Sucking On Chili Dogs

There seems to be a movement afoot to draft a "real" progressive to run for Evan Bayh's Senate seat. Who would run? Why, John Cougar Mellencamp, of course! Ron Radosh gives this idea a few thwacks: Mellancamp For Senate: Is The Nation Kidding?

This is the reasoning they offer: His songs are “an icon of Americana,” and have become, so they claim, “the backbone of populist political movements.” Gee, I thought that honor was reserved for Bruce Springsteen—but the problem is that he hails from New Jersey, which leaves Mellencamp to be acclaimed as the Bruce surrogate in the Hoosier state. Moreover, he has real political credentials. What are they, you may ask? He actually “wrote a letter to John McCain” in which the proposed new Senator asked McCain to “stop political agendas, corporate greed and overall manipulation.” Think of it. McCain might have a political agenda! Since that is obviously bad, they don’t explain whether their magazine or Mellencamp might have one also.

Well, give him that one. Writing a letter shows some political concern. From that step, it’s just an easy skip and jump into the Senate club. And remember, he appeared at Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid, helped the middle class, and best of all, has “rocker sensibility.” Does he know anything about legislating, meeting with constituents, negotiating with Republicans and even other Democrats? Not necessary. The man rock and rolls! What more can you ask? Best of all, “he’s a true populist,” the Left’s answer to Sarah Palin.

This is just a reflection of how even progressives know how hard it is to run on a pure left-wing platform. Mellencamp may know enough to sing a few songs and reduce his ideas to a bumbersticker. But, he would not be running (has anyone even asked him?) on the strength of his ideas, but on the strength of his celebrity. He's no Paris Hilton, of course, but there are many people out there with fond memories of hearing him on the radio back in the Eighties, and that's what The Nation values. I don't know what sort of songs The Coug has been writing lately, but his popular songs back in the day could best be described as "Heartland Americana With a Touch of Ironic Social Commentary." Pink Houses is probably the pinnacle of his style with its "Ain't That America/Little Pink Houses For You And Me" refrain. It's not really progressive or even populist. You could wave a flag to his music as much as you could feel smug over its social commentary, such as it was.

I would note to The Nation and anyone else who might think this is a good idea that Mellencamp's popularity has decreased as his strident progressivism has increased. Mellencamp would have to shade his progressivism in order to survive as a candidate. Thus, we would be faced with yet another liberal candidate for Senate, covering his true values under an appealing celebrity sheen. Where have I heard that before?