Kid Rock On Politicians… Well… Not Literally

Cool.

“I truly believe that people like myself, who are in a position of entertainers in the limelight, should keep their mouth shut on politics,” the rap-rock musician, 37, tells CMT Insider.

“Because at the end of the day,” he goes on to say, “I’m good at writing songs and singing. What I’m not educated in is the field of political science. And so for me to be sharing my views and influencing people of who I think they should be voting for ... I think would be very irresponsible on my part.”

Of the celebs who haven’t taken the same approach, Rock says, “I think celebrity endorsements hurt politicians. As soon as somebody comes out for a politician, especially in Hollywood, when they all go, ‘I’m voting for this guy!’ – I go, ‘That’s not who I’m voting for!’ “

UPDATE: Here’s a little Kid Rock for y’all:

Only God Knows Why

Cowboy

1. “I truly believe that people like myself, who are in a position of entertainers in the limelight, should keep their mouth shut on politics.”—Kid Rock

   “I’m proud to be an entertainer.”—Rush Limbaugh

   Hmmmm ....

   Posted by folkbum on August 26, 2008 at 1953 hrs




2. Kid Rock is known for having multiple run-ins with law enforcement. In February 2005, Kid was arrested on assault charges for punching DJ Jay Campos in ‘Christies Cabaret’ strip club. Rock pled no contest and was sued for $575,000 by Campos.[16] Kid Rock was cited for assault on Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee on September 9th, 2007 at MTV’s Video Music Awards.[17] In October 2007, Kid Rock was involved in a brawl at a Waffle House in Atlanta.[18] Kid is required to perform 80 hours of community service

   and must complete a course on anger management.

   So, I guess that depends what type of entertainment we are taking about.  One of these guys is not like the other.

   Posted by on August 26, 2008 at 2013 hrs




3. This is smartest things i’ve heard today, and from Kid Rock no less…

   Posted by on August 26, 2008 at 2013 hrs




4. Good at writing songs and singing?  Bawitdaba...case in point.  Maybe entertaining. 

   Anyway, I wouldn’t vote for the other guy if, say, Clooney was endorsing him.  I do as I normally do and think for myself, as most people should when voting.  But, it’s politics and you have to pander(gun rights, religion, shaking hands with a celebrity) to the sheep if you plan on winning.

   Kerry almost won by having celebrity endorsements.

   Posted by on August 26, 2008 at 2026 hrs




5. Always did like Kid Rock.  Now I like him even more.

   Posted by on August 26, 2008 at 2137 hrs




6. He makes some excellent points, but he makes a very important distinction when he says:

   What I’m not educated in is the field of political science. And so for me to be sharing my views and influencing people of who I think they should be voting for ... I think would be very irresponsible on my part.”

   Lots of entertainers make it a point to educate themselves in the intricacies of the issues facing the country. George Clooney, mentioned above, is a good example. For that matter, so is Ted Nugent. I usually agree with one and disagree with the other, but the point is that entertainers have as much right to speak their mind on politics as anyone.

   So for Kid Rock to say that entertainers should keep their mouths shut is a little disturbing. Isn’t rock and rock supposed to be about raising hell? What could be more hell-raising than working to overthrow the established order?

   Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 0835 hrs




7. but the point is that entertainers have as much right to speak their mind on politics as anyone.

   Perhaps true in a sense, but with the access that they have to media and such, they have the ability to appropriate the attention and media outlets that have been garnered from their fame in their musical (or acting) careers and use those for political purposes.  There are so many people more educated and more understanding of politics and economics who have nothing close to the stage celebrities have to put forth their opinions.

   I won’t say its fair or unfair. Its just the way it is.  And it is a shame.

   Wether its pitching breakfast cereal, sneakers, or whatever, when celebrities use their fame to influence people, I don’t think its always results in people making the best choices for themselves.  I think its far too tempting for some people to like a candidate because their celebrity hero’s ;roll: do, rather than understanding how the issues really work.

   Lastly.  While many celebrities may purport that they educate themselves on politics, I can say for ABSOLUTE certain that the narcissism and the complete disconnect with reality that is INHERENT with fame, makes them very poor at knowing and recognizing what is good for the non-uber-rich.

   These uber-rich celebs have NO idea what is good for the middle class (or anyone else for that matter) NONE.  Their is a warped sense of the world that comes with fame, fortune and power.  Power and fame warp the mind… And just because a celebrity claims they have educated themselves on politics doesn’t (in my opinion) render any verification that their judgement is not completely suspect and their values are not completely warped.

   Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 1138 hrs




8. These uber-rich celebs have NO idea what is good for the middle class (or anyone else for that matter) NONE.

   Neither does John McCain, and probably for the same reasons.  Right?

   I think it’s certainly true that just because someone is a celebrity doesn’t mean they know jack about anything else, politics included.  They are probably have ignorance in the same incidence as the general population.  But the general population as a right to their opinions and to speak their minds.  So do these celebrities. 

   I don’t have any problem with them using their fame to advocate for their political views.  I think it would be dumb to think that they know what they’re talking about by virtue of their celebrity, but they certainly can speak their minds.

   If I was a famous singer or actor, you bet I’d be speaking my mind.  And nuts to anyone who says I shouldn’t.

   Posted by scott on August 27, 2008 at 1215 hrs




9. But the general population as a right to their opinions and to speak their minds.  So do these celebrities.

   Never said they didn’t have a right

   I don’t have any problem with them using their fame to advocate for their political views. 

   Well of course you don’t.  By and large they are raging socialists like yourself, I’m sure you want them to speak out as much as possible.

   Like I said… It is what it is.  Fair or unfair, its reality.  If citizens had a better understanding of freedom, our constitution, economics and how public policy affect things, it wouldn’t matter what celebrities say and anything celebrities said would be met with critical analyzation by those who hear it.  Unfortunately, many people hear it and think it sounds good, and someone famous said it, so they just think the same.  Thats a shame and its a big part of the reason we have the government we have.

   Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 1248 hrs




10. I give anyone credit for putting their name on the line and freely expressing themselves.  I admire Tom Cruise for going in front of a nationwide audience and rattling of his Scientology mumbo jumbo.  The dude is clearly a nut ball, but his willingness to put his credibiility on the line for something he believes in is admirable.  Even if that something he believes in is flat out crazy.

    There definitely is a problem with entertainers having undue influence, but I wouldn’t blame the entertainers for that.  If I was in a position where people were interested in broadcasting my opinions I would certainly give my opinions out freely.  We should be critical of the phonies that say whatever they think the public wants to hear, not the people that speak their minds.

    Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 1405 hrs




11. Speaking of “undue influence,” I’m way more worried about the influence that organizations with lots of money have on American politics, not celebrity blathering on daytime tv.

    Posted by scott on August 27, 2008 at 1412 hrs




12. I’m way more worried about the influence that “entertainers” like Limbaugh, Rhodes, Hannity, Olbermann and O’Reilly have on American politics, not celebrity blathering.

    Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 1418 hrs




13. Here’s what I don’t get ... why does anyone believe that what they have to say about anything actually has any real impact on changing the political climate?  There are probably hundreds of performers whose work I love. but whose advocacy of public policy positions is in direct conflict with my own.  The Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, John Mellencamp among many many others has as much impact on my beliefs and opinions on any given political subject as Kid Rock, Bruce Willis, Charlton Heston or Arnold Schwazenager has.  The only real resentment I ever have is when I am subjected to one of thier rants or lectures at a performance ... mostly because thats not what I paid to see, unless I bought a ticket to Live Aid or Farm Aid.  The people who are actually forming thier opinions based on what many of these people have to say when they are standing on thier soapboxes are just as likely to be influenced by a million other equally meaningless stimuli they may encounter.  I don’t feel threatened by those performers who choose to speak out ... I simply ignore them.

    On an aside, one of the performers who really pissed me off with his on stage rants was Mellencamp.  I saw him in Minneapolis back in 88 or so and he went on a 15 minute tirade on the crass comercialization of rock music, and the bastardization of great music like ‘Revolution’ to sell Nike shoes.Now, some 20 years later, you couldn’t watch a sporting event without hearing ‘This is our Country’ being used to hawk Fossil Fuel Guzzling Chevy trucks to us.  The last time I saw him, he made no speeches, and in fact, made it a point to say he had learned over the years that his fans simply ‘don’t want to hear all that shit’.  I wonder if someone calling him to the carpet for his hypocrisy and ‘selling out’ helped him come to that realization?

    Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 1506 hrs




14. The problem isn’t entertainers, it’s media outlets that treat the entertainers position as more meaningful than any other Joe’s.

    Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 1648 hrs