From the Huffington Post...
Singer, songwriter, liberal activist and now John McCain scourge Jackson Browne filed a lawsuit today against the presumptive Republican nominee for failing to obtain a license to use one of his songs in a television commercial.
Jackson Browne is probably not too keen on being Mccain's poster boy. He played in a series of concerts in 2004 for John Kerry put together by MoveOn.org, plus has done fundraisers for local democrats. He also campaigned for John Edwards in 2007. He's a powerful activist for many progressive issues. Perhaps, however, the McCain camp thought nothing would come of using his songs based on some old new articles. From Oct 2007, a report from a anti-nuclear power press conference reports "Browne said that he initially came out in support of Obama, but then learned of Obama's support for nuclear power."
More from the Huffington article:
The song, "Running on Empty," has been used by McCain in his presidential bid -- apparently against Browne's approval. The music icon also claims the Senator is falsely suggesting has endorsed his candidacy.
And from a Jackson Browne press release:
"We are confident that Jackson Browne will prevail in this lawsuit. Not only have Senator McCain and his agents plainly infringed Mr. Browne's copyright in Running On Empty, but the Federal Courts have long held that the unauthorized use of a famous singer's voice in a commercial constitutes a false endorsement and a violation of the singer's right of publicity. In light of Jackson Browne's lifelong commitment to Democratic ideals and political candidates, the misappropriation of Jackson Browne's endorsement is entirely reprehensible, and I have no doubt that a jury will agree."
Update: The news is getting out there. LA Times lists some more detail plus a list of Jackson Browne's campaign contributions. I've always loved him as an artist. Glad to see I love his politics too.
Our colleague Dan Morain, who spends most of his time tracking campaign money, passes along some of Browne's contribution history. No surprise -- Browne likes Democrats. Morain reports Browne, a modest campaign donor over the years, gave Obama $2,000 shortly after he won his Senate seat in 2004, and another $2,300 in March. Browne also has given about $5,500 to Moveon.org, $5,266 to Rep. Lois Capps of Santa Barbara. And he's sent $1,000 to Al Franken, the Democratic senate candidate in Minnesota, $500 to Ned Lamont for his 2006 run for Joe Lieberman's Senate seat Connecticut.