17 February 2012
VVN Music
If you were to poll musicians, you would find that the vast majority would be somewhere left of center on the political spectrum. For every Ted Nugent on the right, there would be ten Bruce Springsteens on the left.
That's why there was some surprise in the music community when Dave Mustaine of Megadeth supposedly "came out" in support of Republican candidate Rick Santorum. The guitarist talked with MusicRadar.com, saying that "I'm just hoping that whatever is in the White House next year is a Republican. I can't bear to watch what's happened to our great country. Everybody's got their head in the sand. Everybody in the industry is like, 'Oh, Obama's doing such a great job...' I don't think so. Not from what I see."
He went on to criticize Mitt Romney's millions and Ron Paul's erratic comments, finally settling on Santorum. "Earlier in the election, I was completely oblivious as to who Rick Santorum was, but when the dude went home to be with his daughter when she was sick, that was very commendable. Also, just watching how he hasn't gotten into doing these horrible, horrible attack ads like Mitt Romney's done against Newt Gingrich, and then the volume at which Newt has gone back at Romney… You know, I think Santorum has some presidential qualities, and I'm hoping that if it does come down to it, we'll see a Republican in the White House... and that it's Rick Santorum."
The press took this as an endorsement of the Pennsylvania Republican by Mustaine, but he has since released a statement to clarify his comments. "Contrary to how some people have interpreted my words, I have not endorsed any presidential candidate. What I did say was that I hope to see a Republican in the White House. I've seen good qualities in all the candidates but by no means have made my choice yet. I respect the fact that Santorum took time off from his campaign to be with his sick daughter, but I never used the word 'endorse.'"
