Dissecting the Dissecting

OK, my fellow bloggers are defending Huckabee on more substantive issues against attack pieces. But this one just stuck in my craw. This is an article from Newsweek regarding Mike Huckabee and his band playing at the historic Surf Ballroom. To get my inspiration for this post I am listening to my new Ritchie Valens CD.

• The Deep, Dark Secrets of Huckabee's Rock 'n' Roll Set List
• Andrew Romano

• On Friday night, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee stood on stage at the historic Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa--a Tobias bass guitar slung over his shoulder, his Little-Rock-based covers band Capitol Offense arrayed behind him--and said to the crowd that he was there to "to show that conservatives, Republicans, Christian believers can have as much fun as anybody else in the whole world... Nothing heavy, nothing political.
• "Riiight.

That's right Mr. Romano. It was nothing more than fun.

• Sorry, Mike, but when you're campaigning for president, everything is political. For starters, Friday's show--with tickets priced at $10 per person, or $25 per family--raised thousands of dollars for the cash-strapped Huckabee campaign. I (Kathy) think that the ticket prices were more than reasonable, not just to see Mike Huckabee play guitar, but to also be at the historic place. You just mentioned that he is cash strapped. He could have taken advantage of the situation, but he didn't. That's the kind of person Mike Huckabee is. He wanted everyone to be able to attend, not just some sort of snobbery event where only people with Caddilac SUVs could attend. Secondly, the Surf (site of Buddy Holly's final gig) was swarming with reporters from NBC, the Rocky Mountain News, the Los Angeles Times, the Des Moines Register, Radio France and, um, Newsweek; do you think we would've trekked to remote Clear Lake and provided much-needed media attention if not for the novelty of a rocking 'n' rolling Republican? Subtle hint: the correct answer is no. The Surf Ballroom was swarming with reporters when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson played there. What's your point?
• And then there's the little matter of the Capitol Offense set list. On the surface, it may read like the repertoire of a typical Baby Boomer wedding band--"Roll Over Beethoven," "Wonderful Tonight," "Brown Eyed Girl." But we political junkies know better. While well-behaved supporters danced to the simple sounds of yesteryear--or so they thought--Stumper listened closely for subliminal political messaging. Below, in a Newsweek worldwide Web exclusive, are the results of our hard-hitting, no-holds-barred investigation...
• Nice try on the innocent "nothing political" routine, Gov. Huckabee. You've just been Stump'd.

Oh no, here we go.

• Only in America: The opener, say showbiz types, is always important. But when I first heard the lyrics of this Brooks and Dunn hit -- "One kid dreams of fame and fortune / One kid helps pay the rent / One could end up going to prison / One just might be president" -- I was puzzled. Then it hit me. Mike Huckabee wants to president! (Also, the entire band pointed to him at this point in the song.) "Only in America," goes the chorus. "Dreaming in red, white and blue." NB: those are the colors of the American flag, according to documents obtained by Stumper. You sly dog, you.

This is a great song. It has a great message about the fabric of America, that we all are raised different and grow up different. This choice of song for Mike to pick just goes to show that he understands the American people. I would like to think that the American people are not just going to pick a president based on what songs he likes. Sheesh.

• R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.: Track two was also, I think, about the United States of America (a.k.a., the "U.S.A."). "With the blind faith of Jesus, you know that they just might be rockin' in the U.S.A," sings John Cougar Mellencamp on the original recording. This "Jesus," sources say, is a very popular figure in this country--especially with the heartland conservatives Huckabee is courting in Iowa. Campaign aides would not comment when asked if an endorsement was forthcoming. Calls to Jesus's press office were not immediately returned.

For real, did ya really have to bring Jesus into this?

• Taking Care of Business: Does this Bachman Turner Overdrive track have something to do with America's "business" community and how Huckabee would "take care" of it? I'll let you, dear reader, be the judge of that.
  

OK, I can't stand this song. I guess because I associate it with that dumb Office Max commercial from about ten years ago. Otherwise, there is no meaning in him picking this song.

• Sweet Home Alabama: After examining a map, I discovered that "Alabama," the subject of this Lynyrd Skynyrd song, is a place in the Deep South. While I understand the importance of establishing one's credibility with rural, red-state America, a rival campaign points out that Huckabee is misleading voters by calling Alabama his "sweet home": he is actually from "Arkansas." A fine distinction, as both states begin with the letter "A," but an important one nonetheless. We urge the governor to come clean.

OMG, Mike Huckabee never said he was from Alabama. What a dork. This is a great song. No political meaning in it.

• Money: Stumper can exclusively reveal that the lyrics to this early Motown hit--"You're lovin' gives me a thrill / But you're lovin' don't pay my bills / Now give me money / That's what I want"--mark the launch of a new effort by Huckabee to translate his growing support in Iowa polls (or "lovin'") into increased campaign contributions (or "money"). No word yet on whether this innovative "give me money" fundraising strategy is working.

Again, another great song. There was no hidden agenda in this. If there was, perhaps he was making fun of Mitt Romney.

• I Want to Hold Your Hand: An early version of the Capitol Offense set list obtained by Stumper includes another Beatles song--"Why Don't We Do It in the Road?" Apparently, campaign manager Chip Saltsman intervened at the last minute and insisted, much to Huckabee's chagrin, that the band play "I Want to Hold Your Hand" instead, claiming that the original number's impassioned support of public intercouse would offend social conservatives. Where does Huckabee stand on "doing it in the road," then? Your guess is as good as mine.[Source]

Well, Mr. Romano, I do have to agree on this. "Why Don't We Do It in the Road" would have been a terrible choice. A big huge hat tip to Mr. Saltsman for intervening on that. No offense, but eeewww gross, no band who has even one member over the age of 40 should be allowed to play that song. Hang on a while. I gotta scrub my brain with bleach. The image, oh God the image.

Well I am now awaiting a piece from Mr. Romano about the teaming up of Buddy Holly, who was married to a Hispanic woman, and Ritchie Valens , who was dating a white girl, had to do with the public awareness of interacial dating. Sure, it makes sense now. That's why Ritchie Valens played Donna, a song about the white girl, for the commercial for the "Winter Dance Party." Perhaps, it was because they were great musicians. Just like Mike Huckabee likes to play music. What's the difference if Mike Huckabee were to play a concert or Mitt Romney were to play golf at a fancy country club? Or maybe he could go out and kill rabbits and small varmint, snicker, snicker.

Onscener, Mike Huckabee

Mike Huckabee and Capitol Offense to Play at the Surf Ballroom!

Check it out, all you cats and chicks. Mike Huckabee and Capitol Offense will play at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa on October 26. Average ticket rates, $10 ind and $25 family, are very reasonable. There is also options to be a platinum sponsor for $2300 (and lotsa goodie) or silver sponsor for $1,000 (quite a bit of goodies).
Click here for more details. Be there or be square, daddy-os. Check back later, on this blog for some Rockabilly poetry.

Mike Huckabee to Appear on FOX News Sunday and other quick notes

Mike Huckabee is scheduled to appear on Fox News tomorrow, Sunday, at approximately 12:50 EST

To see the Capitol Offense videos click here. Definitely check out Elvis singing Johnny B. Goode with Capitol Offense.

Many new bloggers for Huckabee. Go here. If you are a blogger for Mike Huckabee or Conservative Politics and would like to be on my blogroll please let me know. Elvis bloggers are also welcome.

You MUST watch this ultimately awesome video found at Mike Huckabee '08. http://huckabee.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/hope-for-america-the-mike-huckabee-story/

I found this cool article this morning Huckabee plotting N.H. primary coup.

The Best Music to Come out of Arkansas since Johnny "The Man In Black" Cash

Since this is a blog mostly about Mike Huckabee, but today is also Elvis Day, I thought I would bring this post to the top of the page.


Even though today is Official Elvis Day at Michigan Redneck, I have found a way to still talk about Mike Huckabee. All day today I am listening to my Elvis records from the seventies or watching Elvis on TV Land. Today at noon will be a documentary interview, Elvis: His Best Friend Remembers, with one of Elvis' closest friends. At 7:30 pm will be the showing of his performances on Ed Sullivan.

When I went shopping in Sault Ste. Marie Tuesday, as I was leaving the bank, I heard playing on the radio Johnny Cash's "Boy Named Sue." I thought then about a Capitol Offense post about my experience at the Straw Poll. Since today is Elvis Day this is a perfect time to talk about Mike Huckabee and music. If it hadn't been for Elvis there never would have been the great music that Capitol Offense covers. While these songs are not Elvis songs, Elvis inspired and opened the door for the artists who first recorded the songs Capitol Offense plays.

Back to Johnny Cash and Capitol Offense. Johnny Cash is from Arkansas, as is Capitol Offense. As I heard Johnny Cash sing I thought, "there is another great musician from Arkansas" and that's Mike Huckabee. Could I say they are better than Johnny Cash? No. Are they as good? I can't say. Different styles and eras, make it incomparable. But they are damn good! I was so glad to have the experience to hear him play bass in Capitol offense, during the Straw Poll.

They may not have a fancy label. Nor are they well known. But they are great! They played great songs. Of course ya know "Jailhouse Rock" was my fave that they played. But also they played "Sweet Home Alabama", "Free Bird", "Johnny B. Goode" and so many others that are too numerous to mention. They played "Johnny B. Goode" with Elvis. I recall hearing them play it. For some reason I can't recall Elvis. I could have sworn I went to hear them when they played it. But I don't recall Elvis. This was when I was trying to take video. Perhaps I was having a mild heat stroke? Or maybe I was just overwhelmed by the "coolness"? I can not believe my mem card in my camera got messed up. I was able to retrieve the still pics, but the vid is gone forever. Don't worry, I know the Elvis that was there was an impersonator.

When I was Three...

...I went to Graceland for the first time.

My uncle, who was in the Navy, was stationed in Memphis at the time. This was in 1978. My grandma, mom and I went to visit my aunt and uncle there. They took us to Graceland. This would have been only a year after Elvis' passing. At this time only the grounds were open. The plaza with the Elvis museums and Elvis gift shops was a regular shopping plaza then.

I don't remember too much about when I went to visit. I remember parking at the plaza and walking up to Graceland. At the time I knew who Elvis was. The only grave that was there was Elvis'. His grandma and father were buried next to him, later on.

There is also a memorial plaque for his twin brother Jesse, who was still born. Jesse is not there. According to Priscilla Presley on Larry King last night no one knew where he was buried. He did not have a headstone. Elvis always wanted to find him. I will write a post about the Larry King episode I saw last night.

Get a load of my uncles bell-bottoms ;)!

With a tear in my eye I would like to talk about when I first Elvis. When I was a little girl my dad would play his Elvis eight-tracks and records. I would stand on his feet and we would dance to Elvis. I still have those old records. Eight-tracks? Your guess is as good as mine. In fact I am still listening to those old records, at this moment. One time my dad saw them in my collection and asked me where I got them. I told him he gave them to me. He asked when he gave them to me. I told him he left them when my parents divorced. He said, "so I didn't really give them to you, but you can keep 'em anyways."

Hey, I just heard Elvis singing "Jailhouse Rock" on Elvis Pure Gold album from 1975. I still think about when I went to Ames and heard Capitol Offense play the song. I couldn't help but think about hearing them play and I just shouted out, "awww Elvis!".

I also got to go to Graceland when I was seventeen. I have to find the pics. Then I can post about that time.

God Bless from the Upper Peninsula in Michigan!

7-7-07 Will be a Lucky Day for Mike Huckabee, Capitol Offense and Concert Goers!

Huckabee ain't too proud to beg

• Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee and his rock band, Capitol Offense, will play "Mustang Sally" when they come to Concord this weekend, if you want. Or "Jailhouse Rock."
  Or "Ain't Too Proud to Beg."
  The concert, scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m. at the ball fields behind Northeast Delta Dental, is a fundraiser for the campaign, which has lagged behind in terms of raising money. It's also the second of two events being billed as the one-day-only Huckabee '08 New Hampshire Summer Concert Tour. (The other is a support-our-troops rally in Nashua at noon.)
  Before Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, straps on his bass guitar, concertgoers can vote online for which songs they'd like the band to play at musiciansforhuckabee.wordpress.com.
  As of yesterday afternoon, "Mustang Sally" held a narrow lead, with 17 percent of the votes. "Fortunate Son" had 16 percent of the votes. In order to see the results, we had to vote. (We chose "Taking Care of Business" because, well, we were). A tally on PollDaddy.com said it was one of 5,165 votes cast .

Read the rest of the article in the Concord Monitor Online.

Be sure to vote in the poll for the song you would like to hear the band play. You can vote as many times as you want. If ya love Elvis please vote for Jailhouse Rock. Click here

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