November 10, 2007
Posted: November 10th, 2007 11:01 AM ET

John Edwards and John Mellencamp on stage Friday night in Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) – Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards took the stage Friday night–John Mellencamp's stage that is. But when he did, the reaction certainly wasn't all positive.

Mellencamp introduced the former senator from North Carolina about 30 minutes into his concert in Des Moines during the song "Small Town," which was a staple of Edwards' 2004 presidential campaign.

"I've got a friend that I've had for about the last seven or eight years," Mellencamp said, "and this guy's from a small town and just so happens to be running for president of the United States. Is John back there? Come on up here."

"Ladies and gentlemen," Mellencamp continued, "John Edwards has come to see the show!"

Edwards' appearance was met with a significant number of booes, as well as cheers.

Mellencamp gestured for Edwards to say a few words, at which point Edwards shrugged as if to say 'why not?'

"The good news is," Edwards began, "I've been in your small towns, born and raised in a small town. I've been all over your state in small towns."

"And you didn't come to listen to me," Edwards continued, "so I'm not singing. Thank you for being here. Have a wonderful night. Thank you all very much."

With that, he bent over to shake a few hands and then stood on stage in the dark listening to Mellencamp finish the song for another minute or two before heading out.

The performance was not originally on Edwards' public schedule Friday, but the campaign alerted certain members of the media via phone calls late in the day.

-CNN Iowa Producer Chris Welch

Filed under: Iowa • John Edwards


Eric, from THE Republic of Texas   November 12th, 2007 10:33 am ET

Ah yes, John Mellencamp... yet another naive Midwesterner who honestly and truly believes that today's Liberal Socialist Democrats are the same party as Kennedy's Democrat Party, Truman's Democrat Party and FDR's Democrat Party.

Kennedy, Truman and FDR would simply not be welcome in today's modern Liberal Socialist Democrat Party. And honestly, these great men wouldn't even recognize the modern Democrat Party anyway

kenshin, Greenbelt, MD   November 12th, 2007 1:27 am ET

I'll give the audience here a break–they are probably either sick of hearing about politics and didn't want more of it when they came to a music concert–or they are republican.

I can't believe that people are actually still discussing how Elizabeth's cancer is a reason for Edwards to abandon his campaign. And how can you say that instead you'd support Hillary? Bill is probably as close to death as anyone–didn't he have heart surgery a while back? If something happened to him, would we be saying Hillary needs to just quit?

The truth is people who have cancer had cancer long before their diagnosis. Before the diagnosis, they were living their lives. And after their diagnosis, they continue to live their lives–up until they die–just like the rest of us.

I don't have a problem with his wealth–wealth and success are the American dream. If I had his money, I'd buy an estate too. At least he can turn around and remember where he came from, fight for the little guy. Is it hypocritical of someone like Oprah to help the poor just because she's rich? Princess Di?

Edwards is a great leader, and a sincere, hard-working person. If you on't like him, fine. But he will be a great president nonetheless.

Tyler, Wilmington, NC   November 11th, 2007 8:50 pm ET

Edwards is my home boy and this is our country!!! Y'all will throw this election to the republicans if you nominate anyone else.

From the Dixie Highway, back home.... GO JOHN!!!! From your own in Carolina.

Michael, Houston TX   November 11th, 2007 2:53 pm ET

Mellencamp is another politically undereducated individual, who unfortunately will express views that individual voters who are his fans, will use to make up their minds on issues that affect their lives moreso than Mr. Mellencamp ever will.

Study some issues please americans!

Oh well, if you don't that is fine, those of us who choose to study the issues are quietly coaching our children to do so and training them to rule you (the uneducated mob) someday, since only they will know what is really going on – and knowledge really is power.

Alice Newman Center Harbor NH   November 11th, 2007 10:25 am ET

It's still America but I'm always amazed at the level of intelligence some voters do or don't put into their choice ...

For those who don't care for the cost of the haircut, are you also speaking against Mitt's $700 make-up session before one of the debates??? Vote for Mitt – he looks so presidential ....

Juan, Fort Lauderdale, FL   November 11th, 2007 7:36 am ET

John Edwards house is the size of a small town – that's what he meant.

Bob, Des Moines, Iowa   November 10th, 2007 11:14 pm ET

I really think this comes awfully close to a FEC violation and an Edwards publicity event. What's the monetary value of having a candidate for office come on stage and speak at a concert?

Julia Jones, Boston, Massachusetts   November 10th, 2007 10:56 pm ET

Let's try this again. My post got pretty garbled.

Essentially I wrote:

Hillary's supporters would not boo Obama or Edwards; Edwards supporters would not boo Hillary or Obama. So who does that leave? The word immature comes to mind.

This is the first indication that the campaign is taking a really nasty turn.

Shame on them!

Dave, Alpharetta GA   November 10th, 2007 9:46 pm ET

Didn't Edwards just complain about Hillary staging a question in Iowa?

Yet John Edwards doesn't think this was "staged"? If he wasn't booed as bad as he was, he probably would have talked for an hour!

Samuel, Lincoln, NE   November 10th, 2007 8:28 pm ET

As a former Iowan, I'm ashamed that some of the residents of my former home state would be so crass and shallow as to boo John Edwards. He was invited on stage by Mellencamp and even acknowledged that the crowd was there to listen to Mellencamp rather than himself. Both he and Mellencamp have shown a lot more grace and class than those who posed negative comments here...even the one who is so out of touch that she confused him with John McCain.

Karen,ny   November 10th, 2007 6:51 pm ET

Independent Voter..I have no idea, I thought McCain was standing next to him.

Pete, Los Angeles, CA   November 10th, 2007 6:30 pm ET

"I wouldn't be surprised if Clinton's supporters were in the audience handing out $20 bills for boos. Would not be surprised, considering they go through the audience staging questions for her in other locations."
Posted By Earl, Ohio : November 10, 2007 4:28 pm

-
I am hoping you actually don't believe your own statement. And if you do, I am hoping Edwards has more sensible people voting for him. Let's not make a mockery of the presidential elections by posting utterly ridiculous comments such as yours, for which you have no proof whatsoever.

Earl, Ohio   November 10th, 2007 4:28 pm ET

Hmmm, let's see. Who does that leave?

Posted By Julia Jones, Boston, Massachusetts : November 10, 2007 4:09 pm

-

I wouldn't be surprised if Clinton's supporters were in the audience handing out $20 bills for boos. Would not be surprised, considering they go through the audience staging questions for her in other locations.

Earl, Ohio   November 10th, 2007 4:16 pm ET

Did they have $400 haircuts and 28,000 square foot homes in that small town?

Posted By Keith : November 10, 2007 3:24 pm

That was original about 2 years ago. Thanks for my proving my point, Keith!

Julia Jones, Boston, Massachusetts   November 10th, 2007 4:09 pm ET

I doubt that Edwards supporters would have booed Obama had he made an appearance; I doubt that Hillary's supporters would have booed Edwards or Obama; I doubt that Edwards supporters would have booed Hillary...

Hmmm, let's see. Who does that leave?

In some ways, this may be the nastiest sign that this campaign is getting ugly.

I ask one more time? Whose supporters would have booed another candidate?

Shame on them!

Keith   November 10th, 2007 3:24 pm ET

Did they have $400 haircuts and 28,000 square foot homes in that small town?

editrix96, Vienna, Va.   November 10th, 2007 2:41 pm ET

Thank you, Earl!

The distortions, smears, immaturity, ignorance, and sheer mean-spiritedness of many of these folks in the blogosphere truly astound me.

I dare them to educate themselves, with open minds, about who John Edwards is and what he stands for. Go to johnedwards.com/issues. Watch some videos on the site where he speaks to real people about real issues. Read some of his speeches and essays. Read his book, "Four Trials," and Elizabeth's book, "Saving Graces."

Edwards stands head and shoulders above the rest in this race and is the only true progressive who will fight for regular working people and the poor.

But I bet the small-minded snarksters here won't bother to do any of that. Their loss.

CPN, WA   November 10th, 2007 2:26 pm ET

BOOOOO Edwards!

YAAAH Red Stripe!

Erin, WA   November 10th, 2007 2:25 pm ET

Good argument Bob,

Don't be sheep. Simply accept my insult and vote for my candidate. Of course I didn't put forth any REASON to vote for him, but I think my insults to your intelligence should suffice.

Bob, CA   November 10th, 2007 2:21 pm ET

"shears of TRUTH"

HAHAHA. I bet edwards is going to steal that line.

annefrank   November 10th, 2007 1:28 pm ET

Edwards is the biggest fraud out there. He went to work at a hedge fund to learn about poverty. What a joke this guy is!

ano to   November 10th, 2007 1:08 pm ET

WOW! now he's a rock star a man of many traipse master of none!

AHMIowa, Iowa City, IA   November 10th, 2007 12:51 pm ET

I'm disappointed and embarrassed for Iowa, with the reaction from the crowd. Regardless of whether people agree with his politics (and I do), I'm sure he thought it would be fun – and good Lord, he could use some right now!

Thanks to Mellancamp for welcoming him. I wish I had been there!

And yes, I do believe that John EDWARDS is the right person for the job as President. We just have to wake people up to understand 1) that HRC is the easiest Dem to beat, and 2) that her policies are NOT the best for women, and for this country.

B, Cleveland, OH   November 10th, 2007 12:08 pm ET

"What bad judgement of Mellencamp to have any candidate up on stage during a concert where people paid to hear a musical performance.

And of all the candidates for any party, Edwards is the king of phony; preening and pandering to whatever he thinks that night's audience wants to hear. Check out his campaign contributions on opensecret.org: trial attorneys and fellow ambulance chasers. Used car salespeople and child molesters have more scruples than that crowd."

Couldn't agree with you more, but I think our society has become attuned to bad judgement. The disgusting scene during Senator Wellstone's funeral comes to mind. Specifically, the Clintons grandstanding when they made their entrance. How undignified and disrespectful to the Wellstone family during their time of grief. I put the Clintons in the same rotten barrel as Edwards.

Nick, Eden Praire MN   November 10th, 2007 11:18 am ET

Doesn't matter. I think, and admirably so, he already gave up on his goal to become president. He knows that Hillary would be a disaster for America, so he's focusing on making sure she doesn't get elected, and then when Obama gets the nod he gets vice president. And honestly I respect him more for doing it.

saint,baltimore,md   November 10th, 2007 11:14 am ET

Nobody cares of this hungry lawyer...Hungery of money, hungery of power....Your wife is sick Mr. and we can not afford to have another president loosing a wie at the middle of his job...I just don't think will be fair for America this time around...
I am a woman voting for someone else other than Hillary or Edward!

Tom, ALBUQUERQUE, NM   November 10th, 2007 10:53 am ET

John Edwards is a class act. A sincere, thoughtful politician. He is the man who should have won the nomination in 04. Unfortunately in todays saturated media mania it is hard for a candidate to get a second chance. Hopefully he will be selected for a cabinet post, if he doesn't get the nomination.

Independent Voter, TN   November 10th, 2007 10:42 am ET

Karen in ny:

What in the world does John McCain have to do with this story?

Bob, San Francisco, CA   November 10th, 2007 10:22 am ET

This is just as embarrassing as the arrogant chanting of "USA USA" at the Olympics that made the rest of the world cringe for our lack of decorum.
Booing someone is childish, but then again, so is the mentality of the average American.

Joe Macintier   November 10th, 2007 9:14 am ET

This must not have been one of the two Americas that care for John Edwards. On YouTube I don't hear any cheers, sounds like he got a major boo-ing. With his ego, I am sure Edwards was perplexed by this response. He probably went backstage and slapped his hairdresser.

C. A. Mitchell   November 10th, 2007 9:03 am ET

What bad judgement of Mellencamp to have any candidate up on stage during a concert where people paid to hear a musical performance.

And of all the candidates for any party, Edwards is the king of phony; preening and pandering to whatever he thinks that night's audience wants to hear. Check out his campaign contributions on opensecret.org: trial attorneys and fellow ambulance chasers. Used car salespeople and child molesters have more scruples than that crowd.

Alice Newman Center Harbor NH   November 10th, 2007 8:59 am ET

Some Americans need to grow up ... you can disagree with someone – not vote for them, support another candidate with your time and treasure ... but to boo someone is so juvenile ... unfair and unkind. My third graders know better and do better than that.

If the people of Iowa want to be taken seriously as one of the first in the nation, and shake their steorotype as ignorant "country hicks" ... good manners would be a great start.

Karen,ny   November 10th, 2007 7:59 am ET

As much as I like John Cougar Mellancamp's music, who was raised in a small town in Indiana, I certainly wouldn't vote for John McCain. McCain is a character and we wouln't want him as a president. We already have a "nut" in the white house.

John   November 10th, 2007 7:00 am ET

Gosh, was he wearing his Carhartt barn coat, like that other poseur, John Kerry always does?

B. D.   November 10th, 2007 5:46 am ET

I really hate to be the nitpicking moron in the room, but when did the plural of "boo" pick up an "e"? You been drinkin' with Dan Quayle? I'm sorry, man. It's just that one of your neighbors in the blogosphere (TheCaucus) included a note phrase about blowing "threw" money.

I know it's a little thing, but this how the dictionary gets messy.

Of course, I dont know what to tell you otherwise. Edwards is my preferred candidate, but even for me this is minutiae. Is the long campaign season stretching you guys for stories to cover?

But thank you for driving yourself nuts for us.

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