Romney's biggest fan gets new ride, courtesy of campaign
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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There is always a weak cow in every herd.
Well thats kinda odd?? If I were a repub and he were a dem, wouldn't I be screamin about some ethical electon year doners crap about now. lets see, A supporters ( who is NOT on the payroll ) personal vehicle burns up and He's bought a new one by the candidate. ???
That someone is i nspired by any politician, let alone Romney, blows my mind!
""The good part is, I didn't have to wash the 30 pair of underwear that were in the burned truck," he said. "
what an incredibly uncomfortable tidbit
I guess you can BUY votes
Seriously not a Romney fan, but I still love that he did the right thing in this instance and got the guy a new truck.
Glad to see Romney's finding new and creative ways of buying votes. Stay tuned for more corrupt and sleazy political pandering.
Wilson, a Virginia native usually seen wearing knee-high white socks
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ROFLMAO!!
Should we ask the impertinent right-wing type of questions: Is the campaign allowed to just "gift" somebody a truck? Is he now an official campaign employee? Yada yada yada yada.
Really, who cares?
Robme found someone gullible and dumb enough to be a fan.
I guess the oddity and abnormality of this event WOULD make it worth reporting, I guess.
W
Perhaps he should start giving out thorough-bred horses and free car elevators! He might get my vote...NOT! The common people for Obama/Biden 2012!
If Rmoney is able to buy the white house with the help of those who hope to rid themselves of President Obama, he couldn't possibly win relection in 2016, aginst someone like Hilary Clinton. Those who support Rmoney would have to support him for the next eight years should he win. Sorry, Jed Bush or any other rising republican will never have a chance to run.
"I'm just like you Joe...you know....a regular guy. I'll bet you $10,000 on it"
A compassionate candidate does a kind deed for a worker and supporter and the Dims find fault with that. The other candidate did the same thing with the stimulus funds to his union supporters...just saying.
Oblame O sure bought enough Union Votes with the Bail Outs, that have never been paid back...they did not even want to take a cut in wages,,,,no real skin in the game...
should be like in school when you got caught chewing gum " i hope you brought enough for everyone "
Isn't it illegal to buy votes? Don't the tighty righties always accuse the Dems of "buying votes" with cigarettes? Maybe it's the value of the item being exchanged? Or maybe IOKIYAR?
So does Romney write the truck off as a campaign expense or a charitable contribution?
So what is Mitt Romney's economic plan for America? Well, its simple! After his prized thorough-bred horse strikes gold at the Olympics, Mitt is goanna melt that gold nugget and give every American a peace of the melting pot! Ha ha! Thanks but no thanks Mitt! Obama/biden 2012!
If President Obama's campaign did the same thin,g the cons would be screaming "the union toadie is buying votes".
In the meantime, while many areas of the country are either burning down, or flooding out, Romney wants to slash most of FEMA'S funds. What a guy !
Sounds like a hand out.
Thats a clown truck bro, you have to flip it back to Romney after the election, but keep the dirty underwear.
BUY votes in America ?????????
Come on,,,,,,,,,,,we spend money and brain wash them,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
we don't buy votes,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I want an Escalade.
You get a car! and you get a car! and you get a car.... everybody in the audience gets a car... Nice take from Oprah's playbook... nothing original once again!
Is that legal? Seems fishy...