Jon Bon Jovi: Rock star, actor, New Jersey icon … and governor? Judging by the rocker’s recent schedule, he seems to be laying the groundwork for a future run at political office. Today’s New York Times brought our attention to Bon Jovi’s close relationship with Hillary Clinton (who he calls “Mrs. C”). Bon Jovi first became friends with the Clintons when he played Bill’s fiftieth birthday party in 1996, and now, with Hillary making her big presidential run, Jon Bon is amping up the Clinton love, appearing at state dinners and campaign fundraisers in the Hamptons (but not her sixtieth birthday party; that honor went to Elvis Costello). Not to be outdone, Barack Obama asked Bon Jovi to appear at a speech he gave in Manhattan. Bon Jovi also showed up for photo ops with John Edwards and Al Gore, meaning nearly the entire Democratic field is competing for Bon Jovi’s approval. Interestingly, nobody seems to be jockeying for the key Richie Sambora endorsement. Factor in the frontman’s endless stream of philanthropy (and his ability to take a punch) and it’s easy to assume why some gossip magazines are predicting Bon Jovi eventually takes a run at the New Jersey governorship. Bon Jovi denies the rumors, insisting a life as a rock star is better than being a statesman, but it does seem like Mr. “Livin’ on a Prayer” is attempting to out-Bono Bono.

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