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CfC: Sen. Bill Frist junks Suburban for Prius

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by zenMachine, Aug 25, 2009.

  1. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Apparently, it's a common misconception that all Prius drivers are Democrats. Not true. In fact, recently retired Senator Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) just got himself a shiny new hybrid hatchback from Toyota. The former senator even got a few thousand dollars off the price of his new eco-friendly ride courtesy of the just-concluded Cash for Clunkers program here in the United States.

    In an interview on Larry King Live, Frist responded to King's quip that "You don't see a lot of Republicans driving a Prius" with the response that the hybrid's 50 miles per gallon along with the fact that "the taxpayer gave me $6,000 to do it" as reasons for the Prius purchase.

    Minor exaggeration aside (Frist should have received $4,500 to junk his old Chevy Suburban, not $6,000), the senator's new Prius should return at least five times the fuel mileage of his old SUV. That's progress, right?

    Sen. Bill Frist uses Cash for Clunkers, junks Suburban for Prius — Autoblog Green
     
    #1 zenMachine, Aug 25, 2009
  2. wfolta

    wfolta Active Member

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    It's a silly misconception that has definitely resulted in some people buying the car as a symbol -- as some buy sports cars or Harleys -- and others avoiding it as a symbol.

    Meanwhile, others of us just buy it because it's a great car that saves money. (And does well by the environment, too.)
     
    #2 wfolta, Aug 25, 2009
  3. LRKingII

    LRKingII New Member

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    He might be adding the sales tax savings to the $4500.
     
    #3 LRKingII, Aug 25, 2009
  4. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    When gasoline was at $4.25 per gallon, a new Prius was a status symbol in the coastal areas of Orange County because it was like saying "I can afford to buy a new Prius for $30K." Some of you may remember me commenting back when gasoline was at $4.25 that I remember seeing a new Prius in about one out of every ten driveways in many wealthy coastal neighborhoods in Orange County. When gasoline was at $1.65, I could see it as being related to Democrats, but when gasoline is at $4.25, I see it as being related to intelligence and education, regardless of political affiliation, Republican, Democrat, or other.

    Take a look at this, they are selling 2010 Priuses in Florida for $40K..
    http://www.dailytech.com/Exclusive+...ouging+on+Scarce+2010+Priuss/article16067.htm

    .
     
    #4 Rybold, Aug 25, 2009
  5. Celtic Blue

    Celtic Blue New Member

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    Well, if you listen to the talk radio Wingnuts, Frist is a RINO anyway... So this just confirms he's a "socialist." [The latter part is sarcasm, folks.]

    I love the smug label that is affixed to Prius owners. This label usually comes from folks who feel their vehicle defines them, so therefore the same must be true for everyone else...or so they reason. And their vehicle often has a sticker price twice as high and all sorts of flashy extras that serve no real purpose other than to draw attention. But the Prius owners are smug because they choose to drive a very fuel efficient vehicle that puts function over form? Since when is being utilitarian the epitome of "smug?"
     
    #5 Celtic Blue, Aug 26, 2009
    2 people like this.
  6. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Remember that is retired Senator Frist and I don't believe he has plans to seek further public office. Like many former politicians who stop running for office, they often have a habit of becoming sensible (or I'd call it "less nuts") when they don't have to pander to their base. It isn't universal but I often see them dropping a lot of their former "bat guano" ideas ... unless they go into the 'talk circuit.' Besides, he has to pay for his own gas now instead of 'expense account' it.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #6 bwilson4web, Aug 26, 2009
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