
	Chris Mulick has worked for the Herald since 1998 and has served as the statehouse correspondent covering state government and politics since 2000. He works year-round out of the Herald's Olympia bureau on the state Capitol campus. Have a question? Send Chris an e-mail and he'll answer the best questions regularly.

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Thursday, Jul. 03, 2008

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Putting the campaign season to music

Niki Sullivan over at the News Tribune’s Political Buzz blog has this swell idea about illustrating the campaign season through music from her iTunes library. Except she has this little hang-up about anything produced in the 1900s. Well, I’ve got my own list below and, unlike hers, my iTunes library doesn’t have much in it that wasn’t produced in the 1900s.

I’ll ask for your input at the end (nobody wants to work today anyway) and I reserve the right to add to this list as inspiration strikes.

Here goes. Pertinent lyrics are in parenthesis.

— To honor Republican John McCain’s presidential bid, I’d suggest The Grateful Dead’s “Touch of Grey.” Also in the running would be Pink Floyd’s “Time.”

— In memory of Hillary Clinton’s failed presidential campaign I’d nominate “Singing the Blues” by Marty Robbins. (“The dream is gone I thought was mine.”)

— For whichever presidential candidate who ends up winning and will be seen dancing at the inaugural ball I'd suggest "Get Rhythm" by Johnny Cash.

— In a nod to the pantsless wonder, I’d suggest “Stray Cat Blues” by the Rolling Stones to commemorate Robert “The Traveller” Hill’s now defunct Senate campaign. (”You’re a strange stray cat, oh yeah”).

— I can’t believe I’m admitting to having The Guess Who in my collection (I tried to order The Who during my college days and the mail order company goofed up). But, recognizing the efforts of Wolf Blitzer and other cable news networks in providing Jon Stewart with so much good material this campaign season I’ll nominate “Clap for the Wolfman.”

— For the Rossi and Gregoire campaigns, the state political parties and all the independent interest groups who have already distorted the record beyond recognition I offer Fleetwood Mac’s “Little lies.”

— In honor of Puyallup whiz kid Caleb Heimlich and his campaign against Democratic Rep. Dawn Morrell I’d suggest Muddy Waters’ “Mannish Boy.”

— Rep. Dan “whoo-whoo!” Roach, R-Bonney Lake, is running again and in honor of him having shown his brash side during this term I’ll nominate Hank Williams Jr.’s “Family Tradition,” which if re-written might say “So if I get loud and get gaveled down it’s a... FAMILY tradition.”

Jethro Tull's "Locomotive Breath" also would work here.

It’s not in my iTunes library but if it were I’d also have suggested Quad City DJ’s’ “C’mon ‘N Ride It (The Train).” (”Come on ride the train — it’s the choo choo — and ride it.”

— Finally, this one goes out to all those legislative caucus communications staffers who get to take the summer off for fear that their work will look like campaign activity. For them, I’ll suggest Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville.”

Ok, readers. Now it’s your turn.

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