Toby Keith Praises Obama, Says He's A Democrat

LOS ANGELES — Barack Obama is getting praise from Nashville, courtesy of one big, patriotic country star.

Toby Keith, perhaps best known to non-country audiences for his post-Sept. 11 song "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue," says he's a Democrat, and was impressed by the senator from Illinois.

Keith has said in the past that the 2002 song _ which included lines aimed at the Taliban like "we lit up your world like the Fourth of July" _ was more patriotic than pro-war.

Asked while promoting his new movie "Beer For My Horses" about the role of patriotism in the current presidential election, Keith replied: "There's a big part of America that really believes that there is a war on terrorism, and that we need to finish up.

"So I thought it was beautiful the other day when Obama went to Afghanistan and got educated about Afghanistan and Iraq. He came back and said some really nice things.

"So as far as leadership and patriotism goes, I think it's really important that those things have to take place. And I think he's the best Democratic candidate we've had since Bill Clinton. And that's coming from a Democrat."

Comments

[Chavez08]

Opportunism has no boundaries....

[Subhunter]

Absolutely spot on....

[Sparty1]

He's lying.

[davidly]

I can see the sales figures goin' up!

[HBeachbum]

So if Toby Keith is actually a Democrat, and he sings songs about lynching, that mean it's the Democrats that are all redneck racists. Sweet!

[davidly]

Traditionally, they were in the South. Remember George Wallace and Strom Thurmond were Dems once.

[irkthesmirk]

And Abraham Lincoln was a Republican. What's your point?

[Strywever]

You never studied logic, did you? LOL!

[meanguy]

this is PuffHo, what has logic got to do with anything?

[HBeachbum]

It's the same logic you lefties were using earlier against Republicans. Or have you changed your mind? You guys like change.

[bridgeworker]

It sure looks to me like many here are practicing the intolerance we rail about. People are busy spinning Toby Keith's statements and lyrics to make him appear like a bigot.

I don't think you can live in these times and not harbor residues of our collective prejudices, they exist everywhere, at every turn. You could turn on those in the public arena who express shades of that mess that you think you're above, but how is that helping this country shed and heal our wounds?

As far as I can tell, the guy loves this country, is adamant about supporting the troops, enjoys embodying the good ol' boy persona, and expresses himself in a way different from the lingo found in the PC Democratic playbook.

So what? If we really want a nation of the people, by the people and for the people, we need to start accepting that there are many ways of loving this country and really need to stop judging those who do it differently than we do.

[11907281]

OK, 1) "we need to start accepting that there are many ways of loving this country and really need to stop judging those who do it differently than we do." - Could you please go to all the conservative site and post this every time Dems are called unpatriotic, commies, socialists or terrorist sympathizers ... you will be very busy.

2) good ol' boy persona .... I admire the fact you put persona, cause I feel it's an act to sell records. His "music" and the audience he targets with it is like selling meth to a junkie, no effort is needed.

[bridgeworker]

Yes, many conservative sites participate in this behavior. So what? Do you really want to live in an eyeless, toothless nation? I prefer to head toward "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you". Otherwise, we're all tumbling down a steep road heading down.

[peorgietirebiter]

You realize of course that; Republicans are attack Democrats on the sites that apparently compel you to respond in kind. And you are a Democrat attacking a Democrat on a liberal site. At least you’re not alone here in your bizarre sense of argument, or in your truly dumbfounding hypocrisy.
But if nothing else, you are ambitious and against all odds your second point is even more ignorant than your first. I can't help but wonder what Max Blumenthal thinks about the passionately held views of those that took his ill-informed, paranoid polemic to heart. Karl rove's got nothin' on Max. As a lifelong Democrat, I am hoping that it’s a function of people having anonymous online manners and a more civil set when they engage in public... But that doesn't explain the absence of all critical thinking skills .
K. L. Scott Dallas, TX

[Masterhook]

Ok, this is a shock, a good thing but still a shock

[texassouffle]

It is a shock, but I seem to remember a couple of years back in an interview with Dan Rather he said that he thought that the war in Iraq would probably turn out to be a mistake. I also saw him at a Willie Nelson picnic in 2003 and he didn't seem to thrilled with the Republicans at the time. In fact Willie introduced Dennis Kucinich just before Toby. This is a Holy Shiite moment though!

[TchoupitoulasCanal]

Wow...now that is a flip-flop.

[meanguy]

he's not saying anything new...don't you folks read?

[TchoupitoulasCanal]

last time I checked I think the man referred to the senator as "not black enough" to be credible. In my opinion, I think that's pretty friggin different from his flowing adoration. Maybe you can try reading a bit more, you think?

[Quotidien]

If Barack Obama gets all Toby Keith listeners to support him, he will win the election in Reaganesque 1984 fashion.

[BlackJAC]

Even if you ignore Obama's ethnicity and name, no Toby Keith listener is going to support a Harvard-affiliated Northerner who shops at Whole Foods, plays basketball, can't bowl, and was never in the military.

[donkat]

Whaaaat? Is this the same Toby Keith?

[biglover]

Who cares. The only reason I read the article was because of the last one about his lynching song.

I was unimpress then and am unimpressed now.

[peskime]

Hmmmmmmm

[auramac]

Maybe he and the Dixie Chicks are now ready to make nice.

[Djackson56]

I always knew Toby Keith was cool.

[easyrider1969]

Me too. Anyone as funny as Toby just couldn't be a repugnican-fascist.

[philly282]

please...leftist elite.....don't say that the dem base will oppose this 'endorsement'...obama and the DNC needs guys like toby keith

[marymansour]

Hey, I wouldn't recognize Toby Keith in a police line up but his endorsement of O works for me. Any and All are welcome in my opinion.

[meanguy]

he didn't endorse obama...where did anyone get that idea?

[BlackJAC]

We need Toby Keith like a submarine needs a screen door. He chose to defect to the gops five years ago, and cannot undefect now that they're losing.

[meanguy]

what...the dixier chicks are the officil DNC band? if natalie maines hadn't called out the shrub, the left wouldn't give them the 'time 'o day'

[Soundofthunder]

That's bad news. Guess Bush'll have to cancel the order for 1,000 submarine screen doors.

SOT

[Vorticose]

Losing UM............. your wonderboy Obama is behind McCain by 5 points :)

[530Rose]

I changed my mind once. I stayed with my second choice, and even defended it, out of some mistaken loyalty. Eventually I came to the realization that it was a dumb decision and went back to my first choice. Everybody has to try out new things once in a while. Lots of otherwise intelligent Americans were fooled by the "War On Terror." I for one am glad Toby is choosing not to be fooled again.

[cariintexas]

Need Toby Keith? for what. I dont give a rates rear about toby Keith. Get lost.

[Thinkingclearly]

Toby opposed the war in Iraq - but supported the war in Afghanistan - which matches Barack Obama. Be glad he's on board. He's the kind of guy that can show people that real red-blooded American white men can vote Obama.

He's intelligent - and independent minded. This is one we need.

[meanguy]

"on board?" here's what he has to say:

"I don't think anyone should listen to what stupid celebrities say. If someone endorsing someone is going to change the way you vote, then you're not taking advantage of your American right here. Everybody needs to educate themselves and vote the best they can."

Having said that, Keith goes on to say, "I think Obama stands the best chance for the Democratic Party since Clinton. McCain is a good solid choice, a smarter version of what we have. We probably need a change and the economy needs a change, and come Election Day, I'll have my mind made up."

Any chance he would go out and play a show for one of them?

"Hell no," he says. "I never did that for anybody."

Any questions?

[LondonTownNY]

Precisely. Keith just wants to be politically correct and maintain his career standing. Everyone is good by him. And no offense, but I actually think W may have more upstairs than Insane McCain and that is saying alot.

[zoomzoomgal]

Love the tease headline. ;-)
Beyond that, I care as much about Toby Keith's thoughts on foreign policy and presidential candidates as I do about Alec Baldwin's, George Clooney's, Babs Streisand's, or (God forbid) Sean Penn's!

[meanguy]

DING DING DING!!!!! WE HAVE A WINNAH!!!!!! celebrity endorsements aren't worth the paper they're printed on-i SERIOUSLY worry about the intelligence and sanity of people who look to entertainers for political wisdom

[DwH]

As opposed to other Americans who have opinions on how their country should be run?

Why should an American's job make them less a citizen; why should an artist's views be devalued?

What would you say if I told you that your opinion means even less than this singer's? Kind of piss you off?

Those are some pretty sour grapes you guys are eating. Enjoy.