“He uses conservative language for progressive messages, and he delivers them through a populist mechanism — rock music,” Christopher Borick, a professor at Pennsylvania’s Muhlenberg College who teaches a class on Springsteen, told POLITICO. “He references flags; he references Jesus; he references God. His approach to lyrics, from a political sense, often uses conservative-tinged words that might resonate with voters who are by no means liberal.”
And “he doesn’t call out names,” Borick added, noting that despite Springsteen’s well-documented criticism of the Bush administration, his songs don’t reference the president.
“For me, his personal politics are heartbreaking,” said Evan Sayet, a conservative blogger and comedian. “But his lyrics, over and over again, mention some of the fundamentals of conservatism — that though life is horrible, it’s not horrible enough for you to need a handout. When he talks about interpersonal relationships, or the responsibilities we have, one on one … he almost — unconscious to himself — has a conservative message.”
Others suggest that Springsteen has broad appeal because he is more descriptive than prescriptive.
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