October 14, 2008
Posted: October 14th, 2008 12:36 PM ET

From
 Hank Williams, Jr. is campaigning for McCain.
Hank Williams, Jr. is campaigning for McCain.

(CNN) – Country music star and Monday Night Football fan Hank Williams Jr. has released a song in support of the Republican ticket. “McCain – Palin Tradition” - based on the Williams tune “Family Tradition” - was unveiled in a performance yesterday by the singer at an event in Virginia.

While John McCain receives top billing in the song’s title as the head of the ticket, the lyrics pay as much tribute to running mate Governor Sarah Palin. In a studio recording of the song, the vice presidential nominee is referred to as a “good lookin dish” and a “mama bear,” though the McCain campaign omits the “good lookin dish” line from its’ official lyrics. The song also touches on current events, blaming the Democrats for “bankrupting” Fannie Mae n Freddie Mac and Bill Clinton for forcing unwilling bankers to make “all those bad loans.” According to Williams this created the conditions for the financial bail-out which he characterizes as a “Democrat liberal hoo doo”.

The honky tonk-tune contains a lyric that seems to reference Barack Obama’s acquaintance with violent 60s radical Bill Ayers: “John and Sarah … don't have radical friends to whom their careers are linked.” In the studio recording the line is sung “don't have terrorist friends,” while the lyrics released by Williams’ publicist read “radical friends.” At a Virginia Beach, Virginia performance, Williams sung “terrorist,” while at a performance in Richmond he used “radical.”

Hank Williams Jr.’s publicist says he plans to release a revamped single of the song soon, featuring other performers supportive of McCain – Palin, including singer/rapper Kid Rock.

Full lyrics after the jump:

Lyrics:

The left wing liberal media have

Always been a real close knit family

But, most of the American People

Don’t believe em anyway ya see

Stop and think it over

Before you make your decision

If they smell something

They’re gonna come down strong

It’s a McCain – Palin tradition

Now this old Union’s got problems

That is plain to see

The Democrats bankrupted Fannie Mae N Freddie Mac

Just like 1, 2, 3

The bankers didn’t want to make all those bad loans,

But Bill Clinton said you got to

Now they want a bail out, what I’m talking about

Is a Democrat liberal who doo

CHORUS

John N Sarah tell ya

Just what they think

And they’re not gonna blink

And they’re gonna fix this country

Cause they’re just like you N ole Hank

Yes John is a maverick

And Sarah fixed Alaska’s broken condition

They’re gonna go just fine

We’re headed for better times

It’s a McCain – Palin tradition

I am very proud of America’s name

Bu no society is perfect

And we have had our stains

If I’m down at the coffee shop and

Somebody wants to give our flag friction

We say please move on

Cause we’re standing strong

That’s an old John McCain tradition

CHORUS

John N Sarah tell ya

Just what they think

And they’re not gonna blink

And they’re gonna fix this country

Cause they’re just like you N ole Hank

Yes John is a maverick

And Sarah fixed Alaska’s broken condition

They’re gonna go just fine

We’re headed for better times

It’s a McCain – Palin tradition

Some are bound to tell you I’m

Preaching to the choir

And that is very true

And we are going even higher

Like a mama bear in Idaho

She’ll protect your family’s condition

If you mess with her cubs

She’s gonna take of the gloves

It’s an American female tradition

CHORUS

John N Sarah tell ya

Just what they think

And they’re not gonna blink

And they’re gonna fix this country

Cause they’re just like you N ole Hank

Yes John is a maverick

And Sarah fixed Alaska’s broken condition

They’re gonna go just fine

We’re headed for better times

It’s a McCain – Palin tradition

Filed under: John McCain • Sarah Palin


country first   October 17th, 2008 4:16 pm ET

Vote for someone who has 26 years experiance. Not a guy who has only 2 years as an elected official and launched his senate campain from the home of William Ayers, a terrorist. How can we count on Obama to fight terrorism when he is friends with people who want the destruction of the United States?????

Kurt   October 15th, 2008 8:16 am ET

Hey, they forgot the last chorus:

If I only had a brain....

DonnieJ   October 15th, 2008 5:58 am ET

whatever . . .

Sham   October 14th, 2008 5:46 pm ET

Well i guess both candidates are equal w/ celebrity support: Obama has Oprah, and McCain has Jr! LOL, just embarrasing.... After reading this story i had to look at my address bar to make sure this was cnn and not colleghumor.com

Conservative for Obama   October 14th, 2008 5:38 pm ET

This, from a neo-con racist pig who has made a living off of riding the coat tails of (his dad's) success.

Hank William Jr, the man who puts the ILL in wILLiams.

Oh, and Kid Rock? Ha ha...what a poster that would be, if nothing else convinces people not to vote for this party of fraud, then that will certainly work. Two morally bankrupt mental midgets lining up behind the party of lies, deception and seccessionism!

the other jd   October 14th, 2008 5:35 pm ET

so youy get a little taste of what they would have been spewing if Hillary had won the nomination...they would be tying ALL economic woes to Bill Clinton

hometowndemocrat   October 14th, 2008 5:35 pm ET

eeeeewwwwwwwwwwwww!!

I can't believe McCain would even allow this amount of stupidity.........and that's a huge statement considering the amount of stupidity that rolls out of Palins mouth!

If this wasn't so absolutely horrifying it would be funny.

KEEP THE REDNECKS OUT OF THE WHITEHOUSE!!!!! I should re-phrase that................GET THE REDNECKS OUT OF THE WHITEHOUSE AND KEEP THEM OUT!!!

milo   October 14th, 2008 5:35 pm ET

And will the GOP complain this "good lookin' dish" thing is sexist?

Of course not. Hypocrites.

Make up your mind, either it's bad to comment on her looks or it's not.

Desmond Sequeira   October 14th, 2008 5:32 pm ET

So this guy is now an economics expert? Or is he not a good example of McSame/FAILIN turning to just anybody to get a lift?

Please note:
NOBEL PRIZE IN ECONOMICS, 2008
STOCKHOLM: US economist Paul Krugman, a fierce critic of George W. Bush's handling of the global financial crisis, won the 2008 Nobel Prize in Economics.
Krugman has taken the Bush administration to task over the current financial meltdown, blaming its pursuit of deregulation and unencumbered fiscal policies for the financial crisis that has threatened the global economy with recession. He has come out forcefully against John McCain during the economic meltdown, saying the Republican candidate is "more frightening now than he was a few weeks ago".

sb   October 14th, 2008 5:32 pm ET

Wasn't Hank Williams Sr married to his half sister?

Nija   October 14th, 2008 5:31 pm ET

This guy cannot survive the first round of WHO'S GOT TALENT.

FL4OB   October 14th, 2008 5:31 pm ET

More divisive nonsense from the McCain campaign. Sad (and sexist).

No way, no how, no McCain, no Palin

GARY   October 14th, 2008 5:31 pm ET

HANK KNOWS THE REAL AMERICAN HERO AND LEADER. MCCAIN IS THE ONLY CANIDATE QUALIFIED TO KEEP OUR COUNTRY SAFE. IRAN SAID THEY WOULDN'T TALK TO OBAMA WITHOUT PRE CONDITIONS. THE REAL AMERICAN WORKERS WITH WISDOM AND PROUD OF THEIR COUNTRY VOTE FOR MCCAIN/PALIN. DONT VOTE A GREENHORN CHICAGO CON MAN LIKE OBAMA. COUNTRY FIRST THATS THE REAL DEAL .MCCAIN/PALIN

Cam   October 14th, 2008 5:27 pm ET

Man, could McCain and Palin have a bigger stereotype crooning for them? I mean, is this the "moral fibre" that McCain and Palin believe in? This guy couldn't even give to a blood bank because one drop of his blood in an innocent person would intoxify them beyond recovery!

OMG   October 14th, 2008 5:24 pm ET

good lookin moose dish

Pitabread625   October 14th, 2008 5:23 pm ET

finally – the McCain campaign found a song they are actually allowed to play :)

Hans-Erik Iken   October 14th, 2008 5:22 pm ET

Great, more dimwit celebrities putting in their 2 cents, just what the nation needs in these troubled times......

C. Yee   October 14th, 2008 5:22 pm ET

Honestly, I thought this was part of the SNL routine. I wonder how well his song will sell after November 4.

People make no sense   October 14th, 2008 5:21 pm ET

This song shows how ignorant some folks are. Clinton removed some regulations because his administration had a surplus, so therefore everyone was able to afford new homes. Fast forward, Mr. Bush McSpend wasted the surplus, put us in a huge debt, promoted Clintons idea (remember: Under my administration African Americans and other minorities are purchasing homes at the largest rate ever) and caused the economic meltdown.

If anybody with any sense on this blog knows how to balance a budget they will understand what this republican administration has done to America!

bill   October 14th, 2008 5:18 pm ET

thats just what mcbush and palen need another washed musician hank williams is as much of looser as mcbush palen you are judged by company you keep all a bunch of fools

Obama All The Way   October 14th, 2008 5:18 pm ET

Ignorance is bliss I guess. Sexism and fear-mongering all through this song.

PA   October 14th, 2008 5:14 pm ET

What a jerk. Gives country music a bad name.

No McSame   October 14th, 2008 5:13 pm ET

Its amazing that Bill Clinton still pisses the right wing off. They can't accept a moderate like Clinton and continue to dwell on ancient history even after their saviour Bush has been in the whitehouse for 8 yrs. How sad :-(

david   October 14th, 2008 5:10 pm ET

I know his son pretty well so it's great to have more "my dad can kick your dad's butt" artillery. Thanks!!!

SS   October 14th, 2008 5:08 pm ET

Huh?!?!?!?!? What was he drinking when he wrote this?

This is really gonna get some votes – for Obama! You betcha!

Obama/Biden '08

Tracy   October 14th, 2008 5:06 pm ET

I just threw up in my mouth

Republican for Obama   October 14th, 2008 5:06 pm ET

How sexist...is that the way he sees women as "good lookin dish" I would be ashame to play that song.

Mick   October 14th, 2008 5:02 pm ET

Gotta love celebs making fools of themselves.

Will-South Dakota   October 14th, 2008 5:02 pm ET

Ok, stick to Monday night football lyrics.

Paul D   October 14th, 2008 5:02 pm ET

wow, a fat dumb redneck supporting McCain-Palin, what a shock. And blaming Bill Clinton for the economic crisis 8 years after he left office, how pathetic and unoriginal. But, if you get your news and views from good ol' Bosephus, vote McCain....

Nathaniel   October 14th, 2008 5:01 pm ET

Someone had respect for Hank Williams Jr.? He was never able to hold a candle to the music of his father, and now he proves it with these contrived lyrics.

obamacrat   October 14th, 2008 5:01 pm ET

Hank Jr is pretty hip....NOT! Rolling him out is just another example of how out of touch McCain is. It's about time Monday Night Football gets a new song too.

Harry   October 14th, 2008 4:59 pm ET

I just threw up a little reading that.
That's just plain sick.

ND Mom   October 14th, 2008 4:57 pm ET

Wow, Hank Jr. That's what happens when you fry as many brain cells as he has. Reasoning and good judgement must go first.

TyWebb   October 14th, 2008 4:57 pm ET

He has and continues to live off of his Dad's name. Total no-talent loser.

JP   October 14th, 2008 4:57 pm ET

He ruined a perfectly good song, to have him and Kid Rock as poster children for the Republican Party is quite a laugh considering their less than moral lives.

Lu from Houston, TX   October 14th, 2008 4:57 pm ET

"Sarah fixed Alaska’s broken condition" – How? By telling Congress "thanks, but no thanks" for the Bridge-to-Nowhere after people found out she actually supported and eventually took the funding anyway? Or by vowing to cut corruption but eventually becoming one of them to abuse power and use cronism? Or by upholding family tradition and values, but instead lying without blinking on so many occasions? Why is she still saying the troopergate report "clears her of any trace of unethical activity" while the report states otherwise? Iliteracy or lying?

Rob - Houston, Texas   October 14th, 2008 4:56 pm ET

How upiddy people are!

Misty   October 14th, 2008 4:54 pm ET

He writes as badly as he sings!!

Dee   October 14th, 2008 4:53 pm ET

Uh...let me see if I can get this for my Ipod!!

Is Hank Williams the best "celebrity" they can come up with?

Kid "I have fights at Waffle House" Rock is lame....

What a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike   October 14th, 2008 4:53 pm ET

I just threw up in my mouth.

The level of stupid with these people is astounding.

JohnnyG   October 14th, 2008 4:50 pm ET

Am I the only one out there that finds this alliance between America's rich and America's white trash bizarre?

Mel   October 14th, 2008 4:50 pm ET

Lame.

At least come up with an original song/score.

Adam in Omaha   October 14th, 2008 4:46 pm ET

Who is this guy and why does he right a song about something he doesn't understand?

"The Democrats bankrupted Fannie Mae N Freddie Mac

Just like 1, 2, 3

The bankers didn’t want to make all those bad loans,

But Bill Clinton said you got to"

That was one of the funnier parts of the song. I mean, any idiot knows that's not true.....well most idiots.

Nebraska Republicans for Obama-Biden

zack,new york, ny   October 14th, 2008 4:45 pm ET

Sounds lame

Kim   October 14th, 2008 4:44 pm ET

Wow, I'm sure we will all be singing that diddy many years from now. Who cares about Hank Williams, Jr? Hopefully all the Republicans will attack him for being so sexist..."good lookin dish" with a foul taste!

tulsa   October 14th, 2008 4:41 pm ET

Oh my God, all respect is now gone for Hank Jr. too.

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