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Senator for Indiana: John Cougar Mellencamp(D)?
The Nation ^ | Feb. 16, 2010 | John Nichols

Posted on 02/17/2010 3:05:13 AM PST by BIOCHEMKY

The guy who put populist politics on the charts with a song title "Pink Houses" John Mellencamp performed at the White House last week, as part of a program titled: "In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement."

The Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame member sang the song "Jim Crow" with veteran folkie Joan Baez -- as well as a terrific song version of "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize" -- on a night that also featured performances by Smokey Robinson, Natalie Cole, Yolanda Adams, the Five Blind Boys from Alabama and Bob Dylan, among others.

That was powerful company, but Mellencamp was up to it.

For the past quarter century, he has been penning and performing smart, often very political songs -- focusing on the farm crisis, economic hard times and race relations. He's been a key organizer of Farm Aid and other fund-raising events for good causes, and he's been a steady presence on the campaign trail in recent years, appearing at the side of numerous Democratic presidential candidates, including Barack Obama.

So, could Mellencamp perform in the U.S. Senate?

Could he be the right replacement for retiring Senator Evan Bayh, D-Indiana?

Forget the blah-blah-blah about celebrities in politics. We crossed that bridge decades ago.

The question is whether this celebrity makes the right connections with this state.

Mellencamp certainly has the home-state credibility. Few rockers have been so closely associated with a state as Mellencamp with Indiana.

Mellencamp has a history of issue-oriented political engagement that is the rival of any of the Democratic politicians who are being considered as possible Bayh replacements.

And Mellencamp has something else. He has a record of standing up for disenfranchised and disenchanted working-class families in places like his hometown of Seymour, Indiana.

In other words, he's worthy of the consideration that has led to talk of a "Draft John Mellencamp" movement. In fact, he might be just enough of an outlier to energize base votes and to make independent voters look again at the Democratic column.

Mellencamp's not making any campaign moves.

He's a savvy player who has been around power politics for a long time -- he counts Bill Clinton as a pal -- and he's smart enough (and humble enough) to know that the leap from rock star to senate candidate is a long one.

But John Hall, the songwriter and leader of the band Orleans, is now a two-term Democratic congressman from New York.

And the Republicans have run more than a few actors for jobs like senator, governor and even president.

Notably, President Ronald Reagan's 1984 reelection campaign wanted to use the song "Pink Houses" at campaign events. And John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign did indeed use it, even as Mellencamp explained that the Arizona senator might not fully "get" the point of the song about working families living on the backroads of America.

So Mellencamp has already crossed some partisan and ideological lines.

That's more than can be said for most Senate prospects -- be they Democrats or Republicans.


TOPICS: Editorial; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Indiana
KEYWORDS: election; in2010; indiana; mellencamp; notbreakingnews; senate
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To: BIOCHEMKY

why would anyone vote for a music jerk?


61 posted on 02/17/2010 5:38:11 AM PST by dalereed
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To: Servant of the Cross

WOW! That is excellent and exciting. Extremely well done. Thanks for the link.

America Rising. We will take our country back.

SUPER VIDEO BUMP!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkeoj6UFVTk


62 posted on 02/17/2010 5:50:15 AM PST by paulycy (Demand Constitutionality. (Hi Mom.))
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To: Carlucci

I met him a few times in Bloomington, early 80s. He seemed like a voice for small-town America back then, but quickly sold out to became just another limousine liberal sneering at the commoners. He doesn’t mention (or sing about) his roots any more, and I doubt anyone in Seymour would pee on him if he was on fire.

But like I said, we have a lot of arrogant morons in Washington nowadays, and he might be an intellectual giant in those circles. Don’t forget, Obama was above average intelligence in the Senate.


63 posted on 02/17/2010 5:51:56 AM PST by fnord (497 and a half feet of rope? ... oh, I just carry it.)
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To: dalereed
why would anyone vote for a music jerk?

Because we are living in a horror reality show (Truman Show anyone?): "'American Idol' elects a President".

This unfortunate show began in November, 2008 and is still running (but I like the dropping 'Nielson' ratings).

64 posted on 02/17/2010 6:00:41 AM PST by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: BIOCHEMKY
If the voters of Indiana are insane and elect Melonhead to the Senate, he would not be the only washed-up has-been singer in Congress.

John Hall, leader of 1970s-era wimp-rock band "Orleans" is an ultra-liberal Rat who represents a moderate upstate New York district (Poughkeepsie area, I think).

Hall's anti-American Nazional Socialist credentials are in fine working order, and Hall was assisted by another celebrity idiot in his initial campaign (and perhaps since then too): ex-New York Ranger goaltender Mike Richter. Richter is a big-time enviroNazi who has been rumored as a Congressional candidate himself, possibly from the hoity-toity upscale SW Connecticut district.

65 posted on 02/17/2010 6:04:24 AM PST by PermaRag (the stock market will stop bleeding when those who manipulate it START bleeding)
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To: BIOCHEMKY

Yeah, right. A guy who considers Obama and Biden to be insufficiently leftist is just what Indiana voters are looking for right now... /sarc.

- JP


66 posted on 02/17/2010 6:46:01 AM PST by Josh Painter ("We cannot spare this woman. She fights" - David Karki, regarding Sarah Palin)
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To: BIOCHEMKY

PHALEASE!
This liberal would be our worst nightmare.
I have heard some of his comments on politics. he makes Hillary or Bill Clinton look like staunch conservatives.


67 posted on 02/17/2010 7:29:10 AM PST by Munz (All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.)
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To: Servant of the Cross

“Because we are living in a horror reality show (Truman Show anyone?): “’American Idol’ elects a President”.”

Never seen it and don’t even know who puts it on.


68 posted on 02/17/2010 8:08:43 AM PST by dalereed
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To: hoosiermama

Some more info for you:

CIA OBAMA Coverup Treason Trial set for May 14-19, 2010

So says the highly educated African American minister: (watch the videos below)

Rev. James David Manning, Ph.D.

The Manning Report Mon-Fri 12-3 www.atlah.org

Author: The Oblation Hour

watch this video first
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WedxY61d60

watch this video second http://www.veoh.com/videos/v187772093A3tzX4H

Hoax? or Real? From my research and that of many others, this appears to be real.


69 posted on 02/20/2010 2:38:26 AM PST by BIOCHEMKY (I love liberty more than I hate war.)
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To: BIOCHEMKY

Still on dial up...please give synopsis of videos.


70 posted on 02/20/2010 5:07:23 AM PST by hoosiermama (ONLY DEAD FISH GO WITH THE FLOW.......I am swimming with Sarahcudah! Sarah has read the tealeaves.)
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To: djf

John has been smoken for years....pot smokin. Brother took the rap, was sent up.


71 posted on 02/20/2010 5:08:35 AM PST by hoosiermama (ONLY DEAD FISH GO WITH THE FLOW.......I am swimming with Sarahcudah! Sarah has read the tealeaves.)
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To: hoosiermama

These videos which constitute an 8-part lecture with slides presented by former FBI Head in LA, Ted Gunderson (1979, retired; since retirement has been doing investigation into Satanic incidences). Mr Gunderson contends that there is rampant Satanism that has being practiced among the rank and file of the CIA, this has been so for the past 2-3 decades, and it is intensifying.

The Satanism involves a lot of sexual abuse of children as part of Satanic cult rituals. These children are very young, aged 2-4 years old (3 year-old male is most desired victim). The cult members are associated with those who run daycare centers. The children are taken out by tunnels underneath the daycare centers and taken to facilities that either remain underground or are in buildings that are near the first building, but are a distance away. The rituals go on during the day while the parents are working at their jobs and the toddlers are in the care of the daycare staff.
Mr Gunderson estimates that 100,000 children per year in the U.S. are involved in such rituals.

Also, there are adult, child, and infant sacrifices occurring. Between 50,000 and 60,000 adults disappear in the U.S. each year. Mr. Gunderson has investigated many such instances. He says that the Jon Bene’ Ramsey case (the little girl in Colorado who was in Beauty pageants who was killed in her own basement on Christmas about 10 years ago had the earmarks of a pedophilic satanic killing.

The book i mention in the opening paragraph is instrumental in understanding the Satanic cult (”Magick in Theory and Practice”). It is important to read because it spells out in 12 sections each of the theories and goals of this satanic cult movement. This cult has been a political force in America since 1772 (at least), even before the Revolutionary War.


72 posted on 02/20/2010 5:26:35 AM PST by BIOCHEMKY (I love liberty more than I hate war.)
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To: Irenic

“If Mellencamp was able to run, I think he would win it— hands down.”

“He’s left but I don’t see him as the type to be bought off or be corrupt.”

“I think he would be more old-school Dem. jmo”


He’s a blithering idiot. He talks about foreign policy, but yet admits he knows nothing about Pearl Harbor.


73 posted on 02/20/2010 6:24:37 AM PST by CommieCutter ("You wanted the presidency, you got it, now FIX THE DAMN ECONOMY!!!!" ----YankeeReb)
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To: BIOCHEMKY

“Mellencamp has recently said that Obama and Clinton are not liberal enough.”

“THAT is FREAKING FRIGHTENING!!!”


EXACTLY this guy is a complete moron. He hangs around IU, donates money, and get’s an honorary brainwashing-degree.

At least Bayh could be somewhat pushed around by the citizens when it came to the health care bill (yeah I know he was going to vote for it), but this guy will help push a radical agenda no matter what.

The people of Indiana rejected Socialism and Bayh knew he was toast. The people of Indiana BETTER PAY ATTENTION to what Mellencamp believes in.


74 posted on 02/20/2010 6:29:46 AM PST by CommieCutter ("You wanted the presidency, you got it, now FIX THE DAMN ECONOMY!!!!" ----YankeeReb)
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To: xzins

They’re called Hoosiers not Indianans.


75 posted on 02/20/2010 6:37:58 AM PST by CommieCutter ("You wanted the presidency, you got it, now FIX THE DAMN ECONOMY!!!!" ----YankeeReb)
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To: Thermalseeker

“I heard him interviewed a couple of years ago and came away thinking he was Sean Penn’s long lost twin brother...”


That’s funny you say that, because I met someone that went to JM’s house and they said Sean Penn was there.

No joke.


76 posted on 02/20/2010 6:39:38 AM PST by CommieCutter ("You wanted the presidency, you got it, now FIX THE DAMN ECONOMY!!!!" ----YankeeReb)
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To: CommieCutter
From Indiana University, in an article about the origin of the nickname "Hoosiers":

Politicians in particular like the theory of hard-working Indianans. Governor Evan Bayh used it on a quiz show ("Bayh Shows he's a Hoosier Quiz 'Kid'") where he explains the term "hoosier" as deriving from the canal builder, Samuel Hoosier, who "favored workers in Indiana and they became known as Hoosiers." With politics and state pride in his heart, Bayh continued, "We'd like to think it's synonymous with good workers."

In sum, "Hoosier" is a nickname and "Indianan" would be the proper terminology.

77 posted on 02/20/2010 6:49:33 AM PST by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Those who support our troops pray for their victory!)
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To: xzins

“In sum, “Hoosier” is a nickname and “Indianan” would be the proper terminology.”


Like I said, They’re CALLED Hoosiers not Indianans.

Thanks for you time. ;-)


78 posted on 02/20/2010 6:56:32 AM PST by CommieCutter ("You wanted the presidency, you got it, now FIX THE DAMN ECONOMY!!!!" ----YankeeReb)
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To: xzins

One more thing.

If you live in Indiana and call someone your fellow “Indianan” you’re going to get laughed at.


79 posted on 02/20/2010 6:59:23 AM PST by CommieCutter ("You wanted the presidency, you got it, now FIX THE DAMN ECONOMY!!!!" ----YankeeReb)
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To: xzins

From the same article:

“For well over a CENTURY AND A HALF the people of Indiana have been CALLED Hoosiers. It is one of the oldest of state nicknames and has had a WIDER ACCEPTANCE than most.”


80 posted on 02/20/2010 7:11:55 AM PST by CommieCutter ("You wanted the presidency, you got it, now FIX THE DAMN ECONOMY!!!!" ----YankeeReb)
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