McCain Stops Using Mellencamp Songs

It may be "Our Country," but it's John Mellencamp's song.

When the liberal rocker found out his songs were being played at events for Republican John McCain's presidential campaign, Mellencamp's publicist sent a letter that questioned the campaign's playlist.

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

McCain campaign spokesman Brian Rogers in Washington, D.C., said Thursday that the songs would no longer be played. He declined to elaborate.

The letter explained Mellencamp was a liberal who had supported Democrat John Edwards, who recently dropped out of the race.

Publicist Bob Merlis said Mellencamp told him that the situation made him uncomfortable and he couldn't imagine McCain would want to be associated with him.

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Photos: Political Action

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"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?"

Mellencamp songs that had been played at McCain's events included "Our Country" and "Pink Houses." In "Our Country," Mellencamp sings, "There's room enough here for science to live, and there's room enough here for religion to forgive." In "Pink Houses," he sings about a simple man who "pays for the thrills, the bills and the pills that kill."

His other hits include "Jack and Diane," "Hurts So Good" and "Small Town." Mellencamp is scheduled to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 10 in New York.

[keithle1]

Here''s a thought for politicos. Before you use songs in your campaigns, read the lyrics.

[realpatriot1]

Inclusiveness is a 2 way street and when Mccain I''d like to see McCain show some inclusiveness in his policies such as working to assist people trying to avoid foreclosure on their little pink houses.

Republicans are supposed to support property rights, so I''m sure you understand that it was an enfringement for McCain to not ask the artists before using his music for his PR.

Maybe Aerosmith will let him use "Eat the Rich"
or he can instill some of his famous potic license and break out with "In the Year 2525 we''ll be leaving Iraq".

[keithle1]

I bet Mellencamp did his nut when he heard McCain was using his songs.

Deliver me from McCain. If USA votes for another Republican President, we really have gone insane.

I know that no one who visits CBS NEWS online will be voting for McCain on Nov. Only intelligent people come here!

[bobnjersey]

why isn''t the RIAA going after the mccain campaign ... isn''t this copyright infringment?

[spammers.hell]

I think Mellencamp''s camp mishandled this. They should have released a public statement congratulating McCain on embracing the true spirit of America, a liberal spirit.

Then Mellencamp could have offered to make introductions at rally''s for McCain, and lauded the candidate for refusing to villify the noble ideas of American liberalism.

[denn034]

Mellencamp''s letting liberals use his songs only lacks the very inclusiveness that he claims to stand for.

[bwessels]

It''s okay, McCain is a liberal. And the fascist neo-cons are fit to be tied about his nomination. Good times!

[justfacts2]

Reminds me of when Ronald Reagan was using Bruce Springsteen''s song "Born in the U.S.A." as his campaign song. If they would really pay attention to the lyrics, then they wouldn''t look like an idiot.