In a letter posted Wednesday on his official website, Bruce Springsteen announces his endorsement of Democratic Senator Barack Obama for president. “I have now seen enough to know where I stand,” the musician writes. “Senator Obama, in my view, is head and shoulders above the rest.”
An outspoken critic of the current Bush administration, Springsteen notably participated in the 2004 Vote For Change tour – which featured a range of artists including John Fogerty, James Taylor, R.E.M., Bonnie Raitt, Pearl Jam, the Dixie Chicks, John Mellencamp, and Jackson Browne – in support of Democratic Senator John Kerry’s presidential campaign.
Yet while he has addressed populist themes and societal struggles in his music for decades, Springsteen has only defined and affirmed his personal political views publicly in recent years.
In expounding on his decision to support Obama in this year’s election, he asserts, “He has the depth, the reflectiveness, and the resilience to be our next President. He speaks to the America I've envisioned in my music for the past 35 years, a generous nation with a citizenry willing to tackle nuanced and complex problems, a country that's interested in its collective destiny and in the potential of its gathered spirit.”
Indeed, Springsteen underscores issues and conflicts that the United States presently contends with on his latest album, Magic. His narratives – of death, disillusionment, and moral decay – function not only as rock or even protest songs, but also as indictments against what he believes are the destructive consequences of a corrupt administration.
Currently on tour with the E Street Band, Springsteen is set to begin a three-night residency on Friday night in Florida, the state that notoriously factored in ceding the presidency to George W. Bush in the first place.
“After the terrible damage done over the past eight years, a great American reclamation project needs to be undertaken,” he maintains. “I believe that Senator Obama is the best candidate to lead that project and to lead us into the 21st Century with a renewed sense of moral purpose and of ourselves as Americans.”
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
As both a diehard Bruce fan, and an ardent Obama supporter I was pleased, but not at all surprised by the endorsement today. I heard Hillary's camp was courting the Boss pretty hard too. Obama's message of hope and unity most closely approximates the message found in Springsteen's songs though.
Like I said, I was pleased but not surprised.
-Glen
2 - JC Mosquito
I try to stay out of the politics here on bc, but I have to ask the question - if Springsteen's endorsement last time wasn't enough to defeat the Republicans, could maybe his endorsement cause a backlash against Mr. Obama?
3 - Donald Gibson
Good question JC, but I don't think that'll be the case this time around. Kerry drew modest crowds to his campaign events until Springsteen endorsed him. And then thousands of people showed up (to see Springsteen). Obama already has thousands showing up to his events.
Obama doesn't really need Springsteen's drawing power to get his message across. I think that's the difference this time.
- Donald
4 - Glen Boyd
Actually I think Bruce would be ecstatic to get the sort of wildly enthusiastic, SRO crowds that Obama has drawn in arenas around the country. They didn't turn away 5000 people at Key Arena when Bruce played here...
-Glen
5 - Simon
Obama may end up being the democratic nominee but will have a very touh time winning a general election in America. Sad but true :(
6 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
They're not yelling "Booo!" They're shouting "Shut up and sing!"