John Mellencamp for SENATE (Indiana) !

[bvar22]

In his characteristic reptilian behavior, Senator Evan Bayh (Traitor, Indiana) announced this morning that he will NOT be seeking re-election in Indiana.
While this DOES give me reason to rejoice, his timing was another KNIFE IN THE BACK of the Democratic Party leaving only 4 days for challengers to register for the Primary, essentially GIVING his seat to the Republicans.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4269851

Progressives have considered a primary challenge to be a waste of time and money since Bayh still rides his Daddy's (Birch Bayh) coat tails, and enjoys a HUGE name recognition factor.

There IS a Progressive Indiana resident who DOES have a good chance at this seat.
I have NO idea if he is interested, but wouldn't it be great IF...

"John Mellencamp, previously known by the stage names Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, (born October 7, 1951) is an American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his rootsy, organic brand of heartland rock that is infused with catchy pop hooks and evocative, introspective lyrics about such hot-button subjects as politics, racism, poverty and mortality. Mellencamp has brought together rock, folk, country, blues and R&B into his eclectic body of work.

He has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and has amassed 22 Top 40 hits in the United States. In addition, he holds the record for the most tracks by a solo artist to hit number-one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, with seven, and he has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one.

Mellencamp is also one of the founding members of Farm Aid, an organization that began in 1985 with a star-studded concert in Champaign, Illinois to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land. The Farm Aid concerts have remained an annual event over the past 25 years, and as of 2010 the organization has raised over $36 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture.

John Mellencamp was born in Indiana, and I believe is still a resident.
He is Progressive politically and already has GREAT Name Recognition.

The unfortunate REALITY is that the majority of American Voters DO in fact have an American Idol Mentality.
It is time WE started using that.


There are only 4 days left to get on the primary ballot (if I understand it correctly).
Anybody have his number?

John Mellancamp
for
Senate

Al Franken did it!
John Mellencamp can too!

[mod mom]

1. "4 days left to get on the primary ballot" so what did Bayh wait in order to screw the Dems?

[gmoney]

2. because he's a DINO?

And an asshat?

[Raine1967]

69. Is he? Has he ever declared a party affiliation?

I don't think he is a DINO at all, I believe he has always considered himself independent.


Why call a dude who has done a lot of good a Dino? Really? WHY?

[cascadiance]

102. Who's a DINO is determined by one's actions, not who they *call* themselves...

And Bayh IS and WAS a DINO!!!

If he was a real Democrat, he would have announced this earlier to not screw the Democrats in running a replacement like he has now. THAT tells me he WANTS a Republican to win! THAT defines a DINO!!!

[laughingliberal]

130. I believe they are referring to Evan Bayh as a DINO. nt

[Raine1967]

144. ooOOoo Thanks!

I got confuzled!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

138. affirms my feelings of his being a Repuke plant from day 1

[t0dd]

3. He waited so that his cronies could pick who is on the ballot in Nov. nt

[tavalon]

121. As a compleat aside,

where did you get that picture and do you have any of the story behind it?

[Voice for Peace]

141. chimp & white tiger

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/12/monkey-white-tiger-become_n_134060.html

[otohara]

4. Something's Up

I'm not buying his BS explanation after finding out he was filming ads just last week for his reelection

[mod mom]

41. Ind Paper: he was scheduled to film commercials on Weds & Thursday

"Last Thursday, Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker said Bayh, whose campaign coffers are loaded with $13 million, was returning to Indiana this week to film commercials for his re-election campaign. The filming was planned for Wednesday and Thursday."

-snip
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/feb/15/bayh-says-he-wont-seek-re-election/

so is a scandal brewing?

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

139. I agree. nt.

[bvar22]

9. Only speculation so far.

Either he did indeed do this FOR the Republicans (not unusual for Bayh),
or a Big Skeleton came tumbling out of the closet.

Apparently, there was a very kissy/teary press conference this morning where Bayh withdrew for unspecified reasons.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7719380

[alfredo]

16. A health issue?

[GrantDem]

35. The deadline is tomorrow at noon. n/t

[Raine1967]

66. No it isn't. Don't lie.

Why the hell would you say this here on this board?

I don't expect you to answer, but keerist you should be called out for a friggin blatant lie. Where did you get that false information, and why are you posting it here?

[GrantDem]

83. Wow...

his petition must be filed with the appropriate county voter registration office for processing beginning January 4, 2010, and no later than NOON, February 16, 2010.

http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/files/CAN-4.pdf

According Indiana Code 3-13-1-3, Senator Bayh's departure creates an "early candidate vacancy," which "shall be filled by the state committee of the political party."

[laughingliberal]

131. Nothing quite like having the facts on your side

Good job!

[Rebubula]

137. So far...

...in this thread, you have responded to a question with the wrong answer (DINO question, you seemed to infer that it was about Mellencamp when it was CLEARLY about Bayh) and then you call someone a LIAR for posting information that is on the Internet and is the freaking truth.

Good start to the day....I hope that you are proud of yourself.

[WhiteTara]

146. where did you get your facts?

it really is today, February 16 at 12pm. Sorry for the reality check. Screwed from the beginning to end by Bayh...wasn't he a Rahm choice?

[JohnnyCougar]

106. By waiting, he also scared off more potent Republican challengers.

Now more potent Republican challengers have no time to register, either. Coats was a ringer. They knew they weren't going to beat Bayh. And now Dems can pick whoever they want.

I don't think Bayh's intent was to screw dems.

[WCGreen]

107. I think you are right...

I spent a lot of time in Small town USA, Fort Wayne, in the late 80's and early 90's...

It's a very conservative area, even the University towns are more moderate than others in the rest of the US...

I think Bayh did us a favor by bowing out when he did because the GOP is going to be stuck with Coats...

[tekisui]

119. But, I don't think this was a rational plan, either.

The result may not hurt Dems, Bayh probably is relieved that it shouldn't hurt the Dems. Having said that, I don't think this is a plan that has been long coming. He jumped ship. There is more to this story, and it will come out eventually.

[gmoney]

5. Good idea...

[catgirl]

6. That would be awesome n/t

[FirstLight]

7. GREAT freaking idea!

If I was in Indiana I would vote for him!

try to find him on Facebook, or start a FB page/club to get awareness drummed up?

Let us know how this movement goes...

you know, we should just start "recruiting" progressives to office that we support, why wait for the DLC/DNC to give US the candidates...there are a few authors, actors, performers etc that would do well in office...wish the 'unknowns' would show up for this stuff too. (and that they/we actually stood a chance in a bought & sold election process)

[Ozymanithrax]

8. Printed elsewhere, the word is that he was trying to force...

a Republican named Dan Coats our of the race because Bayh was beating him by 20 points. And I havent seen any notice that Mellencamp is even interested. I wonder what his rendiiton of "Let the Eagle Soar" would sound like?

[bvar22]

15. I also haven't a clue whether he is interested....

I'm just tossing this idea out into cyberspace.
Maybe the small spark will ignite a fire...probably not.

[Ozymanithrax]

27. Better light a fire real fast...

Friday is the deadline.

[madokie]

10. Just happen to be listening to him right now on kpig radio :-)

He seems like a good guy

[prolesunited]

14. Yeah, he seems to be a good guy cause he wrote a nice song

so let's put him in the Senate.

[saracat]

22. He has done a lot more than that.He is a Democratic activist! Hey John Hall was elected to congress

district in NY and Mellencamp is a lot more popular! This is actuaslly not a stupid idea. Farm Aid was very respected in Indiana.And he campigned everywhere for edwards and obama so he is on the map!

[DefenseLawyer]

56. He's been very outspoken

He was vocally against the war before just about any elected Democrat and he's a supporter of a lot of progressive issues. Your pithy comment is sadly uninformed. I'm not saying he belongs in the Senate or would want to go, but he'd be the most liberal Senator from Indiana ever, including Birch.

[cascadiance]

98. This song? "To Washington"? Sounds like a message he's giving for this thread!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR5HuJU0Ndw

[monmouth]

164. How delightful. Thanks for posting that...n/t

[madokie]

105. geezes

go back under your rock you're much more fun there :-)

[asdjrocky]

11. RUN JOHN RUN!

Seriously, is there anyone more popular than John Mellencamp in Indiana?

He would be one of the handful of Dems I would work.

Hope he reads DU!

C'mon John, fight authority for us just one more time!

[Echo In Light]

12. K&R

[pipi_k]

13. I don't trust anybody

who changes his name ten times



John Mellan Cougar Camp

Mellan John Camp

Camp Cougar Mellan

John Cougar Mellan

Cougar John Camp


or whatever he calls himself these days...

[HopeHoops]

18. John "Cougar" was the only way he could get in the business.

They made him use the fake name because the music asshats didn't think "Mellencamp" would sell. That's the same way they got John "Denver" to abandon "Deuchendorf". After he became popular using the assumed name, he slipped Mellencamp back in, using Cougar as a middle name. Eventually he got the balls to dump the stupid Cougar name entirely.

[NNN0LHI]

19. His family has collected their share of corporate welfare which wouldn't go over well these days

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Welfare+Queen+farm+subsidies+for+the+filthy+rich-a0133250462

<snip>More intriguing are the namesakes--and likely family members--of singer John Mellencamp, who co-founded the annual Farm Aid benefit concert 20 years ago because (as he recently told The Washington Post) the government was "running the small family farm ... out of business." There are 34 Mellencamps in the Environmental Working Group's database, 12 of whom come from a single 20,000-resident town, Seymour, Indiana, which happens to be John Mellencamp's birthplace.

From 1995 to 2003, Seymour's Mellencamps received a whopping $1,297,247 in subsidies, ranging from the Mellencamp Farm Inc.'s $383,673, to George Mellencamp's $249,590, all the way down to Andrew Mellencamp's paltry $420. As with the rest of Indiana's farmers, the bulk of the Mellencamps' handouts came from growing corn.

[Kalyke]

52. I don't mind paying farmers to grow corn.

At least they're producing something unlike the paper-rustling pencil-pushers on Wall Street.

Caveat: I lived in Seymour when I was 6 years old and happened to live down the street from Johnny's Mom and Dad.

[farmout rightarm]

34. The artist previously known as not Prince

...

[Chipper Chat]

127. His agent and/or Mercury Records changed his name.

Would Patti Page be successful if she kept her real name of Clara Fowler? Lots of other examples. Even Michael Savage is really Michael WEINER.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

157. Mellencamp HATED that name....

And started to change it back as soon as his emerging fame would allow.

[sunnybrook]

160. That was when he was really young

and had a Colonel Tom Parker type of agent

[Hippo_Tron]

17. I like this idea

[Cleita]

20. Other choices and I'm not kidding.

Craig Becker if he qualifies for residency and dare I say it Larry Flynt. Larry at least has the cash to run. He wouldn't even need contributions. Senator Flynt would really shake up those congressional blue blood dogs even more than Senator Franken.

[femrap]

48. Right....

women are the ones who put these f*cking dems in office and you want to put flynt on the ticket???
A person who objectifies 51% of the population?

You can't think of anyone else?

No wonder I have no party anymore.

[Cleita]

55. Get off your high horse. Sometimes the guys who objectify women in

print to make money off of the drooling imbeciles who are their readership, are up front in defending women on their issues like abortion and being painted with metaphorical scarlet letters for having sex. Larry, himself, said that the worst thing he could be accused of is having bad taste. His editorial policy is left wing but appealing to the working class rather than the elite. He also mails a copy of Hustler to every member of Congress gratis so that they may know how working class people think. I haven't heard of him beating any women or denying them their human rights.

[Name removed]

90. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cleita]

97. I'm probably older than your grandmother and have lived through

a lot of real sexism in my lifetime, so what Larry does to get money from truck drivers isn't really a concern to me. Besides you know what I was suggesting was mostly a joke. Even if he were pure as the driven snow, his disabilities would keep him from seriously having a career in politics.

[femrap]

101. My grandmother is dead....

has been for a long time.

I'm not laughing.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

158. Sorta hoped you were joking about Flynt...

Larry Flynt is not now, nor has he ever been, a resident of Indiana. What's more, in a state that leans conservative, having a pornographer on the ballot would be just plain cataclysmically stupid. As the replies to your suggestion show, Flynt couldn't even get a majority of Democrats to vote for him.

[sandnsea]

21. Because Ahnold was such a success?

I love John, but this is the kind of thinking that allows Sarah Palin and Joe the Plumber to get headlines instead of serious problem solvers.

[Cleita]

24. Assnold was a success as far as finishing his terms as Governor.

The fact that he was an incompetent Governor has nothing to do with his success in gaining and keeping office.

[sandnsea]

25. Competence is the point of governing

Not just finishing the term.

[Cleita]

31. Then you need to state it that way. He was an incompetent failure as governor.

However, how many of us could successfully run for governor and win, twice and not get recalled for the same problems Grey Davis got recalled for? So you have to give him credit for that.

[sandnsea]

42. What? Arnold wasn't railroaded out of office

so he's a success to you?

Success is completing your job competently. There isn't any other SANE definition of success.

[bvar22]

28. No.

Because there are only 4 days left.
Unless someone with serious name recognition challenges the Status Quo, either the Republicans inherit the seat,
OR
The Conservative ("Centrist") Wing of the Democratic Party appoints another Conservative replacement.

Besides, Aahnold has done a FANTASTIC job....of Getting Elected.
I don't LIKE it that celebrities can get elected in America.
I AM observing the FACT, and finding ways to use it.

Of course, you are free to continue cursing the darkness.

[sandnsea]

44. If Indiana has no recognizable Dem name

Then it's got bigger problems than John Mellencamp can overcome. All this thread shows to me is that the left is as shallow as the right.

[JoeyT]

75. Yeah, because Franken has done an absolutely

terrible job. That's what we get for electing celebrities.

[sandnsea]

93. Franken spent years involved in politics

He didn't step from the stage to the senate. Very big difference.

[Bette Noir]

123. +100

[Sugarcoated]

108. As has been said above

John Mellencamp is well spoken, passionate about helping the little guy, been fairly politically active over the years. So if he's also a singer, that makes us shallow? For all we know he's been considering a move into politics . . . I wouldn't be surprised with the passion he expresses for helping working people, the poor.

[sandnsea]

128. He's a singer, songwriter.

He's used his music to draw attention to political and social issues. He IS NOT a political activist who just happens to sing. He is going to be 60 years old next year. He'd probably choke with laughter at the very suggestion. Honestly this thread just makes me wonder if there's any hope for this country at all. People can clearly see Sonny Bono, Reagan, and other celebrities weren't qualified to run. But can't see it when it's a Democrat and the funny thing is, a lot of people around here thought John Mellencamp was a Republican because he did a truck commercial. That's how "enlightened" DU really is.

[Sugarcoated]

129. You're making a lot of gereralizations there.

All of DU is whack because a few posters thought he was a Republican? Just because one is an artist means he couldn't handle public office and do some good? Maybe he could, maybe not. Maybe he'd desire to run, maybe not. Just talking here, tossing the idea around.

If the OP suggested another Indianan, say, David Letterman, I suspect not so many would be responding as positively. Mellencamp, I can kind of see.

I always hate it when Republican's say celebrities should "shut up and sing/act/etc", and sometimes celebs do come off as idiotic. But, I can't help thinking, just because someone happens to be in the entertainment business, does that mean that they can't be intelligent and express an opinion? I feel the same about this. Al Franken is doing a fantastic job, IMO.

And, come to think of it, 60 isn't that old.

[sandnsea]

133. Letterman is politically active

He just about single-handedly turned the tide against McCain. He was one of the first to start really lampooning Bush. He's had very serious discussions about political topics with a number of people including Al Gore, John Kerry, Obama and others. He's every bit as politically aware and concerned as Mellencamp. So maybe now you get how stupid the suggestion is.

I never said artists should shut up. I said they shouldn't step directly from the stage to the Senate -- unless they've spent a number of years directly involved the way Al Franken did before he ran.

[Sugarcoated]

151. I didn't say he wasen't politically aware

but asking smart questions on a talk show doesn't make him politically active. What has he done outside of that? But maybe he'd do well as a senator, he's certainly seems smart enough. He can put his foot in his mouth on occasion, I wonder if he'd survive the media gotcha machine. Al seemed to be able to control that impulse, but I recall some here criticizing him as a shallow celeb who couldn't handle the job and look at how well he's doing.

Mellencamp is 58, btw, and Letterman's waaay up there in his 60's. Too old according to you, right?

For a long, long time we've had the smartest guys with facts on our side, and the Repub's put out some folksy empty vessel who has, :puke: a good heart and can speak in a way Mr. and Mrs. Middle America can understand, down a beer with; reciting bumper sticker bullshit, the media then proceeds to thake the bait and common sense and facts get drowned out. Why not try a 'man of the people' outsider? Someone who's already well known who the media would pay attention to? Someone who's actually taken action to help the farmers, actually done something. Isn't he very popular in Indiana for his Farm Aid work? A real authentic man of the people and not some empty headed robot type like the R's seem to prefer, but one with passion and brains and conviction? I'm for it.

[BrightKnight]

132. Farm Aid was activism and Indiana has a lot of agriculture.

I'm willing to bet that he could do it and that he would be a good Senator.

[Sugarcoated]

148. Yep

and I agree, he's been involved, is passionate and I'd bet, if he's interested, would make a well spoken, smart contribution to the senate.

[knixphan]

64. Seconded.

[upi402]

32. Equating Mellenkamp with those patrol-bots is apples to oranges

Those are sound ideals you have, but America is very very unsound. People are soooo easy to fool and now corporations have unlimited cash to elect their very own patrol-bots.

[Dinger]

23. Yes, Yes, Yes!!!

:) :patriot:

[The Midway Rebel]

26. I need a Democrat that won't drive me crazy!

somebody that can tell the Republicans to hit the highway!

It would be interesting to hear what John has to say. He is usually passionate about politics but tends to be a populist that rejects the political process rather than a progressive Democrat.

My bet is he'd rather stay on his farm and paint than get involved in the bloody fray that is American politics.

[AwakeAtLast]

99. LOL! DUzy!

:rofl:

[Goldstein1984]

29. Great idea!!

May I suggest a campaign slogan: "Unforeclosed Little Pink Houses for You and Me."

[upi402]

30. Raygun, Ahnold, Franken

next?

[saracat]

33. Sonny Bono, Eastwood(Mayor), guy from loveboat and Fred Thompson!

there were a couple of others.

[upi402]

38. lol, so true and soooo sad

But we better figure it out and get our own stars into office. Or they will get more righties in that supplant our side.

[Art_from_Ark]

115. Pennsylvanians could have elected "Miss Jane" to the House of Reps

but "Jed" sided with the opposition

[Bette Noir]

126. Zelda Gilroy is in the state government here in CA.

She's a good progressive Democrat. Sheila Kuehl. She was an advisor of the comic book club when my husband was at UCLA.

[Bette Noir]

124. Hey, Clint Eastwood was a damn fine mayor.

Of course, Carmel is a very small town.

[DireStrike]

86. Hey, Franken seems to be one of the best senators I've seen in a while

He seems a paragon of hard work and honesty.

[cascadiance]

104. If the Dukes' "Cooter" can win a seat in congress in Georgia, John Mellencamp can too!

http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A259865

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2004/08/09/Cooter-wants-to-debate-Miller/UPI-31421092073217/

[GrantDem]

36. Actually, the deadline is tomorrow at noon. n/t

[upi402]

39. Thank you

Brother

[AwakeAtLast]

100. You sure you're not lying?

;)

[GrantDem]

103. Pretty sure...

[dog_lovin_dem]

166. Terre Haute, In news

just reported the deadline is Friday. They also spoke with Brad Ellsworth about the possibility of his running for Bayh's seat...

[GrantDem]

167. Signatures needed to be submitted by today at noon...

No signatures, no primary ballot placement.

http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/files/CAN-4.pdf

This petition must be filed with the appropriate county voter registration office for processing beginning January 4, 2010, and no later than NOON, February 16, 2010.

[DefenseLawyer]

37. I'm throwing my support behind Jimmy Irsay

He's got plenty of money to run, he only has a slight drug problem and he's a little nuts. He's officially my guy.

[Dr.Phool]

40. Harold Ford just moved to Indianapolis!

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

159. And he's not paying taxes there, either!

[Fla Dem]

43. Unfortunately in order to get on the primary ballot thye need signed petitions

from every county in Indiana. I'm not sure how many signatures are required on the petition. Way too little time to accomplish that feat. However the Dem Party in Indiana could just select a replacement.

[DefenseLawyer]

45. I think you need 500 signatures from every congressional district

not every county. It's probably doable.

[t0dd]

Not by noon tomorrow. nt

[csziggy]

50. 500 signatures per precinct, according to Wikipedia

If Bayh had announced last week and given the party even one weekend for collecting signatures, it might have been possible. But in less than 48 hours? No chance!

That is what is really smelly about this whole thing.

[DefenseLawyer]

59. It can't be per precinct

That's nutty. Anybody can write in wikipedia. There are thousands of precincts in the state, not all of them even have 500 people.

[csziggy]

61. 500 from each congressional district - my mistake, not Wikipedia's

IC 3-8-2-8
Petition for candidacy for U.S. Senator or governor
Sec. 8. (a) A declaration of candidacy for the office of United
States Senator or for the office of governor must be accompanied by
a petition signed by at least four thousand five hundred (4,500)
voters of the state, including at least five hundred (500) voters from
each congressional district.
(b) Each petition must contain the following:
(1) The signature of each petitioner.
(2) The name of each petitioner legibly printed.
(3) The residence mailing address of each petitioner.
(c) This subsection applies to a petition filed during the period:
(1) beginning on the date that a congressional district plan has
been adopted under IC 3-3; and
(2) ending on the date that the part of the act or order issued
under IC 3-3-2 establishing the previous congressional district
plan is repealed or superseded.
The petition must be signed by at least four thousand five hundred
(4,500) voters of Indiana, including at least five hundred (500) voters
from each congressional district created by the most recent
congressional district plan adopted under IC 3-3.
http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar8/

On February 15, 2010, Bayh announced he would not seek reelection to a third Senate term in the November 2, 2010, Congressional election, despite a strong cash position with approximately $13 million in the bank. Some observers have noted that due to his exit, Democrats have limited time to field a Senate candidate in the November 2 election, as the State of Indiana requires 500 signatures per congressional district by Tuesday, February 16, 2010.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evan_Bayh#Retirement

[femrap]

46. Mellencamp may be THE ONLY

rock star NOT to sell his music to Corporations for advertisements!

I doubt he'd want to go to DC....but who knows. I think his heart is in the right place. Maybe Al should give him a call!

[lazarus]

81. not true

witness those "This is our country" truck ads that were running all the frikkin' time a couple of years ago.

[femrap]

89. He waited a long time....

I saw an interview with him. Guess it was over a couple of years ago.

[Chiyo-chichi]

47. John would never run.

They won't let him smoke in the Senate chambers.

[Contrary1]

49. André Carson

Just to watch their heads explode.

[wisteria]

51. Frankin was known for years to be smart and articulate. Taking part in Farm Aide-

while a good cause, is not enough to qualify one for the Senate,IMO. Being a senator is a little more complicated than playing a guitar and writing songs.

And, Bayh's departure at this time allows the Democratic party in Ill. to pick the candidate they feel is a strong contender. You are free to suggest Mellencamp to them, but I wouldn't be surprised if they had someone else already in mind.

[bvar22]

53. The Centrist Democratic Party "picking candidates"..

..has been one of the problems.

SEE: Rahm and the DCCC.

[upi402]

125. Wait. Bush was qualified? Raygun, Ahnold, Sonny Bono et al.

What always gets me is when spouses of deceased leaders run for the dead spouse's seat.

[Lorien]

54. Contact DUer SiouxJ

She has a lot of contacts inside the music industry.

[mochajava666]

57. Love the idea of Senator Mellencamp

I've seen him talk on many interviews and he is intelligent and very politically aware and very progressive.

[WI_DEM]

58. but has he indicated he wants to run?

[BrightKnight]

170. Obama should invite him to dinner with a few buddies.

He would have to run but a political team could be sent in to the organizing and heavy lifting. If he can manage a tour and CD promotion he can manage a campaign.

[Quantess]

60. Is he a good speaker?

He can't sing his way through the election. If he can talk his way out of a paper bag, he has a good chance, IMO.

[Sugarcoated]

109. He has a common man sort of style

a little like that Kinky Friedman guy but not goofy or trying to be a comedian. I don't know if he could hold up under the campaign pressure cooker gotcha microscope.

[gimama]

62. LOVE it! & him!

Bet he's on fb..?!

I KNOW Willie has his #..
I'll go see what I can see..!

hey-HEY! There's a PROGRESSIVE!
:woohoo:

[gimama]

63. his fb page already has comments

requesting he file!

His site: www.mellencamp.com

free tunes there, too.:headbang:

[bvar22]

65. Thank You for this info.

At least, he has the info.
The ball is in his court now.
If he chooses to step up, I will march in his army.
:hi:

[gimama]

72. You're welcome! Hey..!

Will YOU enCourage him on his fb wall?
From his Farm Aid work, I KNOW he is PROGRESSIVE:
cares deeply for JUSTICE.. Working PEOPLE..anti-corporate-bs..
I also KNOW he does alot for wounded/ill Veterans.
That's all the info *I* need to back him!


:applause:

[bvar22]

91. I've never been to Face Book,

but I'll give it a try.

[gimama]

94. C'mon! all the kids are doin' it! ; )

google "facebook" & his name,
it should pop up,
& it will walk You thru it,
step-by-step.

I am not crazy about it,
but it IS goood for some things,
like sharing petitions & PEACE-actions, QUICKLY..
Give it a try..
let me know how it goes, ok?

I didn't see an email address for Mellencamp,
at his site,
but I may have over-looked it..
fb will almost certainly get to HIM
or his trusted personnel..
HE WILL get the message!
:hi:

[KonaKane]

67. I hope he'll be a better Senator than he is a singer.

*ducks*

[opihimoimoi]

68. Count me IN.....DO IT....JOHN...Call Al Franken, get help...do it...

[gimama]

76. I suggest..

sending him some enCouragement
on his fb page..!:hi:

[zonkers]

70. Your exessive use of bold-faced fonts and exclamation points may have already sunk the campaign

[bvar22]

71. OK

I will GO BACK and EDIT my post so that

YOU

can be happy.:party:
.
.
.
Aw Gee.
Its TOO late.
I am soooo powerful, I ruined Mellencamp's whole chance.
.
.
.
.
.
my bad
I should have checked with you first.
I will go cry now.
:cry:

[Swamp Rat]

73. Geaux John!!!

:kick:

[gimama]

77. HA! I KNEW that was YOU!

:hi:

ps.I have NO voice today,
can barely *squeak*, let alone speak..
But trying to rest UP for Fat Tuesday!
Tooo dang FUN!

[Canuckistanian]

74. "And if I'm elected... Pretty pink houses for you and me"

Oh, well.... if a know-nothing like Failin' Palin is seriously talked about for anything higher than dogcatcher, then John Mellencamp should have no problem.

[gimama]

80. a free-range chicken in every pot!

Y'know, if You listen to those lyrics,
You KNOW he understands WE are off-track, as a society.
Mellencamp IS REAL, & PROGRESSIVE!
:woohoo:

[KonaKane]

78. He'll appoint Jack and Dianne as personal assistants.

Oh yeah, life goes on.

[Mike 03]

79. This is dumb, no offense.

If a guy can't even decide what his own name is, and his expertise (and he is brilliant at this) is writing songs, how in the hell is he going to make our country better?

This is wishful nonsense.

[gmoney]

82. well, he wanted to be John Mellencamp, but the record company changed it

It was the 80s, and he relented. He pretty quickly migrated back to his real name and taking creative control of his work, which I think shows integrity.

And honestly, it would be nice to have ONE fucking artist in congress amongst all the fucking lawyers and CEO types.

Elvis Costello has talked for years about going back to "Declan MacManus" but he can't escape the brand name.

[Mike 03]

84. Well, we have Al Frarnken.

Look having been an "artist" in the 80s (not music but film), there is nothing special about artists. It depends on the artist, as you must know.

[gmoney]

96. Of course it depends on the artist.

But from what I've heard and read about Mellencamp, he's smart and his heart is in the right place, and he does have actual "values" and sees what's happening to the middle and lower classes in this country.

How many years has he been doing Farm Aid? I don't think he just shows up and sings, but is actually involved with the cause. Running for congress would let him possibly impact legislation that would help family farms survive the threats of agribusiness, and help protect the American consumer from GM foods and the other health hazards big agribusiness is literally trying to shove down our throats.

I guess Franken counts as something of an artist as well, and he's taking the job very seriously. I think Mellencamp would do so as well, and fight for "the little guy" instead of the banksters, even though I'm sure he's a millionaire many times over, married to a retired supermodel. Even if it's all an act, it's at least the right act, and he'd probably operate consistently with its message.

I don't think that when the country was founded that there were supposed to be "career politicians" -- an established aristocracy as we have today. Those guys were mostly wealthy, but they kept their day jobs. They did a term or two in help out as they could, then they went back to their work. It would be great if that kind of thing were possible today. Elect a farmer, or a machinist, or a teacher, or a haberdasher. Maybe I'm naive to think it could be like "Mr Smith Goes to Washington" but of all the multimillionaires who could run for office, I'd say Mellencamp's pretty high on the list of people who would take it seriously and do a great job for the people.

[Mike 03]

85. I mean, you make good points, but because I was there, I guess I am more jaded

than I should be.

You could be right. Maybe, hopefully, artists will be our saviours.

I would LOVE that. I just am too cynical I guess to believe that is how this will turn out.

But I totally respect what you are saying.

[mac56]

111. Elvis Costello recorded one album as "The Costello Show starring Declan McManus"

but that was soon over.

[gmoney]

118. yeah he flirted with it a few times

I think he does his songwriting credits as MacManus these days

[Goldstein1984]

110. I don't own a single Mellencamp album...

but every time I hear his lyrics they strike home.

I was thinking that his songwriting skills, which includes recognizing reality and distilling its essence into poetry, make make him the kind of elected official that is rare right now--one who is in touch with the people.

I'm from Alaska, but if this write-in fantasy turns into a real campaign, Mellencamp has my financial support.

I share your skepticism about mere celebrity translating into a political career. Look how badly Reagan turned out. But I don't think we're talking about that same scenario.

[crazyjoe]

87. How about one of the greatest BB players of all time

Mr Larry Bird !!

[spiritual_gunfighter]

88. If he promises to stop recording music

I will support his campaign wholeheartedly!

[Union Yes]

92. Do it man! I'd love to see him run and win! knr nt

[reformist2]

95. So has anyone talked to him yet??? :)

[Stinky The Clown]

112. I like how you think! Great idea!

[FirstLight]

113. I posted it on his FB site

here is his official website... http://www.mellencamp.com/?module=news&news_item_id=544

here's the FB page http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Mellencamp/7609814137?v=wall&ref=ts

Club Cherry Bomb is the fanclub link on his main site: contact info: [e-mail]

I wouldn't know who to direct him to contact, but you fine folks in Indiana must be able to catch him somehow...

[KamaAina]

114. Made-to-order campaign theme song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsEwK69LXjQ

:thumbsup:

[troubledamerican]

116. Evan Bayh is a Fifth Column Mole. He never was a Democrat.

Bormann network.

[mckara]

117. Little Pink Houses for You and Me!

[Myrina]

143. ... do you really know the words to that song?

Its sort of a kick in the ass to America and what was done to the middle class in the 80's.

[mckara]

172. You Mean What the Middle Class Did to Itself By Electing...

Neoliberal Stooges.

[Dappleganger]

120. He lives in the Bloomington area...

found this out while researching when we almost (twice) moved there last year. He has a good reputation as a progressive among the locals inside Bloomington; those outside of the city tend to be more conservative, however. They tend to keep to themselves but do step up whenever there are needs and are good neighbors.

I'd vote for him if we were townies. ;)

[patrice]

122. done

[Bluenorthwest]

134. I'd support Mellencamp running for any office

He's a good man, and a thinking man.

[OneBlueSky]

135. he has two sons named Speck and Hud . . . the former is a novice guitarist . .

who occasionally plays with John's band, and the latter is an amateur boxer . . . Speck can play at the rallies, and Hud can beat the shit out of any Republicans who get in the way . . . :smoke:

[TheWatcher]

136. THAT would be Change I Could Believe In.

John is a Stand Up Guy, and he's very intelligent, a lot more informed than most people here realize.

I'd vote for him.

[secondwind]

140. "I love serving the people of Indiana" [SO I'M GOING TO TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT]

And go effin' work for Big Pharma (or some such)...yeah, Evan, WAY TO GO!

Did everyone notice how "unhappy" his wife looked when he was speaking? She's in the pocket of Wellpoint, and he's probably going to be making big bucks with another health insurance company or some such.

YEAH RIGHT, EVAN, YOU "LOVE" THE PEOPLE OF INDIANA....right. :puke:

:sarcasm:

[Myrina]

142. I have a sneaking suspicion it's going to be the Bartman ...

.... former Indy mayor Bart Peterson. :shrug: No facts, no insider tips, just a hunch.

[Chiyo-chichi]

161. That occurred to me.

[janet118]

162. Cowabunga, man . . .

"I will not belch the National Anthem."
- Bart Simpson

[FailureToCommunicate]

145. AND John just played a song for The Obamas -the whole family- at their house!

Mellencamp was part of the recent 'Music of the Civil Rights' concert shown on PBS:

link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn0Ne813QUU



http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/entertainment/jan-june10/music_02-11.html

[Kolesar]

147. The pukes I went to school with fucking hated Bayh too

They sung songs when he lost the Senate in the Reagan takeover. Calling his son a traitor is "a bit" too much.

[patrice]

149. I wonder if Howard Dean would talk to John about this.

[DFW]

153. Howard won't get involved in this

He is not any more thrilled than most of us are with what is happening (or, rather, not happening) with the Party
these days, but he respects the fact that someone else is DNC chairman now, and will not try to do Kaine's job for
him any more than he would have appreciated someone else trying to second guess him while he was chairman (just ask
Rahm). He'd make the call MAYBE if Tim Kaine called him up and asked him point blank, but otherwise, Howard is still
very much on our side, but he is also a team player, and won't step on the toes of the man who succeeded him unless
the guy commits some kind of high crimes and misdemeanors (like endorsing Sarah Palin or something).

[fascisthunter]

150. I'd Vote for Him

Good luck John, your heart is in the right place...

[cascadiance]

152. Another example of a former singer kicking ass in government - Midnight Oil's Peter Garrett

Now that Australia has a newer more progressive government, look who they have as their Environment Minister kicking ass on global warming, etc. that they avoided in the past. Peter "Beds are Burning" Garrett.. Mellencamp will do just fine in the same mold!



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

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

"Blue Sky Mining" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyHGUHbfRHQ

[cascadiance]

154. The Nation's Katrina Vanden Heuvel is now tweeting for John to run...

http://reason.com/blog/2010/02/15/therell-be-rain-on-the-scarecr

John Mellencamp 4 Senator from Indiana. Populist,beloved son of state my husband hails from: http://bit.ly/bb5hht

Mellencamp for Senator from Indiana! He's heartland rocker who tackles corporate power on behalf of family farmers/fighting foreclosures.

http://twitter.com/KatrinaNation

[cascadiance]

155. Will Evan Bayh and Hillary Clinton endorse John now for helping both of them in 2008 election?...

Note this youtube where he played on a campaign rally for both Hillary Clinton and Evan Bayh here...

Hillary Clinton's comments at the end could be used to help Mellencamp's campaign too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laxEO2bfsUI

[BrightKnight]

169. He could have a top tier, plug and play campaign team over night .

I am sure that a lot of heavy hitters would make it happen for him. Fundraising and volunteers would not be a problem. President Obama should invite Mr. Mellencamp to dinner with a few of his buddies.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

156. I'm officially moving to Indiana!

You know, he probably wouldn't win, but it would be way cool to have a guy with Nothing To Lose campaigning for the Senate.

[janet118]

163. WoW!!! Ain't that America!!!! n/t

[BrklynLiberal]

165. Not a bad idea. It is a start. Hope it comes to fruition.

[suffragette]

168. Ebert gives this a thumbs up

http://twitter.com/ebertchicago/status/9173223516

[Karmadillo]

171. Over 400 on the Draft John Mellencamp for Senate Facebook page. If interested,

you can join here:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=303715387841