When Hoosier rocker John Mellencamp got word that his tunes were being used for rallies by Republican presidential candidate John McCain, a friendly cease and desist letter was sent McCain's way. McCain, with no permission, was using Mellencamp's hits "Our Country" and "Pink Houses" in race for the presidency. Mellencamp a longtime Democrat and liberal, does NOT support McCain or the Republican party, and until recently supported Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, who dropped out of the race.So Mellencamp's camp sent over a letter asking McCain's entourage if they were sure they thought using his music was a good idea. "Logic says," read the letter, "that the facts might prove to be an embarrassment, were they to be circulated widely." Ouch.Mellencamp's publicist, Bob Merlis further made the point, "in an interview with the
AP,":http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080208/ap_en_mu/people_mccain_mellencamp;_ylt=AoFpbaOBwVkQz7_wQ5JcuOhxFb8C "You know, here's a guy running around saying, 'I'm a true conservative. Well, if you're such a true conservative, why are you playing songs that have a very populist pro-labor message written by a guy who would find no argument if you characterized him as left of center?" Double ouch.McCain's spokesman Brian Rogers has since confirmed that Mellencamp's music would not be used further in McCain's campaign.We applaud Mellencamp for standing up in what he believes in and telling the Republican party to F- off in a very respectable way.Vote BLUE.
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