Senator Mellencamp? Grassroots Campaign Urges Rocker to Run

John Mellencamp's son has already hit Facebook to persuade his father to quit smoking, and now a new grassroots campaign has sprung up to convince the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer to run for Senate, Mediaite reports. Following the resignation of Indiana Democratic Senator Evan Bayh, the "Draft John Mellencamp for Senate!" page started up to convince Mellencamp to run for the open seat. Over 1,500 users have joined the campaign with the hopes that Mellencamp can secure the 4,500 signatures necessary to stage a run for Senate candidacy.

So far, the campaign is entirely grassroots, as Mellencamp has made no mention of embarking in a political career. However, even CBS News is lobbying for Mellencamp to make a run for Bayh's seat, saying his connection to the plight of the working class in his native Indiana makes him an ideal candidate despite his lack of political experience. Mellencamp came out in support of President Barack Obama during the 2008 Presidential election with radio ads, complained when John McCain used "Pink Houses" at rallies and just last week performed at the White House's tribute to the music of the civil rights movement.

The Facebook campaign also cites Mellencamp's activism with groups like Farm Aid as cred to explore a senatorial run. Given his fame and political beliefs, CBS News argues that Mellencamp could emerge as the Democratic favorite in the upcoming election, if he chooses to run. So will we soon be referring to the rocker as Senator Mellencamp? Keep it tuned to Rolling Stone as this story and grassroots campaign gains more steam.

Related Stories:
• Dylan, Mellencamp, Baez Bring Civil Rights Songs to White House
• John Mellencamp's Son Starts Facebook Group to Convince Dad to Stop Smoking
• John McCain Will Stop Playing Mellencamp Songs at Rallies

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Song Stories

“I'm Yours”

Jason Mraz | 2008

Jason Mraz re-emerged after his disappointing second album with this lead single, a Jack Johnson-esque ditty about giving yourself fully to someone else. The success of the reggae-tinged song (it earned two Grammy nods and a spot on the Billboard singles chart for well over a year) was something the folk-pop singer never predicted when he wrote it in 15 minutes at home. "I played a happy-hippie chord progression that would probably work without 50 different Bob Marley songs," he told Rolling Stone. "I thought, 'It's too novelty. This is a nursery rhyme,'" concluding that "you can never guess what's gonna be a hit."

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