Mellencamp Deleted from McCain's Playlist

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Mellencamp Deleted from McCain's Playlist
By Sarah Hall
Fri, 8 Feb 2008

John Mellencamp wants to make it clear—he doesn't want to R.O.C.K in John McCain's U.S.A.

Upon learning that songs of his, including "Our Country" and "Pink House," were being played at campaign events for the Republican senator and prohibitive presidential nominee, the liberal musician had his publicist draft a letter expressing his discomfort with the situation.

"Mr. Mellencamp identifies very strongly with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and was supportive (with these same songs!) of the candidacy of John Edwards, on whose behalf he made several campaign appearances," read the letter sent to the campaign by spokesman Bob Merlis on Monday.

"Are you sure you want to use his music to promote Senator McCain's efforts?" the letter continued. "Logic says that the facts might prove to be an embarrassment, were they to be circulated widely."

Merlis said the singer couldn't imagine why McCain would want to be associated with him.

"You know, here's a guy running around saying, 'I'm a true conservative,' " Merlis told the Associated Press. "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?"

A spokesperson for the McCain campaign said Thursday that the songs have since been dropped from the senator's playlist, but declined to elaborate.

Merlis said Mellencamp has not yet endorsed another candidate since Edwards dropped out of the race on Jan. 30.

The rocker is scheduled to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Mar. 10.