If this Monday morning finds you at your desk, I'm betting you won't be participating in this year's Sturgis Rally, which kicks off today in South Dakota.
Half debauched biker fantasy, half grimy reality, it's difficult to sift through the crowds, the hype, and the traffic to see what makes Sturgis one of America's great motorcycle events... but I think we can all agree that it's hard to criticize folks for being rowdy and riding.
This year's festivities will have a curious twist, according to the Huffington Post: sandwiched between the bikes, beauty queens, and Kid Rock, Republican presidential candidate John McCain will appear in a tribute to American veterans. If anything, It'll be fun to see how a serious, buttoned down politico handles all that leather and booze...
Top Photo © Max Whittaker/Stringer/Getty Images
Bottom Photo © Scott Olson/Getty Images
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McCain will love his visit to the Buffalo Chip at Sturgis. He’s scheduled to appear from 7:30pm to 8:45pm. Happy hour ($1 drafts) runs from 9am to 5pm. The Miss Buffalo Chip Beauty Pageant (bikinis and lingerie, but essentially topless) begins at 5:30pm, with a second show at 8:15pm, sharing the same stage with McCain. And the “Ringin’ Wet & Wild” women wrestlers appear at 7pm on the main stage. (The Buffalo Chip site says at least one of the wrestlers is also a porn star.)
I live just 200 miles from Sturgis. Perhaps I’ll drive over there today and see my next President.
Bob,
If you head down there, PLEASE report back!
Basem
This should be interesting. I’m sure the press will follow him to this.
“Miss Buffalo Chip” ?? I’m sure Obama will have a real good time with a few pics of McCain with a topless “Miss Buffalo Chip”
That’s assuming of course he can stand that sort of shock at his age….The Hanoi Hilton was a long time ago.
I think the USA is in trouble if he ends up the next President, although the odds of him beating Obama are slim and zero.
The Chip is a great place for Senator McCain to visit. Overall bikers are a very patriotic lot… who are very proud Americans…. You can see American Flags are flying everywhere! Unofficially, I think this is a very libertarian (independent) crowd who will appreciate the Senator stopping by to chat, and there are a ton vets here.
Pete – Just keep underestimating the old war vet. He,they will surprise you every time. Is Obama too good for all those bikers,common folk clinging to their guns, religion and bikes. Or is it the veterans and active military folks he can not be seen with? It would not be the first time, would it?
great idea it will followed by everyone else..keep it up!
A vet visting some vets, good idea.
Pete,
Not a huge fan of either candidate, but Obama’s whirl wind tour last month should have put him in the 60+% realm in the polls, but he’s still even. I think you’ll see the rock star status star to wane.
I’m thinking the Sturgis crowd is 75% for McCain
I barely have patience (thus knowledge) for the politics in my country much less anyone else’s – that said, American politics is very hard to avoid / ignore this side of the 49th.
I applaud McCains service in the unpopular war to end unpopular wars – and – what he went through in that God forsaken sxxx-hole of a country. Fighter & attack pilots were not well treated by the NVA….
I think the only worry for American voters should be his age. He’ll be 72(?) when / if he get’s elected. If ever there was a job for a younger person, that has to be it. The pressure must be unbearable at times! Whatever happens, at least Bush will be out of your hair!!
The only support, McCain can get is from military audiences, and a bunch of over the hill Cretin men, who dropped out of High School, grew pony tails, (40 years after the fact), Spent alot of money on tattoos’ and think they’re HD’S vote for them!
hey pete
you really might take a good lood at obama he wins and you better think about putting pedals on your bike.
Great,,,, now they turn Sturgis into a political event.
McCain ought to fit right in amongst my Brothers
At least you feel comfortable talking with the guy.
The elitist tag that has stuck to Obama makes him appear totally un approachable to the average Joe on the street. He is way way up there up up and away above the fray, so to speak. folks who pilot a ride without two additional left wheels are the sort who appreciate a man who has seen his share of s***. And no doubt a War veteran and hero such as McCain will be welcomed hands down.
jim exum
carrboro NC
‘Oh and one more thing about McCains visit to the Black Hills,…don’t let him take his wife to see the wheel barrow races , it could shock the poor woman.
jim
Carrboro NC
The ‘other’ guy in the article is Arlen Strehlow from Milwaukee. If you go to the HD museum you will see his story. ‘The guy with the horns’ was a fixture at many HD events all over the country.
Arlen passed away several years ago. I miss waving to him as he passed by on the road.