John Mellencamp and Sarah Palin: Unlikely Bedfellows

John Mellencamp might be a red state rocker, simply by geography, since he hails from Indiana, but the singer has never really expressed many right wing sympathies. Heck, he even asked Republican senator (and former Presidential nominee) John McCain to stop using his songs at political rallies. However, he has admitted to admiring former vice-presidential nominee and former Alaska governor, the much-maligned Sarah Palin, who was McCain's running mate. Mellencamp, who supported Barack Obama in 2008, was quick to point out that while his political beliefs do not fall in line with Palin's, he does think her intellect is underestimated.

The Associated Press reports that Mellencamp said that people assume Palin's not smart "just because she says things and winks." He also said she "knows exactly what's she doing" and "she wouldn't be where she is today if she didn't." Hmmm, I think you give Palin a lot of undue credit, Mr. Mellencamp. However, he still said, "She's pushing the right buttons" and "you can't be stupid and do that."

What do you think of Mellencamp's perceptions of Palin?