The Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards took a huge political gamble this week. He told an audience of unionists in Florida that they needed to make a big sacrifice: give up their four-wheel-drives in the interests of combating greenhouse gas emissions.

"I think Americans are actually willing to sacrifice," Edwards said during a forum held by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. "One of the things they should be asked to do is drive more fuel-efficient vehicles." Asked whether he meant give up their sports utility vehicles, or SUVs, the forthright North Carolina senator replied: "Yes." Edwards had better hope he has read the American psyche correctly. The statistics suggest he is dead wrong.


Asking Australians to give up four-wheel-drives would be contentious. In the United States it could be political suicide.

In the US, cars - and big cars - are deeply ingrained in the lifestyle. This is the home of the road movie, where an entire two hours can be filled with a tale of crossing wide open spaces. People in American cities think nothing of a two-hour drive each way to work as their cities continue to expand.

In summer, empty-nesters take to the roads in droves, either living out parts of the Easy Rider dream on a fully equipped Harley-Davidson or a Honda Goldwing, complete with matching trailer, cup holders, intercom system and heated leather seats. Or they might take an RV, or recreational vehicle. Australians might like their campervans or caravans, but they are Matchbox toys compared with the American recreational vehicle.