Originally published Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Andy Borowitz
Mileage lead could send Obama to Maui
In what some political insiders are calling a major victory for the presumptive Democratic nominee, Sen. Barack Obama easily surpassed his...
![]() |
Syndicated Columnist
In what some political insiders are calling a major victory for the presumptive Democratic nominee, Sen. Barack Obama easily surpassed his GOP rival, Sen. John McCain, in total frequent-flier miles for the month of July.
While polls show the two candidates locked in a close electoral race, Obama's impressive frequent-flier mile haul this month may put the contest for the most miles out of McCain's reach.
"Right now, we are feeling very good about the frequent-flier miles committed to Barack Obama," said Obama strategist David Axelrod. "John McCain would basically have to fly to Antarctica and back four times just to be in shouting distance of us."
Axelrod said that one benefit of Obama's impressive pile of frequent-flier miles was tangible and immediate: "With the miles already committed to him, Barack Obama qualifies for a free trip to Maui."
In the McCain camp, aides went to great lengths to send the message that they were unconcerned about Obama's daunting frequent-flier mile lead, even while privately admitting that the Arizona senator's recent itinerary may have worked against him.
"Obama was flying to Afghanistan, Iraq and Germany, racking up tons and tons of miles," one aide said. "John basically went to Wilkes-Barre and Altoona."
But the aide was dismissive of Obama's impressive edge in frequent-flier miles, arguing that mileage rewards were "meaningless" to the McCain campaign: "If John really needs to fly somewhere, he can just take Cindy's jet."
Humorist Andy Borowitz is author of "The Republican Playbook." To find out more about Borowitz and read his past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com
2008, Creators Syndicate
Leonard Pitts Jr. / Syndicated columnist: A tragic clash of cultures

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Bill Clinton meets with Senate Dems on health care
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- Lt. governor's son shot by co-worker in Kent; gunman then shot self
- Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
254 - House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
253 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
180 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
144 - Alleged shooter tied to mosque of 9/11 hijackers
135 - Obama puts heat on Senate to speed health bill
125 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
120 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
107 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
74 - Cutaia says replay handled properly on Austin TD
69
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- Taste | Ruth Reichl still reigns as queen of America's culinary scene
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect






