Katrina vanden Heuvel just endorsed John Mellencamp for Senate on Morning Joe

[Syrinx]

I endorse that thought. She listens.

I hope John is listening.

[Trailrider1951]

1. Wow, do you think he has a chance

of winning Bayh's seat? I've always liked John and his music. :yourock:

[Syrinx]

2. he's certaintly passionate about the issues

I hope he'll consider it.

[indy legend]

5. I hope he will

consider it too. He certainly has the name recognition to win, Is undoubtedly very progressive in his views, has enough money that we can be sure he can't be bought by special interest like Evan, and most importantly could actually win the seat. Let's face it this is Indiana , one of the most ass backward state full of right wing shits who will never vote in their own best interest unless it's someone with a big name they easily recognize (like Mellencamp).These morons won't do anything otherwise unless Beck, Limbaugh or Fox News tells them to. For 75% of the people in this state the next original though they have will be their first.

[thunder rising]

12. "next original though they have will be their first" ... needed to be in a title. Second, I live in

FL and we refuse to give up our place as "the most backward state full of right wing shits who will never vote in their own best interest"

[indy legend]

16. OK we'll call it a draw..

We are both stuck in backward states over run with right wing morons.

[mmonk]

10. I certainly would think so.

[Don Caballero]

3. As an Indiana resident

I must disagree with putting a soft rock star with lung cancer and many ex wives into the Senate. I draft Paul Helmke my former mayor for the spot.

[Syrinx]

4. he has lung cancer?

Not that that would disqualify him, but I hadn't heard that.

Helmke, or Cougar? Tough choice, I guess. :shrug:

Mellencamp kicks ass.

EDIT: And what is this developing DU "meme" that JCM is a "soft" rock singer? I've never heard him described as "soft rock" until the chance of him being a US Senator was being talked about.

Hmm. Soft sod, anyone?

[Don Caballero]

6. He has been sick quite a bit due to all the smoking

I started the soft rock labeling of him because that is what I consider him. He really is not a viable candidate for Senate.

[Syrinx]

8. But have you heard of him actually having cancer?

And is he actually a "soft rock" musician?

I think both answers are "no."

So what does that make you?

[Don Caballero]

9. Maybe not cancer but he has suffered heart attacks

due to his smoking. Look I have no problem with the guy but he has no place in the Senate.

[Syrinx]

11. why not?

Because he smokes?

[ima_sinnic]

22. why not? because he's not a DLC sell-out or likely to become one

--that makes him fair game for the DLC lie machine to go into overdrive. Is there some conservative fake "democrat" running for this seat or something?

[cascadiance]

41. The "design" was that a fake DLC "democrat" would get "appointed" to replace him...

... given that the rules allow for that if someone gets out of the race at the last minute after filing deadlines. THAT is why he waited until the last minute. So that the corporate party machine could do it and NOT the people make a selection to replace Indiana's representative for corporations there...

The DLC machine's going to fight like hell to keep a populist like Mellencamp off the table.

[hlthe2b]

20. UNBELIEVABLE! You assert he has lung cancer only because he smokes

then when pressed you state only that because he smokes he may not have cancer but has suffered heart attacks due to his smoking... What will you put forth next with NO evidence? I hope other DUers read these posts as you have really put forth who you are. He had a single mild heart attack 16 years ago (1994) prior to cutting back on smoking, changing diet/exercise and reportedly is in "good health now" per every interview I have seen. There is no evidence he has had multiple heart attacks, (nor even a single major heart attack).

[slipslidingaway]

31. EVERYONE should read this -You are so right! Thanks and noted n/t

[Don Caballero]

34. Chill out bro.

I knew he had health problems but was not sure of the circumstances. Regardless I do not see him winning a Senate seat in the Hoosier state even with his massive popularity here.

[TexasObserver]

19. This guy says you're wrong!

He's formerly of the soft rock band Orleans, and now a congressman.

[Bonhomme Richard]

26. Touche ! n/t

[hlthe2b]

21. He had what was described as a minor heart attack in 1994!

and since cut down on smoking, changed his diet and reportedly "regained his health." (per wiki) A minor heart attack 16 years ago is what you consider "quite sick and repeated heart attacks?"

[Bonhomme Richard]

24. Don himself started "soft" rock singer in a previous post. n/t

[Don Caballero]

35. Thanks for the acknowledgment

[cascadiance]

36. who is Paul Helmke? That is what most Indianans will say. Wasn't it you who unrec'd my other post?

to Political Videos here? Another lesser known recent song he did that could be a campaign theme song.

"To Washington" - John Cougar Mellencamp - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x434875

What have you got against Mellencamp really?

At this point there's not a lot of choices of someone with name recognition that could step up to the bar in a state like Indiana at the last minute and potentially get on the ballot. He could do it, and I do believe he's the kind of guy that would ultimately help be a part of the "Mr. Smith goes to Washington" trend that we need to get going now.

If we had a full year to entertain different replacement nominees, I'd say the more the merrier to get a decent candidate. But we don't have that option now. Mellencamp fits the prescription given the circumstances, and if he wants it, I think would be the right choice.

Singers can do well in government. Folks like Peter Garrett for example in Australia who's taken over as Environmental Minister there...



http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/australia-midnight-oil-frontman-named-environment-minister

Midnight Oil - Beds are Burning - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chwZOeOBTmQ

[Don Caballero]

37. I cannot unrec/rec anything

And even if I had the power I would not. I believe in open and frank discussion here on DU.

[cascadiance]

40. You don't?... You were the only respondent when I first posted it and at that time it went to -0...

How does a Duer not have the power to rec and unrec?

[Don Caballero]

42. You have to be a paid member

I am not at this point.

[Sugarcoated]

39. Man, nothing like people who don't understand music talking out their ass.

And Obama is a socialist, right?

I found this description of Mellencamp's musical style from a 2007 Vanity Fair article:

At the end of the 70s, Mellencamp brought the fight back to the U.S. He eventually took the wheel of his career and began to co-produce his albums while honing an almost startlingly plainspoken writing style that, starting in 1982, yielded a string of Top 10 singles, including "Jack & Diane" and the heartland anthem "Pink Houses." By mid-decade, Johnny Cougar had become John Cougar Mellencamp, and with his next two albums, he left no doubt that he had finally come into his own. On his breakthrough 1985 LP, Scarecrow, Mellencamp established himself as an empathic voice of America's vast and vastly misunderstood midsection by throwing a spotlight on the plight of American farmers. (He also co-founded Farm Aid that year with Neil Young and Willie Nelson.) And while revisiting the subject on his acclaimed 1987 follow-up, The Lonesome Jubilee, Mellencamp staked out the boundaries of his now signature sound: a rousing, crystalline mix of acoustic and electric guitars, Appalachian fiddle, and gospel-style backing vocals, anchored by a crisp, bare-knuckle drumbeat and completed by his own velveteen rasp. Though the album covers wouldn't reflect this for a few more years, the last vestiges of Johnny Cougar were dead. John Mellencamp was here to stay.

[AwakeAtLast]

44. THIS Indiana resident thinks you are full of beans

I think Mellencamp has gone through a kind of renaissance. He paints, is very active in giving at IU, and very active in his community. He could live anywhere in the world and he still lives near where he grew up.

He is very smart in the way he gets his points across and a lot of people listen to him. It wouldn't bother me in the least to see him run. Watching those Repukes' mouths drop would be priceless!

[Don Caballero]

45. We need a Democrat that can win against the Republican

Mellencamp does not fit that role. Has he even commented on this? I understand he has done great things for the state but I do not see Hoosiers voting him into Senate.

[dipsydoodle]

7. Jack and Diane John Mellencamp ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h04CH9YZcpI or another one ?

[TexasObserver]

17. That's him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlGmKF5hmZ4
is a more recent song of his

[KamaAina]

43. More like "Pink Houses" and Farm Aid John Mellencamp

to quote the Great Prevaricator himself, "he has his finger on the pulse of America".

St. Raygun said that about fellow lefty Bruce Springsteen. Apparently he missed the whole point of "Born In The U.S.A." :dunce:

[sendero]

13. This guy..

... would get my vote for anything. He gets it.

[TexasObserver]

14. "This is OUR country." - should be his campaign song

Take a look at his video for the song and listen to the words.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlGmKF5hmZ4

[Syrinx]

23. exactly...

He'd make a fine senator!

Make them stand for the people for a change.

[Syrinx]

15. trolls are scared of Mellencamp

I wouldn't mind a Valentine. :)

[Syrinx]

18. trolls are helping each other by spending a buck to buy "valentines" for each other

I think that should be obvious.

But there's little hands-on leadership here anymore.

[JerseygirlCT]

25. Ok, snark alert

but my first thought was "oh, good, that might keep him from making his insultingly mediocre music".

[druidity33]

29. maybe so...

but he's an excellent painter. And he's been a solid progressive voice for nigh on 20 years... don't know if he'd want the job though. I imagine he could even win a write in campaign.

:shrug:

http://www.mellencamp.com/index.php?module=paintings






edited to add the "Cougar's" website...

[JerseygirlCT]

32. Always need more progressive voices... nt

[Bonhomme Richard]

27. I play soft and hard rock and smoke. I guess that disqualifies me...

from running for office. If only I were as saintly and honest as our current political crop.

Oh well.

[leeroysphitz]

28. Help me John Cougar, you're my only hope...

[saltpoint]

30. It would be ok with me if Mellencamp wanted to be a Senator.

Whether he wishes to join that bunch in Washington is another question.

A 'Rock the Senate with Mellencamp' campaign would be refreshing. I'd donate.

[slackmaster]

33. Has he quit smoking yet?

His son was running some kind of Web-based campaign to get a large number of people to encourage John to quit.

[fadedrose]

38. She's a progressive - ain't that the kiss of death of late? nt

[donheld]

46. Has John Mellencamp endorsed John Mellencamp?

[troubledamerican]

47. To be followed by Senator Toby Keith & Supreme Court Justice Theodore Nugent

[eridani]

48. Hurts so good!

Come on baby make it hurt so good. Sometimes love don't feal like it should.