Obama camp asks Secret Service to provide flexible fuel car

[ripple]

SANTA MONICA, CALIF. -- When Barack Obama's White House campaign learned last week the candidate would get Secret Service protection, "one of the first questions," said spokesman Robert Gibbs, was whether they could provide "a flexible fuel car."

It's not clear yet if the Secret Service will insist on gas guzzlers. "We're working with the Secret Service to find out what the possibilities are," Gibbs said.

The inquiry about the campaign car comes as Obama appears before the Detroit Economic Club today -- his first visit in Michigan as a presidential candidate -- to give what is being billed as a "tough love" speech to Motown automakers who have been resisting federal pressure to increase fuel efficiency.

The Illinois senator will propose in his energy speech "National Low Carbon Fuel Standard" legislation with the goal of reducing dependence on global-warming fossil fuels.

more: http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/374028,CST-NWS-sweetside07.article

[MaineProgressive]

1. Safety is priority #1

There is nothing fuel-efficient about presidential campaigning. The carbon footprint of a Suburban is nothing compared to jetting across the country everyday -- sometimes twice a day.

[hijinx87]

2. hardened vehicles and fuel efficiency are mutually exclusive concepts

I suggest he err on the side of safety.

[Tejanocrat]

3. Obama asked for a flex fuel vehicle, not a fuel efficient vehicle. Here's what they look like:

Obama is smart enough to know that you don't have to compromise safety to promote flex fuel.

[MaineProgressive]

4. oops

I stand corrected. Thanks Tejanocrat! :)