Sterling, Virginia (CNN) – Generally, Mitt Romney is not considered to be the kind of politician who inspires fanatical, cult-like devotion from his supporters.
But one man – Jim Wilson – proudly bucks that trend.
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Wilson, a Virginia native usually seen wearing knee-high white socks and gripping a pipe, has become an eye-popping fixture at Romney's campaign events across the country. He drives a truck plastered with Romney signs and directs traffic outside many campaign events, lending the buttoned-down politician some of the cachet that comes with a die-hard fan base.
On Wednesday, Romney returned the favor, giving his biggest fan the keys to a white Chevy Silverado.
The shiny vehicle – decorated with noticeably less exuberance than Wilson's original truck – was a gift from Romney's campaign meant to replace the truck Wilson lost recently in a fire.
That fire was first reported by The New York Times. Wilson said he had driven that truck 62,000 miles since the Iowa caucuses earlier this year.
As he exited an event in Sterling, Virginia, Romney walked by a cluster of reporters gathered outside and laughingly handed Wilson a fire extinguisher.
"Look what I got for you!" Romney cried as the men hugged. "Just in case!"
Wilson lifted the extinguisher high in the air and shouted: "That's the trophy! We're safe at last."
The two men climbed in the truck and drove several feet before stopping to have an animated conversation not audible to those outside.
Then Wilson stopped the car, got out and quipped: "Damn thing quit!"
That wasn't all the Romney fan had to say to the captive audience of reporters and photographers watching his every move.
Speaking before his meeting with Romney, Wilson brushed off concerns about his burned truck.
"The good part is, I didn't have to wash the 30 pair of underwear that were in the burned truck," he said. "And the other part was, my golf clubs were not with me."
CNN Producer Matt Hoye contributed to this report.
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Also see:
McCaskill to skip Democratic convention
Poll: Obama, Romney race still tight
From CNN Politics
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The epitome of the conservative republican male.
What's Wilson smoking in his pipe?
So what....who cares....
Vote for Kaiser Romney, get a free pickup truck!
This was so staged for a great photo op and to make Romney look good.
A Ford, American made and Bailout free, would have been the better choice IMO
He's gonna have to buy a lot of trucks to get a majority this November. Good thing he's got money in the Caymen Islands...
At least he didn't make the guy ride on top of the car.
The Willard campaign cannot complain about Obama supporters attending fundraisers or receiving contest prizes.
Wonder if Romney got him a tax-exempt status on that gift. Of course this is the kind of person who would love Romney. All he has to do is play golf all day. The rest of us have to feed our family.
This says it all about Romney. Will he buy off every American to vote for him by giving them cars, boats, airplanes? How completely out of touch is this clown????
Some people's votes CAN be bought!!! Doesn't he have to pay taxes on that truck?
So Romney has resorted to buying votes...
But one man – Jim Wilson – proudly bucks that trend.
Yes he sure dose , looks like he's right out of an 1980s eposode of Love Boat.
Is Jim Wilson related to Joe Wilson the nut job who called the President a lier ?
Mitt Romney / Lawrence Welk
2013
when romney loses the repo man will knock on his door
Isn't that called "buying votes", which is illegal?
Too bad he is going to have to drive that truck after November when Romney loses!!!
Obama 2012 – The Only Trusted Way Forward!
Only one truck? C'mon Mitt, your wife has twice as many.
Yep, sounds like a Romney supporter. Knee high white socks and thirty pairs of dirty underwear in his truck.
Perhaps Romney's biggest fan can tell us where Romney stands on issues. We can't get the information from the candidate himself, so maybe his biggest fan can tell us.
Is it me, or is this exchange obviously staged and painfully awkward? Romney does not inspire feelings of warmth.
Is that what he's willing to pay for each vote? WOW.
But then, he DOES get aaa $70,000 tax write-off for his wife's horse - as a business expense – NOT A MEDICAL EXPENSE. Go figure. ONE HORSE!!!
What's next? Sweepstakes and promotions, contests, giveaways, special offers, and chances to enter to win prizes at Romney's campaign events across the country. Bribng America one vote at at time.
They aren't giving him the truck.Besides it's a used truck and they are loaning it to him till the election is held.He has been making a complete fool of himself and they want him to continue.Evidently they think old people follow old people?Not all old people have fell into complete IDIOT mode yet.Some can still think and decide whats best for them.
Yeah... Romney needs to replace this guy's car. Hopefully he reminds him that he owes the IRS a bunch of taxes for this gift!!! lol