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Obama’s new limo - ugly but it can fend off asteroids
By Jimmy Orr | 01.15.09
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You know that Cadillac commercial that says, “When you turn your car on, does it return the favor?”
Well, you might have to be a masochist then to enjoy Barack Obama’s new caddy.
It’s got auto enthusiasts singing Daphne and Celeste’s song “U.G.L.Y.” You remember the lyrics: “U.G.L.Y., You ain’t got no alibi, You ugly! You ugly! Yo mama says you ugly!”
New wheels
He’s getting a new presidential limo. It’s a tradition. The new president gets a new car.
The First Limo - the 2009 Cadillac Presidential Limousine - will replace President Bush’s 2006 model. As you can imagine, it is completely custom built - not something you can buy in your local showroom (if it hasn’t closed down yet).
“The presidential vehicle is built to precise and special specifications, undergoes extreme testing and development, and also incorporates many of the top aspects of Cadillac’s ‘regular’ cars — such as signature design, hand-cut-and-sewn interiors, etc.,” GM spokesman Joanne Krell told CNN.
New design
EngineeringNews has the inside on some of the features.
For largely functional reasons, such as optimal outward visibility, the car is slightly more upright than its predecessor. However, it occupies roughly the same overall footprint on the road as the previous model, with a similar size and proportion.
The rear passenger area includes an extensive executive compartment with ample seating space, outward visibility and useful mobile office features. Major aspects of the cabin are cut and sewn by hand. An embroidered presidential seal is positioned in the center of the rear seat back panel, as well as on each rear door trim panel.
But what about the cool stuff? Tom Clancy evasive action gear? Sidewinders? Chobham armor?
The Beast
Understandably, this is where the details are scarce.
It’s like a tank. Secret Service agents are calling it “The Beast.” Reportedly the armor surrounding the car is at least five inches thick making it, as some news outlets have put it, “rocket-resistant.” Others have joked it could withstand a collision with an asteroid.
Tangling with a Hummer or almost other macho vehicle on the road, the Beast would win.
The San Francisco Chronicle puts it in perspective noting, “a half-inch of transparent armor is enough to stop a .44 Magnum round at point-blank range; at a thickness of 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches, the same material can withstand higher-velocity bullets fired from military assault rifles.”
The windows, of course, are bulletproof. The tires reportedly can’t get a flat or if they do, it makes no difference, the car keeps rolling. And the interior is like a cocoon - a really safe cocoon reportedly impervious to chemical attacks.
Yuck
Auto buffs aren’t liking the looks of it though.
“Whoever came up with the exterior styling for this monstrosity should be barred permanently from ever working in the auto industry again,” laments Rex from RexWorld.com.
Hang on there…
Cadillac told Edmunds that the hysteria surrounding the looks of the car were due to unauthorized spy photos of the vehicle that circulated around the Internet.
The final product is much more attractive, they say.
Eh, give it to Joe
So what happens to the old limo, anyway?
Well, you can’t just offer it up on Craig’sList. And Joe Biden needs a car. So they’re giving it to him.
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2. Kurt | 01.15.09
who drives the limo?????
and how do u become a driver for that kind of limo service?
3. Akcoyote | 01.15.09
Just like everything else about this new ‘hope and change’ president, the car is overkill.
4. searchert | 01.15.09
Just one question do they think Obama is one of Jerry’s kids? They have him confused with #43 he is no.44. I know did they give GW some crayons and leave him alone with the sketch pad?
5. larry | 01.15.09
What happens to theused cars ?? Who gets them when they are removed from presidential service??
6. nemo | 01.15.09
The job of the President is to ensure the rights and protection of the people but every election it proves they are more worried about protecting themselves and their powerful friends and less interested in us. Patriot Act as prime example.
7. N.Parr | 01.15.09
Question: From where does the tradition of giving each new president a new car stem? I assume the taxpayers pay for this and not GM. Anyone know if this car is put out for bids or does GM just automatically get the contract?
8. Mary Bagwell | 01.15.09
Obama needs a car that is safe. Remember what happened to JKF? I hope this one is completely invincible.
10. Kristina | 01.15.09
And what would be so horrible with continuing to use President Bush’s limo? This is just another complete waste of taxpayer money! How much more of our money is Obama going to waste over the next 4 years?
12. Mike Hanson | 01.15.09
Hey kristina you Idiot, the secret service rolls new limos all the time. They rolled a new limo while bush was in office and he old ones were just fine.
13. GFW | 01.15.09
Just to point out the obvious, the President has very little control over the security measures the Secret Service decides are necessary. Obama doesn’t strike me as a guy who’s afraid much - but the professionals in charge of keeping him safe are having kittens over protecting the first African-American President.
14. Justlovely5 | 01.15.09
Like he is the only one.. Please people! It’s a tradition to protect the Key man in charge.. and Obama’s the Man in charge….
15. Fedup | 01.15.09
Nemo, You do realize that Obama unfortunately will have a huge bullseye on his back his entire term or terms? The first black president history and there are nutcases out there that think they can make history by assassinating him.
Kurt, please engage your brain unless you want to work for the Secret Service.
16. Jacknaranja | 01.15.09
You people that are so quick to judge and just blame Obama for this. First of all, that is why he needs the protection, people that start out just like you. Second of all, I’m sure that engineers and designers were working on this car waaaaay before he was elected. This is The President’s car, not Obama’s car. Morons. And finally, Nemo, I think that the president should be VERY worried about his protection. Examples: Lincoln, JFK, Reagan; not to mention foreign leaders and politicians; Trujillo, Bhutto; don’t you think?
17. lol | 01.15.09
you guys are idiots did any of you actually read the article or did you just look at the not so pretty pictures (it is obama after all) our first Arab prsident
19. Ronnie Nose | 01.15.09
one piece of missing information, is this vehicle, or is it not a hybrid? it must be, i suppose, given president-elect Obama’s strong chance on the prevention of climate change
20. Steve | 01.15.09
What Makes Ken Lucci an expert in this field. He has no experience in presidential service. Just because he works for a limo service DOES NOT make him an EXPERT!!!!
21. John T | 01.15.09
“Obama’s new limo - ugly but it can fend off asteroids”
Unless the new limo is going into outer space, there is no chance it will ever get hit by “asteroids.”
An asteroid is an inactive body, composed of rock, carbon or metal, which is orbiting the Sun.
A meteorite is a meteoroid that survives its passage through the Earth’s atmosphere and impacts the Earth’s surface.
22. Joe Plumber | 01.15.09
Wow, bitter much?
This car had to have been completed over a year ago in order for the extensive testing necessary for the secret service to accept it. Yet the enemies of peace and prosperity have to blame someone else, because that’s what they do best. If the president had any in the design of the car, I’m sure Dubya would have insisted on steer horns on the hood of his.
24. lonecrone | 01.15.09
With thousands of ******* and white supremicists actively gunning for him, and with people actually placing bets as to when he will be shot, I don’t blame the secret service for a bit of over protection. The real problem is that he has to get in and out of that car, and that’s when they are going to try, I bet. That’s when Reagan got shot, remember?
I don’t get the whole discussion of what the car looks like. It could resemble a Sherman tank for all I care, just so it does the job.
As for the expense, why should he be the first president to ride in a hand me down limo? All the others have had new ones and I don’t remember any whining about that.
25. Brian O | 01.15.09
I know there are a lot of things, we are all worried about, especially with a new administration. Honestly, I doubt this is one of them. Some of you hillbillies make me not as proud to be an american.
26. Albert Gore | 01.15.09
8 miles per gallon? whats obama trying to do, kill us all? this things more deadly than a fleet of 747’s plus all the cow **** in Wisconsin. guess the only change we’re getting is climate change. dress warm
27. Jen | 01.15.09
Nemo–how are they supposed to protect us if their is the chance of something happening to them? Presidents need the utmost protection so no threats get to them…
That’s why cars like this are made for presidents like Obama
29. shaq | 01.15.09
if u ask me; thay will still have to come up with me than just tha.anything for obama go all out
30. Harris | 01.15.09
I love how all these ‘patriots’ are so unconcerned over the safety of our head of state when it’s one they didn’t vote for. Very patriotic.
31. ,,!,,(O_O),,!,, | 01.15.09
well hmm. how do i put this? he needs the car for protection. well thats about it.
32. Jayzee Zambia | 01.16.09
If John McCain had won, would the negative comments have been different? This car was probably in production months before Obama new he was going to be the selected Democratic candidate! At times America tends to trivialise important issues. I see the safety and security of a sitting American President as being of paramount importance, regardless of the race of that President.
33. Robert | 01.16.09
we do understand the need for protection but c’mon people!that car is the most ugliest thing I have ever seen a head of state ride in.And what where Cadillac designers thinking?It looks like something out of a 1980’s low-budget gangster movie.Mr Obama sir,try a Hummer -H1,its ugly but classy!
34. Iorja Terungwa | 01.16.09
This is a waste of resources. Obama is chosen for us by God and He will provide the needed security especially with our prayers.
36. Penelope | 01.16.09
I’m laughing out loud at you people complaining about wasting tax-payers’ money. Why focus on the car when the ugly racist reality that makes the car necessary still haunts our “advanced” civilization?
37. Elmarie | 01.16.09
I would like to start off by saying who cares what anyone thinks in terms of Obama’s protection. Before Obama became president no one even discussed this sort of thing because no one cared, and maybe that is because every other president was white. The truth of the matter is Obama is the president, so all you hill billy gun toting tobacco chewing, deer shooting ******* out there can feel however you feel because he is going to be president for the next 4 years. Honestly, if you don’t look at what you red neck hillbillies did to us the last eight years by using your pea brains to elect president bush in the first place, I don’t think your judgment is good enough to even be taken seriously. Everything you anti Obama’s out there think at any given moment is the main reason our economy is at the pits. Sit back, relax and take notes on how it should be done. If you had any sense at all you would look into the total opposite of everything you believe or have ever thought to be true and do the total opposite because it has never worked for the entire history of our country. I think most of you are reencarnations of old slave owners who were downed by the fact that slavery ever ended. Will you be shocked to see the change ever happen? Would you deny the truth even if it smacked you right on your cheek (the one you have to pull your pants down to reveal) Of course not. Which is why it doesn’t even matter what you think. I’m just so happy that he is president. All of you along the great Mississippi River can hate all you want to!! Doesn’t make a bit of difference anymore.
38. YOU | 01.16.09
Elmarie, I like the Limo one! i only hate you because you offened my State of Mississippi. Oh, Elmarie I didn’t vote for Obama because I don’t share his views. I believe this is called Freedom, but I dare you call my state a bunch of *******. Nice work labeling a state you know nothing about you racist!
40. Brian Z. | 01.16.09
Ha, ha! Looks like the best of Russian Soviet-era design! (Except for the wheel covers, maybe.)
42. Bill at the Ranch | 01.17.09
All of you critics should consider this if GM (Chrysler or Ford for that matter) could respond that quickly in the marketplace, we the taxpayers wouldn’t be bailing them out for billions of dollars worth of stupidity.
43. J Campbell | 01.18.09
You guys really have no clue do you. Yes, it does cost alot of money (about $550,000 US), however this limousine was ordered by the Secret Service. Obama actually had absolutely nothing to do with it considering that GM started building it while Bush was still in office, not only that but I’m sure if Obama had the choice he wouldn’t have had something so extreme built, he would have been content with Bush’s limousine. Back to the “Taxpayers money”, how much do you figure Obama will be able to put back into the economy over the next 4 years? I’m willing to bet that it’s a hell of a lot more than 550K. The Secret Service realizes this and has made appropriate decisions regarding his safety. I would advise “Kristina” and “lol” to think before they speak about this issue.
44. arturo nocete | 01.18.09
I did not really read all the comments but one caught my attention (well perhaps that was the point)and that was the mention of Jerry’s kids. I think it is not right to refer to these individuals in this manner, not in comparing them to GW but the connotation of what kind of individuals this kids are. It is one thing to be funny and cute but please don’t be irresponsible.
45. smh | 01.18.09
do you’ll know the car was built over one year ago??? , The president doesn’t have any say in any of those dealings. It’s sad to see the ignorance of some of you’ll.
47. J88 | 01.19.09
Some people that commented negatively on subjects about the cost to protect America’s first African-American president, are supremely strange. If YOU were president with a truckload of death threats, would YOU wanna make sure that YOU have all the protection YOU need? Not that Obama requested all this; simply put, think THOROUGHLY before you say the things you say.
48. Ben | 01.19.09
If I were heading up the new President’s Secret Service protection, I’d start looking at the posts here for potential threats. So much misinformation and nonsense! Now, I opposed “W” on nearly every single issue over the past 8 years but you’d better darn well believe if the Secret Service said that he needed a $2,000,000 tank of a limousine, I’d be the first to send in a donation to make sure that we protected him. The presidency does not belong to any one man (no, not even Pres. Elect Obama) … it belongs to us, the American people. And, we had better damn well protect it at any cost.
50. Betty Wimbs | 01.20.09
I would like to reply to Elmarie #37 You might want to thank God you are still here. God gave Bush the brains to keep us safe for almost 4 years..
51. Brad | 01.20.09
The issue of cost is moot. One car, no matter how expensive, hardly affects the trillions of dollars of debt. It is a non-issue considering that it protects the most important office in the world.
52. cdfg | 01.20.09
the limo does not look all that bad i think it look good. The Bush limo i think look ugly because of the flat nose. the only thing the Obama limo could have are the white wall just for the luxury of it but other then that it look elegant.
53. God | 01.20.09
Betty Wimbs, you are not quite correct. I gave Cheney the gift of fanatasism and felt that GW Bush was better off with the ability to procreate. Looks like I screwed up on both counts, I didn’t give any brians to either of them.
54. Matteo | 01.20.09
The illustration says the driver’s window “opens three inches so he can pay a toll” !!! That must be a mistake.
55. G Walker Bush | 01.21.09
The secret service needs to return my blood back, I wouldn’t want Joe Biden turning into a goat.
56. Yeah | 01.21.09
Read the article people, your questions are in there. jeez… and a secret service agent drives the car, who the hell do you think would drive it? Jimmy the limo driver from Queens?
57. Me | 01.21.09
You people who blame Obama for this car design are freakin idiots. First of all, give me one good reason why he shouldn’t have this heightened security. Better yet, I’ll give you my own. Knowing the President is an easy target for possible assasination attempts, it only makes sense having the nations first African American president under tight security. The way some of you react towards him winning the election, it makes me feel as though you’re welcoming it…which is truly sad if you call yourself a REAL AMERICAN. Have a little pride and just move on with your life. I know it’s tough for some of you to swallow…having a black president and all (especially when we were told we’d never amount to anything) but I think it’s time to get over the racial and campaign issues and look towards the future of this economy. What’s done is done (thanks to Bush!) and anything is better than where we’re at now.
59. Sandy | 01.21.09
I have no idea what everyone’s talking about: I think the car, for its obvious purpose, looks great! Anyone who thinks the Hummer or all those plastic coated bathtubs called cars nowadays are attractive, has a warped sense of aesthetics. It’s what your average joe is forced to buy that should be labeled ugly junk unfit for humans–no matter who thay are.
60. eddie | 01.21.09
some of you people are idiots!! who cares how much money and what the **** people no one give a **** if the car is ugly its only suposed to protect and take the president places thats it!!!
61. Deadly Ernest | 01.22.09
“Transparent Armor” 1/2 inch thick can stop a .44 Magnum round at point-blank range …
I thought I heard of something similar to this years back … Star Trek IV …
After the years of a President the gun-worshippers were slobbering over, it’s no wonder the Secret Service is upset that they now have to watch out for loonies with their gun-show re-admission stamp still wet on the back of their hands …
62. james mulbah | 01.22.09
hey,let me make you understand that president Obama deserves all right to be protectein any way that is deemed necessary because he is an “Original Black American Managing America”.(OBAMA).
63. Eric | 01.22.09
Come on guys & gals. This is a presidential limo, not amnesty for terrorists. I’m no O fan, but this is not anything to get upset about. Youall are calling each other names and getting all upset over a car.
Regardless of what you or I think of him, he is the president. Honor the office he is serving in and while you are at it, try some mutual respect for your fellow Americans. It makes for a much more constructive conversation.
65. Custom made for Obama | 01.22.09
I love how people assume that the vehicle was made directly after the inaugaration.
I’d like to think GM was talented, but lets be realistic.
U.S. Presidents regardless of race will always be targets, if anybidy thinks our financial situation is bad, imagine if Obama was hurt. Consumer confidence and the stock market would fall like bricks off a building.
66. joe average | 01.22.09
um, this guy has stepped up to try to take on the huge task of fixing this country, and essentially, fixing the whole freakin’ world, since everything else is so greatly influenced by what we do as a nation.
this guy deserves whatever protection is necessary, including bulletproof caddy’s.
GO OBAMA! SAVE US FROM THE IGNO RANT! (yes there’s still plenty, see the above comments as evidence)
67. Curious | 01.22.09
#63 Mark. I enlarged the graphic and could read it just fine. I do wonder though why the text is obviously British: tyres, boot, petrol, boot,? Even the price is shown in pounds instead of dollars. Just curious.
68. Lance | 01.24.09
this is to the guy that calls himself “me” saying that whites need to get over it and move on…tell the blacks the same thing.i was at his inauguration and it was more like a ******* concert than ANYTHING that would be seen as a historic or even a high profile event.the t-shirts hats and stuff that was being sold there was grotesque like a shirt i saw a woman wearing that said my president looks like me.i think its redic the guys black EVERYONE get over it blacks and whites a like.
69. Man with a brain | 01.25.09
Hahaha this list of comments is the funniest thing I have seen in a long time. Classic. Lefties butting heads with bushites. Seriously you guys all need to chill out. The problems in this country are not caused by any one person and cannot be fixed by any one person. Everyone likes to complain about what the Goverment does, but what you all forget is that you only have the government that you and other Americans voted for!!! If you want something better, then for God’s sake quit voting for the same big-government morons every election. Democrat or Republican makes absolutly no difference, they are all the same. They waste your money, destroy your freedom, and sink the country. Try thinking indepently, screw the groupthink, and stop fighting with each other, you will never get anywhere. Try acting like free people for once.
70. Jeff | 02.05.09
I still cant get over the fact that obama isnt even African American, he is White-African American, dont forget about his mom.
71. FERAL | 02.06.09
from the **** i read here, he needs all the protection he can get! my God you are fools! this IS our country’s problem, we are so busy hating and pointing fingers at the other team (ie demo vs rep) that our country slid on down into the shi**er! enough! we are all in the same damn boat and it is headed for the bottom with all hands on deck. how bout we try to make the best of it and pull together? Mr Obama didn’t order this freakin car,it was in production before we even knew he would be in office. who cares his color or ancestry!~ who cares his party… our country stands at the edge of the abyss… this kind of bs will carry us right on over the edge.
73. For Me | 06.25.09
i love Obama he has united this world, see Africa they all supported the guy, Europe, Asia, guys. The man is ok and we love him. More protection Secrete Service please.
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. Parker51 | 01.15.09
What’s with the blackwall tires? Probably special runflat tires with Kevlar belts. Still, couldn’t they get the Vogue tire company (the one that makes the touring tires with the white and yellow accent stripes popular on many Cadillacs) to manufacture a few custom sets to government specifications?