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31 July 2017

Kid Rock - The People's Senator

This piece will (probably) be published soon at American Patriot Radio (Link).  You can read some of my other writings there; I recommend "Pat Buchanan's America." 

Political wags and armchair pundits--like yours truly--have been abuzz about the possibility of a Kid Rock Senate run in 2018.  He'd be running against Democratic incumbent Senator Debbie Stabenow--if he can win the Republican primaries--in a Trump-style insurgency campaign.

Immediate speculation focused on Kid Rock's website, www.kidrockforsenate.com, and whether or not the Detroit rocker was serious, or just boosting publicity for his music.  Kid Rock (real name Robert Ritchie) is offering campaign apparel on the website, including bumper stickers.

I purchased a bumper sticker ($5... plus $6.99 shipping) and it billed to Warner Brothers, not a "Kid Rock for Senate" campaign committee.  Nevertheless, Kid Rock appears to be serious:  he's made an announcement at www.kidrock.com (link).

The announcement is straight out of Trump's playbook:  he goes after "fake news," promises to be "a voice for tax paying, hardworking AMERICANS," and invokes "We the People."

Kid Rock is a populist at heart, and we're living in a populist moment.

There's not much to add to what's already been said, but I'll go out on a limb and say that Kid Rock should definitely run--and I think he can win.  As Michigan native Jordan Gehrke writes at The Federalist:

"The Michigan Senate race will be the most-watched campaign in America in 2018 if he runs. It’s got everything: celebrity, a battleground Trump won in 2016 and must win again to get re-elected, a conventional, disciplined, well-funded Democrat, a re-run of 2016, and a trailer for 2020, all rolled into one."  (Link)

Naturally, the Establishment is poo-pooing Kid Rock's potential run as the "dumbing down" of America.  Sure, he's crude, he's crass, he's kind of trashy--but he really seems to care about the people of Michigan.  And they love him.  While it's unlikely that any Republican will ever win Detroit in its current state, none has the opportunity to suck up votes in the city better than hometown hero Kid Rock.  With the support from rural Michigan--bona fide Trump Country--Kid Rock could best a powerful, well-funded Democratic incumbent.  A new poll from the Trafalgar Group has Kid Rock winning the Republican primary against potential opponents handily, and within the margin of error against Stabenow

Kid Rock is a populist at heart, and we're living in a populist moment.  His care for the common man shows in his music career; for years, he's been giving big concerts (with some big-name opening acts, like Foreigner) for just $20 a ticket.  In the face of ever-rising concert ticket prices, that concern for his fans' wallets spoke volumes.  That's the same kind of connection with the "little guy" that could propel him into office on a platform of government transparency and reform.

Regardless, one thing is for sure--if Kid Rock runs, 2018 will be the most exciting midterm election season in years.

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