The Dead vote: What was Obama thinking?

I like the Grateful Dead. Own a half-dozen of their albums. I even listen to a couple — American Beauty, The Closing of Winterland — pretty regularly. But I wouldn't seek their support if running for president. No way.

Especially if I was Barack Obama. But here we are on the biggest primary day in history and publications nationwide are running headlines like: "Grateful Dead and Deadheads reunite for Obama."

Did the presidential hopeful not realize The Dead are perhaps most famous for advocating the intake of marijuana and LSD?

Not a smart move. Especially considering Obama's confessions of experimenting with marijuana and cocaine as a teenager. A story that the Clinton Machine strategically revived on the campaign trail. One that will surely resurface in the paws of the Republicans.

It could have been worse for Obama. At least the candidate opted to send a videotaped message instead of making a personal appearance Monday at the Dead's show in San Francisco — where he might have been subjected to a very un-presidential contact high.

Reuters reports:

The concert started with a short video from Obama, filmed on an airplane, thanking the band. A thick cloud of marijuana smoke wafted through the air then and throughout the concert, and some fans engaged in free-style dance as though magically transported from 1968.

Politicians really have nothing to gain by courting rock stars. A singer might fill stadiums but can she deliver votes? It's doubtful. Look how much the 2004 Vote for Change Tour — featuring heavyweights Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam and others — helped Kerry.

This article appears in Jan 30 – Feb 5, 2008.