US Elections: Boss v Terminator
2004-10-27 20:14
New York - In a matchup made in showbiz promoter heaven, Bruce Springsteen and Arnold Schwarzenegger will put their respective celebrity muscle on the line in the final days of the US presidential campaign.
The legendary rocker and the movie star governor of California are both scheduled to hit the campaign trail this weak in Ohio, with Springsteen appearing at several events with Democrat John Kerry, and Schwarzenegger addressing a rally with President George W Bush.
Ohio is a key battleground state that looks set to go to the wire on November 2, and both Democrats and Republicans clearly hope that rolling out their big celebrity guns will give them an edge in getting voters out to the polls.
Schwarzenegger, best know for his Terminator movies, is one of the most popular Republicans in the country.
A moderate who disagrees with Bush on some hot button social issues like gay marriage, he had previously voiced some reluctance to campaign for the president outside California.
Explaining his change of heart, Schwarzenegger told reporters Tuesday that while although "not in sync" on many issues, "we are Republicans and have to support one another."
Springsteen, known to his legions of fans as "The Boss," has been less reticent, leading a galaxy of recording stars on a "Vote for Change" concert tour of battleground states aimed at ousting Bush.
Previously unwilling to engage in partisan politics, Springsteen came out publicly for Kerry earlier in the campaign, saying the election was too important to ignore.
Kerry has used the anthemic Springsteen song "No Surrender" as his walk-on music at rallies across the country.
The veteran rocker is expected to play several songs during his appearances with the Democratic challenger.
- SAPA