Presidential Groove: Alan Keyes

Who?: Former Ambassador Alan Keyes (R-MD)

Musician supporters: n/a

Alan Keyes On the Record - Alan doesn't list any favorite musical artists on his MySpace page, but he is apparently a big Star Trek fan. Who knew that?

On Michael Moore's television show, "The Awful Truth", Moore got Keyes to mosh at a Rage Against the Machine concert.

Will Alan answer my question "What music do you listen to?": I was hoping to get an answer from Dr. Keyes, but did not get a response.

Presidential Groove: John McCain

Who?: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)

Musician supporters: n/a

John McCain On the Record -

McCain famously sang "Bomb Iran" to the tune of the the Beach boys' "Barbara Ann".

He also famously points out he wasn't at Woodstock.

McCain oddly is on the record as a big fan of the group ABBA. This article asks McCain what's on his iPod and he says "“Dare I say ABBA. Everybody says, ‘Ehhh, ABBA.’ Why is that? ABBA was the largest selling (recording act ever). Nobody likes them but they sold more records than anybody in the history of the world, including the Beatles. But everybody hates them. (But) you’re a no-class guy if you like ABBA. Why does everybody go see ‘Mamma Mia?’ Hypocrisy! Rank hypocrisy! I’m not embarassed to say I like ABBA, ‘Dancing Queen.’”
More from McCain. If elected, “the background music would be ABBA in the elevators all over the White House.”"

This blogger suggests a couple of Cuban campaign songs. I think he's being saracastic, but the music is good.

This blogger uncovers the secret of McCain's hold music - Melissa Manchester.

McCain's daughter suggests that he listens to Lauryn Hill.

Will John answer my question "What music do you listen to?": I was sorta hoping for an answer from the Straight Talk Express, but no dice. Perhaps, he is too busy surging up the polls, perhaps too embarrassed by his love for Swedish pop. In any case, the McCain website is very explicit in stating that you can send in questions, but John is very busy and probably won't answer. Which he didn't. Which is why he does not get our endorsement.

Presidential Groove: Mitt Romney

Who?: Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA)

Musician supporters: Romney has picked up endorsements from the Osmonds, Pat Boone, and Randy Owen from the band Alabama..

On the Record:

On Facebook, Romney lists his favorite musicians as: Roy Orbison, The Beatles, The Eagles, The Kingston Trio, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn, George Strait, Clint Black, and Garth Brooks.

Romney has inspired this song, which parodies Adam Sandler's "Hannaukah song" as it relates to Mormons.

Probably the best thing to come out of Mitt Romney's election run (it certainly wasn't his Iowa finish) is this:





Will Mitt answer my question "What music are you currently listening to?": Mitt hasn't fared very good in the first few contests. I suspect it's because he won't answer our e-mail. The Romney website asks a lot of questions even before you can submit a question. Well, I gave them all they wanted to know, and still no answer.

We do not give Mitt Romney our seal of approval.

Presidential Groove: Wayne Allyn Root

Who?: Wayne Allyn Root, Libertarian candidate for President, businessman, author, television producer, but probably most famously known for his Sports Handicapping operation.

You've probably heard the name during breaks on the Jim Rome Show. If you don't know the name, then you've probably seen his face on FoxNews or CNN.

Wayne is running as a self-made millionaire who wants to bring that skill to the White House. In other words, like Ross Perot, only with a better head of hair.

Musician supporters: n/a

What I assume is on his personal music player: I just always kind of pictured Root listening to Sports talk radio 24/7.

Will Wayne answer my question "What music do you listen to?": We got a personalized answer from Root, and we print that here in full:

This is Libertarian Presidential candidate Wayne Allyn Root.

Here are your answers. Please point out to your friends and viewers that I'm the youngest Presidential candidate- with a teenage daughter (15) and 3 young kids (7 years old, 3 years old, and 2 weeks old). And yes, I still occassionally watch MTV and listen to rock music! Good luck with your project:

What music do I like?Rock Occassionally Opera

Favorite singers and bands?All-Time:Creedance Clearwater Revival U2 Bon Jovi Rolling Stones Guns & Roses Springsteen

Opera:WagnerLuciano PaverottiAndrea Bocelli

Contemporary:EvanesenceThe Killers Maroon 5 Citizen Cope One Republic Foo Fighters; Once in a while- Toby Keith (country)

What is on my i-Pod?The Killers Maroon 5 Citizen Cope One Republic Bon Jovi John Fogerty Evanesence Luciano Paveratti Andrea Bocelli Toby Keith

This has been an interesting project that i have done, and I am used to getting no response; so I really appreciate Wayne taking the time to answer me back. He gets the full endorsement from us here at Presidential Groove.

Presidential Groove: Hillary Clinton

Who?: Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY)

Musician supporters: The Clinton family should know the power of music more than most. Who can think of the 1992 election and not picture Fleetwood Mac performing "Don't Stop Thinking about tomorrow".

Hillary supporters include: Madonna, Janet Jackson, Katherine McPhee, Melissa Ethrdige, Gail Zappa (Frank's widow), Merle Haggard, Babyface, Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow (listed in Wikipedia, although I have also seen him listed as a Biden and a Ron Paul supporter), Quincy Jones, Clarence Avant, Berry Gordy, Carole King, Carly Simon, and 50 Cent.

That's a guest list any awards show would be envious of.


On the Record: Hillary has inspired Merle Haggard to write a song about her and lament "Why don't we put a woman in charge".

Hillary's YouTube supporters have a counterpoint to 'Obama Girl' with 'Hott4Hil'.

On her myspace, Hillary says her last music purchase was Carly Simon's Into White.

Hillary famously had her campaign song picked by voters on her website. "You and I" by Celine Dion won. Other options that were on her shortlist, but did not win were: KT Tunstall "Suddenly I see", SmashMouth "I'm a Believer", U2- "City of Blinding Lights" and "Beautiful Day", The Temptations- "Get Ready", Jesus Jones- "Right Here, Right Now", Dixie Chicks - "Ready to Run", Shania Twain - "Rock this Country", and the Staples Singers "I'll Take You There".

Will Hillary answer my question "What music are you currently listening to?": Want a quick answer to why Edwards took second in Iowa? I got a personal answer from the Edwards camp, and the Hillary camp sent an automated e-mail. The e-mail is addressed "Dear Friend" and states "Thank you for your message. I have received thousands of emails from people all over the country. Your comments are very important to me and I am excited that so many people are joining our conversation about how to change the direction of the country. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of comments, I am unable to respond to each email individually." beroe addressing ways that you can contribute to her campaign.

What's Playing at the post-caucus rallies:

What's Playing at the post-caucus rallies:

Chris Dodd- Soul Searchers (local blues band)

Hillary Clinton - "9 to 5" by Dolly Parton on the PA

John Edwards - "Pride" by u2 and "The Rising" by Bruce Springsteen on the PA

Ron Paul - Justice (band - most likely these guys)

Barack Obama- "City of Blinding Lights" by U2 on the PA

Source:Des Moines Register, MSNBC

John Edwards

Who?: Former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC)

Musician supporters: Maybe more than other candidate, Edwards is popular with musicians. Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, John Mellencamp and Kevin Bacon (The Bacon Brothers band) have all toured extensively to support Edwards. John also carries endorsements from Harry Belafonte and DefJam honcho Russell Simmons. In Iowa and North Carolina, appearances were preceded by Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley.

What I assume is on his personal music player: Edwards seems hipper than most. I am not sure what he listens to, but I imagine his daughter Cate slips him some good suggestions as well (the Edwards website states the Allmans, Dylan, and Howie Day are on her MP3 player).

On the Record: John has probably the coolest campaign music of any of the campaigns. Examples: The late, great California band Granddaddy cover of "Revolution" by the Beatles. "Salt of the Earth" by the Rolling Stones (off Beggar's Banquet), Bruce Springsteen's "The Rising". Tom Petty's "I won't back down". Stevie Ray Vaughn "The House is Rockin'"

We're also told the mix-tape contains Kanye West, but we're not told what song.

Speaking of mix-tapes, we are told that contributors of %$50 or more to Edwards campaign gets this killer compilation of Edwards favorites. Merle Haggard, Gillian Welch, the Fairfield 4, Del McCoury, Emmylou Harris- I am not sure that offer still stands, but that sounds like an excellent disc.

Will John answer my question "What music are you currently listening to?": With all but a handful of the major candidates left, this excercise has generally been a bust. If you send an e-mail to a Presidential candidate asking about their favorite music, you generally get no response in return.

This begs the issue: What are the candidates going to do when they face the tough questions?

So, I wasn't expecting a response, but guess what? The Edwards camp came through, answering my question within about a 24-hour turn-around.

Here is a paraphrase of that answer:

John is a huge Springsteen fan, and listens to a lot of Bruce. He is also a huge U2 fan. He is also a fan and friend of John Mellencamp and will be appearing with him in Des Moines.

Very cool to hear from the Edwards campaign. Great to get an answer, and also discover John has good taste. We are doing this as impartial as we can, but given the friendliness of the Edwards camp, and the quick response, we give Edwards our highest endorsement.