Living in Houston and voting early (i'm voting before I die, yo) I had to drive quite a distance to a location that wasn't going to have us waiting for more than an hour. I did end up carpooling and taking the more fuel-efficient Civic. It was the largest line I'd ever seen at the early vote site, which I've used before. The parking lot was overflowing (it is Houston) and they were tricking people into thinking the line wasn't that long by having it wrap around a hallway inside.

How about you? How are you going to Jalop the Vote?

A reader over at Politco sent Ben Smith this photo of a Chevy Cavalier done up in full Obama livery. In what may be the ultimate sign of how much the electoral map has shifted, this shot was taken in Parkersburg, West Virginia. On the other hand, it may just be a sign of how disposable old Cavaliers are. [Politico]

Full-Size Truck Owners Favor McCain, While Wagon Owners Look to Obama

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ — According to Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com Marketing Research, the car brand and segment owned by voters is related to their preference in presidential candidates. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) rates high among domestic and luxury owners. Among the domestic brands, owners of GMC (61 percent), Chevrolet (60 percent), Buick and Dodge (each at 58 percent), as well as Ford (57 percent) vehicles are the highest in favor of McCain. In the luxury vehicle segment, McCain leads among Lexus, BMW, and Lincoln owners at 52 percent each.

Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) leads McCain among owners of import vehicles with the highest ratings for MINI (70 percent), Subaru (61 percent), and Saab (59 percent). Fifty percent of Honda owners plan on voting for Obama, ten points higher than McCain.

In addition, vehicle segments have a direct correlation to car-owners' preferred presidential candidates. McCain receives the highest support from full-size truck (66 percent), full-size SUV (61 percent) and luxury SUV (61 percent) owners. Obama leads McCain among luxury station wagon (59 percent), station wagon and sport wagon (55 percent), hatchback (52 percent) and luxury crossover vehicle (52 percent) owners. Among owners of hybrid vehicles, Obama leads with 48 percent of the preferences, nine points more than McCain.

The connection between car ownership and Presidential candidates can also be seen in both the Democratic and Republican campaigns. Republican rallies often promote the idea of "drill, baby, drill," which may link gas-guzzling truck and SUV owners to McCain. On the other hand, Obama has stressed the importance of putting more money toward wind, solar, and other alternative forms of energy, which may relate to his popularity among hybrid owners.

"McCain's appeal among owners of domestics and large trucks/SUVs is right in line with where we see a majority of those vehicles selling - in the traditionally Republican 'red' states," said Rick Wainschel, senior vice president of marketing and analytics for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. "With import and hybrid owners typically favoring Obama, this also aligns with strong sales of these types of vehicles in predominately Democratic 'blue' states."

Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research also conducted this survey for the 2000 and 2004 Presidential elections, and accurately predicted the results. Eight years ago, the survey predicted George W. Bush would take the lead over Al Gore. In 2004, the results revealed President Bush would win over Senator John Kerry.

"Car ownership says a lot about a person, and can even be an indicator who they are likely to vote for," added Wainschel. "If consumers are concerned about the environment, they may choose a more eco-friendly vehicle, like a hybrid, and vote for the candidate with a favorable stance on energy. Consumers' values impact their purchasing decisions and reflect their preferences in political leaders."

The latest study from Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research was conducted September 19 through October 8, 2008, on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com among 11,142 vehicle owners planning to vote in the upcoming 2008 United States Presidential election.

[Photos: STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Image, Bill Pugliano/Getty Images]

He ends by pointing out that America created the car industry and should be a leader (and not a loss-leader). Of course, Germans created the first auto company, but we created mass production so that any poor schlub can buy it on credit... that's working out pretty well, right? McCain, to his credit, does make a nod towards sugar tariffs and their impact on clean ethanol from Brazil, but doesn't seem to want to assure white, union voters in the "heartland" he's looking out for them.

Roy Lucke, senior scientist at Northwestern's Center for Public Safety, says "This is one of the most off-the-wall things I've ever read, but the science is good." The researchers behind the study cite causes for the mortality rise to people rushing to get to polling places with which they may not be familiar, often in the dark before or after work. The moral? Get out and vote, but do it during daylight hours and make sure you're driving a huge SUV so you're protected. [MSNBC]