It's a little sad that the only way pro-Mitt Romney advertisements seem to draw attention is by either proclaiming outfaced lies or using (without permission) the music of bands and artists we all know are swinging for Obama this election. Such was the case with a Romney ad posted last week which used the song "Fake Empire" by staunch Obama supporters The National—a song that, naturally, featured prominently in the president's own 2008 campaign.
Didn't take long for National frontman Matt Berninger to decry the ad, which has since been yanked:
"Our music was used without our permission in this ad. The song you’re using was written about the same backward, con game policies Romney is proposing. We encourage all students to educate themselves about the differences between the inclusive, pro-social, compassionate, forward-thinking policies of President Obama and the self-serving politics of the neo-conservative movement and Mitt Romney. Every single person involved in the creation of the music you’re using is voting for President Obama."
"We apologize for offending The National and their fans by using a cover/remix of the band's melody for 'Fake Empire'... We were attempting to reinvigorate and unite the disgruntled fans wary of supporting the President as they did in 2008 with 'Signs of Hope and Change', with a new movement of people who Believe in real recovery and reform in supporting Mitt Romney. Unfortunately we've learned that partisan divide exists on youtube and in music as much as it does in Washington... We respectfully took down the video, and will repost with music representing a better future with Romney & Ryan in Washington." [sic throughout]
If by "partisan divide" you mean that "99% of musicians, artists, writers, poets, painters and artists of all types, genders, ages, races and sexual identities think your candidates are two-faced scumbags," then yeah, I suppose all three of Ohio University's pro-Romney students are correct. I'd constructively suggest utilizing only Romney-friendly music choices in the future, but really, how many times do we want to hear Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold"?
Thoughts? Comments section below. You guys know the drill.
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