posted
Let's keep the politics out of this topic, but does there appear any chance "OB" or "RR" will make use of a train during the last 60 or so days of the campaign?
I doubt it.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Obama---I think he'll use Amtrak again in some form or another. The media coverage it got is what he lives for.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Advantage to be gained by either candidate with a whistlestop tour - Nil
I would not be surprised if we have seen the last bona fide campaign train...... at least in a Presidential campaign.
Might see special trains used to ferry the faithful to the inauguration ceremonies however.
For the record - I had wondered this very thing a couple of weeks ago but didn't follow through and start a thread about it. Just didn't have the stomach for anything that might conjure partisan politicking.......
A wee poem if you will -
I will not politic on a boat I will not poilitic with a goat I will not poilitic on a train I will not politic in the rain
You vote your vote and I'll vote mine - Keep it friendly and we'll all be fine.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
I hope that one of them has a whistlestop run, just so a political prankster can signal the engineer to highball at the very moment that the candidate begins his speech. It happened to Nixon.
Democratic prankster Dick Tuck dressed up as a conductor and gave the highball signal at just the opportune moment.
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
The most reasonable area to use the campaign train if the idea is to be face to face with the largest number of people would be in the northeast corridor area but I will be surprised if it happens there for a few reasons:
First campaigns tend to be most heavily done in the toss up areas, and I think both would consider the northeast fairly well Obama territory. On the other hand, that might be a reason for O to do it here as adoring crowds will play well in the TV cameras.
Second the disruption to everything that the security issues will bring on. The Secret service (is there any irony in their initials being SS?) Their thought process seems to be, yes, we know we are paranoid, but are we paranoid enough? Due to the level of security involved.
I see less likelihood of R using a campaign train, as I see him having less to gain from doing so. However, as a candidate instead of a sitting president the security level would probably be much less.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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Just didn't have the stomach for anything that might conjure partisan politicking.......
Agreed, Notelvis. Discussions that may start on a subject somewhat related to Amtrak seem to go quickly downhill into the political morass where no ones opinion is going to change.
First person Amtrak experiences and insight into their operations are what interests me on this forum.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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