Pirate McCain

I think that a recording artist suing to stop a candidate from using their music is a little like suing to stop a bowling alley from using the music. I assume they still get ASCAP royalties from the song being played in a public space and broadcast on television. What is different is that there is a tacit endorsement of the candidate from the artist when you use the song. So most campaigns ask permission. Except John McCain, because he was a POW so shut up.

Last night at the conclusion of the GOP convention, the Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) campaign blasted the song “Barracuda” by Heart. The tune is meant to be a theme song for Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK), whose high school nickname was reportedly “Sarah Barracuda.”

The problem is that the McCain campaign never obtained legal permission to use the song. Heart’s representative issued a statement:

The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission. We have asked the Republican campaign publicly not to use our music. We hope our wishes will be honored.

This is the fifth time that the McCain campaign has used music improperly and been asked to cease and desist.

And adding to the irony, his tech policy promises to protect the creative industry from piracy.

But not from Old Man McCain, ye maties!