The 44th President of the United States is Barack Obama. It was a glorious victory for African Americans and liberals alike. If anyone wanted to give 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. back to the Democrats it was the voters, and they did so last night. Obama came in strong with 324 Electoral Votes to McCain’s 147. The Illinois senator won Ohio, PA and Virginia – battleground states each candidate needed to secure victory.

But President Elect Obama has some hefty shoes to fill – the economy is in a downward spiral, jobs are being cut everywhere, especially in the automotive manufacturing plants of America’s Midwest. Gas prices are coming down, but still not at the rates we’re accustomed to paying. Obama said he will create jobs – and now more than ever do many states, including those battlegrounds of Ohio and Pennsylvania, need employment. Or are the massive car giants already too far gone? Will dealerships continue to combine or disappear from the face of the earth? Will a new tax plan help or hurt factories and dealer lots? Today, the democratic party and Obama can celebrate, they deserve it. On January 20th, 2009 a four year upward battle will begin. “Baptism by fire.”

Are your political views obvious through your everyday activities? How about in the automobile you drive? Generally, do you tend to be attracted by an American made, larger than anyone needs SUV or four-door pick up? Or are you seduced by the lure of excellent gas mileage and lack of acceleration? How about those who fall somewhere between neo-con and crazed lefty? What does your car say about your political views – and which will you vote for if given the opportunity to chose a political mobile?

Conservative Candidate – 2008 Lincoln Navigator SUV

With all this talk of pork barrel spending, the bailing out of large financial institutions and  a depressed job market, isn’t it a perfect time to drop money into a humongous automobile? With starting prices around $46,000 and a city MPG rating of 12 (thanks to the powerful V8, which produces 230 hp at 4000 RPMs), the Lincoln Navigator may be luxurious, but you probably won’t find your average tree hugger behind the wheel. But what does your Navigator say about you? Are you power hungry, maybe you just like sitting higher up in traffic?

In all honesty, the Lincoln Navigator is far from the definition of “conservative” – in fact it’s quite an embellishment. One can say people who make decisions based on morals and values like to show off just how big and powerful their morals are.

Liberal Candidate – Hybrid – 2010 Honda Insight

Honda’s upcoming 2010 Insight is a Liberal Democrat’s dream on wheels – from the suspected 45+ miles per gallon to it’s under $20,000 price tag – anyone who thinks with their budget and the environment in mind will love this evolved Toyota Prius. Like the new Democratic candidate, Insight is new on the block, and has a lot to prove before anyone can take it seriously.

Independent/Middle Ground Candidate- 2008 Nissan Rogue

Crossovers are all the rage in today’s auto industry. They allow drives to experience a good rate of fuel economy, roomy interior and a starting price around the low to mid 20,000′s, it’s truly a safe bet for your family.

2008′s Nissan Rogue has been rated one of the top crossover family vehicle by the people
who know family: Parents Magazine. You can’t beat the safety ratings of 9 out of 10 frontal crash, 10 out of 10 on side impact, and 4 out of 5 rollover. It’s the car for you average moderate, your working family who wants to stay hip, wants to drive a large, safe vehicle, wants to not spend 100+ at the pump every week.

You have your options: are you obsessed with power, impressed by fuel mileage, or only concerned with getting to work and taxiing the kids? One thing we all hope for – is that your choice will last more than 4 years.