Today, the Rocky Mountain News reported Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen would be the headlining musical acts before and after Barack Obama’s keynote speech at the DNC. P+P contributors Mark Evitt and Samantha Page discussed the choices, and who a more enlightened selection may have been.

Mark Evitt:

It might be a lame choice, but in some ways, picking Bon Jovi makes perfect sense. If the Obama camp were to pick someone younger, Obama would miss an opportunity to connect with the older audience.  Think about who will be attending the convention. Plus, younger people LOVE Bon Jovi—they listen to them ironically, and then sing aloud when “Livin on a Prayer” is played on the jukebox at their bar/club.

Springsteen, however, seems like a dud.  After all, the high point of John Kerry’s campaign was the day before the election, when Bruce played to a big audience before a Kerry speech.  And “Born in the USA” is tied to the 1984 election (even if Springsteen refused to allow it become the theme song for either candidate).

Samantha Page:

I know what you mean about Bon Jovi, but, frankly, the ironic “younger people” you are talking about already love Obama (and while they can belt it out to “Livin’ on a Prayer,” they still snigger about BJ’s hair, newer albums/songs-that-aren’t-Livin’-on-a-Prayer, acting career, etc).  If this convention is truly about reaching out to disenfranchised working class whites (which is a totally redundant statement.  Right, Hilary?), then Obama’s handlers should forget about the aging rockers and reach out with someone people really (read: unironically) listen to.

Like Toby Keith.

Mark Evitt:

OK, so I guess “Beer for my Horses” is the theme song for the convention?  Then people can watch the movie, too.

And how will these lines play?

Take all the rope in Texas

Find a tall oak tree, round up all of them bad boys

Hang them high in the street

For all the people to see

In all seriousness, won’t the Democrats get criticized no matter who they pick?  Choosing Springsteen is pandering to rust-belt voters. Choosing Toby Keith is pandering to another set of “working-class whites.”  Is there any way to make a genuine pick?  According to Rolling Stone’s interview with Obama, he has 30 Bob Dylan songs on his iPod.  Is “The Times, They Are A-Changin’” a possible theme song?

Samantha Page:

Of course, everyone gets criticized, no matter what he does! That’s the fun of it!  However, I have to say that if your message is “change,” and you are using Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen as your musical numbers in 2008, you aren’t exactly living the message, no?  The Dylan thing is kind of perfect, especially considering this?  Maybe he could use that!  Appeal to all the stricken babyboomers who can’t come to terms with the fact that their day is sun-setting rapidly…

The thing is that both Bon Jovi and Springsteen both have a history of political (liberal) activism.  In my mind, this is like using John Mellencamp for a Chevy commercial: yes, it works, on a basic level, but does it make you think?  Does it attract anyone who doesn’t already like Chevys?  Does it broaden the base?  No, and neither do Obama’s choices for the convention.

Which is not to say that I think that Will.i.am or ScarJo should be up on stage (although the image of ScarJo crooning Tom Waits songs as Obamaniacs wave their lighters in the air is pretty hilarious); I just would appreciate someone who is perhaps more like the voters that Obama is actually trying to attract: formerly apolitical, white, middle American…

Britney, perhaps?

Mark Evitt:

So, is the purpose of the convention performer to please the current constituents or attract new voters? Whatever the case, your suggestion of Britney is brilliant.  She has a huge built-in fanbase of potential voters, and her story, now that she’s out of the tabloids, has the redemptive angle Americans love.

Plus, can you imagine Obama dancing to “Toxic?”

Samantha Page:

It would be awesome.  His new theme song could be “Me Against the Music”—showcasing Obama as rejecting traditional Washington (”the music”)

All my people on the floor/let me see you dance

All my people wanting more/let me see you dance

‘Cause, you know, the Dems know how to party…

Seriously, though, I don’t think that the convention should be focused on pleasing current constituents—especially Obama’s (convention, not constituents).  I think it should be about representing the candidate, reaching out to all Americans, and showcasing Obama’s platform and values.  Otherwise, you end up half-assing it with a musical number that no one is totally stoked about and most people don’t care about.  It’s like painting your walls white.  No one notices.  Except us, apparently, and then only to mock…