McCain’s closing campaign song seems to be “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake, the 80’s power-balladeers. I can’t embed the video below, but if you like click over to YouTube for some truly amazing hair, guitar moves, and ear-biting. (Bonus points if you spot the wardrobe malfunction, as helpfully flagged by the commenters.)
I’d love to hear Howard Wolfson’s thoughts on this. In today’s New York Times the ex-Hillary spokesman and noted music fan recounts the ludicrous fallout that ensued after her 2000 Senate campaign played Billy Joel’s “Captain Jack,” drug references and all, at an early event. That kerfuffle set the stage for a hidebound song choosing presidential campaign bureaucracy that ultimately settled on a treacly Celine Dion cut.
Too bad Olbermann is not in charge of his own show tonight. If he were, I’d bet Whitesnake would get the attention they deserve.
Clint Hendler is the managing editor of Mother Jones, and a former deputy editor of CJR.