“Rock and Roll Band”
Written on Sunday, February 17th, 2008First of all, I finally decided who to vote for in the Democratic Primary back on February 5. It wasn’t easy, but I did vote for one of the two candidates that is going to win the Democratic nomination. Eventually.
Anyhow, I am not publicly endorsing one candidate or the other (partly because no one cares, but mainly because that would be their political death sentence). Besides, I am probably not voting my true instincts, if you believe ABC News.
A few months ago, I took their “Which Candidate is Right for You” test, or whatever they really call it. I think either Slate, Eric Zorn, or someone else had a list of all the possible tests out there on that Internety-thing– I really don’t remember.
But anyhow, I started taking the test and I remember thinking: “Gee, these are really stupid questions.” Or, just as often, “Okay… these are the only possible answers??”
I did my best to answer them, but a lot of them weren’t really addressing my actual concerns for November 2008 (let alone February). Like, you know, ability to actually administer a superpower government somewhat responsibly.
The last question, most likely weighed as heavily as “Whadaya think about saving the world from war, famine, and inequality?” (I’m in favor) went something like this (and I am completely making this up from my unreliable memory):
Whadaya think is more important in a leader? Executive experience or legislative experience?
Now, I knew where this question was going. Obviously, this would be a point towards Richardson, Huckabee and Romney, and against the Senators Six, although theoretically Clinton lived in the same house as an executive both in Arkansas and Washington D.C. (theoretically)
But I answered truthfully, because all other things being equal, I know that Vision and Execution are two different things, and although you need Vision, the ability to be the C.E.O. of every federal agency might be a bit handy in that ol’ presidential job.
(To clarify, though, even with the current occupant of the White House alleged to have had executive experience, having run Texas (both State and Rangers), I would argue that being a successful executive probably requires the ability to successfully execute GOOD POLICIES, not CRIMINALS.) (end subtle slam at the capitol of capital punishment)
That question probably screwed me the most. Because I clicked through and wound up with the shock of my life.
ABC News projected that the winner of the David Waxman Popularity Contest Among Presidential contenders was none other than Mr. Mike Huckabee!
(A certain prominent Marin County Republican who appeared live on my KRCB Election Night broadcast insisted on calling him Hucklebee, but never mind that now.)
For the record, I do believe in evolution, and while I have been to Arkansas, it was only along Interstate 55 en route to Memphis when I was bored and couldn’t sleep one night in college, and that’s the complete opposite side of the state from Hope.
In other words, ABC News was wrong, I was confused about my own values, and that brings me to Boston. The band, not the city.
It seems that Boston founder and songwriter Tom Scholz is mad at Huckabee for performing “More Than A Feeling” with his band “Capitol Offense” while on the campaign trail.
“Boston has never endorsed a political candidate, and [with] all due respect, would not start by endorsing a candidate who is the polar opposite of most everything Boston stands for,” wrote the angry young old man (wait, that’s Styx… eh, they’re all the same).
In the same letter, Mr. Scholz effectively endorsed Barack Obama.
The Associated Press kindly reminded us of other instances of rock and roll and politics crossing paths. Ah, Boomers, changing the world in oh-so-many ways.
Last week, apparently, John Mellencamp convinced John McCain to stop playing “Our Country” and “Pink Houses” at his rallies.
But Celine Dion is totally into Hillary Clinton playing her music, and U2 doesn’t object to Barack Obama playing its music.
If anything, this seems to prove that the coolest music comes from people who vote for Democrats, but at the same time– in defense of our really cool Republican leaders– artists need to give up a little bit of control. Dude– so what if scary Republicans like your music?
Progressives need to learn that they’re really likable people, and that even Neocons are allowed to like you without giving you cooties or destroying your liberal street cred.
Anyhow, I just downloaded the first Boston album from iTunes, and it is good music.
