Can Country music rock the US voter?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk ^ | 08-06-2008 | By Christopher Howse

[Maelstorm]

The Country singer John Rich (half of Big and Rich) has kindly released a song to help John McCain to the White House. Raisin' McCain narrates the senator's war experiences: "Well he got shot down in a Vietnam town, / Fighting for the red, white and blue. /And they locked him up in the Hanoi Hilton, / Thinking they could break him in two."

The trouble is that the conventions of Country music normally emphasise the tragedy and rejection of Vietnam vets. Remember Kenny Rogers's Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town? "It's hard to love a man whose legs / Are bent and paralysed. / And the wants and the needs of a woman your age / Ruby I realise. / But it won't be long, I've heard them say, until I'm not around."

Mr McCain's arms, not his legs, were slightly crippled in Vietnam, and no one is saying he's impotent, and of course he intends to stay around for a good few years yet, but the pervasive flavour of the Country genre is nevertheless one of constant sorrow.

[Maelstorm]

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RAISIN' MCCAIN
Music and lyrics by John Rich

Well we're all just raisin' McCain
Everywhere across the USA
You can get on the train or get out of the way
We're all just raisin' McCain

And we're all just raisin' McCain
Everywhere across the USA
You can get on the train or get out of the way
We're all just raisin' McCain

Well he got shot down in a Vietnam town
Fighting for the red, white and blue
And they locked him up in the Hanoi Hilton
Thinking they could break him in two

He stayed strong, stayed extra long
'Til they let all the other boys out
Now we've got a real man with an American plan
We're going to put him in the big White House

Well we're all just raisin' McCain
Everywhere across the USA
You can get on the train or get out of the way
We're all just raisin' McCain

Play that American guitar, son
And we're all just raisin' McCain
Everywhere across the USA
You can get on the train or get out of the way

We're all just raisin' McCain
I said we're all just raisin' McCain
Everywhere across the USA
You can get on the train or get out of the way
We're all just raisin' McCain

Well you can get on the train or get out of the way
We're all just raisin' McCain

[B-Chan]

I hope not. Most country music is crap, and I say that as a Texan who believes that Bob Wills is still the king.

If I ever hear that maudlin piece of Nashville tripe “God Bless the USA” again, it’ll be way too soon.

[fkabuckeyesrule]

Well it worked for Bush in 2004. The republicans had Sara Evans and dems had the Dixie Chicks. I’ll take Sara anyday.

[Revolting cat!]

Hey, Daddy Bush loves it, and the singer of it, whatsisname, needs a job!

[Old Sarge]

If I ever hear that maudlin piece of Nashville tripe “God Bless the USA” again, it’ll be way too soon.

I know you're right...

[Maelstorm]

This tune is pretty good. Nice and catchy and easily to listen to.

[Maelstorm]

People should not forget the power of unifying themes and a central enemy. Republicans fail horribly when they forget to communicate the value of the things they are fighting for. Being right is only half the battle.

[Paleo Conservative]

[NucSubs]

Er...

I’ve NEVER hit the abuse button...but is that the level we want to sink to here?

[wastedyears]

You know what, if this can steal some thunder from the “Rock the Vote” BS (there’s nothing ‘rock’ about it), and get people my age and younger to come to the Right, then that’s fine.

[sushiman]

Junior Brown !

[Fiji Hill]

The trouble is that the conventions of Country music normally emphasise the tragedy and rejection of Vietnam vets

That isn't always the case. Dave Dudley underscored our rationale for fighting the Vietnam War in "What We're Fighting For" (1966), written by Tom T. Hall, a noted writer of country-western songs. In "Wish You Were Here, Buddy" (1966), Pat Boone lampooned the draft dodgers and anti-war protesters. And we must not forget Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler, who sang hymns to our special forces in "The Ballad of the Green Berets" and to "33," a brand of Vietnemese beer, in "Ba Muoi Ba."

[Maelstorm]

I didn’t agree with the assessment of country music. I’ve never been a huge fan especially of the “tear in my beer variety” but there is a lot of it that is different than just the honky tonk variety. I liked Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, and Eddie Rabitt. Country has come a long way.
I like John Rich’s stuff not just because of his politics. The country of today has more polish than just boot polish.

[Maelstorm]

That is my take on it. Music can be powerful. There is nothing wrong will feeling good and winning an election at the same time. Sometimes I think conservatives have forgotten that.