Buddy Answers 'Primary Questions'

Recently, CBS News began a new series in which anchor Katie Couric asks the top contenders for the American presidency a series of professional and personal questions.  I am so intrigued by the idea that I wondered how my character would answer the same questions.

Far from being the stereotypical dumb hillbilly, Buddy Wayne Barefoot is a thoughtful, engaging, and - dare I say it - smart young man.

CBS News has now asked all 10 of the scheduled questions.  Here are the questions and the "answers."

Are you concerned about global climate change?  "Not really.  First of all, I don't know if it's really going on right now.  Perhaps this is something that will be corrected through time.  I do find it interesting that the same arguments for saving the environment have been made for years.  Like turning off the lights, using solar power and so on.  Only the reason has changed.  I do think that the more pastoral lifestyle that used less electricity and fossil fuels, combined with greater respect for living things, is the best thing for helping the environment.  By growing your own food and making your own clothes and whatever else, you don't travel as far to get them and you save gasoline.  Then you can save it for driving NASCAR [sic] and pickup trucks and whatever."

Besides from your family, what you are most afraid of losing?  "Discipline, dedication, hard work, sacrifice, and all the other good human qualities.  Our generation is losing touch with the values and characteristics of their parents.  They are so concerned with their own lifestyles, with watching too much TV, playing video games.  If they get together, it's on the cell phone or the computer.  If they just talked more with their parents, they could solve a lot of problems and learn new ways of doing things.  They would learn that their modern ways aren't always the best, and that life is lived beyond their own selves."

What is the biggest mistake you have ever made? "When I allowed Mike Helton [NASCAR president] and some of the drivers to be used as evil characters in my movie, Rebel.  That was not my idea, it was that of my publicist [Brandon McLamb].  But once that occurred, everyone took it seriously.  I lost money and my hopes to win a [NEXTEL Cup] championship.  I understand what we were trying to do, but it became too personal.  Attacking the character of a human being who in the end is just as mortal and vulnerable as we are is just plain wrong."

What is the most influential person you have ever met? "My great uncle, Alonzo.  When my parents separated, Alonzo volunteered to be my new 'father.'  He introduced me to all the great loves of my life.  He gave me my first guitar to play music.  He shared the history of the Barefoot family as he knew it, making me proud of my heritage and determined to keep it going.  And he took me to my first NASCAR race.  Rockingham, NC, 1985.  From that point forward, I wanted to be a NASCAR driver.  Thank you, Alonzo, for giving rise to all my dreams."

What country fears you the most? "I fear Pakistan the most, because of its combination of a dictatorial government, known possession of nuclear weapons, and the uncertainty of its support of our government in the Global War on Terror.  Sometimes I think about whether or not it played a role in letting Osama bin Laden while we had a chance.  I hear others blame the Bush administration for re-sending some troops to Iraq, but I have no proof of that whatsoever.  Anyway, back to Pakistan, its recent crackdown on dissidents is not a good sign for a supposed ally of our country."

When is the last time you lost your temper and what became of it?  "I can't remember a particular incident.  I know my blood boils every time Brian France [CEO of NASCAR] insists that everything is looking up and that there are no major problems.  Please.  TV ratings are down, attendance is sluggish, and fan dissatisfaction is higher than it ever has been.  People can see what is going on, and everyone knows it, except for Brian, Mike, and the other people in charge.  As far as consequences, I have been told to be more polite, but that's it.  Nothing that would cause a substantial punishment from those in charge of my professional life."

Some voters say they don't feel comfortable supporting someone who does not remain faithful to his or her spouse.  Can you appreciate or understand their point of view?  "I do understand.  One of the reasons is the Harry Truman you gave at the start of this question ["A man not honorable in his marital relations is not usually honorable in any other"].  At the same time, we have had leaders, and in some cases great leaders, whose marital relations are not perfect.  Not many know this, but Ronald Reagan was a divorcee who remarried.  But I think Reagan was very fortunate that voters saw beyond that to see the potential of his leadership.  It doesn't happen in all cases.  Then again, being faithful does not hurt, because politicians make a lot of promises, and if you can't keep the most intimate one, can you keep any others?  So again, the answer is yes."

What is the worst piece of advice you have ever received or given out?  "When my cousin Bunky told me that the best way for me to find my next Cup driver was to run a virtual-reality season and final race, the last of which would also be a live television special.  It was capitalizing on the American Idol/Survivor/reality TV phenomenon we still have today.  Well, Burl Hunkapiller was the winner and his career started very well.  But then he fell into a slump, not only did he not win a race, but he failed to finish consistently up front.  We had to release him because he no longer fit our high standards.  I learned that 'the easy way' to fame often leads to nowhere.  I should have picked someone with a lot more experience that sitting in front of a video game."

What is the most disillusioning thing about running for president?  "This is a question I cannot answer firsthand because, of course, I am not actually running for political office at the moment, let alone president.  But I have watched television coverage of the campaign, and I have seen that everything is being boiled down to personality and polls.  Too many people who report on the campaigns pretend that the candidates are pro wrestlers and seem to want conflict in the worst way, seizing on every disagreement to create a storyline.  Instead of in-depth reporting, we get only soundbites.  That's too bad.  The issues are more complex than that, and we should pay more attention to what the candidates say, because what they do will affect all of our lives."

Other than the Bible, what is the one book you would bring with you to the White House?  Driving with the Devil: Southern Moonshine, Detroit Wheels, and the Birth of NASCAR.  It is a book not many of you have heard of, but it has great meaning to me.  It is written by Neal Thompson, a native of New Jersey who now lives in Asheville [North Carolina].  It explains just how the moonshiners, through their runs of illegal and untaxed whiskey, paved the way for the first regular stock-car racing.  It also explains how William H.C. "Big Bill" France got involved and eventually organized NASCAR.  This is a history that NASCAR doesn't want to talk about too much for obvious reasons. I choose this to explain to people how NASCAR is so much bound to the traditions of the South.

To see the CBS News series, go to http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500521.shtml?channel=/elements/2007/12/04/eveningnews/videoarchive3575402_1_videosection_page.shtml.

Also, see the Ask Buddy Wayne page to pose your own questions, which I will answer in character.