Governor Pawlenty to miss Bruce Springsteen gig at Excel

Minnesota Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty feels bad that Bruce Springsteen is using his popularity as a musician to promote his political convictions. "I really appreciate his music, but I wish he wouldn't interject his music with politics," the governor said after learning that The Boss is participating in several Democratic fundraisers that hope to help limit George Bush (who Pawlenty supports) to just one term.

Apparently the Governor feels so bad he's not even going to go to the concert, currently slated for the Excel Energy Center on October 5th. Poor guy. If he doesn't go he's also gonna miss R.E.M., John Fogerty, and Bright Eyes. I wonder if this mean's he'll also eschew The Faint at First Avenue that night, since members of that band are friends of Bright Eye's Conor Oberst.

Maybe it's a good thing that music fans generally don't attend shows of bands that politically disagree with them. How many staunch Reagan supporters do you think you might have found at Dead Kennedys shows in the early 80's? And how many Kerry supporters or liberation theologists are you going to find at a Lee Greenwood or Toby Keith show?

I can understand music fans with political differences avoiding each other when possible, but musicians (and actors, sports figures, etc.) should clearly continue to use their celebrity to promote their politics. What value does celebrity have if it's not the increase in visibility when you champion the causes you hold most dear?

I just hope the Governor doesn't stop reading HowWasTheShow.com when I come out in support of Ralph Nader.