Jalopnik
It is not uncommon for people to mistake former Senator Joe McCarthy for former Senator Eugene McCarthy, despite the fact that they represented approximately opposite points of view. Eugene McCarthy was the super liberal Democrat from Minnesota who was succeeded by the equally liberal Hubert Humphrey. He ran against sitting president Lyndon Johnson in 1968 purely on an anti-war platform, something you're not supposed to do, but lived to carry on the liberal charge until his 89th year of life. Joe McCarthy represented neighboring Wisconsin and was, relatively speaking, a touch more conservative. Though moderate on some issues, McCarthy lead the fight against the great Communist conspiracy that quickly spread from possible subversives to pretty much anyone he could find. He took on Eisenhower, a member of his own party, and died not too long after of alcoholism.
We know their politics, we think we know their souls, but do we know what they'd drive? Assuming they have Highlander-esque immortality, what would the red-baiter and the war-hater drive? We're looking for real insight here, not just "Hummer/Prius."
Comments
Joe? Easy, a Zaz Slavuta. After all, he's a man of the people.
...what?
I think Eugene would eschew the popular cars of the day and drive a symbolic Ford Focus converted to run on natural gas. On the other hand, Senator Joe would probably not drive anything at all - but would prefer to be driven in a brutally large Suburban or stretch Caddy!
Kubelwagen.
Damn, I was gonna say Hummer/Prius. Well, maybe Cadillac/Volvo?
Eugene McCarthy would drive a Trabant. In fact, if he had won the election, we'd all be driving Trabants comrades.
Joe McCarthy would drive Anne Coulterwild.
Eugene McCarthy = a Red GM EV-1 driven by Ed Begley Jr as part of his carpool group
Joe McCarthy = H2? No, that is for pinko pussies...
The spider from Wild Wild West:
Not sure about those guys. But I'd bet that Charlie McCarthy would drive one of those wooden sports cars from a week ago.
I'm here all week, then up to the Pocono's where I'll be at Artie's Laugh Shack to the 21st.
Whatever car Joe would drive, you know it wouldn't be painted red.
Joe would be driven in a Gestapo-esque pre-war Mercedes, commiserate with his witch-hunt politics.
Eugeue would probably drive flexi-fuel 2000 Taurus.
I picture them two up on a Yellow Vespa; briskly heading through the rolling hills of the upper Midwest. Their pockets filled with love and neither with a care in the world.
@graverobber- Same great taste, new low price!: Classic
I'm sorry, but how is this relevant? Did I miss something, or is this just completely random? I have no problem with it, just highlighting my ignorance.
Eugene would drive an $816 a month 2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
Joe? Well, there really is only ONE vehicle for Joe:
+ Watch video
@JSmith53: I'm sorry, I did miss something. My bad, my bad.
@Andrewpetty: win
@JSmith53: we'd point out that tomorrow is the 51st anniversary of Joe McCarthy's death.
Joe would drive the most American of vehicles, the Chevy Silverado (This is our country!). Eugene would drive a Prius.
Joe McCarthy would be riding around with Roy Cohn in a New Beetle convertible, but would deny it and destroy the careers of anyone who said so.
Eugene? um, probably also a New Beetle, but a TDI he had converted to run on fast food waste grease.
@JSmith53: Ummm, didn't you notice the article about the cars NY politicians drive?
Definitely no Kraut-wagen for old Joe. He's all-American, dammit. And no American car with any components made anywhere BUT America. And it had better instill Fear in the hearts of all those liberal-communist pinko bastards. I'm thinking a black, four door sedan, something along the lines of a 1955 Imperial. Maybe a '54.
As for Eugene, I see him as definitely a French car sort of guy. a 2CV would be a good choice, in powder blue. If forced to Buy American (remember, we're talking the 60's, Euro-trash mobiles weren't exactly everywhere and the Great Intrawebs weren't invented yet) I'd say perhaps a Nash Metropolitan, same color.
joe mccarthy--mercury grand marquis
gene mccarthy--gm epv1 while waiting for his chevy volt
Joe: Black Escalade
Gene: Dodge Dart from the late '60s. (What? It still runs okay...)
Joseph: Triple-black Mercury Marauder with hidden cop lights, to complement the fleet of black helicopters used to send suspected communists straight to Guantanamo.
Eugene: Scion xB, since he's after the youth vote.
Oh and I bet McCarthy's car wouldn't have a French Fry holder either. Just a potato holder.
How come everyone is forgetting that Joe is from Wisconsin? He would have to drive an AMC or at least a Jeep, got to keep the constituients happy. I would say a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. Eugene would probably still have a VW microbus.
Joe's roll would be a gigantic Caddy limo. Due to his closeted condition, he would have it painted pu**y magnet yellow to throw people off...
Somehow I think Eugene would be a Tucker Torpedo kind of guy: Anti-establishment, take on Detroit Big Three, and yet super-safe design elements.
And if the U.S. pulled out of Vietnam, think how many helicopter motors would flood the maket for cheap engine swap projects...
Good call, Charles.
I'll put Joe in a run of the mill caddy and Eugene in a pre-forded Volvo.
Joe would be driven in Hoovers old Caddy limo we had in PCH some months ago. Eugene would carpool with Ralph Nader in a Toyota Echo w/ hypermiling mods.
Eugene would drive a Buick Regal in keeping with his wholesome midwest values.
Joe would drive an El Camino with a tailgunner in the bed.
Mercury isn't butch enough for old Joe. I agree with the Escalade or an evil jeep.
Eugene--all good guesses here but I'm leaning toward Caveman's Dodge Dart.
Joe: Black STS-V
Eugene: Chevy Corsica hatchback/Malibu Maxx (same thing?)
Joe would roll in a Zil. Forbidden fruit and all that.
The best one coming to mind for Eugene is a 2006 Malibu, with the Ecotec.
Eugene was a liberal from a state with long history of left wing politics. I mean, they even had a strong left wing third party- the "Farmer-Labor Party!" Thus there is NO WAY he would have driven a non-union made car. It would have been a modest, working mans brand (I'm thinking Chevy) but still as a gentleman and stateman would drive a full size sedan. I'm thinking a Bel Air.
As for Joseph, again, he was a gentleman and statesman. Joseph was a bit egotistical and had grandiose aspirations. He would have driven a Lincoln Continental- the presidential limo at the time.
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