August 14, 2008
Posted: August 14th, 2008 06:30 PM ET

From
Jackson Browne is suing John McCain’s campaign.
Jackson Browne is suing John McCain’s campaign.

(CNN) - John McCain's campaign said Thursday it had nothing to do with a campaign ad now the subject of a lawsuit filed by musician Jackson Browne.

Browne filed the lawsuit earlier Thursday against McCain and the Republican National Committee for using his hit song "Running on Empty" in a campaign commercial. The suit claims both McCain and the RNC did not obtain the rights to the song ahead of the television commercial's airing. The suit also alleges the commercial falsely suggests Browne endorsed McCain.

But McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said Thursday the ad in question was not from the McCain campaign, but from the Ohio Republican Party. "[It] had nothing to do with the McCain campaign," he said.

Filed under: John McCain


TonyinKentucky   August 14th, 2008 11:37 pm ET

A country is a hell of a lot harder to run than a campaign.

John McCain has probably run the worst major campaign at least since television and we have people that somehow trust this bumbler and his his band of thieves, liars and idiots to run the USA?

ARE YOU PEOPLE SERIOUS?!?!

If McCain's Presidency is any reflection of his campaign then we'll be getting off easy with a Depression. Dark Ages part II is within striking distance. No power, intolerance, constant war, decreased education, food shortages, crumbling infrastructure, and a torch and pitchfork mentality from people too many times stomped on is a good recipe for a serious decline in civilization.

Wisconsin   August 14th, 2008 11:16 pm ET

Yep McShame now stealing to push his lies. And to think some people are dumb enough to support him, SAD.

Obama - MY next president   August 14th, 2008 11:15 pm ET

McStealer
a.k.a. Gray-Haired Old wrinkley man!!!!!

PulSamsara   August 14th, 2008 11:15 pm ET

Why would America reward complete GOP failure ?

We wont.

Bob   August 14th, 2008 11:11 pm ET

For those who comment Mr. Browne needs the money or the attention, his last two records, acoustic versions of some of his most popular songs, have done very well including top 40 status in Billboard. He needs neither. Whomever is responsible for using his music without authorization should be sued.

California Gold   August 14th, 2008 11:04 pm ET

I'm certain the reason McCain pulled the Paris Hilton and Britney Spears images is due to threat of litigation. Both women are quite wealthy by marketing themselves, their image and name. The negative inference McCain's ad was drawing about Obama was he was a person who is popular with crowds (like Paris and Britney) and has no substance (like Paris and Britney). I can imagine the Hilton cadre of lawyers hammered McCain.

anonymous   August 14th, 2008 10:58 pm ET

Browne should be honored that McCain would choose his song for a spot in his campaign.

Gene   August 14th, 2008 10:55 pm ET

First we find out the little girl in Hillary's 3:00 am ad is actually an Obama campaign volunteer and gave Hillary no permission to use her in the commercial... now this with McCain.

I didn't see the commercial. Does it have the "I'm John McCain and I support this ad" in it? If not... McCain probably won't be held accountable as well he shouldn't. However... go Jackson Browne... if not McCain.. sue the Repub slime which is actually responsible for this commercial.

Bayou Joe   August 14th, 2008 10:53 pm ET

Barak needs to be sued for false advertising. Don"t' vote for this fraud.

NEVER OBAMA   August 14th, 2008 10:50 pm ET

"RUNNING ON EMPTY".........they must be talking about obama.
He's as empty as you can get.

Texas Trail Kitty   August 14th, 2008 10:37 pm ET

Good for you Mr. Browne. I love your music. Don't let them misuse it.

REA   August 14th, 2008 10:36 pm ET

seen like john mccain and his campaign got to ad happly,now its going to cost you for making such bad judgement and you want to be president you are a JOKE.OBAMA 08

Frank from Peterborough   August 14th, 2008 10:36 pm ET

Phil Gramm and John McCain were right about Americans being a bunch of whiners.

They are the elite and as such have a right to do what they want and when they want.

They are no different than Bush and Cheney and have a right to expect to be above the law so grow up all you whiners!!!!!!!

voice of reason   August 14th, 2008 10:27 pm ET

JACKSON IS AN UNHEALTHY NAME NOWADAYS. WHICH DIPSTICK IN PARTICULAR WANTS 15 MINS OF FAME NOW. HOW MUCH GOOD MONEY DOES IT TAKE TO SHUT THIS EMPTY WIG UP. ENTERTAINERS ARE LIKE DRUNK RELATIVES. AFTER A WHILE ITS NOT FUNNY ANYMORE. LET HIM GET A REAL JOB.

Hi Five   August 14th, 2008 10:26 pm ET

Go get these morons.

tigerakabj   August 14th, 2008 10:25 pm ET

Good for you Jackson. Get some of McCain's 50 million lobbyists money while your at it. After he gets his butt whipped by Obama, maybe in the next lifetime he'll think twice of trying to go negative on somebody.

Obama/Sebelius 2008/2012.

RB   August 14th, 2008 10:20 pm ET

It had nothing to do with the McCain campaign....but he "approved this message".

jeremy   August 14th, 2008 10:19 pm ET

No!! it cant be how does McSleepy know about Jackson Browne. But just signs of things to come taking things when their not yours.THIEVES!!!!!!!!!

Charles   August 14th, 2008 10:17 pm ET

Ignoring the fact that McCain did not produce the ad, nor his campaign, nor even the RNC , by all means let's blame it all on John McCain...

james   August 14th, 2008 10:16 pm ET

John Mccain=World War III

pam Eugene OR   August 14th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

McSame can't even be legal or relevant! What an sham!

Xavier   August 14th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

How some of you can defend McCain, or the republican party after they use somebodies music without his/her permission is beyond me. And they say that Obama supportors are drinking the cool-aid. I say that McCain followers are swallowing all the cow menure he is dishing out.

Nija   August 14th, 2008 10:08 pm ET

They are very broke.

JSun   August 14th, 2008 10:00 pm ET

Like the Reagan campaign using Springsteen's "Born in the USA," these jingoistic Republican thieves don't care about the words or the artists who write them (or the troops they've put in harm's way for that matter). They just care about the one phrase in a song that they think will resonate in the viewers'/listeners' ears.

Make him pay, Jackson, make him pay.

JJ   August 14th, 2008 9:59 pm ET

Here is a quote for you

"Andy Warhol said we all get our 15 minutes of fame," "I've already had an hour and a half. I mean, I'm so overexposed, I'm making Paris Hilton look like a recluse."

McCains latest commercial...nope Barack Obama (Washington Post, Feb 24th 2005.

nate   August 14th, 2008 9:56 pm ET

Whoevers fault, its serious business. I have a client who is a music attorney who specializes in protecting artists and I can tell you the RNC is in a heap of trouble $$$.

Peter   August 14th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

poor McShame, losing more and more

Joe Reg   August 14th, 2008 9:47 pm ET

The think they can take what they want and that's it.

Wrong, wrong and wrong. The repubs are going down this time.

Porter   August 14th, 2008 9:43 pm ET

"If anyone represents empty rhetoric and no substance, it is John McLame."

The irony here is astounding.

Copperfield   August 14th, 2008 9:42 pm ET

Should we be expecting a commercial comparing Jackson Browne to Jessica Simpson soon?

banderson   August 14th, 2008 9:42 pm ET

I wish that Paris Hilton and Britney Spears had done the same.

Ridgeway   August 14th, 2008 9:39 pm ET

Obamantion. Poor excuse for a man. Obama, "Fringe Jihadest".

Jeffrey G. Brown   August 14th, 2008 9:33 pm ET

So, Johnny boy stole "Running on Empty" just like Ronnie Reagen stole "Born in The USA" from Bruce. The GOP has cornball musicians so they steal from liberal performers!!!!!

PG   August 14th, 2008 9:31 pm ET

Not only are the Republicans liars they are also thieves ( I knew that but many others are blind to this fact). Panamanian McCain shares the same characteristics of this lot.

shawn   August 14th, 2008 9:31 pm ET

Why is it that we are supposed to just let these criminal minds run rampant over the law of the land, just because they are wealthy plutocrats. The Republican criminal agenda thinks they are above the law, even the common law of decency. Sue them until their deep pockets are running on empty. I would rather vote for Jackson Browne.

Roz, IL   August 14th, 2008 9:28 pm ET

good for him....show them they can't just steal, lie, and cheat whenever they want to...loosers

Hey M-A-N ... McCain Loves You Too ...   August 14th, 2008 9:24 pm ET

And it appears John McCain has accepted the maximum individual campaign donation from the owner of America's largest gay sex hook-up website.

Is John McCain ... In the Closet?

Sammy   August 14th, 2008 9:24 pm ET

Ok it was the Ohio party. However, did the McCain campaign have any harsh words for them using the song without permission? Doesnt look like it.

Willy   August 14th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

The ad was not done by McCain's camp. As usual the stupid liberal has not check it out just ran with the first name here heard; President McCain’s.

Ken   August 14th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

Jackson Browne ought to sue Barack Obama for using The Pretender as his campaign song

Independent Voter   August 14th, 2008 9:21 pm ET

Hey, Jackson Browne, do your homework before you shoot off your mouth!

Or maybe you wanted to make a "mistake" to get yourself a little free publicity.

You and your songs are both losers.

THERealdeal   August 14th, 2008 9:21 pm ET

Poppycock, ONE AND THE SAME!

GOP, 527s or McCain they think they have the power and right to use anyone or say anything!

Go Get Them!

vb   August 14th, 2008 9:20 pm ET

Its ok the Cindy will pay Browne what ever he wants

aware   August 14th, 2008 9:10 pm ET

The more I understand Obama and his ilk the better Bush looks!

Somehow I am beginning to think History may treat "W" very well! :)

McCain is not a patronage candidate like the other guy! McCain has integrity! :)

Michele, Pittsburgh, PA   August 14th, 2008 9:08 pm ET

So much for personal responsibility the Republicans are so famous for.

lovable liberal   August 14th, 2008 9:06 pm ET

If you've heard Jackson Browne talk about Duhbya, you know he's not going to support four-more-years McCain.

Enough!!!   August 14th, 2008 9:06 pm ET

John McCain has been alive long enough to know that racism is systemic in this country, and he also knows that Senator Obama will be judged more harshly because of that. He figures he can get away w/more and unfortunately it is true to a large degree, even when both of them are human beings and subject to the same human frailties. This I know for a fact, being an African American male. No one can understand our story like we can. The truth is just that and the truth does not hurt unless it ought to. No I am not angry and no I don't feel as though anyone owes me anything. If I was hungry I would not tell youall, my help comes from the Lord above. First, Cindy McCain steals copywritten recipes, now this. It will be interesting heading into November to see how the real picture of the real McCain unfolds to the public.

aware   August 14th, 2008 9:05 pm ET

Business as usual Jackson Browne? :(

bibek   August 14th, 2008 9:05 pm ET

McCain stole lines from Wikipedia... and now he is using other people's music without permission?

NOT MY PRESIDENT

How lame..... McShame :-(

RJ, CA   August 14th, 2008 9:05 pm ET

Well, that is certainly proof beyond the shadow of a doubt to the Obamanuts that John McCain is unfit to be president!

Frank Lee   August 14th, 2008 9:05 pm ET

Hopefully, you'll own yourself a big AZ beer distributorship when it's over, Jackson.

Go get 'em!

Clif, Ga.   August 14th, 2008 9:00 pm ET

McCain reminds me of larry of the three stooges. No! I take that back.He reminds me of all three.

Charlotte   August 14th, 2008 8:56 pm ET

Obama steals speeches...

Sue the $520 Italian loafers off of McCain!   August 14th, 2008 8:54 pm ET

That's John McCain, do first, deny later! Whether he had anything to do with the ad or not, he knew it was running and it is up to his "handlers", whether they are the RNC, his campaign or HIS Ohio Republican party to make sure that the appropriate permissions are granted for ads, t.v. commercials, banners, signs, or whatever is being used in connection with his campaign in an attempt to try to run a smear tactic. I don't know who the man thinks he is, using and abusing everyone in his ads to try to win votes! Pathetic!

It reminds me of how everyone that was even remotely connected to Senator Obama, that said or did anything the McCain campaign or media deemed "negative", it was played over and over in the media. Everyone in the McCain camp and those who are Obama haters, wanted to make Senator Obama responsible even though he had nothing to do with others' comments and actions. This is the same thing, except McCain was fully aware of the ad and endorsed it! TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SMEAR AND DISHONEST CAMPAIGN YOU ARE RUNNING JOHN McCAIN, AND STOP TRYING TO BLAME IT ON ANYONE OTHER THAT THOSE WHO ARE CLOSELY TIED TO YOUR CAMPAIGN!! I hope that Jackson Browne sues the pants off of McCain and his campaign; we all know that the ELISTIST McCAIN CAN VERY WELL AFFORD IT, AFTER ALL HE'S WORTH $40.4 MILLION AND THE WIFE IF WORTH OVER $100 MILLION!

Donna from Colorado Springs   August 14th, 2008 8:50 pm ET

Typical republican. Take what you want, anyway you have to, and don't care if it belongs to someone else or you don't have permission to use it or have it.Then, turn around and lie about it. Boy, don't the republicans make you just burst with pride over their vast integrity?

ron   August 14th, 2008 8:47 pm ET

I'm sure he didn't pay for the footage of Paris , and Brit.

dittohead with forty names   August 14th, 2008 8:45 pm ET

I laugh at old man McCain and say to him"I never take it off".

go away mongers- Ventura ca   August 14th, 2008 8:40 pm ET

To use a Jackson Browne song for that campaign is blasphemous!
The Country IS "Runnning on Empty" thanks to the republicans.

Sue   August 14th, 2008 8:40 pm ET

Please, Thank you, Can I Borrow.....all learned in Kindergarten.

Ex-Obama Democrat for McCain   August 14th, 2008 8:38 pm ET

Jackson Browne looks like a homeless guy....he's probably happy this happened so he can actuallly make $$ in a lawsuit....the last time anyone heard any news about Brown was when he was accused of smacking around his the-girlfriend Darryl Hannah in the late 80's.
Kathryn Amherst MA

Adrian Veidt   August 14th, 2008 8:31 pm ET

John McLame strikes again and once again provides a failed attack. His "celebrity" ad didn't work. His "antichrist" ad didn't work, and now his ad with stolen music doesn't work.

Seeing the string of out-of-touch failures... how can anyone same McSame is not just another four years of Bush?

Jan From Boca Raton, Fl   August 14th, 2008 8:29 pm ET

Jackson is a nobody, he should be elated that someone would
even use his song. He's dead broke and this is an easy way for him to make alittle while sitting on his behind doing drugs.
I thought he was in rehab.

Sheri   August 14th, 2008 8:28 pm ET

Go ahead file the suit.

David from Ohio   August 14th, 2008 8:28 pm ET

I don't know why he would care. Running on empty describes the GOP and McCain's campaign pretty accurately.

Hawk Texas   August 14th, 2008 8:24 pm ET

MCCAIN IS A KNOWN THEIF. WHY WONT HE RELEASE HIS WIFES TAX RETURNS. THEY WILL SHOW THAT SHE PROFITED FROM 911, AND THE IRAQE WAR.

Sean   August 14th, 2008 8:20 pm ET

Seems consistent with the underhanded techniques we've seen Republicans employ time and time again. Get 'em Jackson Browne!

Anonymous   August 14th, 2008 8:13 pm ET

John McCain is no better than the paparazzi that celebrities have to deal with...He uses Jackson Browne's song and Britney Spears & Paris Hilton images in his ads. That is so lame.

Denise   August 14th, 2008 8:11 pm ET

Go for it Jackson! The Repubs deserve it!

William, from Cali!   August 14th, 2008 8:09 pm ET

"Running on Empty" is the way this Congress and Nation, has been "traveling lately" ,and this "Election process"; so sue all of them...........................

KG   August 14th, 2008 8:08 pm ET

Jackson Browne, the has been, looking to try and get another 15 minutes.

Cynthia - Arkansas   August 14th, 2008 8:04 pm ET

Jackson Browne has every right to sue. Although I think it pretty much sums up the McSame campaign. They've been running on empty for 18 months.

Foreign Observer   August 14th, 2008 8:00 pm ET

Jackson Brown has enough "moola," Debby. He's sick to his stomach at seeing his art abused by the people who are running the country into the ground. Slamming the Ohio Repugs is good, too!

California Gold   August 14th, 2008 8:00 pm ET

When I heard Running on Empty it was incredible to me that Jackson Browne would have entered into a licensing agreement for McCain. Now I know he didn't. McCain pirated someone else's work.

So let's have some McCain straight talk: Pirates work and is sued for violation of Federal copyright statutes and he wants to be President? No Way!

Sleazy, under handed thief. Bleah

Debby   August 14th, 2008 7:55 pm ET

He is out to get some moola.

Lawoman   August 14th, 2008 7:54 pm ET

Walt, if someone you didn't like and/or who didn't represent your interests in any way started running around saying that you were a big supporter of theirs, I have a feeling you'd be a tad ticked as well. Jackson has every right to ask them to stop using his music to promote something he does not agree with. Frankly, your remarks are puerile.

Walt, Belton,TX   August 14th, 2008 7:42 pm ET

Sounds like Jackson Brown is running on empty although he looks pretty high in the picture.

Willow, from Iowa   August 14th, 2008 7:41 pm ET

"Running on Empty" is what we will be doing if we wait 10-15 years for McCain's offshore drilling to bring in that 3% of oil that must go to the International market to be bid on by China and India. Good for Jackson Browne.

Sherry, Atlanta   August 14th, 2008 7:36 pm ET

WHY ARE YOU SUPRISED? THIS IS THE WAY THEY DO BUSINESS!

Rob   August 14th, 2008 7:34 pm ET

Good for you Browne. If anyone represents empty rhetoric and no substance, it is John McLame.

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