Dennis Kucinich

Who? Rep Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)

Musician supporters: Ani DiFranco, Jello Biafra, Willie Nelson

What I assume is on his personal music player: Way to the left and big with the granola crowd, of all the candidates, Dennis is the one most likely to own Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain.

On the Record: Dennis has pretty impressive credentials for the diy/indie crowd, while he brings support from Ani DiFranco (who he has appeared onstage with) and Jello Biafra (ex-lead singer of the Dead Kennedys). He has also got a near-endorsement from Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons, though Simmons has since backed off.

Kucinich also should pull in the Polka vote, as one can access several polka sites from Dennis' congressional webpage.

Unsurprisingly, Kucinich's (unofficial) Myspace page plays all the great protest singers of the last 20 years- Lennon, Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Neil Young, even up to Wyclef Jean and Rage Against the Machine. The official webpage has an impressive list of friends: Green Day, Springsteen, Smashing Pumpkins, and Bob Marley (who has yet to endorse a candidate).

Dennis is probably the only candidate in this election who has his own genre of music. Okay, that may be stretching it, but he does have his own soundtracks (not one, but three inspired by the former Cleveland mayor).

Kucinich- bringing together punks, hippies, country legends, hiphop moguls, and polka dancers.

Will Dennis answer my question "What music are you currently listening to?"

I got a quick reply from the e-mail I sent. It came from an intern who said she had no idea what was on Dennis's MP3 player. She said that she was in Iowa, and so she never sees him.

Interesting to note the quote about Dennis and Iowa, as most candidates are spending every free moment here, and even one (Dodd) has temporarily moved his family here.

No answer, but positive marks for the quick response (within an hour or two) and the friendly tone. The e-mail was signed "In hope and peace".

I suspect that Duncan Hunter doesn't sign his e-mails that way.

Chris Dodd

It was Chris Dodd who helped inspire this project. He had a section on his website in which he asked people to send in their iPod selections

I have to give a respect to anyone who would take up my suggestions to listen to Hank Williams III, Gogol Bordello and the Kronos Quartet (assuming he would). Think of the possibilites. Wonkette has.

Sadly, I don't see that on his website anymore. Although if you know to look for it, it's there.

I did see him when he appeared in my home town, and I asked him what he had been listening to.

The following is not an exact transcript, but is as very close as possible to his word-by-word answer.

"Someone just sent me some Pearl Jam.... Paul Simon is a good friend. I listen to alot of Paul Simon.... I'm probably dating myself here.... That guy from Massachusetts...umm (thinking)....James Taylor.... Also, Bono is a friend of mine."

I give Sen. Dodd credit for being a good sport and answering. I don't know if I tipped my hand by being there. If it wasn't a 30-something asking the quetion, would he have said Bono and Pearl Jam. We have to give him the benefit of the doubt.

I have started this blog inspired by something on Chris Dodd's website, in which he mentioned that he wanted people to send him his recommendations for stuff to listen to.

So when I finally got a chance to meet Sen. Dodd, I asked him what he was listening to.

I am going to use this blog as a basis to ask Presidential candidates what they currently listening to.

I suspect I won't get much back, but it will be fun, I am sure. It's about the journey, not the destination, right?

You will also notice that this blog will not mention a certain litigous earphone/music maker, but you know of what I mean.

This is a test.