February 11th, 2012 http://www.TheDesperateBlogger.com
Scrambling to avoid being outflanked by the Obama campaign — which on Friday released a list of 29 songs to be played at the incumbent President’s campaign events — all four GOP presidential campaigns today released partial playlists along with promises to make their full soundtracks public by the end of the week.
The reasons for not having full playlists available immediately varied by campaign:
A spokesman for Ron Paul’s campaign said, “Musical preferences are deeply personal matter, and Dr. Paul feels very strongly that no individual should ever be forced to share his music with others. However, we also realize that when one aspires to the nation’s highest office it’s only natural that the people want to know what their President is listening to.”
The Santorum campaign, along with its partial list, issued a statement which read in part, “From his earliest memories as a child attending church, Sen. Santorum has felt a very deep and personal connection with certain songs that will always touch his heart. Which of those he chooses to share with his supporters on the campaign trail is a very important decision, and therefore only after careful contemplation and prayer for guidance from the Almighty will he compile and make public his final playlist.”
Callista Gingrich — hinting at a possible expanded role in her husband’s campaign following her earlier appearance at this week’s CPAC convention — took center stage on the music issue telling reporters, “Naming handful of songs off the top of our heads was easy enough, but to compile a full list requires careful deliberation. As soon as we are able to locate a working 8-track player and go through Newt’s extensive collection, we’ll make our final determinations.”
Newton Toomey, professor of political science at Pueblo State University and author of the book ‘Striking the Wrong Chord: The Impact of Campaign Music on a Disinterested Electorate’ who was recently retained by the Romney campaign as a music consultant told Fox News in an exclusive interview, “Gov. Romney has always had strong feelings and opinions when it comes to music. He does, however, understand that there are many subtle nuances to this issue and has chosen, at this time, to keep his options open. We expect, later this week, to release a full playlist that has been carefully considered and has his full support, but which he retains the right to alter as changing circumstances may require.”
The following are the partial playlists released by the four campaigns:
Ron Paul campaign — Proud to Be an American -Lee Greenwood, Ring of Fire -Johnny Cash, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down -The Band, The City of New Orleans -Arlo Guthrie, Won’t Back Down -Tom Petty, We’re Not Gonna Take It -Twisted Sister;
Newt Gingrich campaign — Proud to Be an American -Lee Greenwood, California Girls -The Beach Boys, I’m No Angel -Gregg Allman, The Wanderer -Dion, Me and Mrs. Jones -Billy Paul, Tempted -Squeeze;
Rick Santorum campaign — Proud to Be an American -Lee Greenwood, You Light up My Life -Debbie Boone, The Lord’s Prayer -Sister Janet Mead, Over the Rainbow -Judy Garland, Born This Way -Lady Gaga, It’s Raining Men -The Weather Girls;
Mitt Romney campaign — Proud to Be an American -Lee Greenwood, The Ballad of the Green Berets –SSgt. Barry Sadler, The Way We Were -Barbra Streisand, Ain’t That a Kick in the Head -Dean Martin, Blue Suede Shoes -Pat Boone, Danke Schoen -Wayne Newton, Tiny Bubbles -Don Ho.