Bubba and the Boss to rally for Obama in Ohio, Iowa
WASHINGTON -- President Obama is leaning on two of America’s favorites -- Bubba and the Boss -- for a little get-out-the-vote action next week in critical swing states.
Bruce Springsteen will headline a free event Thursday in the Parma, Ohio, area, where he will be joined by Bill Clinton, before heading for a second show later that day in Ames, Iowa, the Obama campaign announced, as Obama turns to the power of pop culture to get voters to the polls.
That same night, the president will make a return visit to “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart”; on Saturday, the campaign released a new TV ad with the unmistakable voice of actor Morgan Freeman.
Jim Messina, Obama for America’s campaign manager, said Springsteen’s appearances “will help with our get-out-the-vote effort in these critical swing states and we are thrilled with his ongoing support.”
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“Bruce Springsteen’s values echo what the president and vice president stand for: hard work, fairness, integrity,” Messina said.
Ohio remains a critical swing state where Republican nominee Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan have been campaigning hard since the feisty vice presidential debate this week. Obama had made gains in the state, but Romney is seeking traction since his own well-received debate performance. Iowa also is hotly contested.
The Romney-Ryan ticket has not been without its own nods to pop culture: Rock star Kid Rock gave a robust endorsement to the Republicans as he performed at a Ryan event last week.
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At the same time, Clinton has become a key surrogate on the campaign trail, hitting Nevada, Arizona and Indiana in the past week alone -- states with varying importance to the presidential race, but high stakes in Democratic efforts to retain control of the Senate.
Clinton is expected to deliver an economic address in Ohio, which could likely echo the themes he delivered during his own well-received speech at the Democratic National Convention.
[Updated at 12:37 p.m., Oct. 13: This posted has been updated to reflect the addition of an appearance by Springsteen and Clinton in Iowa.]
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