Inauguration Youth Event -- Between a Rock and a Red Face?
by Jim Brown and Bill Fancher
January 11, 2005
(AgapePress) - Controversy continues to swirl around an upcoming Bush presidential inauguration event that features a performance by a rapper who refers to himself as the "pimp of the nation." While the White House says the president himself would never endorse the performer's sexualized lyrics, the group heading up the inaugural festivities has pretty much declined comment.Numerous news organizations have reported that Kid Rock, a controversial rock-and-roller known for his vulgar lyrics and immoral lifestyle, is slated to perform at an inaugural youth concert hosted by First Twins Jenna and Barbara Bush. Pro-family activists have expressed outrage over the rapper's scheduled performance.
Bush spokesman Tim Goeglein had this response today (January 11) to questions about Kid Rock's participation in the inauguration. "I am not aware that a contract has been let to Kid Rock," Goeglein stated.
While Goeglein said he could not speak for the Presidential Inauguration Committee (PIC), he did say he knows what President Bush would think. "Based on the [Kid Rock] lyrics that I have been told about ... I can tell you that the president would never endorse such lyrics and would never condone them," he said.
The PIC will neither confirm nor deny whether Kid Rock has been invited. At least one pro-family leader who has attempted to contact the PIC several times in recent days says he does not buy that statement.
"What kind of answer is that?" asks American Family Association chairman Don Wildmon. "All you have to say is yes, he's is going to be here; no, he's not going to be here. But they refuse to do that -- which leads me to think that they have the man signed up [and] ready to come, but they're afraid of the backlash and they're waiting to see what's going to happen."
In an e-mail to AFA supporters on Monday, Wildmon explains that he tried to contact Greg Jenkins, the PIC's executive director, once on Thursday (January 6) and three times on Friday, to no avail.
"Each time I was told that he was busy. I left messages for Mr. Jenkins to please return my calls. He did not," the message says. "I contacted a U.S. senator's high-level staff person who did speak with Mr. Jenkins and asked him to please call me concerning the situation. Still, no call."
The invitation of Kid Rock, says Wildmon, is an insult to pro-family voters. "Of all the people they could have selected to perform, Kid Rock would be at the bottom of the list," he says.
"He represents everything that the values voters who voted for George W. Bush voted against. And to have him up as the star attraction for our young people is a big a slap in the face as conservatives who voted for George Bush could receive."
Wildmon's group is encouraging its supporters to contact the PIC, asking that Kid Rock be uninvited from performing during the inaugural celebration. He also suggests if individuals are unsuccessful in getting through to the Presidential Inauguration Committee, that they contact the Republican National Committee to express their displeasure. "Maybe RNC can convince PIC to uninvited Kid Rock," he offers.
Conservatives have also taken offense to the revelation that actor Kelsey Grammer will emcee a kickoff inaugural gala honoring the military. Grammer has been arrested for multiple DUI and cocaine possession offenses.
