'Boss' riles Republican fan base: Springsteen and company's MN tour is anti-Bush benefit

St. Paul Pioneer Press ^ | 8/5/04 | Ross Raihala

[rhema]

Tim Sigler is more than a mere fan of Bruce Springsteen. A dozen times a month, he poses as his hero by leading Lucky Town, a cover band devoted to the Boss' music.But when R.E.M. and John Fogerty join Springsteen on the "Vote for Change" tour — which rolls into Xcel Energy Center on Oct. 5 — Sigler won't be in the audience.

"Normally, I'd pay a lot of money and travel a great distance to see him," said the St. Paul resident. "I would love nothing more than to go to this concert."

So what's stopping him? Politics.

Springsteen's St. Paul concert — which was announced Wednesday — will benefit America Coming Together, a partisan group that hopes to, as its Web site says, "derail the right-wing Republican agenda by defeating George W. Bush and electing Democrats up and down the ticket."

"I'm a heavy pro-lifer guy, and that dictates a lot of my political views," said Sigler. "I tend to vote Republican. I feel like I would be doing a disservice to pay for this show."

The tour will present 34 concerts featuring at least 16 acts in 28 cities during the first week of October, all in swing states and all devoted to driving Bush out of office. The sheer scale of the tour tops all other politically driven concerts to date, which tend to take place on a single night in a single city. Bands are donating their time; proceeds after expenses will go to America Coming Together.

Many of Springsteen's Republican fans have taken to the Internet to echo Sigler's concerns about financially supporting a group opposed to their own beliefs. They've also endlessly debated Springsteen quotes like this one he gave to the Associated Press: "We're trying to put forward a group of progressive ideals and change the administration in the White House."

While Springsteen has often shared his political views in concert, he's rarely spoken so specifically about a candidate, said Jackie Heintz, a 40-year-old Democrat from St. Paul.

"He's more direct than he's ever been," said Heintz, who has seen Springsteen live more than 200 times. "He's supporting John Kerry. He's saying we need a change. The diehard and longtime fans shouldn't be surprised, but there will be some fans who will never buy a ticket again."

During a telephone conference call with reporters, R.E.M. bass player Mike Mills addressed the potential loss of fans for his own band: "That's a very definite possibility, but I think the election is far more important than my career."

Dave Wilkie, a 55-year-old Republican from St. Paul, said he's undecided about seeing the concert. He plans to keep an eye on news reports to get a sense of the show's balance between music and politics before deciding whether to buy a ticket.

"I might still go for the entertainment value, and (his views) aren't going to affect my enjoyment of his music," said Wilkie. "But I would not view my attendance as support for his cause."

Sigler won't pay for a ticket, but he said he's not opposed to seeing the show for free because he's prepared for the discourse.

"At least with this concert, if you buy a ticket, you know what you're going to get," he said. "You're not only paying to be entertained, you're paying to hear a political discussion."

Heintz, meanwhile, has the solution for all those conflicted Republican Springsteen fans: Stay home.

"I want to see Democrats there supporting John Kerry and supporting Bruce Springsteen's music," she said. "I hope (ticket takers) check party affiliations at the door."

[suzyq5558]

"I'm a heavy pro-lifer guy, and that dictates a lot of my political views," said Sigler. "I tend to vote Republican. I feel like I would be doing a disservice to pay for this show."

Which is why I will not shop at COSTCO any longer... I will not give one dime of my hard earned $$ to a corp. that has given millions to moveon.org. I would sooner die first.

[nokahoma]

You said: "The old Hollywood and the older, pre-rock and roll popular culture was decidedly pro American."


Does disagreeing with President Bush make one "decidedly anti-American"?

[CasearianDaoist]

You got the gist of my comment. Just what is you point? I see that you are a newbie. A vote for the Democrats or any support there of is decidedly UnAmerican. The Democrats and their Hollywood Dept. of Propaganda are traitors. Perhaps you are as well.

[nokahoma]

sorry - I'm no traitor, trust me, and I'm no fan of that elitist liar John Kerry. Hopefully Bush will squash him like a bug come November. But it just seems that calling anyone who dislikes Bush anti-American (or unAmerican) in a country where roughly half of the population does disagree with him is a bit foolish.

[Corporate Law]

"I'm now convinced he cashed in on 911 with The Rising."

I may keep his older material for sentimental reasons, but that CD (and a couple of others) is getting smashed and tossed out tonight.