McCain Concerts Lively as Election Day Approaches

Scanton, PA—With less than a week before an election some pollsters predict John McCain will lose, the candidate’s campaign concerts have taken on a surprising but unmistakable intensity. While pundits of all stripes had predicted his events would soon grow desperate and dull, McCain’s performances are as powerful as ever.

Before a capacity crowd today in Scranton, the old, blue-eyed maverick shook the house with an incredible set. McCain and his backing band ripped through nearly every song in their lengthy 2008 repertoire, unveiling a few killer new songs in the process. Altogether the show lasted more then 2 hours and included menacing attack anthems aimed squarely at Barack Obama, rockers in support of Sarah Palin, and an extended jam of slime so repulsive that GOP voters were left begging for more.

From the start, Scranton fans had plenty to be ecstatic about. The show opened with the invigorating “blanco rap” stylings of Regular Joes. The dynamic group performed their hit “Ain’t No Baby Killer” and led the faithful in a raucous audience-participation chant of “No-Bama!,” the viral phenomenon that made them famous.

But make no mistake, this was a McCain concert. Any doubts about who was in charge were demolished when McCain strolled onto the stage, sporting a ten-gallon hat and armed with a bright red Flying V guitar. Clearly relishing the moment, McCain offered a simple “Hello, my friends” before launching into a rocked-out version of “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Hope.” The crowd exploded.

Balls-to-the-wall confidence? Check. Rock and roll superstar? Check.

For those not lucky enough to have attended the show, here’s the setlist:

• Ain’t Talkin’ ‘bout Hope
• Smooth Operator
• Who’s Afraid of a Black Sheriff?
• Obama Just Don’t Understand
• You Bother Me, Boy
• Are You Experienced?
• Long Tall Sarah
• Girl, You Know It’s True
• Here Comes My Veep
• Legs
• Crude Oil Fields Forever
• For Those About to Drill (We Salute You)
• Sympathy for the White Devil / Fear of a Black Planet [medley]
• Killing an Arab
• I See a Darkness
• One Nation Under a Goon
• Highway to Hell
  

Encore

• Everybody Lies
• Smells Like Wasilla Spirit
• Bomb Iran

--------------------------------------------

With thanks to Chuck.