By Eric Heyl
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, April 16, 2004


Having seemingly locked up the Democratic presidential nomination
back in the Mesozoic Era, John Kerry is relying on guest stars to
inspire interest in today's Pittsburgh rally.
Enter Jon Bon Jovi. The New Jersey rocker and arena football team
owner was expected to lend his support to this morning's scheduled
Kerry appearance on the University of Pittsburgh campus.

At first glance, this seems an odd pairing. Shirts come no more
stuffed than Kerry, and Bon Jovi often doesn't wear a shirt at all --
at least onstage.

But the pair has more in common than you may think.

Kerry once played bass in a bad band known as the Electras. And Bon
Jovi's politics have to be pretty liberal, judging by the title of
his greatest hits album, "This Left Feels Right."

If you peruse Bon Jovi's lyrics over the past two decades, it's easy
to find clues to his political leanings. I imagine he could make it
through an entire news conference on his politics just by relying on
the words to his songs.

"Mr. Bon Jovi, what do you think about the continued fighting
between U.S. troops and Iraqi insurgents? Do you think our mission
there is 30 percent complete? Forty percent?

"We've got to hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when it's all that you've got.
Whoa, we're halfway there
Whoa, livin' on a prayer."

"Mr. Bon Jovi, what should happen to bin Laden if we ever capture
him? And what message would you deliver to him right now if you
could?"

"Shot through the heart
And you're to blame
You give love a bad name."

"Mr. Bon Jovi, what are your thoughts on the many Americans without
medical insurance? Why hasn't there been more significant health
care reform in this country?"

"Well when you find your medicine you take what you can get
Cause if there's something better baby well they haven't found it
yet
Your love is like bad medicine."

"Mr. Bon Jovi, how would you respond to critics who claim that Sen.
Kerry has been extremely vague on his economic proposals?"

"What you get ain't always what you see
But satisfaction's guaranteed."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Bon Jovi, what song was that from?"

"'Lay Your Hands on Me.'"

"Mr. Bon Jovi, is your appearance here today prompted more by
activism or ego? Do you have a sincere interest in electing Sen.
Kerry, or are you just a waning celebrity jumping at any opportunity
for media coverage?"

"I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd
You're gonna hear my voice when I shout it out loud
It's my life."