"‘Dem Aid’ – Movement To Draft John Mellencamp For Indiana Senate Bid"

[Clio the Leo]

‘Dem Aid’ – Movement To Draft John Mellencamp For Indiana Senate Bid
by Tommy Christopher | 4:30 pm, February 16th, 2010

On the heels of Senator Evan Bayh’s (D-Indiana) announcement of his impending breakup with Congress, and the accompanying lurch it leaves Democrats in, a movement has sprung up to draft heartland rocker John Mellencamp to run for the seat. Shortly after Bayh’s announcement, a “Draft John Mellencamp for Senate!” Facebook page appeared.

Crazier things have happened, and just how crazy is this, anyway?

Conventional wisdom would argue against Mellencamp politically, as he’s on record as not thinking Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton were liberal enough. However, he has some strong positives as a candidate in Indiana.

First of all, you can’t beat him for name recognition, especially now that he has settled on one.

He’s well-positioned to take advantage of the powerful but ill-defined populist atmosphere among voters. Both in the state and nationally, Mellencamp has generated a lot of goodwill with working people by virtue of his Farm Aid concerts, and he’s managed to retain working-class authenticity despite being a superstar.

As Daily Kos diarist jolculbe points out, he also doesn’t have a record to run from. With anti-incumbent sentiment running high, being a total outsider might be an advantage.

Finally, aside from his utter lack of experience, not the liability it once was, Mellencamp is tough to assail. His heartland street cred is so great that, despite his political leanings, John McCain made heavy use of Mellencamp’s catalog at campaign events before being asked to stop. The guy’s image is as American as it gets.

http://ow.ly/186ps

And HERE is your campaign song.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1tSc0UNoVk

They like to get you in a compromising position
They like to get you there and smile in your face
They think they're so cute when they got you in that condition
Well I think it's a total disgrace...

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Cool!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7719573

[FirstLight]

2. If there a FB group yet?

If not, come ON Indianians...do it!!

It would be really sweet to create an antithesis to the tebaggers, progresives unite to vote out ALL incumbents, and replace them with people who have no real "Law" experience...but perhaps a proven track record in community building and more "street level" heroism for the impoverished working class...

what a revolution THAT can be!

[iamjoy]

8. I Think There Is (eom)

[ashling]

15. Yes there is, judging from this email I got

Bob invited you to join the Facebook group "Mellencamp for Senate".

Bob says, "This might be the only way to hold the seat being vacated by Evan Bayh. Ask everyone you know to go to the "Mellencamp for Senate" FB page and join. Hurry; there are only a few days to get enough signatures for him to file in Indiana.".

[sunnybrook]

17. The term is Hoosiers

:hi:

[leftofcool]

3. Doesn't he have cancer?

If so, I believe his health might keep him from entertaining the idea of a political life.

[me b zola]

12. No

[Clio the Leo]

4. Mellencamp sings "Eyes on the Prize" at the White House...

... (last week) .... dont know when I'll ever have another chance to post this. :)

http://www.youtube.com/user/whitehouse#p/u/10/Jn0Ne813QUU

If this doesn't get you motivated to KEEP fighting, you've got problems.

"Got my hand on the freedom plow, won't let nothin' stop me now, keep your eyes on the prize, hold on!"

[RoyGBiv]

5. OT: Industry Execs Should be Banned

Industry executives should either be banned outright from the R&R Hall of Fame induction ceremonies or forcibly removed if they act like they do during this performance (or the other one where he sings Pink Houses). These people have no soul. They just sit there and stare into space like they're watching a medical procedure ... or someone making out a bill.

Mellencamp is one of the 80s performers I saw live who you cannot simply sit there and ignore. I saw him when he was still Cougar and filling arenas then many years later at a Live Aid concert and an amphitheater. I much preferred the latter two. No seats ... just a massive crowd of people free to move.

I can't even imagine wearing a tux and a tie to a Mellencamp performance and SITTING there like nothing is going on.

Anyway, I don't know how serious this "Draft Mellencamp" thing is, but he certainly got some good practice here at what it'd be like in the Senate, surrounded by empty suits who have no idea what's going on.

[Clio the Leo]

7. ha ha, good point. NT

[Kyril Enko]

6. Ah,

no.

[davidpdx]

9. Unfortunately it's a long shot that he'd even get into the race

I know there is a long list of entertainers who have run and won (Arnold, Al, Jesse and even Sonny), but I'm doubtful Mellencamp would jump in. Especially with such little time to make a decision. I know little or nothing about him besides his music and the fact he was in Farm Aid.

[ashling]

10. In all the threads and FB invites I have had

re: John Mellencamp for Senate, I have not seen one word (and maybe I missed it) on what Mellencamp thinks about this. Also, I have not had anybody to explain why they think he would be a good Senator.

I'm not arguing against him - I would just like to hear someone speak to those points.

[Armstead]

14. He couldn't be any worse than the clowns that are in there now

Especially the clown from Indiana that just retired

[ashling]

16. Has he indicated that he would run?

[Number23]

11. "The guy’s image is as American as it gets."

What a very, very INNNNTERESTING choice of words. I wonder what it means, exactly??

[Armstead]

13. I'd certainly prefer him to the alternatives...He might actually be able to pull it off