Which candidates gave honest answers to the favorite song question?

[dolstein]

I have a hard time believing that Born in the USA is Dick Gephardt's favorite song. I'm a huge Springsteen fan, and I'm always suspicious about any politician who trots out that song, which is NOT a "rah rah" patriotic song at all. Kerry's Springsten song of choice -- "No Surrender" was better, as it's one of my favorites too, but if he REALLY wanted to impress me, he's have said Incident on 57th Street.

Lieberman kind of split the difference. My Way is in fact a personal favorite of his, and he's sung it on Conan. But Don't Stop Thinking About Tomrrow was shameless pandering to the Clinton crowd. Lieberman just doesn't strike me as a Fleetwood Mac fan.

Edwards was sticking to his campaign theme, citing JCM's Small Town his favorite. Whether that's the truth or simply a campaign pose is anyone's guess.

Graham picked a song that recorded by Jimmy Buffet who hails from -- you guessed it! -- Florida. Another safe, predictable choice. But if he really wanted to change his image, he could have cited another Buffet song, "Why don't we get Drunk and Screw." Oh well, at least he didn't say Margaritaville.

Sorry, but I don't believe for a minute that Dean's favorite song is one recorded by Wyclef Jean. Do you honestly expect me to believe that of all the music recorded in the past fifty years, that song is his favorite? Better than anything the Beatles or Dylan recorded? Better than Bridge Over Troubled Water? Spare me.

Sharpton's answer was too cute by half. I can think of several James Brown songs that could be all time favorites -- Please, Please Please, It's a Man's World, Sex Machine, I Got You (I Feel Good). But instead, he went for the cheap laughs.

[kixot]

1. Could you name the songs for those of us who didn't get to watch?

[Jalixm]

2. Jaspora

is such an obscure track on that record. i was surprised when he said it. just that hes heard of it at all makes me believe hes genuine. hip hop reggae all in french. its a good song

[caledesi]

67. Agree. Straight from the heart. That's Dean

[dean4america]

77. he was totally straight on that one.

even Dean supporters brought this up on the official blog, and numerous replies were in the affirmative - that he is a big Wycleft fan (and also that his fave movie -- or, at least, one of his faves -- is Bulworth, which Wyclef apparently had some involvement with).

Plus, it is so obscure that I'm guessing a lot of people in the audience may not have heard of it, either.

DK saying Imagine, too, I think, was a straight answer.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

3. Dean is guilty of pandering

he should have made it clear that it was a joke or half truth- something to indicate he was just trying to appear hip.

[Cha]

9. you have no idea what you are talking about.

do you?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

16. No I don't

[caledesi]

68. That's BS. Just plain bullshitl

[leftyandproud]

4. dean did pander...and kucinich was honest *NT*

[dolstein]

8. Yeah, Kucinich said "Imagine" -- not bad, but there are better

Lennon songs. Revolution's my favorite Lennon song.

[Tinoire]

22. Yeah but that's not Kucinich's style

Imagine has been his song as well as his supporters' for a long time...

[Terwilliger]

31. yes, but you aren't Dennis Kucinich

that's for DAMN sure

[Cha]

11. Dean didn't "pander"! If that is Dean "favorite song"...how is

that pandering?

[leftofthedial]

5. this was an opportunity for them to be cute, so no quibble there

I love and live music and I couldn't answer that question the same way two days in a row.

I think Kucinich, Graham, Edwards, and Lieberman (at least the My Way part) were dead on honest, straight up answers.

Sharpton's answer was great, not cheap. I don't think that's literally his favorite song, but the answer was killer. What a quick-witted man he is.

I honestly don't remember Moseley-Braun's answer.

Gephardt's was the only obviously bullshit pandering one.

[gottaB]

80. "You gotta be" by Desiree

listen as your days unfolds
challenge what the future holds
try to keep your head up to the sky

lovers they may cause you tears
go ahead release your fears
stand up and be counted
don't be shamed to cry

you gotta be you gotta be bad
you gotta be bold
you gotta be wiser
you gotta be hard
you gotta be tough
you gotta be stronger
you gotta be cool
you gotta be calm
you gotta stay together
all I know all I know love will save the day

herald what you mother said
read the books your father read'
try to solve the puzzles in your own sweet time
some may have more cash then you
others take a different view
my oh my
hey hey hey

you gotta be bad
you gotta be bold
you gotta be wiser
you gotta be hard
you gotta be tough
you gotta be stronger
you gotta be cool
you gotta be calm
you gotta stay together
all I know all I know love will save the day

Time asks no questions, it goes on without you
Leaving you behind if you can't stand the pace
The world keeps on spinning, can't stop it if you tried to
The best part is danger staring you in the face

listen as your days unfolds
challange what the future holds
try to keep your head up to the sky
lovers they may cause you tears
go ahead release your fears
my oh my
hey hey hey

you gotta be bad
you gotta be bold
you gotta be wiser
you gotta be hard
you gotta be tough
you gotta be stronger
you gotta be cool
you gotta be calm
you gotta stay together
all I know all I know love will save the day x 2

Got to be bold. Got to be bad.
Got to be wise. Don't ever sigh.
Got to be hard. Not too, too hard
All I know is, love will save the day

[Cha]

6. Of course, you wouldn't get it about Dean liking a song that means

nothing to you!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=309070

" i think he played it straight up"


"someone on the blog mentioned that this is his "personal" song"

[dolstein]

10. Sorry, but I don't believe Dean for a minute

We're talking about all time favorite songs. Dean was in college during the 60's. I can't imagine that someone who grew up with all the great music of the 60's would pick a song recorded in the last few years as their personal favorite. I just don't buy it.

[frank frankly]

12. your disbelief is odd

I mean, I was hoping someone would say "The Soft Parade," but perhaps the idea of the African Diaspora resonates with Dean.

What could be more true to the 60's?

[Cha]

14. I'm sure Dean doesn't care if you believe him or not.

I just find it ridiculous that you would be so presumptious to try and state what you think a candidate's favorite song...Isn't!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

18. You know what?

If Howard's too busy listening to the latest tunes instead of doing the hard work it takes to be president then I'm not sure he's up to the job.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

23. That's so stupid...maybe he listens to songs while working.

Vote for Lieberman, Kerry, or Gephardt. These double-talking, washed-up squares appear to be more in line with your need for a dull, wishy-washy candidate.

Dean isn't counting on your vote, anyway. If you had a brain, you'd realize that his citation of a recent artist and song is an attempt to appeal to young voters; a section of the electorate that has been relatively untapped by the major political parties.

JB

[NewYorkerfromMass]

27. Uhh, so it wasn't an honest answer

but a calculated "attempt to appeal to young voters". Check...Got it... and I thought as much.

[dolstein]

29. So you agree he was pandering

<<If you had a brain, you'd realize that his citation of a recent artist and song is an attempt to appeal to young voters; a section of the electorate that has been relatively untapped by the major political parties.>>

Instead of simply answering the question honestly, "straight-talkin'" Howard Dean saw it as an opportunity to make a blatant appeal to a certain democraphic. Personally, I hope younger voters would choose more important criteria on which to base their voting preference than a particular candidate's favorite song. But hey, if Dean thinks young voters are that gullible, more power to him!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

33. It's kind of fun to be called a "washed up square"

:)
But seriously, I can't believe the suggestion that Dean is listening to music while he works. I'd hate to be on the operating table if the good doctor came in with his walkman on! :eyes:

[DemBones DemBones]

46. They play music in operating rooms. But Dean's not a surgeon.

Heck, Dean hasn't practiced any medicine in years, has he?

[diamondsoul]

71. Don't ever have surgery then! ;D

They may not wear walkmans into the surgical suite, but quite a few have specifics selections they have piped in or playing on a tape-deck during operations. Particularly lengthy and meticulous surgeries, because it helps them stay relaxed so they don't make mistakes from the tension.

[maggrwaggr]

43. how the hell would you know if he was pandering?

Man, you're grasping at some straws here.

Do you KNOW what the man does in his spare time? What CD's are in his car stereo?

You have no idea.

The question was a really stupid one. It just put them on the spot. Who could answer that question with no notice? I sure couldn't. In fact I probably don't have one "favorite" song.

It's stupid

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

49. Oh, and those young voters just LOVE Springstein, Mellencamp, Jimmy Buffet

Young voters are probably online right now attempting to download the Jaspora song...

Do you really believe that they thought the other candidates weren't being just as calculated as Dean? Dean was just smarter in his selection.

But, I do admit a wish that one of the candidates had just refused to answer the question on the basis that it assumes that young voters are insipid and vacuous. Hell, the Faux moderator could have just as well have asked, "What's your favorite color? Or, "if you were a vegetable, which would you choose to be?"

JB

[NewYorkerfromMass]

53. You got it!

more than one here at DU has said that there are so many to choose from...kind of like Lieberman (gasp), they would have picked more than one!

[diamondsoul]

73. Nope, I don't buy it.

I'm not a supporter, and even I think it was an honest answer. Hell I honestly don't LIKE the man and I think he gave an honest answer to that question. (and before anyone asks YES I will vote for Dean if he gets the nomination)

Look, I'm 35, and I'm sure there are songs I really LOVE that I could think of given enough time, but given a question like that out of the blue, my answer would be something I recently listened to. Tonight, I'd have probably said Tracy Chapman's New Beginning.

Heh! The truthful answer is probably something inspid like Spin Doctors "Two Princes" although at the moment it's kind of fitting too.

[Terwilliger]

36. heh

nice to see you slide into the morass NY

REALLY classy :eyes:

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

19. Yeah, I guess once you graduate college you stop liking new music...NOT

It's really stupid to assume that someone would just become stuck loving songs only from his/her childhood or college years. Frankly, I'd much prefer to speak to or vote for someone who has current tastes and doesn't stagnate based upon sentimentality.

Dean was being genuine.

I guess you thought Gephardt was being genuine for picking a song and artist more in line with his age? Hell, Gephardt couldn't even pronounce Springstein's name.

JB

[dolstein]

35. Actually, it's SpringstEEn

But hey, Gephardt probably couldn't spell it either.

Actually, if you read my post, you'd know what I think of Gephardt's answer.

[Terwilliger]

34. please splain this to me dolstein

how the FUCK would you know?

[dolstein]

41. Well, Ricky

First, personal experience. I've been listening to music for the past twenty five years. My favorite songs were all recorded more than ten years ago. Sure, there's still good music being made today, but it takes a long time from a song to beome a personal favorite.

Second, I have parents Dean's age. Frankly, their musical tastes haven't changed much. They certainly aren't listening to much reggae these days.

Third, I have a bullshit detector just like everyone else. Sorry, but Dean's answer set it off.

And in any event, what makes YOU so sure I'm wrong? Can YOU read Dean's mind?

[Terwilliger]

47. you're speculating

then you tell me I'm speculating

You're the one who needs to prove it.

Wait, your parents are stiff and you say that Dean isn't allowed to be different?

By the way, if anybody lied about their favorite song, it was Lieberman.

[dolstein]

55. "You're the one who needs to prove it"

Excuse me? I said I didn't believe Dean's answer to the question. Now the last time I checked, it still wasn't a crime to question Dean's honesty, even on such a trivial matter as his musical preferences. I assume that if my post had violated the the rules of this forum, it would have been deleted by now.

I continue to stand by my opinion, just as I stand by the opinions I expressed regarding the other candidate's responses to this question.

As for Lieberman, I believe that "My Way" was an honest answer, since he said it was a personal favorite a few years ago on Conan. The worst you can say is that if he's lying, at least he's done a good job of covering his tracks. But, as I said before, I don't believe that "Don't Stop" is a personal favorite of his.

[Terwilliger]

62. ok fine...Lieberman is partially honest, Dean is dishonest

Dennis Kucinich meant what he said

[KaraokeKarlton]

48. This mother of teenagers likes Eminem

And 50 cent, Ja Rule, Linkin Park, Uncle Cracker, Kid Rock, Evenescence...and yeah...even Wyclef Jean. In fact, he's currently in my car stereo along with Pras and Lauryn Hill. Old farts CAN like new music. Also, the Carnival Album came out a few years ago. It's not THAT new.

[IndianaGreen]

52. Dean plays the blues, and...

for all I know likes reggae. The fact that he mentions Jaspora as his personal favorite, makes it sound very credible. If Dean had been pandering, he would have mentioned a top-40.

I can't imagine that someone who grew up with all the great music of the 60's would pick a song recorded in the last few years as their personal favorite.

Your cultural bias is showing, dolstein! Dean's tastes in music are obviously more eclectic than most, and I include myself in that category.

[Name removed]

63. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Forkboy]

64. lol

:thumbsup:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

7. kucinich, sharpton and braun

[Forkboy]

13. Well,as you said yourself

DUers see what they want to see :eyes:

Didn't know mind reading was another one of your...ahem...skills.

[Cha]

15. It's not one of his "skills"....he just likes to pretend it is.

[dolstein]

21. And you can read Dean's mind?

Hey, it's my opinion. Deal with it.

[Cha]

24. That's right! It's your opinion!

[pasadenaboy]

17. I hate to break it to you

but a lot of people like music made in the past 5 years.

Dylan and the Beatles are good, but are they as good as Mozart? I mean that's kinda a silly arguement.

I have favorite songs that change all the time based on my mood. So, sometimes its Bob Dylan, sometimes its Le Tigre. It doesn't really mean anything.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

20. Exactly

The question wasn't "your all time favorite song, from any period in your life", and they had about 15 seconds to come up with one. My favorite songs changes all the time, I doubt I even have one favorite.

[KoKo]

25. Sharpton was actually the only one I believed! The rest were pandering...

They answered too quickly......I think it was meant to be a joke really. Like ".....duh.....what do you expect me to say my "real" favorite song?" But, I felt Sharpton was sincere........

[ButterflyBlood]

30. what did Moseley-Braun say?

only one I haven't heard it

[KaraokeKarlton]

72. Gotta Be

I forget who sings it, but it's a good song.

[maggrwaggr]

45. Nobody knows who was pandering and who wasn't

Jesus, give them all the benefit of the doubt and forget it.

It was a stupid question.

[KaraokeKarlton]

26. Reggae is actually very big in Vermont

We have a huge annual reggae fest every summer. I read someone else post on another thread that it has already been mentioned on his blog as being "his" personal song. So, apparently his answer was genuine. I support him, but also had my doubts. After reading the lyrics and hearing that it was previously mentioned that it's his "personal" song on his own blog, I no longer have those doubts. Contrary to popular belief, older people CAN like hip music. I've got 3 teenagers and listen to the same music they do. Wyclef is a great musical artist and I like him too. I have two of his albums. Dean has teenagers around the same age as mine, so if I listen to Wyclef why can't he?

[Cha]

44. Plus! Dean actually plays music so I would expect him to

know a lot of "different" songs. ANd thanks for telling us about that "reggae festival in Vermont"...who knew?

[ButterflyBlood]

28. there was a Nation article on Dean

OK, I looked it up, this is what he said to the favorite album question, "Probably a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young album, I don't have a particular one in mind."

I have heard those names but have no clue what era that is, or if I have even heard the music. But I'll bet it's old.

Perhaps Dean was trying to pull something like Clinton on Arsenio Hall, appeal to the younger crowd, but it's not like this is a major issue anyway. Out of all the litmus test issues people whine about here, lying about your favorite song doesn't seem like a top priority.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

37. They probably

all fudged a bit on their favorite song. C'mon, the question was a joke, most of them pulled out a "message" song like "Born in the USA". Who cares?

[ButterflyBlood]

39. what are the lyrics to Born in the USA?

I want to see, since apparentely this isn't really a patriotic song.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

42. Definitely NOT patriotic

Born down in a dead man's town
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
You end up like a dog that's been beat too much
'Til you spend half your life just covering up


Born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.

I got in a little hometown jam
And so they put a rifle in my hands
Sent me off to Vietnam
To go and kill the yellow man



Come back home to the refinery
Hiring man says "Son if it was up to me"
I go down to see the V.A. man
He said "Son don't you understand"



I had a buddy at Khe Sahn
Fighting off the Viet Cong
They're still there, he's all gone
He had a little girl in Saigon
I got a picture of him in her arms

Down in the shadow of the penitentiary
Out by the gas fires of the refinery
I'm ten years down the road
Nowhere to run, ain't got nowhere to go

I'm a long gone Daddy in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
I'm a cool rocking Daddy in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.

[maxanne]

32. jeepers creepers

Howard Dean has kids - so he must listen to all kinds of stuff, that's the way it is when you have kids. I hated Bon Jovi - but I could have sung every song on their big hit album in the 80's, just because I heard it every single day for months. Same with one of the early Madonna records, and Cindy Lauper.

Not everyone gets stuck in the past because they're old - can we stereotype much here? Today my daughter and I drove to a medical appointment - 3 hours from here. We listened to: Jonatha Brooke, Bonnie Raitt, Shemekia Coupland, Wicked Tinkers, Sheryl Crow,
Areosmith, and Roseanne Cash. She's 28. I'm 47. Some of the CD's were mine. Guess which ones.

I understand that some of you are driven to grind Howard Dean into the dirt. I don't understand why, but that's not my problem. This is a stupid argument that makes you bashers appear to be clutching at straws, and willing to go to any length to discredit the man. That's very Gingrich/Starresque. :eyes:

[Generic Other]

38. Did any of them mention this song?

I hum it under my breath all the time.

http://www.ericblumrich.com/ihr.html

[Desperadoe]

40. Two Things Here

First of all. Jimmy Buffett is NOT from Florida he's an Alabama native and secondly, never judge a person's musical tastes based on their age. That's just stupid.

I'm 57 and my music collection ranges from Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller to JLo and Britney, from The London Symphony to Bill Monroe, from Robert Johnson to Sarah Brightman.........go figure.

[DemBones DemBones]

50. Buffett lives in Florida now, though he is an Alabama native, as

you said. He grew up in Fair Hope.

And I second your comment about notmaking assumptions about people's musical tastes based on their ages. My husband and I are in our mid-fifties, too, and we have very eclectic musical tastes.

[ButterflyBlood]

56. you've actually HEARD of Jucifer

now that's a suprise for someone over 35 much less 50

[DemBones DemBones]

58. I must admit that I know them personally.

But I like other music you might find surprising, too.

[hedgetrimmer]

51. dean has got the hippist, most dopest, phatest fire-brewing song

selection, and campaign since before the golden age of greece... he is storming thunder... a capacity of logic beyond the normal smarts of economic welfare, the throngs are bowing at his feet... dean the guru... dean the mantra of kerry...

[DemBones DemBones]

54. Someone please tell me what Sharpton said!!!

Lots of mention of it but no one spills the name of the song.

I'd guess that many or all of them might have just named the first song they'd heard recently that came to mind. I mean, what do YOU do when asked a question like that? I don't even have a favorite color. I mean, favorite color for what? I sometimes say yellow, sometimes purple, sometimes red, etc. Favorite song? Hahahaha!

I believe Dennis Kucinich really likes "Imagine" since he's been using it at campaign appearances. Neyond that, who knows or cares, really?

But I do want to know what Sharpton said. Also Braun. And which Buffett song did Graham say?

[kixot]

57. I second that...

Why is no one actually saying what they said? Some of us here are working and could not watch the debates. Can anyone throw us a GD bone here?

[DemBones DemBones]

59. Maybe if we set up a howl, they'll throw us a bone!

I am now eaten by with curiosity about what Reverend Al said.

[Alenne]

60. I want a piece of that bone.

I have searched all of the threads on the debate and no one mentions it.

[kispoko]

61. really

yeah, what in the hell was it that sharpton said already?

stop teasing us! someone, please relay the info

[sandnsea]

65. Talking Loud and Saying Nothing

And referenced it to the Republican party in a way that only Al could do.

[kispoko]

66. nevermind....

i posted something else here i originally thought was a swipe at sharpton by your, but i just saw his response... you were just answering the question :P

sorry 'bout that if ya saw it.... if you didn't, it never happened ;)

[DemBones DemBones]

69. I think that WAS the song title -- Talking Loud and Saying Nothing.

Upthread they were talking about James Brown songs they liked in reference to Al 's song so I took that to mean he named a James Brown song. I don't know that song but it would be a great one to use to get off a dig at the GOP! Sharpton is a very good speaker, in interviews or debates.

[DemBones DemBones]

70. Thanks! I don't know that song, will have to look it up.

[Isome]

75. Sharpton's Song:

Talking Loud & Sayin' Nothin' -- James Brown

He said something to the effect of it being the theme song for the GOP.

[bornskeptic]

74. If you think Gephardt's answer was phony,

you might want to check this out. They probably would have played something else if he wanted them to.

MANCHESTER - The opening chords of "Born in the USA" blared and the truck's air brakes growled as Richard Gephardt descended from the cab of an 18-wheeler. The Missouri congressman sauntered toward the podium as a crowd of nearly 1,000 supporters waved campaign signs and pumped their fists into air thick with barbecue and cigars.

The throng that filled the parking lot at Manchester's JFK Coliseum last night was the largest of three rallies the International Brotherhood of Teamsters held in Iowa, Michigan and New Hampshire yesterday to endorse Gephardt in the Democratic presidential primary.


<snip>

The crowd erupted and as Gephardt began shaking hands, Bruce Springsteen's working class anthem played again.

http://www.cmonitor.com/stories/news/politics2003/teamsters080903_2003.shtml

[SoCalDem]

76. Let me get this right...They asked for their favorite SONG????

Kill me NOW.. How lame is that.. Was this "Teen Beat..Meet the Hunky Candidates"???

I am now officially glad I missed the whole thing :(

[RMJ]

79. THANK YOU!!!

Yes! Finally somebody said it.

Favorite song??? OMG, what have we become?

:-(

[Muddleoftheroad]

81. Why I'm not in politics

Honestly, I would have answered, "Well, that certainly is a stupid question. Do you get paid to ask that?"

[JohnKleeb]

78. DK's favorite song is Imagine!

Thats one of mine too. Yet another reason why I connect with him and support him. I know its silly.