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Opinion: Barack (Obama) & Bruce (Springsteen): Blood Brothers

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Bruce Springsteen hopes Barack Obama can lead America to the Promised Land.

And Hillary Clinton? She’s on the receiving end of a Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.

Yep, crank up the references. The Boss came out today for Obama. Here’s the announcement from the rock icon:

Dear Friends and Fans: Like most of you, I’ve been following the campaign and I have now seen and heard enough to know where I stand. Senator Obama, in my view, is head and shoulders above the rest. He has the depth, the reflectiveness, and the resilience to be our next President. He speaks to the America I’ve envisioned in my music for the past 35 years, a generous nation with a citizenry willing to tackle nuanced and complex problems, a country that’s interested in its collective destiny and in the potential of its gathered spirit. A place where ‘...nobody crowds you, and nobody goes it alone.’ At the moment, critics have tried to diminish Senator Obama through the exaggeration of certain of his comments and relationships. While these matters are worthy of some discussion, they have been ripped out of the context and fabric of the man’s life and vision, so well described in his excellent book, Dreams of My Father, often in order to distract us from discussing the real issues: war and peace, the fight for economic and racial justice, reaffirming our Constitution, and the protection and enhancement of our environment. After the terrible damage done over the past eight years, a great American reclamation project needs to be undertaken. I believe that Senator Obama is the best candidate to lead that project and to lead us into the 21st Century with a renewed sense of moral purpose and of ourselves as Americans. Over here on E Street, we’re proud to support Obama for President.

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Springsteen, you might recall, came out strong for John Kerry in 2004, even allowing him to use a song, ‘No Surrender,’ as a campaign theme. But until today, he’s been a Cautious Man ...

as the epic Democratic battle swriled from state to state.

A quick check of the Boss’ touring schedule shows he won’t be performing in the Badlands of Pennslyvania before the April 22 primary, although he’s always been popular in the state, hailing from next-door New Jersey.

But he will be appearing in two shows in North Carolina, in Charlotte on April 27 and Greensboro on the 28, before that state’s May 6 primary. He may use the occasion to give fans some Reason to Believe.

So, will this be enough to propel Obama to that Mansion on the Hill? Does Clinton now face a Long Walk Home? We invite you to choose the Springsteen song that best epitomizes the two warring candidates.

Oh, and the Republican nominee? That’s easy: Adam Raised McCain.

-- James Oliphant

James Oliphant writes for the Swamp of the Chicago Tribune’s Washington bureau.

AP photo by Peter Kramer

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