McCain Pool Report: “A woman lying horizontally over a bike in what looked like an uncomfortable position”

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McCain’s Sturgis trip was supposed to be colorful. I think it was.

Your pool was kept company by a crew of bikers on a balcony above the temporary stores, shouting a host of things (some nice, some not). They threw a few strands of beads our way, encouraging the reporters to perform activity a lá Mardi Gras. (“Do it for Bill O’Reilly!” one person shouted.) They were joined by two scantily-clad women, one in a version of a bikini and the other in a too-small school girl uniform, who swung on poles off to the side. A larger-than-life stone sculpture stood in the middle of the large open field, depicting a woman lying horizontally over a bike in what looked like an uncomfortable position.

Full pool report after the jump.

MCCAIN POOL REPORT #6
8/4/08

Sturgis Pool Report

Sturgis, S.D.

August 4, 2008

No news, but my-oh-my lots-o-color.

McCain left the Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City, merging at 5:12pm MT to applause from supporters. Shortly after, the expansive motorcade was on its way for the hour-plus drive to Sturgis.

Much of the trip was through rolling fields and grass-covered hills, including a long stretch on a very dusty gravel road. ABC’s Bret Hovell pointed out wild horses chasing the motorcade on the road, as well as some other animals—cows? Bison?—in the distance. It was so dusty that often your pooler’s van driver couldn’t see the vehicle in front of him.

To find out more about the Sturgis Rally, your pooler urges you to check the statistics at http://www.sturgis.com/2kstats.html , which reveal everything from the number of marriage licenses issued (79 in 2007, down from 179 in 1990) to the tons of garbage hauled away (615.9 in 2007, up from 408.9 in 1990). Attendance at last year’s rally was 507,234. Peak attendance appears to be in 2000, the 60th anniversary of the event, when estimates put the crowd at nearly 600,000.

Monday evening we were headed for the Buffalo Chip campground. Along with McCain’s appearance there, the rally will feature scads of other entertainers—including concerts by Kiss on the same evening (Aug. 4) and Kenny Chesney, (Your pool was escorted out before Kid Rock and Kellie Pickler took the stage.)

For the entrance into the campground around 6:30 pm MT, the motorcade was joined by 11 motorcycles, seven of which flew large American flags behind them. The Straight Talk parked in front of a row of motorcycles and after a few moments McCain emerged with his wife, Cindy. McCain was wearing a blue checked shirt. Cindy had changed from her skirt and heels into cigarette jeans, ballet flats and a blue “Buffalo Chips” shirt. Trailed by John Thune, they made their way through the line of bikers—McCain thanked them, stopping to shake hands but also to hug some of them. He said some version of “Thanks for doing this, I really appreciate it,” repeatedly.

After McCain arrived, your pool was escorted to an area of vendors to wait. Your pooler is told he did a “mix and mingle” with staff of the Buffalo Chip and local supporters. The advance staff, typically the picture of prepiness, had all donned the appropriate attire, including Buffalo Chips T-shirts and hats. Your pooler notes that they blended in surprisingly well with the crowd, making it difficult to discern whether the person shouting directions at you was worthy of your obliging.

Your pool was kept company by a crew of bikers on a balcony above the temporary stores, shouting a host of things (some nice, some not). They threw a few strands of beads our way, encouraging the reporters to perform activity a lá Mardi Gras. (“Do it for Bill O’Reilly!” one person shouted.) They were joined by two scantily-clad women, one in a version of a bikini and the other in a too-small school girl uniform, who swung on poles off to the side. A larger-than-life stone sculpture stood in the middle of the large open field, depicting a woman lying horizontally over a bike in what looked like an uncomfortable position.

McCain and Cindy swung by one store and bought four T-shirts, two black and two burnt orange which he grabbed hastily. He paid for them with cash from what appeared to be a black Velcro wallet and asked how business was doing.

Before selecting those tops, McCain quickly glanced at a rack of red T-shirts which your pooler saw featured a topless Miss Buffalo Chips (or Buffalo Chips hostess, unclear as to what her title was or how she earned it), with her arm covering one breast and a denim jacket hanging off her shoulder strategically to cover the other. A few feet away stood the woman herself, who goes by Jessica, wearing a black bikini and black leather chaps, signing autographs. McCain did not make his way over to her but several other male patrons did. “I don’t want John McCain’s autograph,” one man slurred to Jessica. “I want yours,” he said, holding up a T-shirt for her to sign.

We were then escorted to the stage where the rest of the traveling press got to partake in the festivities. Lots of engine revving in approval, thanking the veterans, Cindy spoke, etc.

At 7:50 p.m. local time your pooler was escorted back into the van for the ride back to Rapid City.

We arrived back at the hotel shortly after 9 p.m. After four minutes of hand shaking to the screaming crowd, McCain went down for the night.

–endit–