Kid Rock rallies for Ryan
Kid Rock performing at a June concert in Alabama.
August 24th, 2012
09:17 PM ET
11 years ago

Kid Rock rallies for Ryan

Pontiac, Michigan (CNN) - Kid Rock's presence on the campaign trail was felt long before he appeared with Mitt Romney's running mate Rep. Paul Ryan at a fundraiser on Friday.

Just ask any campaign staffer or political reporter on the trail. His song "Born Free" has blasted from speakers at rallies since Romney launched his presidential bid more than a year ago, and it has been playing at Ryan events since he joined the Republican ticket.

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Wearing a white fedora, the musician introduced Ryan at a fundraiser in Kid Rock's home state of Michigan, at the lavish Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Township where Mitt Romney's family moved in 1953.

"I was going to come out, be a little weishenheimer, and say guess which one is running for vice president and then they would introduce Paul and I would walk out and say hello," said Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie.

The 42-year-old vice presidential hopeful played off that joke and displayed his Kid Rock knowledge referencing a song from the album Devil Without a Cause.

"So one of us is running for vice president, but only one of us listened to Bawitdaba on the way over here in the motorcade with the Secret Service," said Paul. "I've been listening to Kid Rock for a long, long time and I am older than him, just to set the record straight."

Ryan praised the rock star's success and said the Republican ticket wants to promote peoples' success, not resent it.

"Look at this creator right here," Paul said about Kid Rock. "The fruit of his labor coming from his mind, his talents. He took his path to find his happiness and he is realizing his dreams and he is paving his way. Only in America can you do this. That is what this country is all about."

Kid Rock previously appeared - and performed - at a rally for Romney in Michigan last February.


Filed under: 2012 • Michigan • Paul Ryan
soundoff (13 Responses)
  1. T'sah From Virginia

    If the Romney campaign has KID ROCK on their side, why do they insist on playing songs of other artist without their permission? There are more artist that told the campaign to STOP using their songs than they have artists that are for them.

    Obama 2012 – The Only Trusted Way Forward!

    August 24, 2012 09:45 pm at 9:45 pm |
  2. Joan

    It seems odd that Kid Rock hails from Michigan and touts his working class background, yet supports the candidate who said to let the automotive industry fail. The leader who wouldn't let that happen and actually saved hundreds of thousdands of jobs in the industry and its related spin-offs is President Obama. He is the one who has tried to get a jobs bill passed but the Congress obstructed it. He tried to get infrastructure and small business bills passed and got stonewalled. They just wanted to obstruct him, let the economy fall and blame it on the president. Why Kid Rock backs someone who is for the wealthy, Wall Street and deregulation is beyond me. You would think he would back the person who fights for the middle class, minorities, seniors and other vulnerable groups. Oh well!

    August 24, 2012 10:19 pm at 10:19 pm |
  3. paul

    Kid Rock says he is a Detroit guy. It would be disappointing to see him siding with a campaign that said, "Let Detroit go bankrupt". Hopefully, he isn't going with the tax loophole guy over Detroit.

    August 24, 2012 10:30 pm at 10:30 pm |
  4. Combover And Rapist PAC

    We support him too!

    August 24, 2012 11:11 pm at 11:11 pm |
  5. DENNA

    I am sure he can afford to be for Ryan. But if he has any female relatives he cares for, he might reconsider.

    August 24, 2012 11:23 pm at 11:23 pm |
  6. NoGr8rH8r

    Completely Lame.

    August 24, 2012 11:56 pm at 11:56 pm |
  7. Craig

    Kid who?

    August 25, 2012 12:55 am at 12:55 am |
  8. LNB

    He and Ted put a bad spin on rock. They are both the Machine.

    August 25, 2012 02:44 am at 2:44 am |
  9. Susan

    Congratulations Kid Rock, you are the best. Thank you for all the good things you have done for those in need too. Romney and Ryan CAN turn this country around for the good of all.

    August 25, 2012 05:47 am at 5:47 am |
  10. Willard Romney

    Yes, the incredibly stupid (Kid Rock) shilling for the outrageously archaic (Ryan)… I’m sure that will help win the election…

    August 25, 2012 07:22 am at 7:22 am |
  11. Maxx

    Kid Rock – who cares? Funny how Romney/Ryan can only attract has-been, loser musicians like Kid Rock and Ted Nugent. Way to win then young voters over.

    August 25, 2012 10:10 am at 10:10 am |
  12. Lyla M

    Wow....the Romney ticket finally found someone who on their side. Must be a proud day to have both Kid Rock and Hank Jr. (not).

    August 25, 2012 10:13 am at 10:13 am |
  13. Pete

    Kid rock is pretty much washed up career wise so any free advertising is good.He's changing from rock,rap to country western,like from 50 mph to 20mph big deal nobodies listening to him much anymore anyway,have fun Kidd,no other sucessful musician will have them, so you're the one and only!!!

    August 25, 2012 10:51 am at 10:51 am |