Source: The Age

REPORTS that Jon Bon Jovi is considering a career in politics appear to have been greatly exaggerated.

The jetlagged but perfectly coiffed frontman for the superstar rock band that shares his name was in Melbourne yesterday preparing for the band's first headlining tour in 12 years.

Bon Jovi is a staunch US Democratic Party supporter and fund-raiser. He has long been rumoured to be contemplating a run for public office at home in New Jersey.

Yesterday, he was far from sanguine about his own political ambitions.

Gossip about Bon Jovi went into overdrive when a New York paper reported he had hired the talents of political consultant Ken Sunshine.

"There are always rumours I will get involved," he says in his hotel room. "But I have no desire. I can jokingly say that the job doesn't pay well enough."

Asked if he is flattered by the rumours, he laughs. "It's one of the trappings of celebrity. Anyone who can string together a couple of sentences is considered a genius."

In person, Bon Jovi is removed from the hedonistic on-stage persona that has helped sell 120 million records. He is quietly proud of his charity that focuses on helping families affected by the US subprime mortgage crisis.

He is conscientious and passionate, particularly when discussing politics. He was inducted into the Democratic fraternity in 1992, after receiving a tap on the shoulder from then President Bill Clinton. He swiftly became enamoured with the Clintons and Al Gore.

"By 2000, I was a big believer," he says. "I felt that what the president had done in America was touching people from all walks of life."

He was particularly exultant about Mr Clinton's ability to temper the negative perception of Americans abroad, something he has observed shifting dramatically through the Bush years.

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