OpsLens

Kid Rock as a Political Cornerstone?

“There is no denying Kid Rock is a colorful guy, and any foundation as a political cornerstone is in the cards. If nothing else, he scores an A+ for brutal honesty…a score many stalwart poles mistakenly believe they’ve earned.”

In July 2017, OpsLens brought you the rumblings of a couple of Rocks rolling around the idea of becoming political cornerstones. Our piece examined the potential of Kid Rock who announced his run for a U.S. Senate seat representing Michigan, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson who coyly telegraphed the idea of running for the US Presidency under the keen slogan “Run the Rock 2020.”

Since then, Kid Rock’s name bandied-about plenty, and some traction has been gained regarding polls and where he sits among the band of parties.

Kid Rock 

U.S. Senate incumbent Debbie Stabenow (D – MI) has not had to look in her political rearview mirror much because Kid Rock is out in front of her—according to a few polls, at least. Some Republicans got behind him recently, providing a boost to make Stabenow dig deeper for re-election potential.

According to The Hill, “While most Republicans still believe a bid is unlikely, they are enticed by the prospect of a candidate with deep pockets and universal name identification.”

In terms of competition, three other candidates seeking the US senate seat representing Michigan are running. However, The Hill offered some promising tabulations supporting Ritchie’s bid: “Polling suggests Ritchie would clear the primary field and have a fighting chance for the general. The poll from the Republican-leaning Trafalgar Group found Ritchie with 50 percent of the vote in a late July primary poll.”

The Trafalgar Group’s poll indicates Ritchie is ahead of Stabenow by 3 points (49:46 ratio), and their calculations culminate in an interesting breakdown by various categories such as gender, race, and age.

Conversely, Target Insyght’s poll has Ritchie as the lead Michigan Republican senatorial candidate while also showing him 8 points (50:42 ratio) behind Democrat incumbent Debbie Stabenow.

The Daily Caller cast its suspicions on the recent (July 2017) polls and inferences to be made about Republican candidate Kid Rock, implying the numbers in a typical “Democrat stronghold” don’t add up and insinuating polling bias.

Given the oft-debated accuracy of polls, and perhaps a sprinkling of bias, only time will tell who gets to fill the seat. A list of US Senate races has Stabenow, 67, at the gate and prepared for the November 2018 election cycle. She seeks her fourth term as Michigan’s Democrat senator.

 Idiosyncrasies

Some wonder whether he would be suited to run under the stage name Kid Rock or his birth name, Robert James Ritchie. That is why we have a Federal Election Committee: to mete out a would-be quandary by enforcing the rules of political decorum. Name recognition goes a long way. How many really know him as Robert James Ritchie? Any picture with a straw fedora covering long sandy-blonde straight hair may be the clincher, but political aspirants run on a name and not on a logotype.

#1 I have still not officially announced my candidacy. #2 See #1 and go f**k yourselves.

Kid Rock recently lambasted Colin Kaepernick in the ears of a massive crowd at one of his concerts. A profanity-laden tirade dogging the unemployed quarterback went viral, depicting Kid exclaiming, “Football’s about ready to start. You know what? F**k Colin Kaepernick!” Unambiguously, Kid says how he feels and makes no bones about how deep his patriotism runs. Anti-Kaepernick comments are not shocking.

Kid has made no secret of his sentiments regarding the direction of American governance. Recently, he publicly stated “I am sick and tired of the bulls**t” in the nation’s Capitol. Who isn’t? He’s among a vast majority. But, again, how will his candid demeanor be received among a class of folks quite different than his own? The stage presence is diametrically opposed.

For comparison, Republican Rep. Trey Gowdy is clearly tired of the BS in DC, but his tactics as well as his wealth of brilliance telegraph diplomacy, unwavering decorum, and respectful acumen. With respect to Kid Rock, those character traits seem distant on his mind.

Many wonder if the US Capitol is prepared for a potential US Senator with a tongue as sharp as a rebellious and outspoken kid. Conversely, we’re assuming Kid is completely aware of a wide array of Senatorial responsibilities to be handled, other than personal causes he supports back home in Michigan. The scope is far wider than representing Michigan and fighting for its political needs. A bevy of national security issues await Kid’s input and endorsements/arguments.

Moreover, Kid’s past run-ins with the law may ruffle some feathers and cause consternation among party elites. Just how will the historical legal dilemmas sit among the Republican Party? As well, Kid’s persona may provide ample ammo for those on the other side of the aisle with their slingshots readied. I can envision ample lobbing-leftists in Capitol chambers which, frankly, could be interesting.

Weed? Well, that is purportedly history also, sort of. In January, 2015, ENews.com conducted an interview with Kid who articulated “I don’t smoke much weed, it makes me dumb. But they should legalize and tax everything: pot, cocaine, heroin. Has it not been proven that people will always find a way to get what they want?”

With our nation’s burgeoning opioid crisis culminating in destroyed lives, to include a growing number of overdose fatalities, that particular philosophy may not bode well in any political debate, party discourse, or town-hall meetings.

Yes, we are to put history behind us and leave it there. Grow from our indiscretions. Advance from our faults. Bias aside, I believe he did just that when he exuded respect and decency by showing interest in becoming a reserve deputy sheriff with the Village of Oakley in Michigan. If anything, in Kid we’re not getting just another suit on the DC Hill.

There is no denying Kid Rock is a colorful guy, and any foundation as a political cornerstone is in the cards. If nothing else, he scores an A+ for brutal honesty…a score many stalwart poles mistakenly believe they’ve earned.

What kind of honesty? The kind that offered Common Cause which requested the Federal Election Committee and the Justice Department look into federal election law violations.

Kid’s common reply to Common Cause: “#1 I have still not officially announced my candidacy. #2 See #1 and go f**k yourselves.”