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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.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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Romney---highly doubtful.
Obama---I think he'll use Amtrak again in some form or another. The media coverage it got is what he lives for.
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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Romney - No.
Obama - Yes, with crazy Joe B. pushing him.
notelvis Member # 3071
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Romney - No
Obama - Maybe
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.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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Given that Romney has vowed to cut Amtrak funding, I doubt it! But Obama has at least injected some funds so maybe there is potential there.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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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.
George Harris Member # 2077
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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.
palmland Member # 4344
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quote:Originally posted by notelvis:
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.
RR4me Member # 6052
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quote:Originally posted by palmland:
First person Amtrak experiences and insight into their operations are what interests me on this forum. [/QB]
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