John McCain: ABBA fan???

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June 10, 2008 2:20 PM

In all the commotion over Hillary Clinton's long goodbye to the Democratic nomination fight, an odd moment in the Republican race got surprisingly little attention.

Presumptive nominee John McCain called a Phoenix radio station last Friday and confessed to a secret passion for ABBA!

McCain dropped the ABBA bombshell on the popular Johnjay and Rich Show on Phoenix's KZZP-FM. McCain told the deejays that before big speeches he pumps himself up by listening to the Swedish quartet's 1977 hit "Take a Chance on Me."

It turns out this wasn't the first time McCain had revealed his inner Fernando. In South Carolina last October, McCain confided in reporters on his campaign bus and told them that if he's elected ABBA would be the background music in "elevators all over the White House."

"ABBA was the largest selling (recording act ever)," he protested, in comments quoted by the Austin American Statesman.

Granted, he was a little defensive: "Nobody likes them, but they sold more records than anybody in the history of the world, including The Beatles. But everybody hates them. 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.’” McCain said.

The image of the former war hero rocking out to "Dancing Queen" might well queer the idea of the Straight Talk Express. But McCain isn't worried.

"He said that a lot of people won't admit that they love ABBA, but he would," disc jockey Rich Berra told the Arizona Republic newspaper. "Then he asked us if it was old-fashioned to like ABBA, and we said that it wasn't old-fashioned at all."

Have Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny, and Ani-Frida EVER really gone out of style??? Mama Mia! the movie hits theaters later this summer. McCain appears to be in good company.

McCain’s campaign apparently hopes that his fondness for the Swedish super troopers might help woo women voters.

His campaign blog now features a vintage video of "Take a Chance on Me." "Attention disaffected Hillary supporters," the blogger trumpets, "John McCain is a huge ABBA fan. Seriously."

But apparently ABBA would not allow McCain to adopt the song for his campaign theme music -- at least not at an affordable price.

"Money, Money, Money" is, after all, one of ABBA's other big hits.

The Swedes may pay taxes like socialists, but like the Republicans they do believe in free enterprise.

McCain joked to reporters: "It gets expensive in a big hurry, and if you’re not careful you can alienate some Swedes. If word gets out to Stockholm that we’re using ABBA music, then there’ll be a worsening in US-Swedish relations.”

Mama mia indeed.

June 10, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan | Permalink | User Comments (22)

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what's wrong with an American group McCain?

Posted by: usa | Jun 10, 2008 2:29:31 PM

McCain is soooo stuck in the 70s :-)

Posted by: ncvoter | Jun 10, 2008 2:30:50 PM

I am not voting for McCain. He is an ABBA fan and he wants to veto beer...LOL!

Posted by: Alan | Jun 10, 2008 2:30:53 PM

This confirms it... he is certifiably insane!!! (Can't wait for karaoke the night beofre the nomination) What does it take for people to see this guy's in outer space, just like "Ray-gun Ronnie!"

Posted by: patriot | Jun 10, 2008 2:34:10 PM

I can reckon now "Old good days" memories are clicking in McCain's mind.

You had had good time Sir!

Posted by: Peace | Jun 10, 2008 2:44:57 PM

Well, what do you expect he WAS in the NAVY!!!

Posted by: pity | Jun 10, 2008 3:00:27 PM

He also likes gothrocker Evanescence... go figure.

Barrack needs to reach out to voters too... maybe he needs to feature polka, Helen Ready and Waylon Jennings at his rallies.

Posted by: smartprimate | Jun 10, 2008 3:05:00 PM

Oh honestly. This story broke months ago -- he praised ABBA at a rally when the Republican primary race was still going on.
"Evidence that McCain forgot his medicines the morning of the South Carolina event became obvious when someone on his bus asked what was on his iPod: “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 embarrassed to say I like ABBA, ‘Dancing Queen.’” "
- From Wonkette in OCTOBER.

Posted by: Hilary | Jun 10, 2008 3:20:53 PM

Actually, I like ABBA also even I don't really know them,I listened to all kind of music including Frank Sinatra, etc..
They are much older than me,,,I don't care..as long as I like their songs.
As much as I like Cold Play,James Blunt, Maroon 5, fight for fighting..etc
no big deal..

Posted by: catleya | Jun 10, 2008 3:42:46 PM

What is "Straight talk express"?

Posted by: catleya | Jun 10, 2008 3:44:25 PM

Now, since Hillary's gone, MSM start to pay attention to MCCain.
I wonder who they are going to hit more on Obama or MCCain.
At least Hillary gets some rest now.

Posted by: catleya | Jun 10, 2008 3:51:42 PM

McCain is SANE COMPARED TO OBAMA.

Posted by: mj | Jun 10, 2008 4:15:54 PM

There's nothing wrong with liking ABBA, but there's definately something wrong with voting for McSame/McBush. Actually, ABBA is/was a great group. I loved their clean music.

Posted by: Lonnelle | Jun 10, 2008 4:26:21 PM

I'm with you all the way McCain! Mama Mia is coming out in August with Meryl Streep (bet she's endorsing McCain too, although I would have seen her as a Hillary supporter). At least he doesn't like hateful rap. Whatever music he likes...I don't care, I'm with him. McCain '08/Hillary '12

Posted by: Debra | Jun 10, 2008 4:26:56 PM

ABBA seems to be to recent for McCain. I would picture him more in the Elvis era.

Posted by: Huh | Jun 10, 2008 6:03:17 PM

Debra,
Meryl Streep as a McCain supporter? That's funny.

Posted by: Sue | Jun 10, 2008 9:34:31 PM

ABBA is a classic! I love it, my husband and daughters love it! Good for McCain. Maybe he is worth a chance, we'll see how the next few months shape up.

Posted by: JKR | Jun 11, 2008 9:06:59 PM

As far as I'm concerned, he should be the next President of the United States. I don't care about his politics; he knows that ABBA was the greatest band ever, and I applaud him for bringing this to the attention of Americans. Maybe this endorsement, and the Meryl Streep ABBAlove-fest in July will allow Americans to FINALLY realise what the rest of the world has always known: ABBA rocks.

Posted by: Graeme | Jun 12, 2008 1:36:55 PM

Does anyone know if Obama is a Hip - Hopper?

Posted by: Anders Scooper | Jun 12, 2008 9:11:50 PM

Republicans use racist fear of the black man while they continue to screw over whites and everyone else as they laugh all the way to the bank.

Yep, republicans are counting on whites to ignore 7 years of getting screwed without vaseline because they think fear of blacks will trump any problems they have with bush/cheney and mccain.

Posted by: geevil | Jun 13, 2008 12:50:27 AM

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