooting for earnhardt n/t

[rolodomo]

36. then today is a good day to watch...

the driver's will be severely tested today on the road course.

[gpandas]

46. didn't know they had a roadrace, i'll check it out.

[graham67]

47. It's in Sonoma on Fox

very fun to watch, considering most of these guys only know how to turn left. ;)

[PROGRESSIVE1]

29. Dale Jr. Supported Jeb in 2002, even after what Jeb did to the....

African American Community:

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/836/96146

read this:

"This is Dale Earnhardt Jr., and I want to let you all know how proud I am to support Jeb Bush. From everything I've read and listened to, it seems to me he has done a great job as Governor of the state of Florida. Jeb is a strong leader who isn't afraid to make the tough decisions. Agree or disagree with him, you always know where Jeb Bush stands. And Jeb Bush always does what he thinks is best for Florida. I hope you'll agree with me, and elect Jeb Bush, as Governor of Florida."

[graham67]

31. Jeb Bush...

also pushed hard for the Earnhardt law that prevented autopsy photos of this man's father from being published on the internet. I would say the family feels somewhat beholden.

[Cha]

45. jebby will be especially crushed to hear

Dale Jr recommended "Fahrenheit 9/11" to everyone ..know matter what your politics are. I'm sure jebby told his staff they could not see it ..just like the White House did.

Maybe Dale Jr saw some light in there?

[rolodomo]

50. deleted

[NMDemDist2]

34. will Jr be the "new" Jeff Gordon then? i sure hope not n/t

[bvar22]

35. That's a deeeep crack in the dam!!!!

I was watchinjg the pre-race show (OK OK I'm a fan) and was stunned by this announcement. The announcer (damn, can't remember his name) kinda forced it into the conversation (not totally out of the blue, but not really flowing either). His demeanor was respectful as he relayed the story about Dale Jr telling his crew to go see F911. This is not only an endorsement by Dale Jr, but an endorsement by the FOX TV Race staff as well. HUGE.

This needs to be spread. Dale Jr is a hero, an icon, and an idol to millions. Pick-up driving, confederate flag waveing, beer drinking good-ole-boys need to follow Dale Jrs advice.

[dolo amber]

38. You do realize

as much as I hate to say it, getting that crowd to change their colors on anything is next to impossible. The only thing I see happening here is fewer Dale Jr. fans...:eyes:

Hoping I'm wrong...:hi:

[w4rma]

37. Awesome! I'm glad to hear some of my good opinion of him confirmed. (nt)

[Skittles]

39. WHOA

that IS big.

[obietiger]

41. We knew he could drive

now we know he can think for himself!

[Bluebear]

42. If he later says "Yeah, I meant go see it but vote for Bush"...

don't be disappointed. I don't want to rain on anyone's parade but 'spreading this far and wide' may come back to bite you in the rear without knowing more about this 'endorsement'.

[graham67]

44. I never meant to imply with the original post

that Nascar was making a huge turnaround. I just thought it was a cool endorsement of the film. Most of the drivers keep their political beliefs to themselves. The kid who was sponsored by Bob Graham in the truck series didn't even know which party he was registered as.

[Bluebear]

48. I'm not calling you out. Folks are getting very excited though.

Heck, so am I, any publicity is great. I just mean that if folks take this as a Kerry endorsement they are getting ahead of themselves.

[graham67]

49. I agree...

I wouldn't read too much into it, other than Dale Jr thinks its a good film. I didn't think you were calling me out. :)

[no name no slogan]

55. The last NASCAR driver making an endorsement was Richard Petty

...and that was for George Wallace back in 1972, IIRC. It's highly unusual for those guys to speak out about politics, that's for sure.

[rolodomo]

51. Jr. spins out....pity

He could still finish pretty mid pack though if things go well from here on.

[graham67]

52. I don't think its hurt very bad...

but he's never been much of a road racer. He'll be lucky if he ends up in the 20's. :(

[rolodomo]

53. I know, why was he trying to hang w/ Robby at Sears Point!! (n/t)

[graham67]

56. My money's on Bobby Labonte

now that Robby crashed. :(

[Lefty48197]

54. This is huge

How are the righties gonna spin this?

[onehandle]

57. And the freeps attack...

One of them thinks they ruined the Dixie Chicks career. They don't have much of a grip on reality, do they?
________________________________

If we ruined the careers of the Dixie Chicks we can ruin the careers of Michael Moore and Dale Jr.

14 posted on 06/27/2004 1:43:34 PM PDT by pete anderson

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1161245/posts

[graham67]

58. LMFAO!

That's not going to happen.

[Individualist]

59. So true!

NASCAR fans adore Dale Jr.

[graham67]

60. I just read that thread at FR

Hello, reality check? He just likes the movie for God's sake. I didn't see him endorse John Kerry.

[Individualist]

64. Reality check?

I neither said nor implied that Dale Jr. had endorsed Kerry! One handle commented that freepers think they can destroy Dale, Jr., you then commented that's not going to happen, and I added "So true. NASCAR fans adore Dale Jr." Perhaps I need to spell it out for you :shrug:

Freepers overrate their impact, and there's no way in hell they can destroy the career of someone as popular as Dale Jr.

Do you understand now??

[jonnyblitz]

61. they think they ruined the careers of the dixie chicks.

man i just perused that fucking thread. one claims .."if we ruined the careers of the dixie chicks..we can ruin the career of..."

[graham67]

62. Good grief, they're out of their minds...

Calling someone a traitor for liking a film? :crazy:

[Bluebear]

63. That's how that wing works. No dissent.

[blueblitzkrieg]

65. Idiots over there

"How Dare the Kerry Campaign exploit not only Dale Jr. but the memory of his father by asking him to speak for Kerry to NASCAR Dads.

11 posted on 06/27/2004 1:38:31 PM PDT by pete anderson"

WTF? Since when is the Kerry campaign involved in Earnhardt Jr. saying people should see the film? Those people are insane.

[graham67]

66. It's the voices in their heads...

saying,

"Put on Drakkar Noir, take some Budweiser, rent an Enterprise car, go see Fahrenheit 9/11, and make sure you vote for John Kerry."

:D

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

70. Ruined the Careers of MM and TDChicks??!!

Dear Ghod...they just can't make enough Seroquel fast enough for those folks. To think, many of them own guns, too.

I wonder what it is like to hallucinate 24/7/365?

[EOTE]

74. Freerepublic, fascist and proud of it.

One of the posters saw the film and said that the second half was very moving. Apparently this was enough to get the poster banned. Free thinking persons indeed!

[St. Jarvitude]

68. How anti-NASCAR stereotypical of him!

Go Little Dale! :yourock:

[Shopaholic]

71. Anybody got an addy so we can write to Dale and thank him

or not being afraid to tell folks to see the movie--'cause I'm sure he's going to be hit with a wave of criticism over this.

[faithnotgreed]

72. theres a link on atrios site but i dont have it

[faithnotgreed]

73. wow. he must have really wanted to see it. the movie just came out!

[DaveSZ]

76. That's great!

I've always though of NASCAR as a redneck sport, rightly or wrongly, but I have new respect for Earnhardt now.

Does anyone know where we can email him to thank him?