From The Des Moines Register Register:
Ain't that America.
Or more specifically, ain't that Iowa - during caucus season.
Greeted on stage with both surprised cheers and audible boos from the beer-swilling near-sellout crowd, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards made a cameo appearance at John Mellencamp's concert Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena.
Edwards appeared gracious yet somewhat uncomfortable as Mellencamp introduced him with an acoustic version of his hit song "Small Town" before waving Edwards to the microphone. The former North Carolina senator stayed on stage for little more than a minute, cognizant that fans didn't purchase $100 tickets for a stump speech.
"You didn't come to listen to me, so I'm not singing," he said, adding that he appreciated the crowd's support in his run for president.
Mellencamp, who called Edwards a friend he had known for the past seven or eight years, noted Edwards' chief campaign theme.
"This guy's from a small town and just so happens to be running for president of the United States," he said to the crowd.
With that, Edwards departed the stage amid a handful of bras tossed beforehand for Mellencamp, who made a keen observation.
"Guys that run for president aren't as stiff as you think they are," he said. "They're pretty fun guys."
The article downplayed the booing in fact on The Today Show I saw the video, and he was raucously booed offstage, and was visibly upset.
Now check out this CBS article:
For at least one night, John Edwards was the rock star in the Democratic presidential race.
The former North Carolina senator made a surprise appearance last night at the John Mellencamp concert in front of 9,000 concert fans at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA.
Mellencamp slowed down an acoustic version of his hit song “Small Town.” And as he kept the notes flowing on his guitar, he spoke to the crowd.
“I got a friend that I’ve had for about the last 7 or 8 years and this guy’s from a small town,” said the musician. “And he just so happens to be running for the president of the United States.” Mellencamp then introduced Edwards, who emerged from the side of the stage, wearing jeans and a buttoned sports coat, after having ditched the blue tie and suit pants he had worn all day. The crowd greeted him with an equal amount of cheers and boos, perhaps as much a sign of the division between the Democrats and Republicans in attendance.
“The good news is I’ve been in your small towns,” said Edwards after he thanked the audience in front of a giant video screen. “I’ve been raised in a small town. I’ve been all over your state in small towns. And you didn’t come to listen to me. So I’m not singing.”
After thanking the audience one last time, Edwards walked off stage, but not before shaking some hands with a few folks lucky enough to score front row seats. He stood off to the side of the stage and listened to the rest of the song.
“Now I’ve had a lot of fun with that guy,” Mellencamp said of Edwards “You know, guys that run for president aren’t as stiff as you think they are. They’re pretty fun guys. That guy’s a pretty fun guy.”
Notice anything? Curious isn't it?
In fact the article was more favorable to Edwards, than not. Now if this had been a Republican candidate it would have been video of the week, and story of the day.
This article from Ben Smith at The Politico reflects accurately what I saw on The Today Show video:
Refund, Refund"
A brutal dispatch from the John Mellencamp concert in Des Moines tonight:
Mellencamp, standing alone on stage with his guitar, then launched into Tough It Out and Be the Best You Can followed by Jesus Can You Give Me a Ride Back Home? and another song about youth and love. The crowd erupted as he started Small Town and sang the lyrics as though Wells Fargo Arena were one of those sing-along piano bars.
It's at this point Mellencamp gestures and John Edwards walks on stage. After a few cheers boos overtake the hall. "I've been in your small towns," Edwards said as Mellencamp stepped aside to give Edwards a place behind the microphone. "...You didn't come here to listen to me," Edwards continues as he winds down with a "thank you," waves and walks to the darkened edge of the stage.
The crowd is mostly booing at this point. "I came for a concert," one man behind me yelled. "Refund. Refund," another chanted a few rows back. One person in the crowd made this observation: "Are they booing Edwards specifically or booing because they don't like politics?" Mellencamp tells the crowd he's "had a lot of fun with that guy," and begins playing his guitar and singing Small Town again. The crowd slowly begins to sing along again. Edwards stood on the darkened edge of the stage until the song was over, then exited. Mellencamp didn't say anything at the song's end, and there was a swell of chatter among the audience members.
To be fair, this is the reason pols tend to avoid interrupting rock concerts and baseball games, and if you think this is bad, imagine Hillary's reception. Still.
UPDATE: But was the "refund" guy a Clinton plant?
CNN had the video up earlier before I could post it, and now curiously it dissappeared. Like I said The Today Show aired it but at this time I cant' find it on any of NBC's sites. Oh well it will be up later somewhere, and I'll post it, so stay tuned for an update.
Meanwhile this one capturing Silky in all her narcissistic glory can keep you entertained.
**UPDATE**
Here's the video from Breitbatrttv
Hard to capture the moment in the video, but John Edwards did seem to exit stage left awfully quick didn't he? I like the part where he say's "I've been in your smalltowns". Hell he practically lives in his own small town.
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