June 12, 2024

The Biden campaign throws a random celebrity at me.

That's just sad. The email goes on to ask me to "join" Carole King by giving money to "Joe and Kamala."

What celebrity are they throwing at you? At least I know they're not using Spotify to try to find out which musical artist might be able to reach me. The answer is no one, but I don't think I've ever played one of Carole King's recordings. I've been subjected to them on a number of occasions. I don't dislike her. I just don't care. And even if I did care about her — or anyone else's — music, I wouldn't care about her name slapped on some political email... other than to find it insulting that the campaign thinks I might be stirred to action by a celebrity's name.

Carole King. I mean, it's annoying. It's like some idiot was wondering how to call out to Boomers.

83 comments:

Ice Nine said...

Be happy - it could have been DeNiro...

Iman said...

It’s too late, baby…

gspencer said...

"Participate in democracy - Give us money"

"NOW"

AlbertAnonymous said...

Old washed up “celebrities” shilling for an old washed up politician? Pathetic…

Send it DeNiro next …

Goldenpause said...

Nice King to out herself as despising about half of the U.S. electorate. I guess she has made enough that she doesn’t care.

Leland said...

For a celebrity, apathy is worse than dislike.

Skipper said...

She's still alive? Fooled me.

RideSpaceMountain said...

"The answer is no one"

Not even Bob Dylan?

Althouse's in the basement
Posting for the denizens
Pondering disengagement
Thinkin' bout Biden's government

Ann Althouse said...

"Be happy - it could have been DeNiro..."

Ugh. Thanks, no thanks, for reminding me. I knew I'd gotten celebrity email last week but couldn't call to mind whose name it was.

Ann Althouse said...

I'd feel bad if Bob let his name be used like this. I don't think he would.

wendybar said...

Let the celebrities and Soros family fund the Bidens. Nobody else besides some here want them anywhere NEAR the WH.

Aggie said...

So....DeNiro last week, Carole King this week....Probably be a famous writer next week, or maybe a journalist. How do you feel about Michelle Goldberg?

Suggest you might consider and embrace the awesome power of 'Unsubscribe'.

J Severs said...

I remember an interview with Carole King on a local rock station in 1984. All of the interviewer's questions were about her musical career. Every answer was solely about the need and the reasons to support Gary Hart in the upcoming primaries. I thought she was amazingly rude.

Jeffrey S said...

Surprising you don't like Carole King. IMO her "Tapestry" album is a masterpiece. I've accepted unfortunately almost all actors and musicians are liberal.

Wince said...

I think the Carole King nexus is James Taylor.

Taylor seems like a soft touch and willing to answer the call when the Democrats ask, even if it makes him look silly. Like when he went to France with John Kerry to sing "You've Got a Friend" after the terror attack.

I've always found James Taylor in person and away from the spotlight to be a very nice person, genuinely concerned about other people in ways nobody would know, who is an old-school "liberal."

For many of these people, especially at this stage in life, Democrat is now a brand rather a governing philosophy. If they took a hard look at what the party has actually become, they might not like what they see.

Bless their hearts.

Chuck said...

Ann Althouse said...
I'd feel bad if Bob let his name be used like this. I don't think he would.

I understand that feeling. Although Bob got used for some dubious things. I’m thinking about the Reuben “Hurricane” Carter crusade.

I do think many prominent celebrities, including many who might routinely keep their names out of political endorsements genuinely feel that 2024 is not an ordinary presidential election cycle and that Trump represents an existential threat to a nation and a western world that they love.

Meade said...

Chuck said...
“Simple! Because absolutely every conversation about Trump, or elections, should include mention of Donald Trump’s psychopathological unfitness for office. As ever, I’m working to drive wedges between the GOP, the Federalist Society, conservatism, etc., and everything “Trump.”

“I’m not trying to be fair or balanced or helpful or anything like that. I’m trying to undermine Trump’s campaign. All that other good stuff comes after we have driven a wooden stake through the vampire heart of Trumpism.“



Meade said…
Absolutely every reply to Chuck should include mention of Chuck’s psychopathological unfitness for commenting here, his Cluster B personality disorders, his under—examined dedication to sadism and maleficence.

RCOCEAN II said...

I dont go on "missions" - so even if I liked ms. King, I wouldn't like this email

BTW, Ive heard her name my entire life, but had to look up what she sang. Oh wait she was really a successful songwriter who sang. Even more interestingly, she wrote songs with her husband before 68, and she did the music, he did the lyrics. Thats very unusual. Most female songwriters do the lyrics, their male partner does the music.

OK so she wrote/sang "Will you love me tommorrow" and "You make me feel like a natural woman". Other hits include "its too late" and "You Light Up My Life".

Seems like a good career. But after reading what she sang, I understand why I couldnt place her. Sorta bland 60s/70s pop.

tommyesq said...

Joe, needing to shore up the youth vote, finds a celebrity who is even older than he is for an endorsement. Nice job, team.

WisRich said...

Iman said...
It’s too late, baby…

6/12/24, 9:51 AM
-------

Iman nails it on second post.

Ann Althouse said...

"I've always found James Taylor in person and away from the spotlight to be a very nice person, genuinely concerned about other people in ways nobody would know, who is an old-school "liberal.""

If the party had access to my Spotify, it would find me listening to James Taylor. I didn't listen to him in the 70s, but these days, I really enjoy his gentle warm voice and guitar and lyrics like "geese in flight and dogs that bite."

Curious George said...

"Ann Althouse said...
I'd feel bad if Bob let his name be used like this. I don't think he would."

First, "Bob?" Do you know him?

Second, he would. And has.

Drago said...

Consider yourself lucky Althouse.

In the case of LLR-democratical And Violent Homosexual Rage Rape Fantasist Chuck, its likely the DNC would opt to use John Wayne Gacy's ghost.

Ann Althouse said...

"First, "Bob?" Do you know him?"

We always say "Bob" around here.

RCOCEAN II said...

Ms King is Jewish and a leftist, with a long history of activism. Given that Jews are supporting Biden by a large margin and the entertainment is 90 percent Democrat, its no wonder she's "on a mission" to help Biden.

Its hard to think of many non-Country music singers/songwriters who are NOT Liberal/leftists. Seems to go with the territory. And if you're apolitical or right of center and sing for a living, you probably keep your head down and mouth the expected liberal/left platitudes. No need to make enemies in Hollywood or the record "industry".

tommyesq said...

"First, "Bob?" Do you know him?"

We always say "Bob" around here.


At first read, I thought you were still referring to DeNiro.

RCOCEAN II said...

Robert Dylan? Never heard him called that.

RCOCEAN II said...

Bob Deniro?

His friends don't call him that.

To those who know him best, its "hey, asshole"

robother said...

Steve Garvey, since I gave him $100 a couple months ago, is constantly pitching me. (Wasn't he an infielder?)

Kate said...

Ew. To Carole King, to her name on an email, and to some of the comments.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

What is so progressive about celebrity worship? Or assuming others will be so awed by a "celebrity" that is within a decade or two of the target audience? That's strange. Carole wrote some good music about the time I was born, my favorite being one she co-wrote that was recorded by The Animals, "Don't Bring Me Down" link (again) goes to YouTube.

narciso said...

I caught the joke about deniro in glostbusters afterlife some actor bought up tribeca

narciso said...

Shaheed dave not happy shocker

Skeptical Voter said...

Carole King as a songwriter in the Brill Building turned out some amazing songs--the songs of my youth as it were. And her driving piano performance on "One Fine Day" (the producer left out her entire contribution to the record--other than that piano performance) shows she has musical talent.

As for political brains--Jim Webb's McArthur Park has a line about a cake melting in the rain. That's an apt metaphor for Carole and political smarts. I like her songs--but I could care less what she thinks about this year's (or any other year's) election.

Joe Smith said...

OMG...they actually led with that line?

"Hi, I'm Joe Namath.

When I'm not winning football games or banging stewardesses four at a time, I'm thinking about doing what's right for Mother Earth."

Was this written by a 17-year-old wannabe marketing/communications major at an unknown state college?

Fucking hilarious.

If I want to know how to write a decent bridge and a catchy hook, I'll call Carole King.

Otherwise, I don't give a fuck about anything she has to say about anything else outside of pop music.

Stay in your lane. Shut up and sing...

Joe Smith said...

'We always say "Bob" around here.'

Bob and Marty in this house as well...

PM said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mikee said...

Coulda been worse. Coulda been Nickleback.

Rory said...

I'm trying to familiarize myself with the Golden Girls, two episodes per day. Twelve episodes in, and it's increasingly difficult to get through that theme song.

narciso said...

That would send them screaming

Imagine the chuzpah of someone who wants you to fund an enabler of jew killers

Dave Begley said...

Oh, Ann. I love Carole King. Her "Tapestry" album was just great.

I especially loved her "Love Makes the World" which was released on September 25, 2001. In it she sings, "In the middle of the night I'm going down because I adore you / I want to floor you."

Old and slow said...

At least if David Sedaris sent you a political pleading letter (he wouldn't), it would have the benefit of being entertaining.

Dave Begley said...

All:

Listen to Livingston Taylor's "I Will Be in Love with You" on YouTube with the BBC Orchestra; released December 2023.

Butkus51 said...

many got the Covid shot for free fries.

No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American Public.

Old and slow said...

I'm gen X and I think Carole King is brilliant,her political opinions are neither surprising nor interesting.

narciso said...

Golden girls theme well thats an earwig

Roger Sweeny said...

I don't have a spotify and I get Carole King emails, along with Robert DeNiro and at least one other celebrity I forget.

Carole King along with Gerry Goffen wrote some of the best pop songs of the 1950s and '60s. Her live performance of One Fine Day on YouTube is almost as good as the Chiffons. She plays a rocking piano.

Enigma said...

"I'm a big, big fan of TV reality shows. I'm a big, big fan of real estate. I'm a big, big fan of golf. I'm a big, big fan of Boomers. I'm a big, big fan of New York City."

Democrats, please tell me that Trump wants me to donate. Pleeeeeease tell me!!!

Jersey Fled said...

No washed up singers for me, but I’m a registered Republican.

But I’ll check with my wife. She’s a registered Democrat and has remained so because she loves the stupid campaign stuff the Democrats send her. She gets a chuckle every time.

CJinPA said...

What celebrity are they throwing at you?

I get texts that say they're from DONALD TRUMP himself. WOW.

I might have gotten something from John Oates, but I accidentally deleted it.

Joe Smith said...

Technically, I'm a Boomer, but King is before my time.

Or at least she seems to be.

Her songs seem very olde-tyme....

Mason G said...

"Or at least she seems to be."

Born in 1942. So- not a boomer.

Jerry said...

"Yes, I know you're hurting when you go to the grocery store and gas station. I know, like me, you're concerned at the endless conflicts we seem to be embroiled in. And you see how things are deteriorating in the inner cities - how crime is booming and the police just don't seem to be doing their job well enough. But Joe can fix it!

"The ONLY solution is 4 more years of the same. Biden-Harris (or Harris-Whoever) is the only chance our country has to escape the sheer hell of anarchy that looms in the distance. Imagine a time when you're actually responsible for your own actions! When the border is closed and new aspiring residents must actually justify their need for asylum! Where you're expected to actually work because there's not a check being sent to you for just existing. Such things are imminent if you don't vote for our Democratic Overlords in November!

"If you want to preserve the things that are important to you, like overreaching mandates on vehicles and energy usage, the dismantling of an energy infrastructure that works instead of pursuing a green fantasy, social equity pogroms that are designed to punish the oppressors that have made our country horrible, then you MUST vote for Biden!"

/sarc

There's no way in hell I'll ever vote for any Democrat again. Those at the top want a repeat of 18th Century England - with the aristocratic landowners looking down on the tradesmen who keep them supplied with what they needed, and a massive disregard for the peasants who worked the land and provided food.

We've got a binary political system at this point, with core functions run by bureaucrats who have abandoned what is feasible and what works for what sounds good in the moment. That can't go on long-term.

who-knew said...

Althouse says "Carole King. I mean, it's annoying. It's like some idiot was wondering how to call out to Boomers." Actually Professor, it IS some idiot wondering how call out to Boomers. I have a Carole King's greatest hits double CD. The first disc is her recordings and except for the stuff of Tapestry, it's kinda bland. The second disc is songs she wrote that other people recorded. She wrote Pleasant Valley Sunday (The Monkees), Goin' Back (The Byrds), Wasn't Born to Follow ( also the Byrds), and a bunch of the early 60s girl group songs. It is far and away the best part of the collection.

Narr said...

Bobby. We always call him Bobby.

Tom T. said...

Great work from the campaign. Get Democrats thinking "It's too late, baby, now it's too late, though we really did try to make it."

Meade said...

https://x.com/chanelrion/status/1799940606854349023?s=46&t=VX4S-gjuq5nKM-bW4zL54w

Unknown said...


"Was this written by a 17-year-old wannabe marketing/communications major at an unknown state college?"

I think it was a 28 year old Oppression Studies major from Yale who is trying to connect with people who look up to Biden.

JAORE said...

I worked in Idaho in the late 70's-early 80's. Ms. King owned property out there. She got tired of gawkers so she had a fence built blocking the public road.

Surprise! She had to remove it.

Real woman of the people.

Ann Althouse said...

I had a college friend who played "Tapestry" every day. That was enough. Too much. I've heard enough of CK.

Tacitus said...

There comes a point in time where a campaign acquires the unmistakable stench of fear. Usually it comes much closer to the election, but these are unusual times and it is an unusual election.

The Biden "War Room" is probably descending into madness and desperation. Other than the consultants probably, they get paid no matter what the outcome.

I think the Babylon Bee needs to do a Downfall parody. A mad, frothing at the mouth leader who looms over an electoral vote map of the United States and orders non existent forces here and there....

"Uh, Mr. President....Tony Bennet will not be endorsing you..."

Aggie said...

I think the Progressive Liberal Establishment was more hoping for:

Ah feel the earth (BOOM) Move (BOOM) Undah muh feet.....

Anthony said...

I just saw her in some context having to do with development. Rather hypocritical (duh) in that she has a magnificent cabin in the woods and doesn't want anyone else to be able to do the same thing.

Marty said...

I dunno. Supposed GOP and Trump sources got my phone number and now I am bombarded by texts shaking me down for money, with that ridiculous "end of the world" come-on. Beyond annoying. I'll trade you these for Carole King.

RAS743 said...

Of course it’s an open question as to how many of our fellow Americans are such poor excuses for citizens to be swayed by such appeals. In this instance it’s Carole King, but it just as well could be Bruce Springsteen or Madonna or Sean Penn or George Clooney or Alec Baldwin or — ancient history — Candace Bergen. The extent to which segments of our electorate act on such endorsements is an indicator of our unseriousness as a people, that any part of us are stupid enough to do this.

Quayle said...

Funny how they need to use notes to make sure you know it is the "real" Carole King. I mean she is famous, but not THAT famous.

Quaestor said...

Althouse writes, "Too much. I've heard enough of CK."

It's quite clear that Carole King is a pop icon without influence as far as Althouse is concerned, washed up, through. But what if those importunate emails were from Bob Dylan or (God help us) Sir Paul McCartney?

fleg9bo said...

We get an overdose* of Carol King every time our local PBS station has a pledge break, which seems to be at least once a month. At least they haven't shown anything by Wayne Dyer in a while.

*Carol King overdose = One or more songs

jpg said...

How about Barry Manilow?

FullMoon said...

Although Bob got used for some dubious things. I’m thinking about the Reuben “Hurricane” Carter crusade.

Lump Reuben in with John Wesley Hardin, George Jackson and Joey Gallo as evidence of Dylan's sense of humor. Four killers. Dylan showed how easy it is to sway public opinion with a melody.

Expect an eventual tune about OJ, who was an outstanding ball player, and never cavorted after a touchdown.

Even he would not go so far as to write a catchy tune about Biden.

JohnJ said...

"It's like some idiot was wondering how to call out to Boomers."

They should know better. Now, if Mickey Mantle were still alive...

Iman said...

Barely Maninuff?

M Jordan said...

Best Carole King moment: Steve Martin on SNL dying outside the window where Carole King is playing piano and singing, “You’ve got a friend” while completely ignoring him. Looked everywhere and can’t find a clip on the internet. What’s up with that?

typingtalker said...

The Ann Althouse vote is quite valuable to the candidate -- the solicitation cost the president's campaign a very tiny fraction of a fraction of a penny.

Tell them to call back when they have a flashy button or ribbon or maybe a bumper sticker. Are there still bumper stickers?

Mr. D said...

They were going to use Cilla Black, but ruled her out because she's (a) British and (b) dead.

William said...

I remember when celebrities used to endorse vodkas or tequilas. Now they pump and dump their own brands. They still endorse cars though. Maybe some celebrity should come out with his own line of cars. The Seinfeld Speedster....I guess a celebrity endorsement is worth something. Big corporations pay big celebrities big money to appear smiling with their product. I can't recall ever buying anything endorsed by a celebrity, much less voting for their candidate, but it must happen.... If Elvis rose from the dead and endorsed Joe Biden, I might reconsider my vote. But only if he comes back as the young Elvis. I wouldn't vote for Biden if he's resurrected as fat Elvis.

RCOCEAN II said...

I can vaguely remember all these pop song warblers from the 70s:

Paul Williams
Barry Manilow
Carol King
Cat Stevens
James Taylor
Simon and Garfunkle
Neil Diamond
Neil Sedaka
Tony Bennett
Englebert Humperdink
The Carpenters
Oliva Newton John
Bette Middler
Mel Torme
Wayne Newton
Ann Murray
John Denver (although he was a little country)

They're all mixed up in mind today. They just were all sorta bland, sorta pop.

Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...

I don't think most people care about the celebrity class. Not like in the past.

Women who watch The View, do... but the trend is - take your celebrity status and shove it.

Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...

Meade 10:24. Indeed.

wildswan said...

At least Althouse got a celebrity. I got a proabortion text from my Congresswoman, Gwen Moore. "Are you concerned about how abortion bans and threats to contraceptive care and IVF treatment can impact you? Text TES/NO. By replying you are opting into texts/emails." I texted back that she should do something about Milwaukee's murder rate. If I keep getting texts, I'm going to ask why I don't rate a celebrity text. Because, I'll say, this guy named Rich had just converted me into a Dem and I was practicing screams and abuse of the police, I'll say, but now I've offended and I'm practicing "See the Conquering hero Comes" for Trump.

Tina Trent said...

Because she has such great taste in men?

Deep State Reformer said...

Anyone who would vote, contribute, or whatever else bc of a celebrity endorsement is an idiot unworthy of the franchise. Democracy is a system of governance where as the voting base broadens the actual governance gets worse. America is going to be a hybrid hellscape that's half "Idiocracy" and half "Mad Max" in about another decade.

Deep State Reformer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.