Video: The obligatory “Raisin’ McCain” clip
posted at 6:55 pm on August 20, 2008 by Allahpundit
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After half a dozen e-mail requests, I finally relent. I’m opposed to songs celebrating politicians on principle and country’s not my musical cup of tea, but it is at least upbeat and possesses the grand virtue of not doubling as a creepy hymn featuring celebrity slackjaws chanting the words of their leader. Exit question: Are we close enough to the election now that we’re sort of obliged to enjoy stuff like this if only because it serves our partisan interests (see, e.g., “The Daily Show” and Zucker’s new movie) or is there still room for indifference?
Update: Needless to say, this one won’t require any denunciatory press releases either.
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I prefer Obama’s Will.i.am and Ludicrus rap music more than this tripe.
/
carbon_footprint on August 20, 2008 at 6:58 PM
You should have relented just so we could “people watch” in that vid, AP!
RushBaby on August 20, 2008 at 6:59 PM
I made it to :23.
socalconservative on August 20, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Hey, Cowboy Troy is onboard too. Not part of the 95%. Fantastic.
RBMN on August 20, 2008 at 7:02 PM
**CRINGE**
It's Vintage, Duh on August 20, 2008 at 7:02 PM
Maybe he can go on tour with the McCain Girls.
It's Vintage, Duh on August 20, 2008 at 7:03 PM
You made it to :23? You are a strong. man.
ParisParamus on August 20, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Raisin? I don’t think he looks that old.
Dan Collins on August 20, 2008 at 7:04 PM
I heard this song on Dennis Miller’s radio show. It’s pretty good.
I’m not much of a country music fan. This is actually the first song I’ve heard from John Rich.
He mentioned to Dennis that ‘Big’ actually donated over $1000 to Obamination.
jencab on August 20, 2008 at 7:05 PM
Ohhhh man! I just love country girls!
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on August 20, 2008 at 7:06 PM
That’s funny.
jencab on August 20, 2008 at 7:06 PM
Let’s face it – any repub needs big margins out of country music fans, and these guys are pretty popular. It takes a little sting out of Toby Keith endorsing Urkel today.
BuzzCrutcher on August 20, 2008 at 7:07 PM
LOLz!!!!!!!!!!
Chakra Hammer on August 20, 2008 at 7:10 PM
I always kinda chuckle at these ‘Country Music’ acts anymore….
He’s got the big ol’ hat, and a bigassed belt buckle, no doubt…
‘Playing’ a Gibson Flying V…..Pure Country….
Nice….
BigWyo on August 20, 2008 at 7:11 PM
I do not like country music either but there is nothing wrong with this song.
Silly fun.
EJDolbow on August 20, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Well,I did enjoy Raisin’s attempt
at his air violin!
AllahPundit,whata mean,cup of tea!haha:)
canopfor on August 20, 2008 at 7:12 PM
I never got Toby Keith. He looks buffoonish and his music stinks. Also, he was on Dennis Miller’s radio show a couple of weeks ago praising McCain and now he likes Obamination. Strange and stupid. I thought he was such a big supporter of the military.
jencab on August 20, 2008 at 7:13 PM
Oh, come on. Some of you sound just like Obama. We “bitter clingers” enjoy listening to redneck country music. Would you rather listen to gangsta rap? Big and Rich are great entertainers. Helps a little if you have a buzz on.
RBMN on August 20, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Upon closer inspection…
It could be Rudy!!!
Heh!!!
BigWyo on August 20, 2008 at 7:15 PM
I thought the stars on our flag were supposed to be on the left when displayed vertically like that… ?
nosliwelyk on August 20, 2008 at 7:15 PM
I never thought I’d say this, but…
Bring back the McCain Girls instead!
It’s raining McCaaaain, Hallelujah
JetBoy on August 20, 2008 at 7:16 PM
They are. By my figuring…about 90% of people don’t know that.
JetBoy on August 20, 2008 at 7:18 PM
I remember all (most?) of the etiquette from my Boy Scout days, but seeing the flag displayed like that in a campaign-style video made me scratch my head.
nosliwelyk on August 20, 2008 at 7:21 PM
I didn’t hear the song, but are you sure he’s not saying “racist McCain”? He is, after all, running against Obama.
Hollowpoint on August 20, 2008 at 7:21 PM
Rich could have saved himself some time and rewritten his biggest hit to “Save a Horse, Ride a Flyboy.”
I’d probably like the video better, too.
Bob Owens on August 20, 2008 at 7:21 PM
I heard a couple of years ago that Toby Keith was adamantly opposed to the Iraq War, mentioning war crimes or something,…that pretty much cut off any amount of seriousness with which I would take his opinions. I’m not surprised he endorsed Bambi.
jimmy the notable on August 20, 2008 at 7:23 PM
Not horrible, which is more than you can say about other tributes. Anyone who actually wants the song can download it for free from here.
amerpundit on August 20, 2008 at 7:23 PM
I’ve seen more McCain bumper stickers here in the Raleigh area the past few weeks than ever before. Admittedly, the Ubama stickers are ahead by 2:1 easily. I’m waiting to see who he picks as VP before I fully commit to a McCain bumper sticker, though.
SouthernGent on August 20, 2008 at 7:24 PM
This Texas gal is not a big fan of country.
terryannonline on August 20, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Cowboy Troy? Why, certainly.
Bob Owens on August 20, 2008 at 7:27 PM
I actually think this song is kind of fun. I heard John Rich comment on the song a few weeks ago – he made it clear that he never intends to write an anti-obama song because that is not his style, his is all about supporting his guy without trash talking the opposition. Slightly refreshing after the crude, rude and unattractive vernacular we were all treated to by Ludicrus.
Side note – songs specifically about a particular candidate are very common in our political history. It is only in the past 30 years or so that the “campaign theme songs” have been songs that are actually released by artists and not directly addressing the candidate. For years before that campaign songs have been about the campaign, and nearly everyone had one. So what John Rich is doing is not some new cheesy thing, but actually a very old historical tradition.
Govgirl on August 20, 2008 at 7:28 PM
I like Big and Rich. They are true patriots. I love country music and the people who listen to it and most of the people who play it. Like NASCAR, most of them are good people, down to earth, hard working, conservative, and God fearing.
Glynn on August 20, 2008 at 7:28 PM
GREAT!
AND THIS WILL PAY BETTER IN THE HEARTLAND THAN THAT WIL I AM SHEISS.
reliapundit on August 20, 2008 at 7:29 PM
Yeah. Cringe is right.
I like country music. I live in Nashville. I like Big and Rich, and John Rich in particular. I like John McCain.
And that was still nothing but a cringe-inducing horror-fest.
Professor Blather on August 20, 2008 at 7:32 PM
HELLLL YEAH!!!! To all you whiney bitches around here! “Play that American giutar!!!”
Stay home…whiners!!! Hey “mb4″ bite me.
LtE126 on August 20, 2008 at 7:33 PM
Explanation for Toby Keith? Two words: Willie Nelson
Been smokin’ the reefer and getting his head filled with liberal ideas.
carbon_footprint on August 20, 2008 at 7:33 PM
“guitar” sorry.
LtE126 on August 20, 2008 at 7:34 PM
By the way, this is the second time I have heard this song and it is actually kind of growing on me.
carbon_footprint on August 20, 2008 at 7:35 PM
Ah come on now…I love Toby keith and have since he was a club/bar singer way back when. But he has always been a self professed liberal Democrat and has never said otherwise. I abhor his political slant, and would never take his opinion on such seriously, but he is way more fun than most and does indeed repect and honor our military always. You’ll be hard pressed to find any entertainer these days who has made more USO trips or donated more to same financially. He may hate the war indeed, but he actually does support the tropps and proves it all the time.
dustoffmom on August 20, 2008 at 7:42 PM
Exit answer: I can verify indifference. But at least it’s catchy.
Tanya on August 20, 2008 at 7:43 PM
ooops….make that support the troops!
dustoffmom on August 20, 2008 at 7:43 PM
Toby is from my hometown and has a house there still. Little bitty Noble, Oklahoma. Oklahoma is actually, overall, a very conservative state. Even a lot of the Democrats are more conservative than most. There is no doubt he is a true patriot. I think the post about Toby and Willie probably has some truth to it. I love Toby. There is no mistaking his true love for the troops, that’s for sure.
Glynn on August 20, 2008 at 7:46 PM
I still remember “Nixon Now (more than ever)” from my childhood. Not too bad a song.
BuzzCrutcher on August 20, 2008 at 7:54 PM
They aren’t taking themselves too seriously and aren’t preaching. They basically did a live concert shot and didn’t resort to odd, artistic filming to make their point seem more “thoughtful” or “hip.” Even if you don’t like country music, at least it’s palatable.
It will be a cold day in South Beach before we get Pearl Jam, U2 or Kayne West to get up on stage praising McCain. Take what ya’ can get…
Thankfully, we didn’t get another “It’s raining McCain.” Now THAT’S eye candy you want to choke on.
Tokyo Times on August 20, 2008 at 8:00 PM
It is pretty contentless to be honest and a little boring. That said, I don’t have a problem with it.
Dawnsblood on August 20, 2008 at 8:05 PM
I love country music, but that was awful!
I think even Clint Black’s Iraq and Roll was better, and that’s saying something!
steadyrock on August 20, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Yeah, I saw him in there too… pretty funny.
As for those trashing the song, I don’t think it’s supposed to be a “hit” country song, it’s just a goofy campaign kind of thing. John Rich is far more talented than this, and is a staple in the country music world.
For those that don’t know, he was an original member of Lonestar, and they basically got their start and were the house band at a huge (now essentially tourist trap) club I worked at in Nashville, and where many of my old Nashville friends actually worked when Lonestar was still there (I moved down years later).
Since then, Rich (who some of you may know, is one half of “Big & Rich”) has written a lot, helped emerging artists get started through things like their “collection of artists”, MuzikMafia:
http://www.muzikmafia.com/
A friend of mine was actually the drummer for one of their artists, but I don’t know if he is anymore. But he was tight with those guys for a couple years and they were really cool, down to Earth guys who help a lot of people out.
Also (name dropping) I had a beer with Rich while watching my friend’s band play at another club I worked at. Pretty cool to see a huge star just chilling out with a couple dozen regular folks.
Anyway, back to the point… As a fan of country music, I agree this song isn’t what I would call “good”, but it’s always cool to see a mainstream artist putting themselves out on the line for a Republican candidate.
RightWinged on August 20, 2008 at 8:25 PM
Only if you don’t listen to country at all. John Rich is half of the country duo Big & Rich, former member of the country band Lonestar, and writer of about half the songs played on country radio these days. “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy”, “Lost in This Moment”, and “8th of November“, a very patriotic song about a Vietnam Vet friend of theirs, are some of their best. Now that I think of it, Big & Rich have another song that would be perfect for the Obama campaign right now. It’s called “Kick My Ass“.
Kevin71 on August 20, 2008 at 8:30 PM
John McCain does have his own rapper “Use Your Brain Vote for McCain”
http://www.myspace.com/hicaliber
Dr Evil on August 20, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Pure suck.
spmat on August 20, 2008 at 9:07 PM
Pass.
The Ugly American on August 20, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Some of you folks (and AP) need to get out more often. Take a drive through flyover country. Get away from the liberals in NYC for a while. Kick back. Drink a beer. Smoke a cigar. Listen to some country. (Just don’t touch our womenfolks)
faraway on August 20, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Agreed. I’m sick and tired of pretentious artists and wannabes.
gxpgxp on August 20, 2008 at 10:04 PM
May I say that that was McGay.
See, I can rhyme too.
That was definitely cringe-worthy.
tickleddragon on August 20, 2008 at 10:12 PM
I’m seeing far more Obaa-aa-aama stickers, but then, I still think that people that mess up a car with stickers are silly. I love my car too much to STICK anything to it. Magnets? Now those are better. Easier to remove.
But I did order my FREE Obaa-aa-aama button from MoveOn.org yesterday. Gonna get me some red paint and make me a Nobaa-aa-aa-aama button from it! Whoohoooo!
tickleddragon on August 20, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Aw, come on now, that was fun. Made ya smile.
Some of ya’ll need to lighten up!!
armygirl on August 20, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Here’s my suggestion for a McCain campaign song:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=J7VdWq6Oh8E
or
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6yQ9a-hJVy0&feature=related
make the libs just froth at the mouth
funky chicken on August 21, 2008 at 12:23 AM
eh, maybe not. his wife’s an obamabot. I didn’t know the poor guy married an actress.
funky chicken on August 21, 2008 at 12:30 AM
He’s an elitist!!
- The Cat
P.S. I need an aspirin.
MirCat on August 21, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Please provide a link supporting that.
A Democrat? Sure. Although I have my doubts.
A liberal Democrat. Point to where he’s said that, please.
Personally I think the whole thing is a facade so he can sell obviously conservative tunes and still appeal to a broader audience … but I want to see where he called himself a “liberal” Democrat.
I suspect that actual liberal Democrats would disagree with that characterization pretty strongly.
For those blissfully unaware, just as Republicans from Tennessee are strikingly different from those in Massachusetts, Democrats in San Francisco are not like those in Tulsa.
Not many Oklahoma Democrats would meet anyone’s definition of “liberal.”
Professor Blather on August 21, 2008 at 1:23 AM
McCain is actually his 2nd choice…
righteouschops on August 21, 2008 at 1:50 AM
For those that think Toby Keith endorsed Obama I think you need to look at the interview from last Friday on the Glenn Beck show.
Just A Grunt on August 21, 2008 at 8:28 AM
Prof Blather,
Actually you caught a typo of mine, as there should be a comma there….as is ‘a liberal, a Democrat. I did not mean to imply he is a ‘SF liberal’ dem at all as indeed he has never said that. In fact he describes himself as a ‘conservative Democrat’ as you so correctly guessed. Here is a link with good background and an interesting interview with him about the whole thing:
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2004/07/toby_keith_democrat/
Nice catch, but sheesh, you didn’t have to sound so beligerent about it! Gosh I made a typo, shoot me. ;)
dustoffmom on August 21, 2008 at 8:33 AM
Just a grunt….actually he sortta kinda has endorsed ‘the one’ on several occasions now. One of many links to this:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080819/ap_en_ce/people_keith_obama
dustoffmom on August 21, 2008 at 8:38 AM
Wow, I never realized so many of my fellow Hot Airheads were snobs. I guess this is a big tent indeed. Say, anybody know a good place to get fresh arugula here abouts?
mugged on August 21, 2008 at 9:14 AM
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