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Boss Backing Obama

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April 16, 2008 10:56 AM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller and Nitya Venkataraman Report: Legendary rocker Bruce Springsteen is throwing his support behind the presidential bid of Sen. Barack Obama, calling the Illinois Democrat "head and shoulders above the rest".

In a letter to fans on his website, the Boss said Obama "speaks to the America I've envisioned in my music for the past 35 years, a generous nation with a citizenry willing to tackle nuanced and complex problems, a country that's interested in its collective destiny and in the potential of its gathered spirit."

"A place where '...nobody crowds you, and nobody goes it alone,'" the iconic musician continued in his letter, quoting from his 2007 song "Long Road Home".

Known for powerful lyrics that detail the struggles of the working class in small town America, Springsteen's endorsement comes at a time when Obama is fighting accusations of elitism and being out of touch with small town voters.

Recent Obama "comments and relationships" the Boss says in his letter to fans "have been ripped out of the context and fabric of the man's life and vision...often in order to distract us from discussing the real issues: war and peace, the fight for economic and racial justice, reaffirming our constitution and the protection and enhancement of our environment."

Only time will tell if Springsteen hits "The Rising" and "The Promised Land" will still be staple songs at former president Bill Clinton's campaign rallies for his wife. Following her wins in Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island on March 4, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. celebrated with Springsteen song "Land of Hope and Dreams" overhead in the ballroom.

During the 1984 presidential election, the liberal rocker objected to Republican incumbent President Ronald Reagan using one of his best-known hits "Born in the U.S.A.", a song that gave voice to the struggles of Vietnam War veterans.

During the 2004 election, Springsteen performed in MoveOn.org's Vote for Change tour campaiging with a coaltion of musicians against the reelection of President George Bush.

ABC News Sarah Amos contributed to this report

April 16, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (168)

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Kevin, do not worry, DKM and his very elitist beloved candidate: Hillary the Bosnian General cannot read polls, they speak Bosnian and donot understand English. The only one thing Hill understands is the her FAT CATS in the Lincoln bedroom, the 109 million + 800 000 from Urube in Colombia to ship American jobs to Bogota and Cartagena . God bless America and God bless Obama. OBAMA08.

Posted by: BKMC | Apr 16, 2008 11:56:38 AM

You're right, DMK. I support Obama, but think this endorsement is rubbish.

Posted by: Kevin | Apr 16, 2008 11:57:42 AM

Obama is the best and brightest hope we have for unity in this horribly divided, but beloved country of ours. Deny it all you wish, but Senator Obama is going to be the next President of these United States. He will have my complete support in trying to undo at least a modicum of damage Bushco has perpetrated upon all of us.

Barack, I wish you well.

Posted by: JAT | Apr 16, 2008 11:58:00 AM

Re: Polls. Polls are good for one thing. Without them, pollsters would have to look for jobs. So how many people were interviewede in this poll? 500, or 1000? How many millions of registered voters in PA? The polls said Obama had NH by 10 points the night before the election. That worked out well for him, didn't it?

Posted by: Melanie | Apr 16, 2008 11:58:56 AM

Let's face it. It was the kind of "mispeaking" that Hillary did that landed us in Iraq in the first place. Give Obama a break, he mispoke with a poor choice of words. On the otherhand, Hillary lied more than once and laughed in our faces doing it. I will vote for McCain before I vote for Hillary. But like Bruce I think Obama is sincere. He's got my vote.

Posted by: sandra bridges | Apr 16, 2008 12:00:06 PM

DMK
- "Who cares about Bruce anymore??! He's so washed out!"
spoken like a true Hillary supporter...if he doesn't support Hillary he no longer matters to the party... as far as an artist supporting someone is concerned ...I think Bruce matters.

I guess Barbra is the only artist left that matters...haha. or the others who stayed in the Lincoln Bedroom with Bill and Hill.

Posted by: dl | Apr 16, 2008 12:01:37 PM

Great endorsement for OBAMA. THIS IS ANOTHER MESSAGE FOR OF US WHO HAS NOT DECIDED YET. IT'S TIME TO GET INVOLVE. THANK YOU BOSS.

Posted by: I.A.T. Smith | Apr 16, 2008 12:01:37 PM

Tthe boss stands for the people. I like that he's made a decision.

Posted by: white blue collar PA | Apr 16, 2008 12:01:59 PM

Ha. As I recall he campaigned for Kerry, how did that work out? Poor disallusioned democrats, making the same mistakes over and over and over. It would be funny, if it wasn't so sad.

Posted by: A reader in Georgia | Apr 16, 2008 12:04:49 PM

Hillary is being ousted by ultra-leftists. Reasonable democrats can still fight the scourge.

Fight back! VOTE NADER


Posted by: Turku Wren | Apr 16, 2008 12:04:55 PM

Kevin -- The title of the poll you linked says "Clinton, Obama remain in statistical tie" so your claim here that Obama has taken a 3 point lead is false.

"Read it for yourself. You are capable of reading, right?"

Posted by: LOM | Apr 16, 2008 12:05:16 PM

...and for those who say polls don't matter...I agree to some extent but this was supposed to be a blow out...remember... Murtha saying she is going to beat him by 20 points...lol...

Do you see the more stallwart dems and intelligent people get to meet Obama up close like Mr. Springsteen (or much of the press) they realize ...the Clintons don't look so good anymore.

It is only those who are intimidated, riding on the memory of her as their first lady and the undeclared queen of the party and/or counting on the the old boys netwrok of politics that the Clintons have ruled for 15 years that stay with them...uh...her.

Posted by: dl | Apr 16, 2008 12:07:09 PM

and LOM ...the title says statistical tie...the actual numbers say he stepped ahead...which personally I am pretty sure is not the case...what is funny is that here is a state with practically the entire political establishment and it's forces backing the old school candidate that they are afraid of pissing off... working to get her elected and in a few weeks she is now close enough in most polls for this poll to happen...

remember she needed a huge win... that is why Gov Rendell is suddenly found making more supportive statements about Obama... because he knew this was coming and now he has to start getting back on Obama's good side after all the trash talk for weeks.

I feel for all those people who were intimidated into supporting the Clintons and now have to try and go back to the candidate that they trashed.

Posted by: dl | Apr 16, 2008 12:12:20 PM

I hope that my fellow North Carolinians have better sense than to vote for Obama. He has already widened the racial divide that exists in this state just by running. Anyone who thinks racism means whites against blacks in this country has never spent anytime here in NC. And yes, here in our small towns we do cling to our Religion and our Guns. We pray every night for God to keep us safe from the drug dealing gangs who have moved into the rural areas here because the law enforcement is not prepared to handle them, and we have our guns ready for the late night home invaders here who come into our homes to take everything we have. And then when we do jail them for their crimes, we get to listen to how racist we are because of the percentage of blacks we have in prison here, and how Brother Obama is going to change all that. For all of us, if Hillary isn't the niminee, we will vote for McCain. I would rather put up with four more years of Republican garbage than put up with what we will go through if Obama is elected.

Posted by: Melanie | Apr 16, 2008 12:13:59 PM

The words of Bruce Springsteen in his endorsement of senator Obama are very moving. I am impressed with his insight concerning his social awareness.......

Thank you Bruce for your support of the senator, the people of America, and the people of the world.....

Posted by: Words of Wisdom | Apr 16, 2008 12:17:52 PM

Melanie did you just say that "you do cling to your religion and guns"? Not sure I read that right.

So you are pissed that Obama said the same thing.

No you all aren't just angry that this candidate who fooled you for years into thinking they were the king and queen of the democratic party...no matter what they did putting themselves first. (Even putting themselves 1st and 2nd... ...can you imagine being the child of Hillary and Bill... yeah sure you're the most important thing in their lives... but put your life on hold ofr in the shadows or spend most of your time talking about BOTH of your parents... can you imagine that?)

Posted by: dl | Apr 16, 2008 12:19:46 PM

The Bruce Springsteen - Sir Elton John contrast tells it all.

Posted by: greg | Apr 16, 2008 12:19:50 PM

James C like all of the other stupid people who have jumped on the elitist comment have no idea what Obama was saying. Let me break it down for you.
Every 4 years the Republicans go into these small towns and spew garbage about Democratic liberals trying to take away their guns, stop school prayer and stop abortion. When plants close and their jobs are shipped overseas, some may even harbor ill feelings towards foreigners blaming them for taking their jobs by working for sub standard wages. Now, instead of voting for the Democrats who have their economic interest in mind, they instead vote Republican, convinced that they will protect their right to own a gun, pass legislation making school prayer mandatory while fighting to repeal Roe v Wade. After years of being screwed, these people will not vote for Democrats. Their vote is based on those hot button issues - not their own economic interest. The Republicans can't solve your financial problems but if you vote for their guy he won't pick a running mate who is Pro Choice. Now tell me, how do any of those things help you if you're unemployed or your house is being foreclosed? ANYBODY? ANYBODY?
Personally, I think people who vote this way are complete idiots! But that's just me. Another snobby stuck up African American female. I'm probably more of an elitist than the Obamas but I'll tell you something...I'm extremely bitter! See, 4 years ago at the age of 44 I voted for the first time ever. For years my family was very active in voting but I always felt that it was just a waste of time even though I was riddled with gilt. As an African American the right to vote was achieved with the blood of a lot of other people. Then in 2004, I voted for Al Gore and look what happened! The whole Florida incident left a bad taste in my mouth. However, there is no way I'm going to miss the opportunity to vote for Obama. Like many African Americans I use to love the Clintons. Now I see them both for who and what they really are. PATHETIC!
Obama08

Posted by: roxanne | Apr 16, 2008 12:19:54 PM

I have absolutely NO intention of arguing with anyone... Someone said, "You know the most insulting and despicable thing about Obama supporters is that they mirror the eltitist arrogance and self righteous attitude of Obama" And I agree with that... Despite the fact that I do not support Obama, I do have SOME respect for him.. And I would have much more respect for him if he showed some humility... Sadly, elitists don't know what that is..

Posted by: DMK | Apr 16, 2008 12:21:13 PM

The Boss - I like his music. But we differ on politics.

Posted by: Dogsoldier | Apr 16, 2008 12:23:44 PM

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