Conservative Party Sponsors Race Car

[August1991]

The federal Conservatives, who are awash in cash after several years of successful fundraising, are sponsoring a car on the Canadian NASCAR circuit.

Following the lead of Tim Hortons, Home Hardware and Milwaukee Electric Tool, the white No. 29 car in the Canadian Tire auto-racing series now sports a big blue "C" on its hood and side panels.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Canadian Heritage Minister Bev Oda, Government House Leader Peter Van Loan and Immigration Minister Diane Finley were joined by nearly a dozen Conservative MPs at a racetrack east of Toronto yesterday to watch their party's car do the laps.

G & M

Call me old-fashioned but I think this is a dumb idea.

First, what if that car crashes or comes last. Second, what does this say about the seriousness of the Tories' environment policy? Third, how many people in Canada follow NASCAR racing (Vs. how many who don't)?

The only positive point is that this "sponsorship" will attract attention. Except for younger voters, the Tories are not a new product entering the market. The Tories don't need attention-grabbing stunts (except for younger voters or immigrants).

The Tories may share demographics with Tim Horton's and Canadian Tire but that doean't mean they should imitate publicity strategies.

[margrace]

I am a big Nascar fan but I never can understand the American Army sponsoring a car. Especially when the war costs so much. I can't believe that the Conservatives are such idiots. Another one for the idiot people who plan things aye.

[Fortunata]

The Cons have lots of money and are throwing it around. If they spend wildly at the party level people may see that as a party that can't be trusted with taxpayer's money (the budget is a good example). It may backfire on them.

Other than that, Steve is only paying lip service to the environment. The car is just one more indicator of this.

[Remiel]

Something seems fundamentally wrong about doing something like that. Almost feels like theft from the people who donate to them.

Next thing you know one of the parties will think its a good idea to field an NHL hockey team... and then the madness really begins...

[Michael Bluth]

Seems like more of an appeal to the Tim Horton's crowd.

Don't know how it could backfire on them.

The goal is to solidify the base and encourage those supporters to come out and vote.

Of course the Rosedale crowd will pooh pooh the idea.

Imagine a political party daring to not appeal to them.

[Mad_Michael]

Canadian NASCAR circuit?

I didn't even know we had one of those!

It is new? Or has it always been invisible?

[noahbody]

How soon they forget:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...s_name=&no_ads=

[Michael Bluth]

How soon they forget:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...s_name=&no_ads=

Noah, this is using Conservative Party of Canada funds, not taxpayer money.

Therefore it is somehow worse.

[Who's Doing What?]

I like it. Innovative move by the CPC.

[Fortunata]

Maybe they can get their own brand of beer for those who sit around and watch those races on tv.

[Leafless]

Maybe they can get their own brand of beer for those who sit around and watch those races on tv.

I have been drinking PC Honey Red ever since the Conservatives won the last election.

[jdobbin]

The only positive point is that this "sponsorship" will attract attention. Except for younger voters, the Tories are not a new product entering the market. The Tories don't need attention-grabbing stunts (except for younger voters or immigrants).

The Tories may share demographics with Tim Horton's and Canadian Tire but that doean't mean they should imitate publicity strategies.

This is sort of like the Tory strategy in Manitoba where they said they would get the Jets back. It struck a chord with younger voters and they increased their votes with the young but with women voters, it was a huge turn-off.

As several women who were interviewed in Manitoba said about the Tories and their Jets strategy: "They just don't get it." It is probably going to be true with this promotion. Appeals to their base but doe little to expand their support.

[Michael Bluth]

Maybe they can get their own brand of beer for those who sit around and watch those races on tv.

Is there something wrong with people who sit around and drink beer while they watch NASCAR?

Something tells me you think there is.

Do you dislike their choice of entertainment? Choice of beverage?

Are they somehow defective for what they choose to watch and drink?

[cowtown]

Canadian NASCAR circuit?

I didn't even know we had one of those!

It is new? Or has it always been invisible?

NASCAR bought CASCAR in Sept. 06. Its now called the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.

NASCAR's Canadian television ratings

NASCAR is the No. 1 televised motorsport in Canada. The 2006 Daytona 500 was the most watched motorsport race in TSN history with a national average audience of 568,000 viewers.

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series

I think it may be a good move (time will tell).

in the United States, NASCAR racing ranks second in television ratings only to professional football, and its fans have long been thought to favour the Republican Party.

autos.canada.com

Maybe the CPC are hoping this is true in Canada as well.

[Michael Bluth]

in the United States, NASCAR racing ranks second in television ratings only to professional football, and its fans have long been thought to favour the Republican Party.

autos.canada.com

Maybe the CPC are hoping this is true in Canada as well.

I agree it's a good move.

Something tells me that Canadian NASCAR fans would tend to skew to the CPC.

I don't think NASCAR will ever become #2 among sports fans in Canada. Pretty much a given hockey will always be number 1. I'm pretty sure the NFL is number 2 and the CFL is somewhere ahead of CASCAR at the moment.

[Who's Doing What?]

Something tells me that Canadian NASCAR fans would tend to skew to the CPC.

LMAO Too easy.

[Fortunata]

Maybe they can get their own brand of beer for those who sit around and watch those races on tv.

Is there something wrong with people who sit around and drink beer while they watch NASCAR?

Not that I know of. Is there?

Something tells me you think there is.

Really, what tells you that? A little birdy? Your imagination? You had a dream?

Do you dislike their choice of entertainment? Choice of beverage?

No, neither. I neither care what people watch nor what they drink.

Are they somehow defective for what they choose to watch and drink?

Hmmmmm, sounds like you think they must be or else why ever did you come up with this? Just in an extra mean mood today or something RB?

[jdobbin]

Looks like what the Tories are trying to do is buy favourable headlines on Bourque's website. It is his car the Tories are sponsoring.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...18?hub=Politics

As the Inside Track story states: "Bourque's popular Bourque Newswatch site is on the daily 'must-see' list of favourites for Canadian news and political junkies."

Research on the business model for Bourque Newswatch suggests the federal Conservative party has just guaranteed itself favourable coverage for the foreseeable future by sponsoring Bourque's hobby.

Past and current Bourque clients have confirmed to The Canadian Press that advertisers on the site can expect flattering headlines or links, or headlines and links denigrating their opponents.

The Conservative party refuses to confirm or deny that it employs Bourque's headline service directly. But months of negative headlines and links to scathing blogs about Liberal Leader Stephane Dion on Bourque Newswatch indicate someone with an axe to grind is paying the news aggregator, which openly advertises its headline service for sale.

Ah, yes. The old dirty politics game.

[Michael Bluth]

Is there something wrong with people who sit around and drink beer while they watch NASCAR?

Not that I know of. Is there?

Something tells me you think there is.

Really, what tells you that? A little birdy? Your imagination? You had a dream?

The general tone of your post. Why else would you mention beer?

Seemed pretty snide and condescending.

[Fortunata]

The general tone of your post. Why else would you mention beer?

Seemed pretty snide and condescending.

Not at all. At first I thought popcorn but more adults watch car racing than kids (I think) so probably more adults would prefer a beverage than popcorn .... aha, beer. Beer - sports, sports - beer. You see how that thought process worked? Pretty innocent really. You like to think the worst of anyone who doesn't share your political viewpoint.

[Michael Bluth]

Not at all. At first I thought popcorn but more adults watch car racing than kids (I think) so probably more adults would prefer a beverage than popcorn .... aha, beer. Beer - sports, sports - beer. You see how that thought process worked? Pretty innocent really. You like to think the worst of anyone who doesn't share your political viewpoint.

I didn't say anything about your political viewpoint.

If you didn't mean it snidely I apologize.

If you pretended to take offence to what I said simply to start a fight. Have fun.

[M.Dancer]

As someone who is involved in marketing and media, I think it is a bad idea. As one poster already asked, "canadian nascar?".....

if it doesn't get national broadcast attention then the value of the sponsorship is low, regardless of whether the car comes in first, last or otherwise.

I think the best possible marketing they could do is to promote policies that are applauded by the majority of candaians and spend the money of public relations promoting those policies.

[Fortunata]

Looks like what the Tories are trying to do is buy favourable headlines on Bourque's website. It is his car the Tories are sponsoring.

...

Ah, yes. The old dirty politics game.

Not the Cons! They'd never do anything dirty.

I didn't say anything about your political viewpoint.

If you didn't mean it snidely I apologize.

If you pretended to take offence to what I said simply to start a fight. Have fun.

1. You didn't have to, it's well known

2. I accept

3. I didn't take offense at all; I know how you work. Ta ta.

And now back to the feature presentation....

[Michael Bluth]

3. I didn't take offense at all; I know how you work. Ta ta.

And now back to the feature presentation....

Very clever.

Since we both know how the other works, I applaued your snideness madam.

Managed to slip in beer and popcorn so smoothly the hick cons didn't catch it!

[Canuck E Stan]

As someone who is involved in marketing and media, I think it is a bad idea. As one poster already asked, "canadian nascar?".....

if it doesn't get national broadcast attention then the value of the sponsorship is low, regardless of whether the car comes in first, last or otherwise.

I think the best possible marketing they could do is to promote policies that are applauded by the majority of candaians and spend the money of public relations promoting those policies.

You might be involved in marketing but, if I was in marketing and a Liberal,(too bad there's no $$ for this kind of stuff)I would think this would be a great opportunity for promotion.

Think what play the media would give to the race if the Liberals were smart enough to have a car too.

The air play as to who has the fastest car on the circuit(and it wouldn't even matter if you came first) the Cons or the Libs.

It would be like watching a Russia/Canada game, create a lot of excitement and interest for the voters. Sponsoring a car is different than the same old,same old.

The Liberals should also join the race....around the track, they might even win.