[MissesBush]

Petty should grow up. Who cares if she's using your music? It's exposure for your work which you desperately need you has-been, stoner burn out. You're living up to your name---petty.

[A_Former_Democrat]

Petty indeed. Washed up has-been, goofy looker with little vocal talent who’s best days were 3 decades ago.

[70th Division]

Hey Tom! REPUBLICANS BUY CD’S TOO! Idiot

[dead]

I believe he is on the list of "Men Who Look Like Lesbians as They Age"

If he's not, he should be.

[theDentist]

I’m disappointed that she was even using the whiny little snot’s music to start with. He sings like a 13 y.o.

[Mad Dawgg]

"insisting he did not give the rightwing politician permission."

I got news for Mr. Petty. If Ms. Bachman is using a legally obtained copy of the song she has the right to play it in public all day long as long as she pays the associated fees for doing such. And Petty has no say in the matter whatsoever.

[FrankR]

She just needs to pay his royalty fees for public performance (BMI, ASCAP, or SESAC, whichever) and he can't stop her from using it.

The guys that did Rush's theme music tried that on him, and he won because the radio stations pay those licensing fees.

She would only have to pay the one that applies to him, and then only for the duration of the Public performance.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

Ever listen to the lyrics of "American Girl"? I don't know why Bachman would want that as her theme. It certainly isn't some celebration of a wholesome, moral Middle-American girl.

Then again, she launched her campain in the spirit of John Wayne Gacy so maybe it is an appropriate theme . . . . .

[Above My Pay Grade]

On a related note, what is it with Christian Conservative candidates (not to mention talk show hosts)and Rock and Roll music? Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll are a good fit. Christianity, Conservatism and Rock and Roll are not, IMHO.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Aw hell, can’t a company just purchase a license and play it anyway?

I remember the same thing when the jerkoff beeotches in “Heart” were whining like stuck banshees over Palin’s use of “Barracuda”.

Idiots.

[Paperdoll]

The Star Spangled Banner or America softly played in background would be my selection. The heck with petty Tom Petty.

[EDINVA]

This happens every election cycle. Celebs warn Republicans not to use their music, while granting authorization to the Dems. Nothing really new here.

However, R’s might just stop buying his music.

[altura]

He should be totally thrilled that anyone is using his music.

I don’t know why anyone would want to use American Girl anyway. One, she’s not a girl and it sounds silly and two, the tune is not at all catchy.

[tflabo]

Leftists are LOSERS.....I’m totally convinced. Even if the world worships at their feet—which they do. LOSERS in the grand scheme of eternity.

[CPT Clay]

Piss off Mr Petty, your music is in the public. Get over it and keep playing the Casino circut to 200 people a night.

[Melas]

As often as this has happened in recent years, only a fool would use a song in a campaign without securing permission prior. This kind of embarrassment is easily avoided.

[org.whodat]

Damn this is the first time this has ever happened, NOT!!!!!

[NC28203]

Was it wise to pick a campaign song that includes the lyric?

God it’s so painful when something that’s so close
Is still so far out of reach

[antiRepublicrat]

during her announcement speech, the Tea Party supporter confused the birthplace of actor John Wayne with that of serial killer John Wayne Gacy.

Here's the tactic, repeat a lie often enough people believe it's true. Gacy was born in Chicago, while Bachmann just got John Wayne's city in Iowa wrong, saying Waterloo (where Wayne's parents lived) instead of Winterset (where Wayne was born). Most news outlets are smart enough to make this clear somewhere in the text, but they still portray this as her mistaking the birthplaces of the two people, especially for people who don't read below the first paragraph.

[SeeSharp]

A quick and simple bit of legislation can fix all of this nonsense. A copyright is just a government gift anyway.

[Melas]

Seems like a lot of freepers need educating on copyright law. Using a song for a political campaign is NOT a public performance, it’s a commercial use. It’s not only a pertinent legal distinction, but one helluva financial distinction as well. Public performance rights are relatively cheap, but commercial use licenses have gone into the 7 figures.

Note that although it was settled in a pre-trial mediation, Charlie Crist’s campaign wound up paying big bucks to David Byrne for using his music without permission.

John McCain likewise wound up paying Jackson Brown big bucks.

Don Henley? Yep, you guess it, won big bucks from Chuck DeVore